Your exclusive tour of Scotland is custom-tailored to ensure every day focuses on creating a private access journey for your comfortable exploration. Castles retain their image of nobility as they rise above the dense forests and manicured gardens. Cobblestone streets take you back in time to the historical beginnings of fabled cities. The gentle swish of a golf club grazes the trimmed grass outside a historical society. Cathedral steeples...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Glasgow – Settle into the Comforts of Scotland’s Largest City at Glasgow
Glasgow’s contemporary image has been shinning like a diamond with modern restaurants and art galleries that overflow out of the Georgian facades and old manufacturing warehouses. The Art Nouveau buildings and music create the exclusive beat to which the city moves. Upon arrival, your private transfer will meet you at the airport and escort you to a remarkable hotel in the heart of the city. The gothic spires of Glasgow University stand as a beacon on the city’s West End near Ashton Lane. Locals celebrate the quiet, preserved charms of the street but visitors often overlook the hidden picturesque street adorned with fairy lights and lined with pubs, restaurants, and bars.
A cosmopolitan ambiance emanates from the neighborhood of Merchant City, known for its modern apartments hidden inside antique facades. Glasgow Cross sits at the city’s center where five main streets come together. Tolbooth Steeple was constructed in the 17th century and stands 126 feet tall. The blue clock near the top of the steeple will remind you of the luxurious time you will have in city and all of Scotland. St. Aloysius Church reflects the grandeur of Roman Catholic history in Scotland and the exceptionality of inspiration taken from Church of the Gesú’s Renaissance design in Rome. The edifice was erected in 1868 but consecrated in 1953. Stained-glass windows decorate the dome’s interior filling the church with bright, colorful light.
What's Included:
Day 2
Glasgow – Embark on an Exclusive Tour of Glasgow with a Historian Guide
Day 3
Fort William – Explore the Luxurious Stirling Castle and Lush Glen Coe
Day 4
Fort William – Delight in a Private Excursion to Great Glen and Loch Ness
Day 5
Isle of Skye – Transfer to the Isle of Sky and Enjoy a Notable Whisky Tasting
Day 6
Isle of Skye – Relish the Freedom of a Private Driver to Discover the Island
Day 7
Pitlochry – Sample Stunning Whiskey before Reaching County Perthshire
Day 8
Pitlochry – Visit Balmoral Castle Exceptional Town of St. Andrews
Day 9
Edinburgh – View the Historic City of Edinburgh on a Full-Day Private Tour
Day 10
Edinburgh – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Traverse the grounds of the Royal Family's Country Home at Balmoral Castle located on 50,000 acres of pristine Scottish scenery outside of Pitlochry
- Indulge in the luxurious flavors of malt whiskey during an exclusive tour of Dalwhinnie Distillery pairing sumptuous whiskeys with divine chocolates
- Witness the extraordinary scenery of the Isle of Skye with a private driver and guide where the landscape brings legend to life
- Wander the rugged coastline of St. Andrews on an exclusive tour of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world
- Explore the fascinating walls and vast grounds of Stirling Castle, which were originally constructed in the 16th century to house the seat of James V
- Stroll Edinburgh’s Royal Mile at the heart of the city, connecting the dramatic sculpture of Edinburgh Castle and the elegant design of Holyrood Palace
- Stand atop the scenic summit adorned with Urquhart Castle’s ruins and search Loch Ness for the legendary creature hiding in the waters
Detailed Description
This 10-day private access Scotland tour will have you living like royalty as you witness the country’s remarkable wonders in VIP comfort and style. Listen to the fireplace crackle as you settle into an old leather chair. A pub fills with laughter and the jovial conversation of locals. A castle opens the forest’s lush trees. The scenery erupts with colorful flowers and footbridges. Animals graze on the grassland and in the underbrush. Witness the plushness of noble manors and discover the unparalleled landscape of the Highlands and Scottish isles. During your vacation, you will find that the only thing greater than the history is the luxury.
You will begin in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. The warehouse edge of the city’s past has been remodeled to highlight the historic streets and modern thinking. Your private transfer will escort you into the city and Glasgow will be yours to explore. A full-day private tour will take you around the historic cathedral and antique necropolis. See where the past stones meet the cosmopolitan in both architecture and art. Then, you will travel northbound to Fort William and visit Stirling Castle en route. The castle has been a Scottish stronghold for centuries and played a large role in the Scottish independence movement. Its plush interior provides insight into a royal lifestyle.
Traverse the lush lands of Glen Coe, discover the Great Glen, and enjoy a luxury cruise across the famous waters of Loch Ness. The legendary lake glistens against the emerald landscape. Your private transfer will take you to the Isle of Skye where you will wander along the back roads and mystical scenery as you view the Old Man of Storr and Fairy Glen. Then, enjoy a private whisky tour that ends in an indulgent tasting. Seaside villages alight with brightly painted homes. The island will be your oyster with your own private driver to escort you around the enticing landscape and charming towns. The luxuries continue in Pitlochry where you will sample the sensational flavors of the Dalwhinnie Distillery, visit the pristine edifice of Blair Castle, and explore the majestic grounds of Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the British Royal Family.
Outside of the charming town of Pitlochry is St. Andrews, home to the first university of Scotland and the birthplace of the game of golf. Indulge in an exclusive tour of the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse or tour the city’s historic cathedral. In Edinburgh, you will be embraced by the tremendous medieval past that continues to live in the everyday streets and buildings of Old Town. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel to take you to the airport. Your time in Scotland will be filled with plush and lavish adventures that take you into the behind the scenes wonders.
Starting Price
$9,800 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.88 stars based on 448 reviews.
This was my first time planning an overseas trip for myself, plus a friend, and integrating a third person into the trip halfway! There were lots of moving parts. Thanks to Zicasso's tour company, I started out not knowing what I wanted to see, to having a perfect trip, with fantastic accommodations, wonderful drivers, and amazing adventures!
Reviewed By Laura T.
We had an awesome experience! There was impeccable attention to detail! The driver/guides were terrific to work with. I will definitely recommend Zicasso’s tour company to my friends.
Reviewed By Krishna S.
We had an exceptional experience with the team at Zicasso's travel company, particularly our agent. She listened to our hopes and needs for a very complex trip, and created a journey that exceeded our expectations in every way.
Reviewed By Lorraine M.
The trip was fantastic and the Zicasso travel agent was very attentive to our wants. We felt very well taken care of.
Reviewed By Christine S.
To celebrate our daughter’s graduation from the University of Glasgow, Julie and I decided to organize a family driving trip through the islands and Highlands of Scotland. We wanted to see everything in Scotland.
Zicasso's travel agent helped us refine our plans to fit our timeframe and budget. She planned an efficient route and found us memorable accommodations in each of our stops. She also suggested some places not on our original wish list, including a boat trip to Staffa, which turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
Our driver truly made it feel like the family vacation we had envisioned. While on some days we had a definite timeline to meet (the ferries will leave without you!), most of the time we were able to decide what we were in the mood for and he would happily accommodate us. We even were able to have an unscheduled stop on the drive back to Glasgow to see where our daughter had spent time last summer on an archaeological dig.
Where we stayed and what we ate were not big factors in our vacation planning request, but our travel agent found us lovely accommodations that made our day trips and ferry trips convenient. The restaurant specialist made dinner suggestions that made sense for where we were staying and arranged reservations for us so that we did not have to worry about finding a place to eat at the end of a long day.
Reviewed By George C.
The Zicasso travel agency was absolutely wonderful, helping us plan a customized trip to England and Scotland. Our travel group of 10 included teenagers through retirees. They truly listened to our interests and helped build an amazing experience for everyone. The individualized care and communication were wonderful. They were also incredibly responsive and helpful when our incoming flight was delayed. We'd highly recommend!!
Reviewed By Kate T.