- Days 1–3Perthshire
- Days 3–4Fort William
- Days 4–6Skye
- Days 6–8Nairn
- Days 8–9Scottish Highlands
- Days 9–11Edinburgh
- Days 1–3Perthshire
- Days 3–4Fort William
- Days 4–6Skye
- Days 6–8Nairn
- Days 8–9Scottish Highlands
- Days 9–11Edinburgh
Classic Scotland
Take in Scotland's monumental history with visits to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Fort William and Glencoe, before boarding the Jacobite steam train towards the rolling green hills of Skye. Next, make your way to Nairn for a taste of Scotland’s whisky heritage, and to Pitlochery for ancient Scone Palace, before your final stop in the enigmatic capital, Edinburgh.
Trip highlights
- Go onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, beloved by Queen Elizabeth II
- Enjoy first-class tickets on the Jacobite steam train
- Relax on a stay at the Balmoral Hotel
- Discover the epic landscapes of the Isle of Skye
- Visit the home of Stuart kings and queens, Stirling Castle
- Go behind the scenes at a whisky distillery
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–3
Discover Perthshire in the Scottish Lowlands
Start in the Scottish Lowlands with a stay at Andy Murray’s Cromlix hotel on a fabulous Perthshire estate. Perthshire is a lowlands region rich with history, culture and grand old architecture, as well as peaceful woods and glens. Enjoy country pursuits such as fishing and grouse shooting, as well as hiking, biking and golf.
See the sights
Castles
Villages
Landscapes
History
Explore Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s premier castles and has an impressive history. Home to a succession of Stuart kings and queens, this historic edifice sits atop a rocky outcrop and rivals Edinburgh Castle in both history and visual impact.
A visit to Culross
The village of Culross is a place that time forgot. Nestled along the banks of the River Forth, the Royal Burgh of Culross dates largely from the 16th century and its ancient cottages and the striking mustard-yellow Palace are little changed. Discover a slice of Scottish history on a guided walk around this exceptional place.
Discover Loch Lomond
Made famous by the song The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond, this freshwater loch is one of Scotland’s most evocative sites. The loch marks the beginning of the Highlands and the magnificent scenery of the Trossachs forms the backdrop to this spectacular location.
Glencoe
Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the whole of Scotland. Site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe, today it is a hauntingly beautiful Highland glen which evokes the spirit of the clans who ruled this land for centuries.
Days 3–4
Overnight in Fort William
Fort William, the adventure capital of Scotland, is on the road (and railway line) to the West Coast and Islands. Here, beneath the shadow of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, you’ll board the West Highland Line for the Jacobite steam train towards Mallaig and the Isle of Skye.
Aboard the West Highland Railway
Experience the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig
Enjoy a ride on the Jacobite steam train, made famous as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter movies. The train is one of the best ways to view the stunning scenery of the West Coast.
Days 4–6
The rugged and unrivalled landscapes of Skye
The Isle of Skye’s rugged landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery are unrivalled among the islands of the West Coast. There are only a few roads crossing the island and its isolated position has ensured it retains a strong and proud Gaelic identity. There is a thriving art and crafts tradition on the island and photographers from far and wide are attracted not only for the peaks and valleys but for the extraordinary abundance of wildlife, both on dry land and in the sea, that Skye is famous for.
See more
Castles
Views
Discover Eilean Donan Castle
Visit the evocative Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a small tidal island at the convergence of three sea lochs. Eilean Donan possesses all the qualities of a romantic castle and is one of the Highland’s greatest beauties.
Visit the Applecross Peninsula
Applecross is widely considered to be one of the most picturesque locations on the West Coast. Located on a peninsula looking out towards the Isle of Raasay and Isle of Skye, the Applecross Peninsula is home to just a couple of hundred people. A place of peace and tranquility, but also of drama and power in the huge landscapes and variable weather, this is one of Scotland’s most evocative places.
Days 6–8
Two nights on the Moray Firth in Nairn
Visit the seaside resort of Nairn on the Moray Firth, east of Inverness. Here you’re ideally located to explore the beautiful Highlands scenery of the Cairngorms National Park to the south, visit local distilleries and spot dolphins on the Moray Firth.
Learn more about whisky
Caskmaking
Tasting
Visit Speyside Cooperage
The Speyside Cooperage stands as one of the last remaining cooperages in Scotland. Still made by hand using traditional methods, the casks are an essential part of the whisky-making process and making them is a skill passed down through generations. An experienced former cooper will guide you through the cooperage and take you down to the workshop. This is also a fascinating insight into local crafts and how they’re kept alive today.
A whisky tour of Speyside
Whisky is one of Scotland’s most successful exports and with good reason: this famous beverage evokes the spirit of Scotland and nowhere is more intrinsically linked to it than the region of Speyside. Barley is distilled in fresh Highland water, and the region in which it is grown gives a different taste to the final product. In Speyside the whiskies have either a light and grassy or rich and sweet palette. Join your guide to learn more about one of Scotland’s finest products.
Days 8–9
Overnight in Pitlochry
Best known for Victorian Scottish Baronial architecture and the Festival Theatre, Pitlochry is a beautiful base to explore Highland Perthshire. Here, on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park you’ll find ancient Blair Castle, the last castle in the British Isles to be besieged, and Scone Palace, the coronation site of both Robert the Bruce and Charles II.
Visiting the local castles
Baronial architecture
Royal history
Blair Castle
Blair Castle is unlike any other castle in Scotland. Its baronial architecture and beautiful setting in wooded grounds with mountainous backdrop are typical enough, but a couple of accidents of history have set Blair Castle apart. In 1844 Queen Victoria spent three weeks at Blair and during her stay granted the Duke a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, today the only private army in Europe. In more recent times, the castle passed to a branch of the family currently residing in South Africa.
Scone Palace
In this castle, powerful Scottish history is evident in every room. Today a private residence, this ancient home has received royalty throughout the ages and in the grounds, The Moot Hill was the coronation site of both Robert the Bruce and Charles II.
A visit to Dunkeld Village
The lovely village of Dunkeld sits on the banks of the River Tay. The majestic Dunkeld Cathedral dominates this picturesque Perthshire village and features the tomb of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch. Nearby, walk along Atholl Street’s variety of specialist shops or down by the river, which provides excellent views of Thomas Telford’s Dunkeld Bridge. You can’t miss the brightly coloured houses of Dunkeld which were built in the early 1700s. Restored to provide homes for local people, they are now in the care of the National Trust For Scotland. Another NTS property is the Ell Shop featuring the original ‘ell’ measure, just over a metre long, used for measuring cloth in days gone by.
Days 9–11
Two nights at the grand Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh
Draped across a series of extinct volcanoes and rocky crags and sandwiched between the Firth of Forth and the flat landscape of the Lothians, Edinburgh is Scotland‘s most handsome and charming city.
Perfectly blending tradition and modernity, the city is split into the old and new town, neatly divided by Princes Street, Edinburgh’s main thoroughfare. The old town has retained its medieval feel with winding lanes and cobbled streets, while the new town – itself over 200 years old – is characterised by broad streets lined with neoclassical buildings.
Tour the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith
The Royal Yacht Britannia served as the royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II from 1954 until 1997. It served Her Majesty on innumerable trips around the globe over the course of its career. The yacht was dear to the Queen and she was seen to shed a tear when it was decommissioned. Today, the yacht is docked at Leith, in Edinburgh, and offers a tantalising insight into some of the former private spaces of the British Royal Family.
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
