

Scottish Lochs & Castles Tour
Guided Family Vacation Option
Scotland is known for its lakes & castles and here you will explore the highlights with a Loch Ness cruise, a Scottish Highland train ride and a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Both kids and adults will enjoy the sheepdog demonstration and the treasure hunt at the Atholl Palace Hotel. You will also visit Stirling, Blair and Edinburgh Castles and the town of St. Andrews.
The 8 day Scottish Lochs and Castles Tour from CIE Tours brings the lakes and castles of Scotland to life as your journey takes you to some of the most desirable destinations in this amazing country. See the castles in all their glory as you encounter more photo opportunities than your social media profile could ever ask for. The 8 day Scottish Lochs and Castles Tour from CIE Tours is perfect for any traveler looking to take in the sights, sounds and history of Scotland.
8 Days • fr. $1,949
Tour Highlights & Offers
Tour Includes
- Loch Ness Cruise
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Sheepdog demonstration
- St. Andrews
- Stirling Castle History Hunters Tour
- Urquhart, Edinburgh & Blair Castles
- Treasure hunt at Atholl Palace Hotel
- Garden tour to touch massive Redwood Tree
- Dynamic Earth Natural History Museum
- Hike to Arthurs Seat
- Take a breathtaking journey on the Jacobite Steam Train featured in Harry Potter movies
- Come face to face with Britain’s largest land mammal, the Red Deer, at Highland Safaris
- Enjoy a fun, fast speedboat ride to see the famous landmarks with a unique perspective from Glasgow’s Clyde River and Tall Ship
- Hear stories of the haunted side of Edinburgh and hear ghost stories on an evening tour
- Reserved seats for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on August departures
- Handling of one piece of luggage per person is included in the cost of all coach tours. Size should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 inches and weight should be under 50 lbs. Luggage is carried at owner's risk throughout the tour unless insured.
Not Included
- Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
- Full daily breakfasts (except Day 1)
- 3 Lunches and tea and cakes at St Andrews
- 7 dinners including a traditional Scottish evening in Edinburgh
Hotel Details
- Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow (1 night)
- Isles of Glencoe Hotel in Ballachulish (1 night)
- Newton Hotel in Nairn (1 night)
- Macdonald Holyrood Hotel in Edinburgh (2 nights)
Day 1
GLASGOW, SPEEDBOAT & TALL SHIP
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Glasgow hotel. Tour central Glasgow like never before to see famous landmarks with the wind blowing your hair on a speedboat tour along the River Clyde. See red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, and Glasgow Cathedral. Continue by stepping back in time as you board a Tall Ship with massive masts and sails. Enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelers before dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
Novotel Glasgow Centre
Day 2
STIRLING CASTLE & TROSSACHS
Stirling, United Kingdom
Drive to the historic Stirling Castle, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots, for a History Hunters Tour that brings the castle to life with many interactive displays for the whole family. Enjoy lunch at the castle before embarking on a scenic drive through Trossachs National Park and Glencoe.
Fort William, United Kingdom
Arrive at your hotel in Ballachulish. The remainder of the day is free to relax or enjoy the hotel facilities before dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Moorings Hotel
Day 3
HIGHLAND TRAIN RIDE & NAIRN
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
Travel along the scenic shores of Loch Linnhe. Board the Jacobite Steam Train for a ride through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery, including crossing the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was featured in some of the Harry Potter movies. Stop for free time in the fishing port of Mallaig.
Nairn, United Kingdom
Continue your drive along the banks of Loch Ness to Nairn and check into your hotel for dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
Macdonald Highlands Hotel
Day 4
LOCH NESS CRUISE & SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION
Loch Ness, United Kingdom
Embark on a cruise on Loch Ness to admire enchanting scenic views and perhaps spot the famous monster before arriving at Urquhart Castle. Visit the ruins of what was once the largest castle in Scotland, then continue your journey through majestic Highland scenery to Aviemore.
Pitlochry, United Kingdom
Visit Leault Farm for a demonstration of trained dogs herding sheep. Travel past the high peaks of the Grampian Mountains to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. Enjoy a Treasure Hunt on the historic grounds of Atholl Palace Hotel, and spend some free time before a BBQ dinner at the hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Atholl Palace Hotel
Day 5
BLAIR CASTLE & HIGHLAND SAFARIS
Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom
An interactive nature experience with Highland Safaris will introduce you to the local wildlife and habitat of the region. At the Red Deer Encounter learn about Britain’s largest native land mammal. You will have an opportunity to pet, feed, and photograph the experience and take a trail into the forest with a ranger.
Pitlochry, United Kingdom
After lunch encounter 700 years of history at Blair Castle, the only castle in Britain with a private army. Take a garden tour with the hotel gardener and touch a massive Redwood Tree before dining at your hotel this evening.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Atholl Palace Hotel
Day 6
ST ANDREWS & ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA
St. Andrews, United Kingdom
Tour the medieval town of St Andrews, the “Home of Golf” and see the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course, then savour a traditional Scottish morning tea, cakes and sandwiches.
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Continue to Edinburgh and visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, a former floating home of The Queen. Learn about the history of Royal Yachts and see exhibits and photographs of Britannia’s intriguing history. Enjoy a Scottish evening with dinner, haggis, bagpipes, kilts, and Highland dancing.
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Indigo York Place
Day 7
EDINBURGH CASTLE & CITY TOUR
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Explore Edinburgh on a panoramic sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of Edinburgh. This afternoon is all about choice: discover the city independently, take a guided hike up to Arthurs Seat for stunning views of the capital city and surrounding countryside, or experience Dynamic Earth Natural History Museum to learn the story of our planet.
After dinner in a local restaurant, enjoy a walking ghost tour to explore spooky hidden courtyards and gardens that bring Edinburgh’s glorious past to life. The August departures watch the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel Indigo York Place
Day 8
TOUR ENDS IN EDINBURGH
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Breakfast
Important information:
Cancellation Policy
- 70 days or more prior to departure: Forfeiture of deposit
- 69 - 46 days prior to departure: 25% per person
- 45 - 8 days prior to departure: 35% per person
- 7 - 1 days prior to departure: 50% per person
- On day of departure: 100% per person
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A non-refundable land deposit of $250 per person is required for coach tours. Deposits are required within 5 days of making the reservation. Early booking discounts require higher deposits.
- The final payment must be made by credit card no later than 80 days prior to departure date. If payment is not received as scheduled, the reservation will automatically cancel and deposit payment become forfeit.
- Once confirmed any revision to land tours will incur a $50 handling fee per booking. If clients cancel from one tour and rebook on another tour or another date, a cancellation fee may apply. Revisions are not permitted within 14 days of departure or once documents have been issued.
- Documents will be shipped by U.P.S. ground service approximately 21 days prior to departure provided full payment has been received. If documents are required earlier, sufficient notice id required to arrange for early delivery by regular service. Late bookings will incur an express service delivery charge.