Classic Scotland: Edinburgh to the Highlands
Enjoy the quintessential Scottish adventure: ancient castles, majestic landscapes, and a dram or two of whisky
Discover the magic of Scotland on this cultural adventure, from the historic streets of Edinburgh to tranquil lochs, ancient castles and the Highlands. Immerse yourself in Scottish heritage and culture, visiting essential landmarks, including Balmoral, Arthur’s Seat, Stirling Castle, and the Battle of Bannockburn site. Also dive into the world of single malt Scotch whisky on a tasting tour and marvel at the sheer beauty of the landscape on a steam train ride and boat excursion on Loch Lomond. This is Scotland at its very best.
For this Scottish adventure, we stay in a trio of hotels, two in the city and one in the Pitlochry countryside.
Edinburgh: Radisson Blu, Edinburgh City Centre (nights 1-2)
Spend the first two nights at Radisson Blu, which occupies a prime address in the Royal Mile. The four-star property has 238 rooms, which are modern in style and come with rain showers. The hotel is also home to the Itchycoo Bar & Kitchen, which serves Scottish dishes created with local ingredients. There is also a health club with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Dunblane: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro (nights 3-5)
Taking over what was a Victorian health spa resort, this DoubleTree by Hilton has a long history of hospitality. The traditional rooms have views over the Perthshire countryside, plus there’s The Kailyard by Nick Nairn restaurant, which serves farm-to-fork dishes. The hotel also has an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness room.
Pitlochry: Atholl Palace Hotel (nights 6-7)
The Atholl Palace has classic Scottish countryside elegance with traditional rooms decorated with original features. The property also has award-winning gardens and, should you wish to treat yourself, a spa. There’s also plenty of food and drink options, including the Verandah Restaurant, which serves Scottish produce with views over the Tummel Valley, and the Stags Head Bar, where you can enjoy malt whiskies and their own Atholl Palace Gin.
— Small backpack for camera, water bottle etc
— Refillable water bottle
— Sunscreen
— Hat
— Sunglasses
— Waterproofs
— Take a walking tour of the capital, climbing Arthur’s Seat for stretching views
— Board a historic steam train for a scenic journey on the Heritage Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway
— Dive into the history and heritage of Scotland at the Balmoral Estate and ancient castles
— Enjoy a picturesque boat ride on the tranquil waters of Loch Lomond
— Sip single malt Scotch whisky on a tour of Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Start hotel: Raddison Blu Hotel, The Royal Mile, 80 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH
Phone: +44 131 557 9797
Recommended arrival time: Meet at the start hotel at 4pm for the welcome briefing
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately seven minutes’ walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station. For flights arriving into Edinburgh airport (EDI), we can arrange a private arrival transfer, please speak to your sales representative for details.
Return journey
On the last day, the group is transferred from Pitlochry to Edinburgh airport to arrive by an expected 12pm for anyone requiring onward travel.
If you would like further information on joining this trip or your return journey, please speak to your sales representative.
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Visas
— Small backpack for camera, water bottle etc
— Refillable water bottle
— Sunscreen
— Hat
— Sunglasses
— Waterproofs
— Travel by private air-conditioned minibus
— Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
This tour includes guided visits and sightseeing on foot.
Walks: The walking tour of Edinburgh includes the Old Town, where there are cobbled streets and steps. The 3mi (5km) walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat is an ascent of 915ft (280m), with some steep and rocky sections at the top. This walk is optional but gives fabulous views of the city and in all directions. You also walk along the shore of Loch Lomond up to 4mi (6.5km) in distance but at a leisurely pace.
For this Scottish adventure, we stay in a trio of hotels, two in the city and one in the Pitlochry countryside.
Edinburgh: Radisson Blu, Edinburgh City Centre (nights 1-2)
Spend the first two nights at Radisson Blu, which occupies a prime address in the Royal Mile. The four-star property has 238 rooms, which are modern in style and come with rain showers. The hotel is also home to the Itchycoo Bar & Kitchen, which serves Scottish dishes created with local ingredients. There is also a health club with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym.
Dunblane: DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro (nights 3-5)
Taking over what was a Victorian health spa resort, this DoubleTree by Hilton has a long history of hospitality. The traditional rooms have views over the Perthshire countryside, plus there’s The Kailyard by Nick Nairn restaurant, which serves farm-to-fork dishes. The hotel also has an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and fitness room.
Pitlochry: Atholl Palace Hotel (nights 6-7)
The Atholl Palace has classic Scottish countryside elegance with traditional rooms decorated with original features. The property also has award-winning gardens and, should you wish to treat yourself, a spa. There’s also plenty of food and drink options, including the Verandah Restaurant, which serves Scottish produce with views over the Tummel Valley, and the Stags Head Bar, where you can enjoy malt whiskies and their own Atholl Palace Gin.
— Small backpack for camera, water bottle etc
— Refillable water bottle
— Sunscreen
— Hat
— Sunglasses
— Waterproofs
— Take a walking tour of the capital, climbing Arthur’s Seat for stretching views
— Board a historic steam train for a scenic journey on the Heritage Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway
— Dive into the history and heritage of Scotland at the Balmoral Estate and ancient castles
— Enjoy a picturesque boat ride on the tranquil waters of Loch Lomond
— Sip single malt Scotch whisky on a tour of Royal Lochnagar Distillery
Start hotel: Raddison Blu Hotel, The Royal Mile, 80 High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1TH
Phone: +44 131 557 9797
Recommended arrival time: Meet at the start hotel at 4pm for the welcome briefing
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately seven minutes’ walk from Edinburgh Waverley train station. For flights arriving into Edinburgh airport (EDI), we can arrange a private arrival transfer, please speak to your sales representative for details.
Return journey
On the last day, the group is transferred from Pitlochry to Edinburgh airport to arrive by an expected 12pm for anyone requiring onward travel.
If you would like further information on joining this trip or your return journey, please speak to your sales representative.
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Visas
— Small backpack for camera, water bottle etc
— Refillable water bottle
— Sunscreen
— Hat
— Sunglasses
— Waterproofs
— Travel by private air-conditioned minibus
— Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
This tour includes guided visits and sightseeing on foot.
Walks: The walking tour of Edinburgh includes the Old Town, where there are cobbled streets and steps. The 3mi (5km) walk to the top of Arthur’s Seat is an ascent of 915ft (280m), with some steep and rocky sections at the top. This walk is optional but gives fabulous views of the city and in all directions. You also walk along the shore of Loch Lomond up to 4mi (6.5km) in distance but at a leisurely pace.
About Exodus Adventure Travels
It’s More Extraordinary with Exodus
We believe that travel is more than just ticking off destinations from a list. It’s about immersing yourself in the heart of each place, going beyond the surface to truly discover a destination. With over 50 years of experience under our belts, our incredible adventures span all seven continents and allow you to delve deeper—exploring not just the iconic sights but also the hidden corners known only to the locals, where no other tours go.
It’s all about adventure
That is what Exodus was founded upon over 45 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.
At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.
Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.
About Exodus Adventure Travels
It’s More Extraordinary with Exodus
We believe that travel is more than just ticking off destinations from a list. It’s about immersing yourself in the heart of each place, going beyond the surface to truly discover a destination. With over 50 years of experience under our belts, our incredible adventures span all seven continents and allow you to delve deeper—exploring not just the iconic sights but also the hidden corners known only to the locals, where no other tours go.
It’s all about adventure
That is what Exodus was founded upon over 45 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.
At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.
Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.
