Edinburgh, the Jacobite & Isle of Skye

Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer on your own to the Hotel Indigo, your home for the next two nights. The remainder of the day is free to begin exploring this historic city. Overnight Edinburgh.  

See the best of Edinburgh on a guided walking tour with optional skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. Learn about the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed pockets. Explore cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, immerse yourself in royal opulence at Edinburgh Castle (optional extra), and pass iconic locations like St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square, and John Knox House. The remainder of the day is free to explore Edinburgh on your own. Overnight Edinburgh. 

Make your way to Edinburgh's train station to begin your rail journey to Inverness. Your route takes you across the Forth Road Bridge, with sweeping views over the Firth of Forth, into the wild Highlands, and past Cairngorms National Park with its lush forests, mountains, and moorlands. On arrival, transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel. Overnight Inverness. 

Discover the wild Scottish Highlands as you travel around Loch Ness and along the idyllic West Coast. Today's excursion reveals ancient ruins, a poignant war memorial, beautiful beaches, and a hidden waterfall - with mountain backdrops never far from sight. Not only will you watch the Jacobite Steam Train as it crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, you will also step aboard and experience it for yourself. Made famous by the Harry Potter films, it was voted one of the world's most scenic railways and is an experience not soon forgotten. Overnight Inverness.

Today's adventure takes you to the magical Isle of Skye. Drive along the world-famous Loch Ness - home of the elusive monster - and onwards through the mountains towards the west coast. Included is a stop at Eilean Donan Castle with time to explore inside.

After crossing the Skye Bridge, learn about the island's myths and legends as well as the real-life tales of rival clans and a fugitive prince. Enjoy lunch in Portree and visit the colorful harbor. Explore the Isle of Skye's stunning coastline, and marvel at the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls, and Kilt Rock. Overnight Inverness.

Today's adventure takes you on a scenic cruise of legendary Loch Ness followed by a visit to the ruins of Urquhart Castle. After lunch in Beauly, you have the chance to take an optional excursion to a Highland whisky distillery, where the best way to learn about the "water of life" is to taste it. Later, learn the true story which inspired "Outlander" at Culloden Battlefield and attempt your own journey through the stones at Clava Cairns. Overnight Inverness.

Return to Edinburgh by train today. Scenic highlights of your rail journey include the diverse landscapes of Cairngorms National Park and dreamy views across the Firth of Forth. On arrival, transfer on your own to your centrally located hotel with the evening at leisure. Overnight Edinburgh.

Set off on a day trip to Scotland's home of golf-the ancient town of St. Andrews-and the fishing villages of the "Kingdom of Fife." As you depart Edinburgh by coach this morning, cross the iconic Forth Bridge and travel through Aberdour to the East Neuk of Fife. Stop in the town of Anstruther, home of the Scottish Fisheries Museum. See the villages of Pittenweem, Crail and St. Monans, once thriving fishing communities which were made prosperous by trade within the continent.

Your day trip continues to the medieval town of St. Andrews in time for lunch. Enjoy free time to stroll around the town, home to the oldest university in Scotland as well as impressive historic buildings and delightful cobbled streets. On the return to Edinburgh, stops include Falkland, Loch Leven and the picturesque village of South Queensferry. Overnight Edinburgh.

Your vacation through the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye concludes after breakfast today.