6 Days
Specially designed to showcase the most beautiful, fascinating and inspiring aspects of Scottish culture, this tailor-made programme takes you to two contrasting cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Step inside iconic castles, come face to face with renowned pieces of art, and explore a famous loch from an exhilarating new perspective with a glass of champagne in hand.
Begin in the atmospheric streets of Edinburgh, before travelling west to Glasgow, a city famed for its innovation and design, and spend a night in an opulent loch-side retreat. Private experiences feature throughout – from a masterclass with a professional photographer to a tour led by a specialist gallery curator – ensuring a truly unforgettable trip.
GET IN TOUCHDay One: Arrive Edinburgh
Day Two: Tour of Edinburgh including private tour of National Museum of Scotland
Day Three: Explore the architecture of Edinburgh with experiences guide
Day Four: A curator-led private guided tour of one of Edinburgh’s noted galleries
Day Five: Depart Edinburgh for Glasgow. Enjoy a tour of the city followed by cruise on Loch Lomond
Day Six: Private guided tour of Hill House & Gardens in Helensburgh before heading back to Airport
Day One: Arrival in Edinburgh
On arrival at Edinburgh International Airport, be met and welcomed by your experienced chauffeur-guide who will provide a safe and comfortable transfer into the city centre. Edinburgh, sometimes referred to as the “Athens of the North”, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Check into your first accommodation; a stunning, contemporary landmark, and the only five-star hotel on the historic Royal Mile.
Day Two: An Introduction to Edinburgh – the lay of the land
Begin the day with a panoramic tour of the Georgian New Town. A heady vision of sweeping crescents, broad boulevards and elegant squares, you will enjoy a private tour of a truly grand Georgian property. Afterwards, enjoy a private tour at the National Museum of Scotland.
Accompanied by an expert photographer reserved privately, your afternoon will be spent honing your skills on a photographic tour of the city. Climb Calton Hill, which offers stunning views. It is also famous for its collection of historic monuments, which form some of the most important landmarks of the city. One of the most striking is the National Monument.
Day Three: The Royal Mile
The Old Town sector of Edinburgh is known for its Reformation era buildings and its unique medieval layout. The main road is the Royal Mile, with one end closed off by the castle and the other stretching down to the ruins of Holyrood Abbey. There are many narrow alleyways that spiral out in a spine along the road downhill from the centre of the town, leading out into small shops and secret shortcuts. Spend time exploring with your guide; the Old Town is also peppered with pubs and shops alongside many historic closes, of which one of the most famous is the Mary King’s Close. At the foot of the mile, The Scottish Parliament provides an extraordinary modern contrast to its neighbour, the baroque Palace of Holyroodhouse. Discover more about the inspiration behind the architectural design with a guided tour.
Day Four: An Artist’s Edinburgh
The day commences with a curator-led private guided tour of one of Edinburgh’s noted galleries such as The Scottish National Gallery, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery or The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. In the afternoon, enjoy a truly memorable experience with a local artist and qualified guide. Together, make your way to Holyrood Park. This dramatic open space, encompassing 640 acres in the heart of the city, forms an iconic part of the famous skyline. Its best known feature is the impressive Arthur’s Seat, which towers above the rest of the city; here, you will be guided and advised as you sketch out the ancient volcano and the surrounding landscape.
Day Five: Glasgow
Depart Edinburgh and travel west to Glasgow with your chauffeur-guide. Spend today exploring the city. The city buzzes with atmosphere and exudes history and is now home to an impressive collection of modern buildings. On the waterfront, see the Riverside Museum designed by the late much-acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid; it has already been dubbed ‘Glasgow’s Guggenheim’ then visit one of the magnificent galleries and museums, such as the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
The day completes at nearby Loch Lomond. Discover the area in true luxury and style with a private cruise on board a gleaming 46ft luxury motor cruiser. See Inchmurrin Island and savour the glorious surrounding scenery which is breath-taking regardless of the time of year, and your cruise provides a wonderfully memorable way to take it in.
Day Six: Hill House & Onward Travel
Set off to Helensburgh to enjoy a privately guided tour of Hill House. Overlooking the River Clyde, it is home to what is universally regarded as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation. Enjoy a privately guided tour of Hill House and the beautiful, formal gardens. To follow, your chauffeur-guide will transfer you to Glasgow Airport where you will board your flight for onward travel.
Taking no more than 60 minutes, this museum will take you back in time into a world of Jacobite plots, royal feuds and ancient loyalties.
is the most striking monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. Intended to commemorate the Scottish servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars, it was never completed leaving just the twelve columns you see today.
is the official residence in Scotland of HM, The Queen and The Royal Family. The baroque Palace stands against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur’s Seat and is closely associated with Scotland’s rich history.
One of Edinburgh’s most remarkable buildings.
considered to be Glasgow’s leading museum and is home to an outstanding art collection and a vast natural history collection, plus one of the finest collections of arms and armours in the world.
Overlooking the River Clyde, Hill House is home to what is universally regarded as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation.
Scotland’s historic capital city. Edinburgh, sometimes referred to as the “Athens of the North”, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neo- classical New Town, dating from the 18th The harmonious connection of these two contrasting historic areas, each with many important buildings, is what gives the city its unique character and saw it awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO in 1995.
The Royal Mile, which lies at the heart of the Old Town is arguably one of the most famous streets in the world. Today, it is peppered with stores selling cashmere goods and hand crafted silver jewellery. However, in centuries gone by it was a different story: delving into the Old Town is like leafing through the pages of a dusty historical novel, as each era unfolds with its own legends and characters.
Loch Lomond is one of the Scotland’s most famous stretches of water. Formed during the last Ice Age, the north is dominated by mountainous peaks and a scattering of islands can be found at the southern shores.
The loch is steeped in history and has inspired artists, poets and writers for centuries. Praised by such figures as Robert Burns and Gerard Manley Hopkins as well as being the focus of the ever-popular song “The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond”, which closes many a night of revelry, it has earned its place in Scottish culture both high and low.
The city buzzes with atmosphere and exudes history. It has a rich and colourful past – from humble beginnings, this western settlement flourished with arrival of industry and has continued to evolve ever since. The city has received international acclaim for its architecture. Traveling round the streets in some areas is like wandering through a living museum. Art and Design have always had a strong and steady heartbeat in the city, from the Industrial Revolution to the days of the legendary Charles Rennie Mackintosh who created many of the city’s best loved and most influential buildings.
The largest of the Loch Lomond’s islands and home to the ancient remains of Lennox Castle which in the 14th century sheltered fugitive Robert the Bruce before he was to become King of Scotland, and Inchconnachan Island, where a wallaby colony introduced in the 1940s and remains to this day.
