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Edinburgh, St. Andrews & the Highlands

Scotland Cultural Walking Tour

7 DaysStarting at $6,995
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Overview

We love the wide-screen scale of the Scottish Highlands. Great heather-covered moors roll into a broad, blue horizon. Ruined castles stand watch over silvery lochs. There’s a wonderful wildness to it all. But for all of that sweep and solitude, it’s the close-ups of local life that we remember best. You’ll meet the shepherd whose choreographed collies steer a flock with fluid grace. We walk with a naturalist along a windswept North Sea estuary famous for its salmon runs. And we’ll also introduce you to fascinating folks like the cashmere weavers of Elgin…the whisky aficionados at an artisanal distillery…and a shepherd with his team of collies in the Highlands. Throughout, you’ll spend your nights in lovely country house hotels, and enjoy a wide range of walks from canal towpaths to Edinburgh’s lively High Street. We suspect you’ll join our honorary clan of travelers who count the Scottish Highlands as one of their favorite destinations ever.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

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• Enjoy an 'Only with Classic Journeys' afternoon as you savor traditional tea before ascending to the ancient Edinburgh Castle with your expert local guide for an up-close tour

• Spend a fascinating morning with a shepherd and his amazing team of collies in the quiet Highlands countryside.

• Cruise across infamous Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle and a scenic walk in a Caledonian forest

• Strike out on foot to explore historic Culloden Moor before meeting up with the craftsmen at a cashmere mill 

• Join a naturalist to go Puffin watching on the coastal footpaths along the shores of Isle of May

• Accept an invitation to St. Andrews, the legendary home of golf, for a guided walk on the 600-year-old Old Course

• Visit Falkland Palace, the country residence of Mary, Queen of Scots, before a whisky tasting at an artisanal distillery 

Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Edinburgh – 12:30 pm – The George Hotel

  • Ending Point:

    Edinburgh – 4:00 pm – The George Hotel
Itinerary Map

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Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Inverness as well as well-maintained countryside, lochside, riverside and coastal trails; and shepherds’ paths of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some limited elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your price. Secure your spot with a deposit of just $500 per person at the time of reservation. Plus, you can always change your mind — there’s no fee to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Hotels

Rufflets Country House

One of the oldest and highest quality country house hotels in Scotland, this idyllic turreted mansion house is set in 10 acres of gardens. Rufflets has been in the same family ownership since 1952 and won Scottish Hotel of the Year in 2015.

Loch Ness Country House Hotel

Built in 1710, this country-house property is a haven of tranquility, elegant comfort and excellent food. The striking Georgian building is surrounded by six acres of beautiful gardens, and its main drawing room is a great setting for afternoon tea.

Loch Ness Lodge

In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, this elegant retreat overlooks the beautiful Loch Ness. Blending traditional Scottish architecture with modern amenities, this boutique property offers stunning views, a relaxing spa and warm hospitality.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

We believe in creating authentic connections by immersing you into the history and culture of a people and place. So we find the most well-connected local guides who share their relationships and knowledge with us. And with them, we handcraft walking tours in cinematic settings that allow you to see the world on foot and at eye level.

It’s why Travel + Leisure magazine has named Classic Journeys as the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times, and the editors of T+L say, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you every time you travel with us.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

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FAQs

What sets Classic Journeys’ Scotland cultural walking tour apart?
Classic Journeys’ Scotland tour features exclusive ‘Only with Classic Journeys’ moments like a proper afternoon tea in Edinburgh’s Signet Library, followed by an intimate, up-close tour of Edinburgh Castle with expert guides. You’ll also meet locals like shepherds, the cashmere weavers of Elgin and a whisky aficionados at an artisanal distiller. These unique experiences blend cultural immersion with historic intimacy, setting this tour apart from typical itineraries.
Which wildlife can you see in Scotland?
Wildlife encounters on our Scotland tour include guided puffin-watching walks on the Isle of May with local naturalists, as well as opportunities to spot otters, red deer, and golden eagles on other nature walks. Your expert local guide will point out the flora and fauna of the region, immersing you in Scotland’s wild nature.
Which destinations and experiences are included?
You’ll explore Scotland’s highlights: historic Edinburgh, St Andrews’ legendary Old Course, Falkland Palace’s royal gardens, the poignant Culloden Moor battlefield, Urquhart Castle beside mysterious Loch Ness, and the seabird-filled coastal Isle of May—each with thoughtfully guided walks and unique local stories along the way.
How much walking is scheduled per day?
You can expect 2 to 8 miles daily on varied terrain, including cobblestone streets, lochside trails, coastal footpaths, and gently rolling countryside. Walks are carefully curated for your comfort, meaning options and pacing suit a range of fitness levels for your enjoyment on this walking tour.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour begins in Edinburgh at 12:30 pm at The George Hotel and ends at 4:00 pm at the same location—ideal timing to settle in and depart comfortably. Your guides meet you promptly and ensure smooth transitions throughout the journey into Scotland.
Will I visit Loch Ness?
Yes! Our Scotland walking itinerary includes a serene Loch Ness cruise past Urquhart Castle and a walk through the ancient Caledonian pinewoods—Scotland’s largest and most pristine forest—to spot red deer, golden eagles, and more. This iconic place will capture your heart and imagination on tour, as stories and legends come alive with your expert local guide.
Which locals will you meet on tour?
You’ll enjoy a truly ‘Only with Classic Journeys’ experience meeting a Highlands shepherd and his team of collies, witnessing sheepdog trials and learning about rural life, bringing authentic Highland traditions alive. You’ll also meet the cashmere weavers of Elgin and the whisky aficionados at an artisanal distillery during your time on tour to meet with locals.
Is this tour suitable for multigenerational travel?
Yes, our Scotland tour is perfect for all ages and abilities, making it a memorable trip for multigenerational travelers. Walks and activities are thoughtfully paced with flexibility and plenty of engaging options to ensure comfort and enjoyment whether you are 8, 18, 48 or 88.