Scottish Castles Uncovered (Hotel) - 4 days

Scottish Castles Uncovered (Hotel) - 4 days

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Scottish Castles Uncovered (Hotel) - 4 days

4 Days Starting in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and ending in Nairn, United Kingdom

Visiting: Edinburgh, Aberdeen

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

5-

Trip Styles:

Small Group

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 4-day journey through Scotland's most iconic castles with the "Scottish Castles Uncovered" tour. Starting in Edinburgh, you'll traverse the historic Kingdom of Fife, visiting the opulent Falkland Palace and the dramatic cliff-top Dunnottar Castle. Explore the enchanting Royal Deeside, home to the majestic Castle Fraser and the fairytale-like Crathes Castle. Delve into history at Fyvie Castle and the poignant Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle on British soil. Experience the rich heritage of Blair Castle and savor a whisky tasting at Cardhu Distillery. Travel in comfort aboard a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, guided by a local expert, and enjoy three nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included. This small group tour offers a unique glimpse into Scotland's royal past and breathtaking landscapes, concluding with a scenic return to Edinburgh.

Highlights

  • Falkland Palace - Discover this lavish castle with its picturesque gardens and home of the world's oldest tennis court.

  • Royal Deeside - Marvel at the castles, rivers, mountains, and moors of this beautiful region that is a favorite of the Royal Family.

  • Dunnottar Castle - Visit this cliff-top fortress which is renowned as one of Scotland's most famous landmarks.

  • Blair Castle - Delve into this historic site with its room of 175 antlers and 9-acres of alluring gardens.

  • Culloden - Explore this historic battlefield that was the location of the last battle fought on British soil.

  • Cardhu Distillery - Enjoy a flavor journey tour and tasting at this distillery, known for its rich and slightly fruity whisky.

  • Crathes Castle - Explore the haunted halls and vibrant gardens of this fairytale-like fortress with a pinkish facade and turrets.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Edinburgh - St Andrews - Aberdeen. Departing from Edinburgh, our journey takes us north across the Queensferry Crossing into the historic Kingdom of Fife. Our first stop is Falkland Palace, originally a hunting lodge for Scottish kings before its transformation into a lavish residence. Here, you can tread the same courts as Mary Queen of Scots, who famously played tennis on the world's oldest tennis court. Explore the medieval village of Falkland, also featured in the TV series Outlander.





Continuing to St Andrews, enjoy lunch and wander the charming cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.





In the afternoon, our journey north brings us to Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic cliff-top fortress renowned as one of Scotland's iconic landmarks. Capture stunning views and hone your photography skills before heading off for a night in Aberdeen.





Please note: Check-in closes at 08:30 (tour departs at 08:45) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

Day 2: Aberdeen

Location: Aberdeen

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Aberdeen - Royal Deeside - Aberdeen. Today, we delve into the enchanting Royal Deeside, renowned for its magnificent castles. Our first stop is Castle Fraser, a splendid example of Scottish baronial architecture. After exploring, we can wander through the picturesque 18th-century walled garden.





Next, we head to Ballater for lunch, a charming village with ties to the British royal family. In the afternoon, we visit Crathes Castle, a fairytale-like fortress with a pinkish facade and turrets. Explore the haunted halls and vibrant gardens at your leisure with stunning views of the castle amidst colourful blooms.





We return to Aberdeen for another night.

Day 3: Aberdeen

Location: Aberdeen

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Aberdeen - Elgin - Nairn. Our journey north begins with a visit to the historic Fyvie Castle, boasting a rich history dating back to the 13th century and housing impressive collections of arms, armour, and tapestries. Continuing through picturesque scenery, we reach Elgin for lunch. History enthusiasts can admire the intricate carvings of a weathered Pictish stone on the grounds of the ruined Elgin Cathedral.





In the afternoon, we visit the solemn Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final Jacobite Rising. Pay homage to those who lost their lives in the tragic battle, the last fought on British soil.





Afterward, we travel to Nairn for our overnight stay.

Day 4: Nairn

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Nairn - Edinburgh. We journey south through Scotland's breathtaking scenery, beginning with a visit to Cardhu Distillery, the first pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming, offering a taste of its rich and slightly fruity whisky.





Passing through Kingussie, we may pause for a quick photo at Ruthven Barracks before reaching Blair Castle. We explore this historic site, delving into the history of Mary Queen of Scots, admiring the ballroom adorned with 175 antlers, and strolling through the 9-acre Georgian garden.





Continuing through the lush landscapes of Perthshire, renowned for its remarkable woodlands, we take a break in one of the picturesque towns before returning to Edinburgh in the evening, crossing over the Firth of Forth.





Please note: This tour ends at 18:30 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    3-star hotels

  • 3 breakfasts

  • 3 nights 3-star hotel

  • Escorted by a local driver-guide

  • Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning

  • Admission to Falkland Palace

  • Admission to Castle Fraser

  • Admission to Crathes Castle

  • Admission to Fyvie Castle

  • Admission to Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield

  • Admission to Blair Castle and Garden

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What's Not Included

  • International flights & visas

  • Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)

  • Meals not specified in itinerary

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!

  • Entry fees unless specified

Age Policy

Min:5yrs with an adultChild discount available for 5-15 yrs sharing with 2 adults

Mode of Transport

Travel in style and comfort aboard a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning, ensuring a smooth journey through Scotland's picturesque landscapes.

Accommodation

Enjoy a comfortable stay with 3 nights in 3-star hotels, providing a relaxing retreat after exploring the historic sites and stunning landscapes of Scotland.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is used during the tour?

    The tour uses a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning for transportation.

  • Is there a guide accompanying the tour?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.

  • Are admissions to the castles included in the tour?

    Yes, admissions to Falkland Palace, Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield, and Blair Castle and Garden are included.

  • What meals are included in the tour package?

    The tour package includes 3 breakfasts.

  • Is there a luggage limit for the tour?

    Yes, there is a luggage limit of 14kg. More details can be found in the Trip Notes.

  • Will there be a whisky tasting experience during the tour?

    Yes, there is a flavour journey tour and tasting at Cardhu Distillery included in the tour.

  • What is the age policy for this tour?

    The minimum age for the tour is 5 years with an adult. A child discount is available for children aged 5-15 years sharing with 2 adults.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away.

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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