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Rick Steves' Best of Scotland in 13 Days Tour, Day by Day
On our Best of Scotland tour, along mossy mountains, windswept isles, mysterious lochs, and heathered glens, you'll discover a land and culture that are strongly persistent…and persistently lovable. Starting in underrated Glasgow and ending in royal Edinburgh, you'll wander over the monastic Isle of Iona; explore the rugged Highlands; ponder lochs Ness, Lomond, and Tay; try a wee dram at a whisky distillery; shake paws with a sheepdog; study the fairways at St. Andrews; and time-travel about the castles of Edinburgh, Stirling, and Urquhart. Let's go…
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Days 1: Welcome to Scotland
We'll meet at our hotel in Glasgow for a "Welcome to Scotland" get-together. Then we'll take an orientation walk through our neighborhood and get introduced to Glasgow's metro system, before getting acquainted over dinner together.
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Day 2: Cosmopolitan Glasgow
Today our local guide will take us on a walking tour of Scotland's often-overlooked largest city. Famous for its architecture, Glasgow boasts Victorian facades, bold new construction, and beloved works by hometown visionary Charles Rennie Mackintosh — who gave Art Nouveau a Scottish burr. Along the way, we'll learn about the city's history and contemporary life, with stops at Glasgow Cathedral, bustling George Square, and thriving Merchant City. This afternoon you're free to explore Glasgow's world-class museums and the leafy parks of the West End. Tonight, find a local pub and enjoy some live music — trad or mod — in Scotland's music capital.
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Day 3: Stirling Castle
We'll begin our day with a visit to the famous castle of the Stuart kings, Stirling, with its commanding views and royal apartments. After lunch we'll drive along the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond on our way to the charming coastal town of Oban, the "Gateway to the Isles." After an orientation along Oban's scenic waterfront, we'll gather together for dinner with new friends.
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Day 4: Standing Stones and Seaside Oban
Today we'll take a short excursion to Kilmartin Glen, home of prehistoric burial cairns and standing stones. The rest of the day is yours and the options are endless when you're along these rugged Scottish shores. You can explore Oban, hike up to McCaig's Tower for a sweeping harbor view, take an all-day tour to Staffa to see the famed puffins, or just sit seaside and watch the sun set over the islands. However you spend your day, Oban is the perfect place to relax and drink in the best of the Scottish seaside.
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Day 5: Islands of Mull and Iona
Today is for Scottish island-hopping: We'll ride a ferry and board a local bus for an entertaining trip across the island of Mull to the windswept Isle of Iona, the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland. We'll visit the 800-year-old abbey where monks created the remarkable Book of Kells — a rare bright spot in Europe's Dark Ages. We'll then set you free to explore or find a spot to meditate on this tiny, spiritually charged island. We'll return to Oban, and our own century, in time for a late dinner.
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Day 6: Into the Highlands
This morning we'll head north into the rugged Highlands, stopping at the "weeping glen" of Glencoe — the hauntingly beautiful site of Scotland's most infamous massacre (Campbells and MacDonalds, leave your daggers on the bus). We'll continue through fabled scenery, where we'll visit the evocative ruins of Urquhart Castle. After exploring its stony towers and expansive lake view, we'll take a panoramic cruise of Loch Ness (monster sightings not guaranteed). Then it's onto the capital of the Highlands, Inverness, where we'll take an orientation walk along the River Ness. Tonight is a great opportunity to enjoy some traditional music in one of Inverness' many fun-loving pubs.
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Day 7: Battle of Culloden
Today we'll tour the powerful Culloden Battlefield — the "Scottish Alamo," where Bonnie Prince Charlie's defeat in 1746 marked the beginning of the end of the Highland clan system. We'll return to Inverness, where the remainder of the day is yours to explore the pedestrian-friendly downtown, stroll the lovely parks and promenades along the banks of the River Ness, and find dinner at one of the city's vibrant restaurants and cafés.
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Day 8: Cairngorms National Park
We'll drive through Speyside today, famous for its natural beauty and producing Scotland's favorite drink: whisky, on our way to Rothiemurchus, a Highland estate at the heart of Cairngorms National Park. With a ranger as our guide, we'll learn about one of the largest areas of natural forest in Britain and animal conservation efforts, including "hairy coos" (shaggy Highland cattle) and red deer. We'll enjoy lunch together featuring local produce from neighboring farms, followed by an afternoon stroll through the estate's diverse woodlands. This evening, we'll settle into our hotel at a village in the park and share dinner together.
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Day 9: Sheepdogs and Bagpipes
We'll begin our day at a working sheep farm, where we'll watch talented sheepdogs in action and learning about Scotland's wool industry. Then we'll continue on along what's known as the spine of Scotland, stopping at your guide's favorite spot before arriviing at the picturesque village of Dunkeld on the River Tay, where we'll tour the town and its medieval cathedral with a local guide. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together and meet a Scottish bagpiper for some music and a lesson on this unusual instrument's history.
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Day 10: Whisky and Prehistoric Crannogs
This morning we'll visit a local whisky distillery to get the inside story about this iconic Scottish tradition and sample a wee dram or two. After some free time for lunch, we're off to learn about the Iron Age people who first farmed these lands and built Scotland's unique crannogs — prehistoric, thatched-roofed defensive huts built on piers out over the lochs. You'll be free tonight to head into Dunkeld for dinner or dine at your cozy country hotel.
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Day 11: St. Andrews and Edinburgh
We'll begin today with a visit to St. Andrews, Scotland's oldest university town and a mecca for golfers worldwide. You'll have time to explore the ruins of St. Andrews' medieval cathedral, watch duffers playing the Old Course — considered the birthplace of golf — and enjoy lunch. Then we'll cross the famous Firth of Forth on our way into Edinburgh. Upon arrival, we'll enjoy an orientation walk and then set you free in Edinburgh's vibrant historical center with plenty of options to find dinner on your own.
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Day 12: Conquering Edinburgh Castle
Today we'll wind our way through the Gothic streets of Edinburgh's old town, seeing the best of the city on foot. Our walking tour will take us up the Royal Mile — with its wealth of historic buildings, quaint shops, narrow lanes, and hidden courtyards — then onto Grassmarket and Greyfriars Cemetery. We'll finish our tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle (entry included), where we'll set you free to explore this iconic hillside fort and royal residence complete with Scottish crown jewels, a Romanesque chapel, and dramatic views of the city. Tonight, we'll share memories of Scotland and toast new friends at our final dinner together. Slàinte!
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Day 13: Tour Over After Breakfast
Edinburgh's airport and train station are easy connections from our neighborhood. Glasgow is one hour away by train; London is 90 minutes by air. For those tempted to continue their trip, Edinburgh is a great jumping-off point to Paris, Dublin, Amsterdam, and many other exciting destinations. Turas math dhut! (Happy travels!)
Scotland awaits! Learn more and book your seat on our Best of Scotland in 13 Days tour.
Itinerary specifics subject to change.