Private Tour Of Ireland And Scotland

Accommodation – Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Your private tour is underway drive through Edinburgh, viewing the Scott Monument, North Bridge, The Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat

Upon your arrival at Edinburgh airport, you will be met by your private chauffeur, who will help with your bags and show you to your executive vehicle. From the airport, you will drive into the heart of Edinburgh, passing many historical sites, architectural wonders and inspiring scenery, including the Scott Monument, North Bridge, The Scottish Parliament, Arthur’s Seat, and Edinburgh Castle.

After a brief driving tour of the city centre, you will be dropped off at The Balmoral Hotel on Edinburgh’s world-famous Princes Street. Your location could not be more central, with many of Edinburgh’s best attractions and streets just minutes away. Rose Street is a particularly lovely street to amble down, checking out the numerous pubs and cafes on the way. The Balmoral also boasts one of the best spa’s in the country and promises the ultimate relaxing experience.

In the evening you will be dining in the unrivalled Number One restaurant. With exceptional modern artwork on the walls, seasonal ingredients from Scottish suppliers, and 4 (yes 4) AA Rosettes, the Number One will provide a dining experience you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

Accommodation – The Balmoral, Edinburgh
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Guided Walking Tour: The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral, Scottish Parliament, Holyrood Palace.

After a relaxing breakfast, you will be met by a private guide who will take you on a walking tour of Edinburgh. Your first stop of the day will be Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle was voted Scotland’s best paid tourist attraction and for good reason. The castle is steeped in history with the oldest part of the building dating back to the 12th century. The castle houses the famous Crown Jewels, The Stone of Destiny, and Mons Meg — the huge cannon which could fire a 150kg stone.

From Edinburgh castle you will stroll down the historic Royal Mile, passing traditional pubs, souvenir shops, and street performers. If you fancy something to drink, we recommend visiting the Jolly Judge, a little hidden gem which provides a warm Scottish welcome and a cold pint to cure your thirst. Your next stop will be St Giles Cathedral. The church was formed in the 1120’s and is known as the ‘Cradle of Presbyterianism’. The architecture and design are breath-taking, though the highlight has to be the beautiful stained-glass windows.

For lunch you will be sampling the delightful menu of Holyrood 9a, a cosy little pub in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town offering a huge range of salads, burgers, steaks, venison, and, since you’re in Scotland, a haggis burger.

Your tour continues down the Royal Mile before reaching the Scottish Parliament at the Canongate. If time permits, you can visit the debating chamber and see Scottish democracy in full flow. The tour lasts about an hour and you will learn about the architecture of the building, parliamentary procedure, and see an art collection.
Your final stop of the day will be Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh. Just a short walk from the Parliament, you can tour this grand castle and gardens. This multimedia tour explores 14 state apartments, the royal gardens, and Holyrood Abbey.

After a great day touring the old town, you will return to The Balmoral for a chance to chill out before heading for dinner at The Witchery, which is located just by Edinburgh Castle. The blood-red gothic interior creates a fabulous ambience and has been described as the prettiest restaurant ever by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The food is to die for, with the menu including a seafood platter, Isle of Mull scallops, Balmoral Estate partridge, and Glenfeshie venison.

Accommodation – Fonab Castle, Pitlochry
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Scone Palace, Highland Chocolatier

After a hearty breakfast, your chauffeur will be waiting and the journey north will begin. You will weave through the Perthshire countryside and the scenery is truly beautiful here and this is a paradise for keen photographers. Your first stop of the day will be Scone Palace, an elegant, Gothic castle which used to be the crowning place for Scottish Kings. You can also explore the gardens which are home to some of the biggest and most beautiful oak trees in the UK, as well as the Murray Star Maze and a kitchen garden.

From Scone you will head towards Pitlochry for some lunch at Victoria’s Restaurant, a traditional, family-owned spot offering delicious sandwiches, ciabattas, and soup, as well as battered fish, ribeye steak, and chickpea and lentil dahl.

By all means have a dessert with your lunch, but we recommend leaving a little room for something extra as you’re in for a treat at the next stop, The Highland Chocolatier. Master Chocolatier Iain Burnett crafts premium chocolates that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Only the finest and freshest natural ingredients are used, such as the single-origin cocoa sourced from São Tomé, an island in the South Atlantic. If you have a special someone you want to buy a gift for, this is the spot as Iain’s truffles have not once but twice been voted the best in world.

Having no doubt stocked up on chocolates, you will be driven to your accommodation for the night, Fonab Castle. This 5 star hotel and spa has been restored to the highest standards and enjoys picture perfect views across the Perthshire countryside and the river Tummel. In the evening you will enjoy exquisite fine dining in the 3 AA Rosette Sandeman’s Restaurant. Surrounded by wood-panelled walls and ornate furniture, tuck into the seven-course tasting menu full of classic dishes with an extra twist.

Accommodation – Ness Walk Hotel, Inverness
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Cairngorms National Park, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield

After a luxurious breakfast, your chauffeur waiting and your private tour will continue through the magnificent Cairngorms National Park. There aren’t many wilder places in the UK than the Cairngorms, which is a truly beautiful and utterly rugged part of Scotland. Spectacular mountains and vast moorland combine, providing a wonderful sense of seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the world. Keep an eye out for some of the wildlife who call this home, including capercaillies, golden eagles, red deer, and red squirrel.

You will continue to weave through the Cairngorms until you reach Dalwhinnie Distillery. Surrounded by the freshest spring water and peat from local bogs, Dalwhinnie is a whisky making mecca. The single malt crafted at Dalwhinnie has many of the classic traits of a Speyside malt: sweet, slightly tangy, and notes of vanilla. You will tour the distillery and learn about the art of scotch whisky production. At the end of the tour, you will be treated to a complimentary whisky and chocolate tasting.

You will then make your way to Cawdor Castle. This fairy-tale castle has strong links to Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’. Dating back to the 14^th century, you will explore this archaic castle and gardens that sit perfectly within the surrounding highland countryside.

You will have no doubt worked up an appetite by now so you will be heading to The Sun Dancer in Nairn for some lunch. Choose from seafood chowder, Isle of Barra king scallops, or choose from the recently launched Street Food menu.

After filling up, the next stop of the day will be Culloden Battlefield. You will learn about the fall of the Jacobites, who were outwitted by British forces, leading to the brutal slaughter of over 1000 men.

From there it’s on to the 5-star Ness Walk Hotel, which sits right on the banks of the River Ness and enjoys an oasis of calm in an otherwise busy city as it is surrounded by a huge canopy of trees. Here, beautiful period features combine with sleek modern features to deliver an ambiance that oozes sophistication. You will dine in the luxurious Torrish Restaurant this evening, where you will be warmly welcomed and have the chance to try some Isle of Lewis mussels, Orkney hand-dived scallops, Speyside lamb, as well as many other delicious dishes. There is also a vegan à la carte menu, so there will be something for everyone.

Accommodation – Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Private Boat Tour of Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Plockton, Isle of Skye

Make sure you have a hearty breakfast, as today you will be seeing some of the best scenery Scotland has to offer. Your private chauffeur will take you north to the banks of Loch Ness. Touring around the banks of Loch Ness, you will stop at the town of Drumnadrochit. You will then take a private boat tour of the loch and your captain will tell you about all the legends that surround this mighty loch, the largest by volume in the UK. Make sure you have your camera at the ready, as the glistening water and panoramic highland backdrop will take your breath away. You might even catch a glimpse of “Nessie” the world-famous Loch Ness monster.

After your Loch Ness adventure, you will stop at Eilean Donan Castle, surely one of the most picturesque castles in the world, with its old stone bridge leading over the water, mighty walls, and mountainous backdrop.

From there you will head for lunch at The Shores Seafood Restaurant in Plockton. If you’re a lover of seafood, you’re in for a special treat today. The menu offers such treats as a langoustine and mussel combo, mussels and scallops, however the standout meal is the king scallops served on Stornoway black pudding with fried lemon. You will then have the chance to explore the delightful village of Plockton, lovingly known as the “the jewel of the highlands”. A peaceful walk around the bay, looking out over the views of Loch Carron, will hit the spot after lunch.

After waving goodbye to Plockton your driver will take you to Kinloch Lodge where you will be spending the evening. You will also enjoy dinner here where the kitchen staff really go the extra mile to provide you with the very best local produce Scotland has to offer. From Perthshire partridge to Skye venison, and a range of Scottish cheeses, Kinloch Lodge always delivers a first-rate dining experience.

Accommodation – Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle, Fairy Glen, Trotternish, Portree

After breakfast. your private tour will commence and your driver will take you to one of the most special places in the world, the Fairy Pools in Skye. This magnificent series of huge rock pools and waterfalls attracts visitors from all corners of the globe. From the car park you look down and out across the valley, taking in the intimidating sight of the Black Cuillin mountains behind, and are just blown away by the natural beauty of this wonderous scene. The water forms gorgeous crystal clear blue pools that look inviting to swim in and while some pools are perfectly safe, the Fairy Pools do require some caution.

From there it’s on to Dunvegan Castle. Dating back to the 13^th century, this castle has had many additions over the centuries and is now listed as a category A listed building. There are also five acres of gardens for you to explore, including the Water Garden, Rose Garden, and Walled Garden, as well as woodland walks and nearby waterfalls.

You will then enjoy some lunch at The Three Chimneys which sits on the shores of Loch Dunvegan and takes pride in providing the best Skye and Scotland has to offer, including cured salmon, scorched langoustine, Black Isle beef, and Gigha halibut.

If one visit to a Fairy inspired setting isn’t enough for one day, you’re in luck, because the next stop is the Fairy Glen. This truly remarkable landscape was formed millions of years ago when a landslide and the subsequent movement of glaciers over thousands of years carved what looks like a man-made miniature wonderland of round-topped grassy hills, tiny little lochs, and dramatic rock pinnacles. This is simply a place like no other.

After the miniature delights of the Fairy Glen you will be take in the very much massive delights of Trotternish, Skye’s most northerly peninsula and home to some of the most dramatic scenery the island has to offer. A case in the point is the Trotternish Landslip which runs for 30 kilometres along almost the entire peninsula.

From there you will get a chance to wander round the charming streets of Portree, the capital town of Skye. Or, rather than wandering, take the chance to take the weight off your feet and nip into one of the many cafes and enjoy a relaxing cup of tea.

After such an eventful day, you will be glad of yet another relaxing evening in Kinloch Lodge, sampling more of their mouth-watering food, before a restful and well-earned nights sleep.

Accommodation – Isle of Eriska Hotel, Near Oban
Transport – Executive Vehicle & Private Chauffeur Transfer
Activities – Glenfinnan, Fort William, Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, Crannog, Glencoe, Eriska

Today your first expedition will be a short ferry trip from Armadale to Mallaig, before heading to the remarkable Glenfinnan. Harry Potter fans will be excited to get the chance to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the bridge that carries the Hogwarts Express on it’s way to that world-famous school of witchcraft and wizardry. There is also the Glenfinnan Monument, a huge tower overlooking Loch Shiel which stands in memory of those who died for the Jacobite cause.

Your next stop will be in Fort William, a charming highland town which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland. While you won’t have time to climb it on this trip, simply witnessing the majesty of this imposing mountain is enough to put a smile on your face.

There are other ways to reach up into the mountains, however, such as the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola, your next stop. This impressive feat of engineering transports you 650 metres up the side of Aonach Mòr, the 8^th highest mountain in the UK, all the while enjoying the unbeatable scenery of the Scottish Highlands.

Back down on flat ground, your lunch stop for today will be at Crannog, a pretty, red-roofed seafood restaurant serving fresh seafood and allowing views over Loch Linnhe.

After lunch your driver will take you to Glencoe which really defies adequate description. Words simply cannot do justice to how impressive Glenco