Edinburgh has a lot of shops, pubs and restaurants to offer the visitor, as well as a good selection of activities to choose from. Edinburgh Castle houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland. Visit the castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Family’s official residence in Scotland. For whisky connoisseurs, don’t miss the Scotch Whisky Experience at the top of the Royal Mile. Overnight: Edinburgh area.

This morning drive to cross the Queensferry Crossing with its dramatic views over the Firth of Forth. Head east to St Andrews, the home of golf. Explore the beautiful university town on foot, and have your photo taken standing on top of the Swilcan Bridge on the Old Course. Continue north across the Tay Bridge, and you have the option to visit Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother, or Dunnottar Castle, one of the most dramatically
situated castles in Scotland this afternoon. Check into your manor house hotel in the Aberdeen area.

Today you have a full day to explore Royal Deeside, a magnificent valley of the river Dee and home to the Royal Family’s Highland retreat, Balmoral Castle. You can wander through the colourful gardens of Crathes Castle, a classic fairy-tale castle, or discover nearby Drum Castle with its 13th century tower and fine Jacobean mansion house. Spend some time exploring the villages on Royal Deeside as well, all with their own distinct character. Ballater is the nearest town to Balmoral Castle, which explains the many “By Royal Appointment” signs that you will see on local shops and businesses. Overnight: Aberdeen area.

Travel northwards towards Inverness. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail and visit some of the distilleries behind the world's most famous, and some would say, finest malt whiskies. Spey side is a must visit destination for any whisky lover, and this is where you find Glen Fiddich, Macallan, Glen Livet and several other famous distilleries along the river Spey. The area is also home to magnificent castles, such as Cawdor Castle, and Brodie Castle, connected to the Jacobite story. Continue to your castle hotel in in the Inverness area.

Travel northwards towards Inverness. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail and visit some of the distilleries behind the world's most famous, and some would say, finest malt whiskies. Spey side is a must visit destination for any whisky lover, and this is where you find Glen Fiddich, Macallan, Glen Livet and several other famous distilleries along the river Spey. The area is also home to magnificent castles, such as Cawdor Castle, and Brodie Castle, connected to the Jacobite story. Continue to your castle hotel in in the Inverness area.

Drive alongside the legendary Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle which dates back to the 12th century and is magnificently situated on the banks of Loch Ness. Follow the Caledonian Canal along Loch Lochy to Fort William. The town is set in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Continue through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most legendary glens, and across rugged Rannoch Moor. Drive along Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Britain and known for the tranquil beauty of its wooded shores and islands. Check in to your hotel in the Loch Lomond or Glasgow area and enjoy a final evening in your hotel. Overnight: Loch Lomond/Glasgow area.

Return your hire car at Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport and catch your flight home.