3 Day Tour
Day 1 – Edinburgh
The capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh is a cultural and historical hub on the East coast of the country. Built on a series of hills, it is home to the modern Scottish Parliament, a medieval Old Town and a grand Georgian New Town.
Find out what makes Edinburgh so special!
Edinburgh Castle
Watching over the nation’s capital city from the top of an extinct volcano is Edinburgh Castle, one of the most besieged ancient fortresses in Europe. Here, visitors can see the oldest Crown Jewels in Britain, one of the greatest medieval cannons ever made, Royal residence suites and the stronghold’s well-used military prison vault.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The next attraction on this Edinburgh tour is the magnificent Holyrood Palace – the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
We’ll take an hour or so to explore the palace – including a 12th Century Holyrood Abbey, beautiful royal gardens and the 16th-century historic apartments of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Royal Yacht Britannia
Continuing on our excursion, we’ll visit the five-deck ship that used to be Queen Elizabeth II’s floating palace: The Royal Yacht Britannia.
This ship was a royal residence for over 40 years, travelling more than one million nautical miles and hosting nearly a thousand state visits from prime ministers and presidents around the world. The ship was retired in 1997 and berthed in Edinburgh – allowing the public to tour and explore this impressive vessel.
Royal Mile
Finally, we can make our way to The Royal Mile, a famously steep street within the city’s Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll escort you through this medieval area to see the centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys, lined with traditional pubs, souvenir shops and cobbled streets.
At the end of a day spent learning all about Edinburgh, we will take you back to your accommodation for the evening.
Day 2 – Stirlingshire and Falkirk
On your second private day trip, we will whisk you away from Edinburgh towards the attractions in and around Stirling.
The Kelpies
As we exit Edinburgh, the Helix Park is our first stopping point. Here we will see the largest horse sculptures in the world, known as the Kelpies (shape-shifting spirits). The 30-metre tall steel sculptures are inspired by the working Clydesdale draught horses of Scotland’s past.
Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre
Nearby, the Falkirk Wheel is worth a trip as it’s the world’s only rotating boat lift. The uniquely engineered lift connects the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal 35 metres above water. When it opened in 2002 it replaced a flight of 11 gradual locks stepping the Union Canal down to sea level. Now, vessels can move between the waterways in just a few minutes.
Stirling Castle
One of Scotland’s largest and most historically important fortifications, Stirling Castle is a must-see stronghold on this adventure. Sitting on top of a volcanic outcrop, the castle’s height provides panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the Forth Valley and the Trossachs mountains. Tour guides reveal the castle’s location and prominence has made the fortress a symbol of Scottish independence. In addition to being the principal royal stronghold of the Stewart Kings and Queens, battles for freedom from English rule were fought nearby by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
National Wallace Monument
Then we’ll visit Stirling’s famous landmark, the National William Wallace Monument. It was built in 1896 to commemorate the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge, where William Wallace led his troops to victory against English forces. This offensive was the first time a Scots army won against an English one in generations. Although a dramatized version of his life was portrayed in Hollywood’s ‘Braveheart’, William Wallace’s real-life story of patriotism and martyrdom is recorded at this venue.
We will then escort you back to Edinburgh for the evening.
Day 3: Fife and St. Andrews
On the final day, we will take you to the historic county of Fife and the medieval town of St Andrews.
The Queensferry Crossing
As we leave Edinburgh we’ll cross over the modern Queensferry Crossing, running parallel to two older bridges, all traversing the Firth of Forth. Each built in a different century, the The Forth Bridge that was built in 1890, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site of global interest.
Pittenweem
Get a feel for coastal village life in Fife at the coastal fishing village of Pittenweem. The harbour is busy each morning when fishing boats return with their catch and the daily fish market takes place. The charming houses that line the streets are beautifully preserved, alongside the ruins of a 12th Century Augustinian priory and a cave that houses a shrine to St Fillan, who once lived there.
Anstruther
The busy seaside village of Anstruther is next on our route. This picturesque spot is famous for its award-winning fish and chips, which should be enjoyed on a bench overlooking the harbour while spotting puffins, seals and other wildlife.
St Andrews
St Andrews is a beautiful medieval town that is known worldwide as the Home of Golf, where the game was invented, and as the host to Scotland’s oldest university.
St Andrews University is the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. Founded in 1413, the institution has educated a number of famous graduates, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. St Andrews University is always ranked highly in league tables and it gives the town a unique culture.
The high status and wealth of the town in the Middle Ages can be seen today in its architecture. As the place of veneration for Scotland’s patron saint and as an ancient seat of learning, the town was a centre of Christianity in Scotland. The large ruins of the cathedral and the nearby church of St Regulus are evidence of this. Walk through the cobbled streets to see lots of small shops and restaurants, the castle and a stunning beach.
When you have finished discovering Fife’s spectacular secrets, we will return to Edinburgh and say farewell, until the next time!
