This 12-Day Custom Private Scotland Tour - At a Glance
This 12-day sample itinerary illustrates a fully bespoke private Scotland tour, combining luxury travel, iconic landscapes and local insight. Every journey is tailored to you and delivered with your own experienced driver-guide and a flexible, custom-designed route.
- Edinburgh city highlights and royal history
- St Andrews and the East Neuk fishing villages
- Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park
- Perthshire viewpoints, glens and distillery experiences
- Inverness, Culloden and a cruise on Loch Ness
- Royal Deeside, the Balmoral area and Speyside scenery
- Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William and Glencoe
12-day itinerary
Below is a sample itinerary, designed to illustrate what’s possible. Every private Scotland tour is fully bespoke, with the pace, route and experiences shaped around your interests.
Theme: Lochside scenery, Highland welcomes and the first big landscapes.
Leave Edinburgh behind and head west into Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. Today is all about easing into the trip with beautiful viewpoints, charming villages and a gentle introduction to Highland scenery – with time for short walks and photographs along the way.
- Loch Lomond: Scotland’s largest freshwater loch, with classic viewpoints and lochside stops.
- Luss: A picture-postcard conservation village on the loch (and a well-known filming location).
- The Trossachs: Often called “the Highlands in miniature” – lochs, forests and rolling hills.
- Queen Elizabeth Forest Park: Woodland scenery and the chance of spotting local wildlife.
- Loch Lubnaig: A peaceful loch framed by mountains – ideal for relaxed photos.
- Highland coos: A fun stop for close-up photos (and, where appropriate, feeding).
Overnight: Edinburgh (or alternative by request)
Theme: Scotland’s capital at its most iconic.
Spend the day exploring Edinburgh with a mix of historic landmarks and modern Scotland. Your driver-guide will help you avoid the busiest pinch points and shape the day around your interests – history, architecture, museums, shopping, or whisky.
- Edinburgh Castle: The city’s most famous fortress with panoramic views.
- The Royal Mile: Historic closes, stories and landmarks between Castle and Palace.
- Scottish Parliament: A striking modern building and insight into modern governance.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse: The King’s official residence in Scotland (when open).
- Royal Yacht Britannia: Step aboard the former royal yacht in Leith.
Overnight: Edinburgh
Theme: Coastal Scotland, storybook villages and the home of golf.
Head across to Fife for a day of sea air and historic charm. Explore St Andrews and then follow the coastline through traditional fishing villages, with time for harbour views, local seafood, and a relaxed tearoom stop.
- St Andrews: Medieval streets, university heritage and coastal views.
- St Andrews Castle: Dramatic ruins perched above the sea.
- Fife coastal drive: One of Scotland’s prettiest seaside routes.
- East Neuk villages: Crail, Anstruther and Pittenweem harbours.
- Scenic tearoom stop: Cakes, scones and coastal views (time permitting).
- Forth bridges viewpoint: Return via the bridges for classic photo angles.
Overnight: Edinburgh
Theme: Big icons and royal history as you transition north into Perthshire.
Today blends modern Scotland with classic castles and elegant country estates. You’ll stop for iconic photo opportunities, explore one of Scotland’s most important historic strongholds, and finish the day with grand interiors and beautifully kept gardens.
- The Kelpies, Falkirk: Striking 30-metre horse-head sculptures celebrating Scotland’s heritage.
- Stirling Castle: One of Scotland’s grandest castles, with a dramatic hilltop setting.
- Scone Palace, Perth: Historic crowning place of Scotland’s kings and home of the Stone of Destiny story.
- Drummond Castle Gardens, Crieff: Formal gardens considered among the finest in Europe.
Overnight: Perthshire
Theme: Classic Perthshire scenery – lochs, waterfalls, villages and whisky.
A relaxed day exploring some of Perthshire’s most scenic corners. Expect lochside stops, gentle walks, a famous waterfall in the heart of a Highland village, and time to enjoy whisky heritage before finishing with one of Scotland’s best-loved viewpoints.
- Loch Earn: Tranquil freshwater loch surrounded by Highland scenery.
- Falls of Dochart, Killin: Picturesque waterfalls running through the village.
- Kenmore: Charming village at the eastern end of Loch Tay with lovely lochside views.
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery: Discover Dewar’s heritage and the famous blend.
- Pitlochry: A Victorian Highland town with great stops for photos and a wander.
- Queen’s View / Killiecrankie: Iconic viewpoint over Loch Tummel and dramatic woodland scenery.
Overnight: Perthshire
Theme: A special whisky day with standout experiences and peaceful landscapes.
Enjoy a guided distillery experience at Glenturret (famous for The Famous Grouse), followed by an exceptional lunch at Lalique (subject to availability). Later, slow the pace with a visit to Scotland’s oldest lending library and a drive through one of the country’s most beautiful glens.
- Glenturret Distillery experience: Learn traditional whisky-making at Scotland’s oldest working distillery.
- Lunch at Lalique: Michelin-starred dining at the distillery’s renowned restaurant (subject to availability).
- Innerpeffray Library: Scotland’s oldest free public lending library, founded over 300 years ago.
- Glen Lyon: Often described as Scotland’s longest and most beautiful glen.
Overnight: Perthshire
Theme: A scenic northbound journey into the Highlands, with history at the end of the day.
Travel north through changing landscapes as you approach Inverness. Along the way, enjoy Highland shopping and local produce, Speyside villages, and Cairngorms scenery — before finishing with two of the most powerful historic sites in the region.
- House of Bruar: Highland destination for Scottish produce, gifts and quality clothing.
- Boat of Garten: A charming Speyside village known for railway heritage and nearby reserves.
- Aviemore & the Cairngorms: Mountain and forest scenery in Scotland’s largest national park.
- Culloden Battlefield: Site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite uprising.
- Fort George: Impressive 18th-century fortress overlooking the Moray Firth.
Overnight: Inverness
Theme: Legendary landscapes and classic Highland icons.
Spend the day exploring Loch Ness – taking in the dramatic scenery and the loch’s famous folklore. Combine a boat cruise with one of Scotland’s most atmospheric castle ruins and a stop at a postcard-pretty canal village.
- Loch Ness boat cruise: A scenic trip on the loch – keep an eye out for Nessie.
- Urquhart Castle: Atmospheric ruins with one of the best viewpoints over Loch Ness.
- Fort Augustus: A pretty village with the Caledonian Canal locks at its heart.
- Glengarry: Drive through classic Highland scenery on the return route.
Overnight: Inverness
Theme: Royal connections, whisky country and Cairngorms landscapes.
Head into Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms, visiting elegant Highland towns and landscapes strongly associated with the Royal Family. Today is a beautiful mix of rivers, forests, and open mountain scenery.
- Grantown-on-Spey: Elegant Highland town on the River Spey.
- Ballater: Charming village in Royal Deeside with strong royal links.
- Royal Lochnagar Distillery: Historic distillery founded in 1845 near Balmoral.
- Balmoral Estate: Explore the grounds, gardens and exhibitions (seasonal access may apply).
- Tomintoul: Travel through Scotland’s highest village, surrounded by Cairngorm scenery.
Overnight: Inverness
Theme: Big Highland scenery – the UK’s highest peak and Scotland’s most famous viaduct.
Travel west through changing landscapes to Fort William, the outdoor capital of the Highlands. Take in views of Ben Nevis and finish with one of Scotland’s most iconic sights – the Glenfinnan Viaduct – plus a peaceful stop by Loch Shiel.
- Fort William: Vibrant Highland town and gateway to outdoor adventures.
- Ben Nevis viewpoint: Classic views of the UK’s highest mountain (weather depending).
- Glenfinnan Viaduct: The “Harry Potter bridge” in a spectacular setting.
- St Mary & St Finnan Church: Gothic-style church overlooking Loch Shiel.
Overnight: Inverness
Theme: Scotland at its most dramatic – glens, sea views and whisky on the west coast.
Journey through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most scenic and historic glens. Continue into Glen Etive (famous for its cinematic landscapes), before arriving in Oban – a harbour town known as the “Gateway to the Isles” and home to a historic distillery.
- Glencoe: One of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, steeped in history and natural drama.
- Glen Etive: Striking valley featured in film locations including Skyfall.
- Oban: Harbour town with great seafood, views and a relaxed coastal feel.
- Oban Distillery: Founded in 1794 – a distillery woven into the town’s story.
Overnight: Oban
Theme: A scenic return through Argyll, finishing back in the capital.
Enjoy a final day of memorable scenery as you travel back towards the central belt. Stop in Inveraray on Loch Fyne and pass through Lochgilphead – a gateway town to Argyll and Kintyre — before concluding your journey in Edinburgh.
- Inveraray: Beautiful lochside town known for its architecture and castle setting.
- Lochgilphead: A scenic stop on the route through Argyll’s landscapes.
- Return to Edinburgh: Drop-off timed around your onward travel plans.
Overnight: Edinburgh (end of tour)
What's Included
What’s included in a custom private Scotland tour?
- Private tour with your own local driver-guide
- Luxury vehicle throughout (Mercedes-Benz)
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off each day
- Flexible routing and comfort stops
- Advice and recommendations for restaurants, distilleries and attractions
- Bottled water onboard
Popular upgrades & enhancements
Enhance your tour with carefully selected experiences. These can be added where available and adjusted to suit your pace and interests.
Whisky & food experiences
- Pre-booked castle and historic site entry
- Private guided tours with local historians
- Extended time at key sites such as Stirling or Balmoral
- Museum and heritage site reservations
History & castles
- Luxury or boutique hotel recommendations
- Additional rest days or shorter driving days
- Scenic detours and quieter routes
- Flexible daily start and finish times
All upgrades are optional and subject to availability. We’ll advise on what works best for your dates and travel style.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Every tour we create is entirely bespoke. This 12-day itinerary is a sample, designed to illustrate what’s possible. Your own private Scotland tour will be tailored around your interests, preferred pace, travel dates and priorities.
Your tour includes a private luxury vehicle, an experienced local driver/guide, itinerary planning and on-tour guiding throughout your journey. Accommodation, experiences and meals are arranged according to your preferences and discussed during the planning process.
Absolutely. Your tour can be longer or shorter, start or finish anywhere in Scotland, and focus on the regions or experiences that matter most to you. Nothing is fixed – the itinerary is designed around you.
Yes. You’ll travel with the same professional driver-guide throughout your tour, allowing for a seamless, relaxed experience and a deeper local insight as your journey unfolds.
These tours are ideal for couples, families, friends and small private groups who value flexibility, comfort and personal service. They’re particularly well suited to travellers who want a thoughtfully planned itinerary without the constraints of a group tour.
Yes. Your itinerary can be designed around particular interests such as whisky distilleries, Scottish history, castles, landscapes, photography, slow travel or a combination of themes. Experiences are selected to match what you most want to see and do.
After your initial enquiry, we’ll discuss your travel dates, interests and preferences. We’ll then create a tailored itinerary for your review, refining the details together until everything feels right. Once confirmed, we take care of the arrangements so you can simply enjoy the journey.
Yes. This sample itinerary works well for first-time visitors, offering a balanced introduction to Scotland’s cities, Highlands and iconic landscapes. However, your tour can be adjusted to suit returning visitors or those wishing to explore lesser-known regions.
Private Scotland tours run year-round, with each season offering something different. Spring and autumn are popular for quieter travel, summer offers long daylight hours, and winter can be ideal for atmospheric landscapes and slower-paced itineraries.
The tour typically starts and finishes in Edinburgh, with hotel pick-up and drop-off included. Alternative start or end points, such as Glasgow, can be arranged on request.
Yes. The itinerary is designed with a relaxed pace and can be adjusted to minimise walking, shorten driving days, or include additional rest stops where needed.
Accommodation, meals, and attraction entry tickets are not included by default. We’re happy to recommend hotels, restaurants, and bookable experiences to match your style and budget.
You’ll travel in a luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicle, chosen to suit your group size, with comfortable seating, air conditioning, and space for luggage.
We recommend enquiring several months in advance, particularly for summer travel or if you’d like premium accommodation, distillery tours, or special dining experiences.
Start planning your private Scotland tour
Whether you’d like to follow this 12-day sample itinerary closely or simply use it as inspiration, we’ll design a fully bespoke private Scotland tour around your interests, preferred pace and travel dates – led by your own experienced local driver-guide.
Tell us when you’re travelling and what you’d like to see, and we’ll take care of the rest.
