Scotland

On Day 1 of our adventure, whether you arrive in Glasgow or Edinburgh, you’ll make your way to our hotel in Edinburgh where check-in starts at 3 pm. If you arrive earlier, you can start exploring or grab a bite at one of the vegan restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. Our tour officially begins with a welcome dinner at a vegan restaurant, where we’ll get acquainted and discuss the days to come.

On Day 2, our first full day, you’ll be introduced to Edinburgh on an open-air double-decker bus. You’ll encounter closes-very old, narrow, steep streets-throughout Edinburgh. After lunch, we’ll experience The Real Mary King’s Close. Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time, where centuries of stories are just waiting to be told. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh’s dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close. You’ll then have a couple of hours to explore on your own before we have a group dinner.

On Day 3, we’ll begin with a visit to Craigmillar Castle, lying just three miles south-east of the centre of Edinburgh. Yet while the city features in the distant views from the castle’s walls, step inside them and you could be in a different time and place. Craigmillar Castle is simply one of the most completely preserved medieval castles in Scotland.

We’ll then visit Rosslyn Chapel. This incredible 15th-century chapel’s popularity increased hugely after Dan Browns’s best-selling novel, The Da Vinci Code. Steeped in legend and some say with links to the Knights Templar and even the Holy Grail, Rosslyn truly is a “must-see.”

Then it’s off to a lovely short walk beneath the magnificent Kelpies Statues at the Helix Park. Standing at 100 feet tall and weighing more than 300 tons each, the magical Kelpies are a man-made wonder and a feat of engineering. The works of art have become iconic on the landscape after being modeled on real-life icons of times gone by. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, plows, barges, and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of Falkirk.

We’ll then pay a visit to the gorgeous Wallace Monument, Stirling’s famous landmark stands above the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge, and tells the story of the patriot and martyr who became Scotland’s National Hero.

Meals Included
Day 1: Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

A visit to Stirling Castle is a truly memorable experience, and we’ll visit on day four. Once the power base of the House of Stuart and as such, the most important castle in Scotland.
Mary Queen of Scots was crowned Queen of Scotland at Stirling Castle. If you did not control Stirling, you did not control Scotland. Built on an imposing volcanic plug, Stirling Castle is a must-see on your Scotland travels. You’ll see stunning views of the Wallace Monument and the rugged Highlands beyond. At Stirling Castle, you may also view the intricate and beautiful set of seven hand-woven tapestries. These new tapestries were created in a $2.5 million dollar project which took 13 years to complete and allows visitors to recapture the atmosphere of Scotland’s royal court.

We’ll then enjoy lunch in a welcoming and delicious vegan-friendly restaurant with so many tempting options in the quaint village called Bridge of Allen.

Then it’s on to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the first of Scotland’s National Parks, taking in over 440,000 acres of the Southern Highlands. Sit back and relax as we pass through lovely villages and beautiful glens. The journey is full of folklore and tales of Highland Clans.

We’ll enjoy a boat cruise on Lock Katrine, whose surrounding area is steeped in history and is recognized as the favored and much loved setting of some of Sir Walter Scott’s most famous poetic works, as well as boasting links to Scottish legend Rob Roy MacGregor. But did you know it was closely linked to Queen Victoria too?

On Day 5 we’ll see Drummond Castle Gardens, featured as the Royal Gardens of Versailles in the Outlander TV series and they are beautiful! There are many amazing gardens throughout Scotland, but nothing quite like the manicured landscapes that fall at the feet of Drummond Castle. If the weather is fine, you could almost lose yourself and imagine you’re in Paris, wandering around King Louis’ court at Versailles.

Next will be the enchanting Sma’ Glen, a scenic glen with the fast-flowing River Almond running along the narrow valley floor. The glen itself is rather small, at only 4 miles in length, but charming.

This will be followed by a beautiful walk in Dunkeld & Hermitage Woods, a favorite of Queen Victoria and full of history. Nestled on the famous river Tay, the beautiful village is a great stop. Dunkeld is also famous for the Jacobite uprising of 1689. The Highlanders battled the forces of King William on the streets, in what was to become the first of many attempts to re-instate the Stuart King. Dunkeld Cathedral dates from the 7th century and is beautifully placed on the river.

Our accommodations for the next two nights will be at Saorsa 1875. Founded in the charming Victorian village of Pitlochry, Scotland, Saorsa is a hospitality group committed to showcasing that the best experiences in life don’t have to come at the expense of animals or the environment. The family established Saorsa in 2018 as an extension of our own way of life; one that’s grounded in an appreciation for design, food, culture, and connection. They look forward to preparing multi-course vegan dinners for us.

Meals Included
Day 4: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 takes us to Kenmore, a small village in Perthshire, which is a popular center for activities on Loch Tay. This beautiful village is at the northern end of the the14-mile long Loch Tay. There are stunning views at the end of the loch where Kelpies lurk in the deep water!! This is a superb stop to soak up some Highland views.

Then we’ll make our way to the world-famous Glencoe & Rannoch Moor. Photo stops and tales of Highland warriors with an epic backdrop. The Buachaille Etive Mhor, is a famous mountain landmark. Many movies from Harry Potter to James Bond have used Glencoe as a backdrop. Kings and queens have traveled these roads, including Mary Queen of Scots, and Glencoe is always a wonderful sight.

Mother Nature dealt the Cairngorms a hand full of aces. Twice the size of the Lake District, the Cairngorms National Park has more mountains, forest paths, rivers, lochs, wildlife hotspots, friendly villages and distilleries than you can possibly imagine. Five of the UK’s six highest mountains also lie inside the park, alongside 55 Munros – mountains over 3,000 feet.

On Day 7 you’ll visit the Queen’s View in Highland Perthshire which overlooks Loch Tummel and is said to have been named after Queen Victoria, following her visit to the area in 1866. The Queen’s View Visitor Centre lies at the eastern edge of Loch Tummel and is surrounded by part of Tay Forest Park. As well as a stunning viewpoint overlooking the loch and beyond to the iconic Schiehallion, the area offers a range of woodland walks suitable for all abilities. One of the most photographed areas in Scotland, Queen Victoria is said to have remarked that the spectacular view was named after her when she visited the area in 1866.

The neolithic burial chambers and standing stones of Clava Cairns are truly awe-inspiring. A hugely significant and exceptionally well-preserved site, Clava Cairns is a fantastic example of the distant history of Highland Scotland. Time travel is optional!!

Our next stop will be a somber one. The Battle of Culloden was the final battle of the Jacobite rising of 1745. On April 16th 1746, Charles Edward Stuart’s Jacobite army was decisively defeated by a British government force under William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, at Culloden Moor. Because of this, Culloden is an emotive and special place for both Scots and international visitors alike.

On Day 8 we’ll explore the magnificent Loch Ness. Get your cameras ready! Our first stop will be Urquhart Castle. Wild natural beauty and 1,000 years of history – Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life, and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands.

At Fort Augustus, you’ll visit the Caledonian Canal Heritage Centre which details the history of the canal. Sit and watch the boats navigating the locks or explore the Clansmen Centre, where appropriately attired guides demonstrate 17th-century clan weaponry.
We’ll then explore the surrounding countryside by cruising Loch Ness, home to the world-famous Loch Ness monster.

Our next stop will be Dores Village. This beautiful loch located near Inverness is shrouded in mystery. Tales of a large monster living deep beneath the dark expanses of Loch Ness have circulated the world since the first photograph emerged in 1933. With over 1,000 eyewitness accounts, sightings, and unexplained evidence, scientists continue to be baffled by the existence of Nessie. We visit the village of Dores for a photo opportunity of the famous Loch Ness.

Along the south side of Loch Ness in the small village of Foyers, you will find the popular natural beauty spot of the Falls of Foyers, a spectacular waterfall with a 140-foot drop into a gorge that winds its way through tall trees until it eventually meets Loch Ness.

Meals Included
Day 6: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 8: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

On Day 9 we’ll make a short stop at The V&A, a design museum in Dundee, which opened on 15 September 2018. The V&A Dundee is the first design museum in Scotland and the first Victoria and Albert museum outside London. The V&A Dundee is also the first building in the United Kingdom designed by Kengo Kuma.

Just before reaching Edinburgh, we’ll cross the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, which opened in 1890 and is a real Scottish landmark. A great photo stop and still carrying all the rail traffic across the Firth of Forth, the bridge is a marvelous sight.

Day 10 will be yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps you’d like to take a literature tour, climb the extinct volcano called Arthur’s Seat, visit Holyrood Palace or the Royal Yacht Britannia, or do some shopping on the Royal Mile. In the late afternoon, we’ll meet back up and share our finds while enjoying vegan high tea at a five-star hotel.

Our trip ends after breakfast on Day 11.

Meals Included
Day 9: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 10: Breakfast and high tea
Day 11: Breakfast