Scotland’s Sights and Gastronomic Delights (Self-Drive 7 nights/8 days)

This is the ultimate combination break, where you open the doors and gain access to the very best that Scotland has to offer.

From culinary experiences including cooking with a professional chef using top quality Scottish ingredients to visiting historical attractions, whisky distilleries and more you’ll journey across some of the most stunning landscapes in the country.

With both casual and fine dining opportunities, including the chance to dine at ‘Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles’ highly coveted 2 Michelin Star restaurant, this is a taste of Scotland like no other.

Choose between 4 or 5 star accommodation and we’ll take care of the rest.

DAY 1  WELCOME – Collect car in your arrival city/airport/station (Aberdeen, Glasgow or Edinburgh) • journey to your luxurious 4 star hotel or the iconic 5 star Gleneagles Hotel • time to relax before dinner at your hotel (upgrade option to dine in Scotland’s best restaurant also available)* • overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in lower highland Perthshire  (Night 1 of 2) 

DAY 2  LOWER HIGHLAND LUXURY – Scottish Breakfast • day experience (choose 1 of the following 2 options):

OPTION 1    WHISKY & CULTURE  Exclusive tour and tasting at the Glenturret Malt Whisky Distillery. Create your own Whisky blend, bottle it and take it home • Visit Stirling Castle

OPTION 2    REST AND PLAY AT THE 5 STAR GLENEAGLES HOTEL  One introductory lesson of your choice from/at:  Falconry School, Gun Dog School or Equestrian Centre, Trout Fishing, Clay Pigeon or Air Rifle Shooting or Archery.  (Also available with a supplementary charge applied include: Spa treatments, a round of Golf or a Wildlife Photography experience. Deer Stalking or Game Bird Shooting for experienced shots is available in season).

• Evening at leisure • overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in lower highland Perthshire (Night 2 of 2) 

DAY 3   HIGHLAND ADVENTURES – Scottish Breakfast  • Choose 1 of the following 3 options:

OPTION 1   SMOKED SALMON AND THE HIGHLAND CAPITAL, INVERNESS Taste a range of smoked salmon at one of Scotland’s best smokehouses • Lunch at the ‘House of Bruar’, a mecca of Scottish fine foods and country clothing. Explore Inverness or journey a few miles to Loch Ness.

OPTION 2     HIGHLAND WILDLIFE SAFARI & LUNCH (Supplementary fee applies) Private wildlife safari in a land rover with your own kilted ranger. Enjoy the glorious scenery and look out for Scotland’s native red deer, grouse and eagles • Lunch at the ‘House of Bruar’.

OPTION 3    DEWARS WORLD OF WHISKY & THE HIGHLAND CHOCOLATIER CONNOSIEURS EXPERIENCE (Monday to Friday only) (Supplementary fee applies) Enjoy a tour and tasting at the Aberfeldy Distillery, producer of the single malt whisky, which lies at the heart of the Dewar’s blends • Scottish Artisan Chocolate tasting experience with world-class chocolate maker.

• Dinner in Inverness – overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in Inverness  (Night 1 of 2) 

DAY 4   BARRELS TO BATTLEFIELDS – Scottish Breakfast • Choose 1 of the following 3 options:

OPTION 1   SHORTBREAD AND CHIVAS IN SPEYSIDE  Visit a shortbread maker and learn more about Scotland’s national biscuit • Enjoy a tour and tasting at Strathisla Whisky Distillery, home of Chivas Regal.

OPTION 2   SPEYSIDE DISTILLERY AND BARREL MAKER (Monday to Friday only) Watch whisky barrels being made in a Speyside cooperage  • Enjoy a visit, tour and tasting at the Macallan malt whisky distillery.

OPTION 3   CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD, ANCIENT STANDING STONES AND BLACK ISLE COAST  Learn about the Jacobite revolution and the battle that changed Scottish history • Visit the bronze age Clava Cairns and standing stones.  Journey along the dolphin populated Black Isle coastline.

• evening at leisure • overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in Inverness (Night 2 of 2) 

DAY 5   THE LOCHS AND A CHAMPAGNE CRUISE – Scottish Breakfast  • Journey past Loch Ness and through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery including the romantic and mystical Glencoe and Ben Nevis  •  Arrive in Loch Lomond, and board your luxury motor yacht for a Champagne cruise on the loch (1 hour)  •  Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland’s most welcoming city  • relaxed dinner in Café Gandolfi; one of Glasgow’s most famous restaurants with delicious, traditional Scottish cuisine  • overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in Glasgow 

DAY 6   YES CHEF! CULINARY EXPERIENCE –  Scottish Breakfast  • An entertaining and relaxed hands-on cooking class with a professional chef (lunch included)  • Multi-course Special Tasting Menu Dinner in a 1 Michelin Star restaurant in Edinburgh • overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in Edinburgh (Night 1 of 2) 

DAY 7   CITY SIPPING OR COASTAL LIVING – Scottish Breakfast  • Choose one of the following 2 options:

OPTION 1   A DAY IN OUR CAPITAL, EDINBURGH  Enjoy time exploring the fascinating city of Edinburgh

Additional 3.5 hour  ‘Edinburgh Food & Drink Walking Tour’ also available (supplementary charge)

OPTION 2   A DAY IN HISTORIC ST ANDREWS  • Visit the picturesque heritage fishing villages • Explore St Andrews

Final evening’s dinner in your hotel • overnight 4 star or 5 star accommodation in Edinburgh (Night 2 of 2) 

DAY 8  FAREWELL – Full Scottish Breakfast • Car drop off at your Airport (or in the City Centre if preferred).

This experience is available for private departure all year round (subject to availability).

• 7 nights luxury accommodation (4 or 5 red star – your choice)
• 7 Scottish breakfasts
• 5 dinners
• 1 culinary class with a professional chef (inclusive of lunch).
• All entrance fees, tours and tastings associated with planned itinerary, except where stated that supplementary charges apply. A detailed itinerary complete with timings and GPS navigation routes.

To book this experience contact us quoting “Scotland’s Sights and Gastronomic Delights (Self Drive)”, the number of persons travelling and your preferred departure date.

Prices are per person for 7 nights based on 2 people sharing a twin/double room. Airfare or personal expenses, including personal travel insurance, and drinks except any listed on the itinerary are not included.  Options: one choice to be selected for the whole party.

Extend your trip to 10 nights and enjoy a day on the stunning Isle of Skye, extra time in Edinburgh and an unforgettable trip on a seafood creel boat lifting lobster pots with a Scottish fisherman.