Trip summary statistics
9days
Essential Scotland by Train
Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow
Skip the queues into Edinburgh Castle with a small group, and taste Scotch whisky nearby.
Descend into Mary King's Close on a shared guided tour of Edinburgh's buried streets.
Join a small-group day tour to Loch Ness, from Urquhart Castle to the Falls of Foyers.
Explore Glasgow's murals on foot, and savor afternoon tea aboard a vintage Routemaster.
Your Destination Expert arranges seamless train travel and every detail throughout.
* Please note: USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.
A travel experience like no other
This sample itinerary was created by experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
We personalize
There's no formula, we simply listen to you and make it happen.
We expertly plan
From your itinerary to the small details, we prepare it all on your behalf.
We don't settle
Refining your itinerary until you're happy, even while you're traveling.
When would you like to travel?
| Su | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
What's your ideal trip length?
If anything changes, we can always adjust.
Prefer to speak with a destination expert?
EdinburghHere we Go!
- Private Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet
- Scotland Welcome Package
- Self-Guided: Georgian Edinburgh & Princes Street Gardens
- Self-Guided: A Taste of Edinburgh
EdinburghQuintessential Castles
- Small-Group Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle Walking Tour | 1.5 hrs
- The Real Mary King's Close | Admission
Edinburgh to InvernessEn Route
- Self-Guided: Train Station - Short Walking Transfer
- Train - 3.5 hrs - Train
- Self-Guided: Train Station - Short Walking Transfer
- Twilight Tales and Whisky Tasting
InvernessWinding the Wind-Swept Shorelines
- Small-Group Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Day Tour | 8 hrs
InvernessHistory & Spirits
- Culloden Battlefield & Fort George
- Glenfiddich Distillery Tour (1.5 hour)
Inverness to GlasgowThe Journey Continues…
- Self-Guided: Train Station - Short Walking Transfer
- Train - 3.5 hrs - Train
- Self-Guided: Train Station - Short Walking Transfer
- Glasgow Afternoon Tea Experience with Prosecco | 1.5 hrs
GlasgowExplore a City of Contrasts
- Private Glasgow Street Art Walking Tour | 1.5 hrs
- The Sound of Scotland: National Piping Centre
GlasgowBrews & Tunes
- Tennent's Brewery Tour
- Self-Guided: Finnieston After Dark
GlasgowSafe Travels!
- Private Airport Transfer
EDINBURGH
Here we Go!
For your added comfort, a Meet and Greet assistant will welcome you upon your arrival at the airport. They'll be waiting for you outside of customs, holding a sign with your name on it. Your assistant will help to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver at the airport, and accompany you to your hotel for check-in.
A Welcome Package will be provided and will include any relevant documents or tickets required for your trip.
Enjoy a relaxed, self-guided stroll through Edinburgh New Town, where wide avenues and graceful Georgian architecture set an elegant tone. Begin along George Street or Queen Street, passing handsome squares and refined faÇades before drifting downhill into Princes Street Gardens. Here, pause on a bench, watch the city go by, and take in one of the city’s most iconic outlooks toward Edinburgh Castle rising above the greenery. With no guide and no set route, it’s an easy, scenic way to slow the pace and experience Edinburgh’s beauty one step at a time.
Deciding where to eat in any foreign city isn't always the easiest task. To help narrow the field, you’ll receive a supplemental composition within your final trip documents, showcasing our top restaurant suggestions for scrumptious bites in Edinburgh, as selected by Kensington Tours Destination Experts.
Where you’ll be staying
Vista Room
EDINBURGH
Quintessential Castles
Skip the queues and head straight into Edinburgh Castle with your small group. Your guide brings the castle's history to life, from the battles fought over its walls to the royalty who lived and died within them. The walk then moves into the closes, wynds, and courtyards of the Royal Mile, uncovering the everyday lives of Old Town residents that most visitors often miss. At the end of your tour, feel free to continue exploring at your own pace.
Your admission to Mary King's Close takes you beneath the Royal Mile on a shared guided tour of a network of streets buried beneath the city for over 300 years, where generations of Edinburgh residents lived and worked. Guides take on the role of former residents, leading you through stories of plague, the cramped tenement life that defined the Close, and the myths that have haunted these streets ever since.
Where you’ll be staying
Vista Room
EDINBURGH TO INVERNESS
En Route
Take a short, self-guided walk, with your hotel and the central train station just a few minutes apart.
Depart by train from Edinburgh to Inverness. Approximate travel time is 3.5 hours.
Take a short, self-guided walk, with your hotel and the central train station just a few minutes apart.
Embark on an unforgettable evening of scotch and storytelling, immersing yourself in the rich history and legends of the Scottish Highlands while indulging in the finest local malt whiskies from nearby distilleries. Your host will enchant you with captivating stories and musical melodies that perfectly encapsulate the charm of the Highlands. A must for whisky aficionados, music enthusiasts, and history buffs alike, this event is a highlight for your Inverness itinerary. With an array of exceptional Highland whiskies, lively traditional tunes, and enthralling tales, it promises to be the ultimate way to spend an evening in this picturesque region.
Where you’ll be staying
Superior River View Room
INVERNESS
Winding the Wind-Swept Shorelines
Follow the banks of Loch Ness on a full-day small-group tour from Inverness, stopping where the landscape and history run deepest. The route begins at Dores beach before continuing to the Falls of Foyers, a waterfall tucked in native pine forest. After a lunch stop in Drumnadrochit, the tour continues to Urquhart Castle, a medieval stronghold with some of the most dramatic chapters in Scottish history. Time permitting, a Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness is available to book onsite before the group returns to Inverness by early evening.
Where you’ll be staying
Superior River View Room
INVERNESS
History & Spirits
Enjoy admission and a visit to the historic site of Culloden Battlefield, largely preserved the same way it was back in 1745 where the Jacobite uprising was quashed by loyalist troops. Step back in time as you walk the footpaths and see the 20-foot memorial cairn, erected in 1881. After, you'll get to visit the garrison fortress of Fort George, intended to pacify the Scottish Highlands after the Jacobite rebellion. Strategically built by the sea, the fortress had an immediate reinforcements and supply route in the event of a siege.
Set in the heart of the Highlands, Glenfiddich is a place of breathtaking beauty. Glenfiddich is little changed since 1886, and today you can discover the warehouse and mash rooms that William Grant and his nine children worked in. See where the barley is prepared and fermente by craftsmen with generations of understanding. Enter the Still House and find out how the skilled Stillman captures the sweetest part of the distillate from unusually sized copper stills. Find out how the whiskies are married here, and achieve a unique depth and consistency of flavor. Immerse yourself in a guided tour that culminates in a tantalizing tasting experience. Indulge in the delights of The Glenfiddich 12, 15, and 18, along with the exceptional Glenfiddich Gran Reserva, a 21-year-old expression expertly finished in rum casks
Where you’ll be staying
Superior River View Room
INVERNESS TO GLASGOW
The Journey Continues…
Take a short, self-guided walk, with your hotel and the central train station just a few minutes apart.
Depart by train from Inverness to Glasgow. Approximate travel time is 3.5 hours.
Take a short, self-guided walk, with your hotel and the central train station just a few minutes apart.
Board a vintage 1966 Routemaster bus for an afternoon tea served as the city rolls past. Settled at your table, work through a stand of sweet and savoury treats, home-baked scones with preserves and whipped cream, and freshly made sandwiches using Scottish ingredients. Tea, coffee, and prosecco are included throughout.
Where you’ll be staying
Dream Room
GLASGOW
Explore a City of Contrasts
Explore Glasgow's street art scene on a walking tour through the city's back lanes and hidden corners with a local expert. Starting on Mitchell Street, the route traces the work of world-renowned muralists and local legends alike, your guide covering the history and the distinction between graffiti and art that shaped how Glasgow got here.
Discover the story behind Scotland's most iconic instrument with a self-guided visit to the National Piping Centre. Explore museum exhibits showcasing centuries of piping history, admire historic bagpipes and rare artefacts, and, if you're lucky, catch the unmistakable sound of live piping filling the building. Whether you spend a few minutes or a leisurely afternoon, it's an engaging introduction to a living tradition that continues to shape Scotland's cultural identity.
Where you’ll be staying
Dream Room
GLASGOW
Brews & Tunes
This tour takes you behind the scenes to discover the special way Tennent's is made. Follow the history from the very origins of brewing at Wellpark, to present day support of and passion for Scottish music and football. As well, there is a rare collection of vintage and retro Tennent's packaging, so you can have a chance to watch your favorite Tennent's adverts from over the decades and also a shop to buy exclusive Tennent's goodies.
Follow your appetite and curiosity through Finnieston on a relaxed, self-guided evening out. Stroll along Argyle Street, browsing menus and popping into whichever bar or restaurant matches your mood. When you’re ready, take a short wander toward the Scottish Event Campus or Kelvingrove Park to stretch your legs and soak up the neighborhood atmosphere. Easy, flexible, and entirely at your own pace.
Where you’ll be staying
Dream Room
GLASGOW
Safe Travels!
Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
EDINBURGH
Market Street Hotel
Old Town character meets contemporary design at the Market Street Hotel. Perfectly suited for travelers on the go, the Market Street Hotel is primely situated in the heart of the Scottish capital. A collection of 98 guest rooms are designed to welcome guests and act as a retreat after a day of exploring the vibrant and historical city. Take in stunning city views from the rooftop bar and lounge or step outside and sample one of the many restaurants available nearby. The Market Street Hotel is proudly a member of Design Hotels, an organization recognizing culturally rooted hospitality experiences and leading-edge design and architecture.
INVERNESS
AC Hotel Inverness
Where the River Ness flows into the Moray Firth, AC Hotel Inverness welcomes you to a modern retreat in the heart of the Highlands. With its sleek design and unrivaled location, this is the city’s largest hotel, yet it feels intimate, calm, and connected to the soul of Inverness. You are invited to settle into one of 191 serene rooms, where clean lines, soft textures, and curated comforts create a space that feels both restful and refined. Greet the morning with a leisurely European-style breakfast, then wander out to explore castle views, quiet lanes, and Highland charm. As the sun begins to fade, return to the riverside terrace for a cocktail, linger over local flavors, and watch the water catch the evening light. AC Hotel Inverness is more than a place to stay. It is a quiet pause in your journey, where contemporary style meets the timeless beauty of Scotland.
GLASGOW
Carlton George
Located in the very center of Glasgow, just steps from George Square and the city’s premier shopping and cultural attractions, the Carlton George Hotel offers a welcoming blend of modern comfort and Scottish hospitality. The hotel’s stylish interiors create a relaxed atmosphere, while its well-appointed rooms feature thoughtful amenities and contemporary design for a comfortable city stay. Guests can begin the day with breakfast before setting out to explore Glasgow’s vibrant museums, historic architecture, and thriving arts scene. The hotel’s rooftop dining space provides sweeping views across the city skyline, offering a memorable setting to unwind after a day of sightseeing. With its central location, attentive service, and comfortable accommodations, the Carlton George Hotel is an ideal base for discovering Scotland’s largest city.
Made to Order
- Choose from a range of places to stay, from impeccable five-star hotels to equally outstanding boutique ones.
- Tailor your trip to include a wide variety of activities, from the must-see's to the lesser-known, local experiences, and even the exclusive ones you may not know about.
- With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can explore on your terms.
- Whether you're celebrating one of life's big moments or looking to fulfill a personal journey, we always work with you to ensure we're creating a trip-of-a-lifetime.
What's included
- A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
- 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
- Regional flights between stops in your itinerary (unless otherwise indicated)
- All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
- A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver - your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
- Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
- A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
- Breakfast each morning at your hotel, plus any meals indicated in the itinerary
- One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What's not included
- Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you'd like to receive pricing from our Air Team
- Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you've booked your tour
- Visas (unless noted)
- Tips for services and experiences
- Lunches, dinners and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), unless specified in the itinerary
- Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
- Personal charges such as laundry, phone calls, SIM cards or room service
- Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside of your itinerary
- Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, or local camera or video fees
- Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Protect your travel
- We recommend travel protection. Between missed connections, lost or delayed luggage, or medical emergencies, you want some peace of mind that your travel investment is well protected.
- No matter who you buy from, please consider purchasing a travel protection plan before you travel. Still unsure? Consider these frequently asked questions.








