Number Of Travelers:
5
Travel Duration:
11 days
Reason For Travel:
Mother/Daughter Trip & Ancestry Trip
Scotland has so many activities to experience and sites to explore. This mother/daughter trip was jam packed with castles, hikes, historical sites and everything in between. This itinerary had several unique excursions that made this trip even more memorable. Scotland is known for unique things to do such as feeding the Reindeer Herd, all of the castles, axe throwing, ghost tours, the Jacobite Steam train and so much more! The ladies couldn’t leave the home of golf without a tee time at one of the hundreds of famous golf courses in Scotland.
Trip Highlights:
Landmarks
- Isle of Skye
- Glencoe
- Ben Nevis
- Cairngorm Mountains
- Edinburgh Castle
- Stirling Castle
- Drummond Castle
- Falkland Palace
- St. Andrews Links Old Course
- Midhope Castle
- Hopetoun House
- Blackness Castle
- Scone Palace
- Circus Lane
- Dean Village
- Scott Monument
- Balmoral Castle
- Clava Cairns
- Inverness Cathedral
- Inverness Castle
- Castle Leod
- Dunrobin Castle
- Fairy Pools
- Sligachan Old Bridge
- Eilean Donen Castle
- Brides Veil Falls
- Dunvegan Castle
- Dumfries House
- Glasgow University
- Outlander filming locations
- Harry Potter filming locations
- St. Giles Cathedral
Excursions
- Loch Ness Boat Tour with Urquhart Castle Tour
- Cairngorm Reindeer Herd
- Culloden Battlefield
- Hiked Old Man of Storr
- Axe throw
- Hike to Coral Beach
- Hiked to Neist Point Lighthouse
- Jacobite Steam Train
- Hike Ben Nevis
- Hike at Trump Turnberry Golf Course
- Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery
- Ghost Tour & Cemetery
Key Cities
- Glasgow
- Fort William
- Mallaig
- Glencoe
- Portree
- Dunvegan
- Dornie
- Inverness
- Turnberry
- Glengoyne
- Strathpeffer
- Golspie
- Culloden
- Aberdeenshire
- Edinburgh
- Queensferry
- Linlithgow
- Perth
- Stirling
- Muthill
- Fife
- St. Andrews
Glasgow is the largest Scottish city, fourth in the United Kingdom, the Scottish economic capital and, most of all, preserves some of the richest historic heritage in the country.
The city is crossed by the Clyde River, around which the Roman general Gneus Julius Agricola — who played the main role during the Roman conquest of Britain — led the construction of some fortresses in 80 AD. The remains of those can still be seen in modern Glasgow. As the legend goes, hundreds of years later, the Christian missionary Saint Mungo founded the city and built a small wooden church close to Molendinar Burn, which centuries later will turn into the splendid Glasgow Cathedral.
Formally a major industrial and commercial centre, modern Glasgow is a flourishing centre for arts and culture. Over the past couple of decades, it has been named City of Culture, Capital of Sport, UNESCO City of Music and City of Architecture and Design. The latter is, perhaps, partly due to the abundance of unique buildings designed by legendary Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh that dot the city.
The areas of most interest to visitors are, of course, the City Centre, and the West End, a hip area with some of Glasgow’s coolest cafes and bars, also home to the University of Glasgow and the well-known Kelvingrove Museum. West of the city centre, on the banks of the River Clyde, sit the Science Centre and the Riverside Museum, both a must for tourists.
One of the fastest-growing cities in Europe, Inverness is at its liveliest in summer, when it bustles with visitors from all over the world. They are attracted by the stunning landscape of the northwest Highlands, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, or the doomed romance of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Cause.
Although it was founded in medieval times, most of the city’s most important buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries. Landmark buildings include the bulky Inverness Castle, which was erected in 1835 on the site of a much smaller medieval stronghold, and the Old High Church, overlooking the River Ness on St Michael’s Mount.
Inverness is attractively landscaped with numerous carefully laid-out parks and gardens, including the tropical glasshouses of the Bught Floral Hall, where palms and other warm-climate plants make a striking contrast to the often snow-capped mountains on the northern horizon.
Built at the mouth of two of Scotland’s major rivers, the Dee and the Don, with the spectacular Grampian Mountains to the west, and miles of unspoiled and beautiful coastline to the east, Aberdeen is a perfect destination for nature lovers. But travellers who would rather stay in urban surroundings will also have plenty to see – despite its northerly location, Aberdeen features splendid architectural delights, a highly cosmopolitan feel, exciting nightlife and a wide variety of cultural sights and events bound to please all.
Early Aberdeen consisted of two settlements: one in what is today known as Old Aberdeen, and another on St Katherine’s Hill near the harbour. Modern Aberdeen began to take shape in the late 18th century on St Katherine’s Hill in a development that featured some spectacular engineering projects. Engineering is still a theme in today’s Aberdeen, following the discovery of oil in the North Sea in 1969, which has earned Aberdeen its modern nicknames, the “Oil Capital of Europe” or the “Houston of the North.” The oil has been highly significant for the development of this thriving city, as it has boosted the local economy, resulting in low unemployment rates and a reputation for being one of the most desirable places in Britain to live and work.
Edinburgh’s origins can be traced back to the 7th century when it was settled by the Celtic Votadini tribe. By the 10th century, the city had become a prominent stronghold known as ‘Dun Eideann’ under Scottish rule. The construction of Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock in the 12th century solidified its power and played a crucial role in conflicts such as the Wars of Scottish Independence. In 1437, Edinburgh was officially declared the capital of Scotland.
Over the centuries, Edinburgh thrived as a hub of trade and culture. The establishment of the University of Edinburgh in 1583 further enhanced its reputation as an intellectual centre. The 18th-century Enlightenment era brought significant advancements in various fields, with influential figures like David Hume and Adam Smith contributing to Edinburgh’s intellectual legacy.
In the 19th century, Edinburgh underwent a transformation during the Industrial Revolution. The city expanded beyond the boundaries of the Old Town with the construction of the Georgian New Town, showcasing stunning neoclassical architecture and becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Edinburgh continued to evolve in the 20th century, facing both challenges and milestones. The city experienced significant growth and modernization, with the establishment of renowned festivals such as the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, solidifying its reputation as a cultural capital.
Today, Edinburgh stands as a thriving cosmopolitan city, blending its ancient heritage with a vibrant contemporary spirit. Its iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, and Arthur’s Seat, attract millions of visitors each year, while its world-class universities, dynamic arts scene, and bustling festivals contribute to its global appeal.
The Central Business District of Perth straddles the banks of the Swan River, its skyscrapers shimmering in the glare of the sun. This is the commercial and economic heart of the city with endless shopping opportunities and also home to some of its major cultural attractions like the Bell Tower, Perth Mint, His Majesty’s Theatre, as well as the majestic Kings Park — an oasis of serenity after a hard day’s sightseeing.
Northbridge, which is located just outside the central district, is Perth’s entertainment and cultural mecca. Here you will find an array of cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs, along with a number of museums and galleries.
Decidedly lower-key than Northbridge, Subiaco is nonetheless a thriving cosmopolitan district that has numerous cafes, eateries, boutiques, theatres, and is also home to the Subiaco Oval — the birthplace of Australian Rules football.
If you’re looking to head for the shores of the Indian Ocean, then the white sands of Cottesloe beach are only a stone’s throw away Like most places in Perth, the beaches are easily accessible by bus. Alternatively, take a cruise down the Swan River to the historic and lively suburb of Fremantle.
