The Itinerary

• Day 1 - 18th October

  Check In and Welcome Drinks Reception

  You will be greeted by Philippa, your Tour Director, at The 5-star Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh, your home for the next 8-nights!

  The evening begins with a welcome drinks reception where you can meet your fellow guests, followed by a 3-course meal.

• Day 2 - 19th October

  Rosslyn Chapel and Craigmillar Castle

  After a freshly cooked breakfast board our luxury coach to make our way to Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by 'the Davinci Code' but stunning and intersting in its ouwn right too.

  In the afternoon we travel the short distance to Craigmillar Castle where Mary, Queen of Scots was provided a safe haven in 1566 by Sir Simon Preston, who would become her jailor in 1567. Visit the room Mary is said to have slept in.
• Day 3 - 20th October

  St Giles Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle

  Today we spend the first of two days which will take place within the historic city of Edinburgh. Today we visit St Giles Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle before guests can enjoy some free time to explore the City at their own pace or relax in our luxury hotel, maybe evenn take advantage of the beautiful spa facilities. 

  St Giles Cathedral witnessed James VI's farewell address before leaving for London as James I of England. It is also where Queen Elizabeth II laid in state in 2022.

  Edinburgh Castle, has over 1000 years of royal history. Queen (later Saint) Margaret died here and the chapel dedicated to her, which her son built c1130, is the oldest bulding in the city! In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth here to the future James VI/I.
• Day 4 - 21st October

  Stirling Castle and the Kirk of the Holy Rude

  Impressive and atmospheric, Stirling Castle warrants a full day's visit. The Castle was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots who spent much of her time here before going to France. Her mother, Marie of Guise sent her here for safety during the English's so called "rough wooing" campaign. 

  The apartments restored for Marie of Guise, and later for James VI are well preserved, as are the Great Hall and chapel. 

  We will enjoy exclusive access to the Kirk of the Holy Rude, usually closed to visitors at this time of year, where Mary prayed and the baby James VI was crowned following Mary's forced abdication. 

• Day 5 - 22nd October

  Dunfermline Abbey & Palace and Falkland Palace

  The favourite home of Margaret Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VII, sent to Scotland to marry James IV of Scotland, and the personal home of James VI's wife Anna of Denmark. The future Charles I was born here in 1600 but when James and Anna moved to England on James' accession to the throne of England, teh palace fell into disrepair.

  The abbey has links to ancient Scottish royalty as the mausoluem of Queen Margaret (St Margaret) and Robert the Bruce. 

  In December 1542, James V died at Falkland Palace leaving the throne to pass to his 6-day old daughter, Mary. His widow Marie of Guise spent much time here, as her daughter would in the future, its parks providing able hunting grounds. 

• Day 6 - 23rd October

  Linlithgow Palace and Culross Palace & Burgh

  Birthplace of James V and Mary Queen of Scots, Linlithgow Palace was a favourite palace of the Stewart queens who enjoyed its peace and fresh air. A great fire in 1746 swept through the palace, leaving us with the atmospheric ruins of the royal retreat that was. 

  Any 'Outlander' fans will enjoy our visit to Culross which was used in the series. Culross burgh is a place you can step back in time. It is a remarkable example of a 17th and 18th century Scottish burgh.

• Day 7 - 24th October

  Scone Palace and Glamis Castle

  Scone Palace is the ancient crowning place of Scottish kings and the original home of the Stone of Destiny, which was taken by England's King Edward I and was housed inside England (subsequently Britain's) coronation chair. It was returned to Scotland in 1996 and now kept in Edinburgh Castle. 

  A special afternoon awaits at Glamis Castle, which features in Gareth Russell's book on Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother 'Do Let's Have Another Drink.'

• Day 8 - 25th October

  Palace of Holyrood House and the Royal Yacht Britannia

  Our final full day promises to be a very special one!

  The magnificent Palace of Holyrood House and its adjacent Abbey is our morning destination. The abbey saw the wedding of Margaret Tudor to James IV of Scotland and the palace was the scene of the infamous murder of David Rizzio infront of a heaviy pregnant Mary, Queen of Scots. Walk up the same staircase that Lord Darnley led the conspirators on that dark night on 9th March 1566.

  You will have free time to enjoy the City of Edinburgh before reconvening with the group to travel to the Royal Yacht Britannia for a private tour once it is closed to the public, finished off with Champagne to toast our wonderful trip!

• Day 9 - 26th October

  Final Farewells

  A leisurely breakfast and final farewells completes The Royal Scotland Tour where we hope to be saying "Farewell" and "See you soon!"

What's Included

Price Details