Highlights
Visit Edinburgh Castle and HMY Royal Britannia
Experience the Edinburgh Military Tattoo Ceremony (mid-range tickets)
Visit Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin
Visit Melrose Abbey
Entrance to Mary Queen of Scots’ visitor centre
Visit Midhope House
Visit The Royal Burgh of Culross
Entrance to Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace in Linlithgow
Entrance to Stirling Castle
Visit Scone Palace with tea at Scone Palace in Perth
St. Andrews - take part in a handbag workshop
Visit Glamis Castle with tour
Visit V&A Dundee
Visit the working sheepdog farm in Kincraig
Entrance to Knocando Woolmill with guided tour and Aberlour Distillery with tour and tasting
Visit Culloden battlefield
Visit Inverewe Garden in Poolewe
Entrance to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness Cruise in Drumnadrochit
Visit Eilean Donan Castle with audio guide
Visit the Skye Museum of Island and Life
Travel on the Jacobite Steam train (2nd class one way)
Monument and visitor’s centre in Glenfinnan
Visit the Scottish wool centre in Aberfoyle
Entry into Windsor Castle
Inclusions
Fully escorted by an experienced Sisterhood Tour Hostess who is on hand to make your holiday a memorable one
Return economy airfares including taxes ex Melbourne ** (other departure cities and classes of travel upon request)
All sightseeing as per detailed itinerary
London Oyster Card to the value of GBP 25
All meals as per the detailed itinerary
Quality accommodation as per itinerary
Willing to share option
Meet and greet prior to departure via Zoom
Tipping - Sisterhood Womens Travel tipping system on all group tours involves passengers contributing to a kitty which is paid to the tour hostess at the beginning of the tour. She then distributes it daily to service providers on your behalf. This avoids the need to consider individual tipping situations daily throughout your trip. The estimated amount for your tour will be approximately GBP 90, which will be confirmed in your final documentation.
Moderate Fitness Rating - A moderate level of fitness will be required for these tours due to the length and/or overall physicality of our tour itinerary. You can expect to walk more than 10,000 steps daily on more challenging terrain and longer periods. You must be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains and boats unaided and at times handle your luggage. For more information on our physical ratings please click here
Notice
Moderate Fitness Rating - A moderate level of fitness will be required for these tours due to the length and/or overall physicality of our tour itinerary. You can expect to walk more than 10,000 steps daily on more challenging terrain and longer periods. You must be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains and boats unaided and at times handle your luggage.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Wednesday 20 August 2025
Melbourne - Edinburgh (in-flight meals)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel!
Join your Sisterhood Hostess and fellow travellers at Melbourne Airport for your flight to Scotland.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the airline's inflight entertainment as we head towards Edinburgh
Day 2 - Thursday 21 August 2025
Welcome to Scotland! (D)
Upon arrival into Edinburgh, we'll be met by a local assistant and transferred to our hotel.
The remainder of our day will be at leisure with dinner included at a local restaurant.
Overnight: The Scholar Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar)
Day 3 - Friday 22 August 2025
Edinburgh (B)
This morning we discover Edinburgh where we'll walk along the Royal Mile and visit the famous and impressive Edinburgh Castle.
Running between two locations of great historical significance in Scottish history, namely Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, the Royal Mile forms the main thoroughfare of the Old Town in Edinburgh and includes Castle Hill, the Lawnmarket, Parliament Square, the High Street, the Canongate, Holyrood, and Holyrood Park. With a diverse range of shops, restaurants, pubs, and attractions, the Royal Mile is the busiest tourist street in the Old Town.
Perched atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle has been dominating the skyline of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland since as far back as the 12th century. Apart from having been the residence of several reigning monarchs, it was also one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland. Today, the stone walls of the castle protect countless treasures including the nation’s Crown Jewels. Highlights include the Crown Room, the Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel, and the Scottish National War Memorial.
In the afternoon there will be free time to explore the old city and dinner at leisure.
Later, we'll be transferred to our special event - The Edinburgh Tattoo. This takes place on the esplanade of the Castle as part of the Edinburgh Festival each August. The tattoo is a celebration showcasing the talents of military bands as well as artistic performance teams from all over the globe, with an audience of over 220,000 visitors every year, including the Royals.
Overnight: The Scholar Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar)
Day 4 - Saturday 23 August 2025
Edinburgh (B, D)
Today, after breakfast we'll enjoy a visit to HMY Royal Britannia, the first Royal Yacht to be built with complete ocean-going capacity and designed as a Royal residence to entertain guests around the world. When she was decommissioned in 1997, it marked the end of a long tradition of British Royal Yachts, dating back to 1660 and the reign of Charles II.
We'll have the afternoon at leisure.
Later we'll regroup and enjoy the Spirit of Scotland dinner and show.
Overnight: The Scholar Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar)
Day 5 - Sunday 24 August 2025
Edinburgh (B)
After breakfast, we'll enjoy a full-day excursion.
Beginning with Roslin we'll visit Rosslyn Chapel; one of Scotland’s most remarkable buildings.
Then we transfer to Melrose to visit Melrose Abbey, where several Scottish Kings and nobles are buried.
Later, we'll visit Jedburgh where we visit the Mary Queen of Scots’ visitor centre housing a collection of objects associated with Mary, reflecting the cult that has grown up around her.
We arrive back in Edinburgh late in the afternoon with dinner at leisure.
Overnight: The Scholar Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar)
Day 6 - Monday 25 August 2025
Edinburgh - Stirling (B, D)
Today en route to Stirling, we'll visit a few places along the way.
These include the Royal Burgh of Culross, a former royal burgh and parish idyllically situated in the Kingdom of Fife. An incredibly scenic village that boasts cobblestoned streets lined with quaint heritage buildings and features the ochre-coloured Culross Palace, with its intricately painted ceilings, many rooms, labyrinthine passageways and reconstructed authentic garden. With all of its magnificent charms, it's no surprise Culross is considered to be one of the best-preserved and most picturesque villages in Scotland.
We'll also visit the Midhope Castle and travel via Linlithgow and visit the Linlithgow Palace and Blackness Castle.
We'll arrive into Stirling and have dinner in a local restaurant.
Located in central Scotland, Stirling is one of the country’s most historic cities and known as the ancient ‘Gateway to the Highlands’.
Overnight: Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling (or similar)
Day 7 - Tuesday 26 August 2025
Stirling - Perth - Dundee (B, afternoon tea)
Today after breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and visit Stirling Castle.
History has bequeathed Stirling with a rich array of sights and attractions, including Stirling Castle, a beautifully preserved hilltop fortress that offers great views of the city and its surroundings.
Next we'll head to Perth and visit Scone Palace; home to the Stone of Destiny and the crowning place of many Scottish Kings, followed by afternoon tea.
Later, we'll arrive in Dundee, with dinner at leisure tonight.
Dundee is a characterful place which is rapidly growing as a major ‘city break’ destination. It contains some notable historical sights such as the Verdant Works Museum which details the history of Dundee’s jute industry and the cutting-edge V&A Design Museum. The Dundee Law is an extinct volcano offering exceptional panoramic views of the city.
Overnight: Hampton by Hilton, Dundee (or similar)
Day 8 - Wednesday 27 August 2025
Dundee - St Andrews - Dundee (B)
In the morning after a visit to the V&A Dundee Museum, we continue to St Andrews, a small town on the east coast. Famously known as the ‘Home of Golf’ there is much more to see and do in this charming town. View the medieval ruins of the St Andrews Cathedral which were abandoned in the mid-1500s as well as St Andrews Castle (no internal visit).
We'll also take part in a handbag workshop and make our own mini satchels!
We return to Dundee in the afternoon with dinner at leisure tonight.
Overnight - Hampton by Hilton, Dundee (or similar)
Note: The V&A Dundee is situated at the heart of Dundee's waterfront and is the international centre for design for Scotland. It was built to host major exhibitions, to inspire and promote contemporary talent and encourage design innovation for the future. One of its first major exhibitions included the works of Scottish artist John Byrne, displaying a stage set design in the form of a giant pop-up book.
Day 9 - Thursday 28 August 2025
Dundee - Kincraig - Aviemore (B, D)
Today we'll leave Dundee and head for Aviemore via Kincraig.
First we'll have a stop at Glamis Castle, which is the home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, located in Angus. The castle is also the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret.
We'll then head to Pitlochry for some free time, followed by Kincraig where we visit a working sheepdog farm.
Later we'll drive through the spectacular Cairngorms National Park (with photo stops where time allows) and arrive into Aviemore in time for dinner at our hotel.
Overnight: Macdonald Highlands Hotel, Aviemore (or similar)
Day 10 - Friday 29 August 2025
Aviemore - Aberlour - Culloden - Grantown-on-Spey (B)
Today after check out, we travel to the village of Aberlour stopping at the Knockando Woolmill; a traditional wool mill that is still operating.
Next we enjoy a tour and whisky tasting at the Cardhu distillery (or similar) before continuing on to visit the Culloden Battlefield site.
From there, we drive to our base for the next two nights - Grantown-on-Spey, where we'll check in to our hotel and enjoy dinner tonight.
Overnight: Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey (or similar)
Day 11 - Saturday 30 August 2025
Grantown-on-Spey - Poolewe - Ullapool - Shandwick - Grantown-on-Spey (B)
Today we'll enjoy a full day of touring the area.
We'll travel to Poolewe to visit Inverewe Gardens, a botanical garden created from barren land. Set on an 850-hectare estate in the Scottish Highlands, Inverewe Garden & Estate features a botanical garden and Inverewe House. Visitors can explore the garden with its over 2,500 exotic plants, flowers and trees, spot red squirrels, red deer, otters, seals, and golden eagles, or visit the gallery on the estate.
From Poolewe we travel across Scotland to the "Seaboard Villages" of Shandwick and Balintore to view the Shandwick Stone, a well-preserved Pictish stone and the Mermaid statue of the North.
We'll return to our hotel late in the day and have dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey (or similar)
Day 12 - Sunday 31 August 2025
Grantown-on-Spey - Drumnadrochit - Isle of Skye (B, D)
This morning after check out, we travel to Drumnadrochit and take a cruise on Loch Ness with the chance to spot the legendary Loch Ness monster followed by a visit to Urquhart Castle. Situated on the banks of Loch Ness beside the village of Drumnadrochit, the castle is one of the most picturesque landmarks in Scotland. For centuries the castle has played an important role in controlling the key route through the Scottish Highlands. Built in the 1300s it has witnessed violent clan rivalry and has withstood many uprisings.
Later, we drive to Dornie where we visit Eilean Donan Castle; one of the most recognised castles in Scotland.
We'll arrive onto the Isle of Skye late afternoon and have dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Ardvasar Hotel, Isle of Skye (or similar)
Day 13 - Monday 1 September 2025
Isle of Skye (B)
Today we enjoy a full day tour of the Isle of Skye.
Drive towards Sligachan where you can see the Black Cuilin Hills. From here we travel to the Skye Museum of Island and Life. The museum offers visitors a unique experience and a true insight into island life 100 years ago. Later we will drive around the Trotternish Peninsula seeing such natural beauty as the Kilt Rock and the Old Man of Storr (if time permits we can walk up the path). In Portree we will have some free time before heading back to our hotel.
Resting on the banks of Loch Portree in the Isle of Skye, Portree is the largest village in the Inner Hebrides. Overlooking the sparkling bay, this lively village boasts spectacular views and serves as the capital of the island. The surrounding landscape boasts scenic hills such as Ben Chrachaig, Ben Tianavaig and Suidh Fhinn. Portree features a host of amenities including excellent restaurants and cafes and a collection of book and gift shops. We can enjoy a walk along the forsehore and soak up the beautiful views of the surrounding hills as well as the picturesque harbour lined with colourful buildings.
Dinner at leisure tonight.
Overnight: Ardvasar Hotel, Isle of Skye (or similar)
Day 14 - Tuesday 2 September 2025
Isle of Skye - Mallaig - Fort William (B)
This morning, we'll bid farewell to the Isle of Skye and travel to Armadale, to board the ferry to Mallaig.
We'll then take the Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William.
The Jacobite Train is a steam locomotive that operates over part of the West Highland Railway Line, a very scenic route of 41 miles from Mallaig to Fort William, passing Arisaig, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Eil. The Jacobite route was used for filming Harry Potter. Our tickets will be 2nd class (one way).
Later, we'll check into our hotel with dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe (or similar)
Day 15 - Wednesday 3 September 2025
Fort William (B)
After breakfast today, we'll travel to Glenfinnan to visit the monument and visitor's centre.
Surrounded by dramatic Highland scenery, this monument is a tribute to those who died fighting for the Jacobite cause.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Kingshouse Hotel, Glencoe (or similar)
Day 16 - Thursday 4 September 2025
Fort William - Aberfoyle - Glasgow (B)
This morning we travel through Glencoe Valley and then Trossachs National Park to Aberfoyle, where we will visit the Scottish Wool Centre.
Here we can enjoy seeing many animals including miniature horses, various breeds of hens and sheep and an extensive selection of birds of prey. Inside, there is something for everyone with beautiful cashmere garments, ladies & men's clothing, plus the extensive Whisky & Food Hall.
We'll then continue on to Glasgow arriving late afternoon.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland, Glasgow (or similar)
Day 17 - Friday 5 September 2025
Glasgow - London (B)
Today we say farewell to Scotland and head south by train to London.
Upon arrival at the station, we'll be transferred to our hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.
Dinner at leisure tonight.
Overnight: Holiday Inn High Street Kensington, London (or similar)
Day 18 - Saturday 6 September 2025
London (B)
Today we'll enjoy a full day exploring London on a guided tour.
During our tour, we'll see the main sights such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (no internal visit) and the Tower of London (no internal visit).
Later, we'll return to our hotel for dinner at leisure.
Overnight: Holiday Inn High Street Kensington, London (or similar)
Day 19 - Sunday 7 September 2025
London (B)
Today is a free day to explore London.
Overnight: Holiday Inn High Street Kensington, London (or similar)
Day 20 - Monday 8 September 2025
London (B)
After breakfast today, we'll enjoy an excursion to Windsor where our highlight will be the famous Windsor Palace.
Just 35 kilometres west of London on the River Thames lies regal, resplendent Windsor. The town is dominated by Windsor Castle, which was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and is famously the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. Don’t miss the chance to tour this impressive historical structure, while the ritualistic Changing of the Guard is one of the country’s most iconic sights. Other key attractions include the Guildhall, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and Runnymede, the site of the signing of the Magna Carta.
We'll return to London for an afternoon at leisure.
Tonight we will head out to our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant and celebrate great times spent with new friends.
Overnight: Holiday Inn High Street Kensington, London (or similar)
Day 21 - Tuesday 9 September 2025
London - Departure (B, meals in flight)
Today after breakfast, we'll be transferred to the airport for our flights home.
Day 22 - Wednesday 10 September 2025
Welcome home!
Thank you for joining Sisterhood Womens Travel for your latest adventure and we look forward to welcoming you back.