Scotland

7 Days / 6 Nights — Around Scotland

Here's a Scotch treat, with plenty of time to scoop up fabulous tartans and cashmeres as you head for the Bonnie Banks and Braes, all packaged to perfection for a lifetime of treasured memories!

DAY 1 — Edinburgh, Banchory

Your adventure starts with a drive north over the Forth Bridge, via the "Devil's Elbow" and Braemar, to Balmoral to visit the summer residence of the Royal Family. Then it's on to Banchory and the Raemoir House. The original house dates from the 16th century, and is set in its own grounds as part of an idyllic 3,500-acre estate. This area is noted for its picturesque scenery, numerous castles and excellent hill walking. Lodging: Raemoir House

Photo: Benjamin Wood

DAY 2 — Culloden Moor

Rise early for a hearty Scottish breakfast and then take the Whisky Trail to Inverness, which is the gateway to the Highlands. Glistening chandeliers, marble fireplaces, massive pillars and classical reliefs are prominent in the decor of Culloden House, a Palladian mansion built in 1772. Among its famous visitors was Bonnie Prince Charlie, who fought his last battle by the park walls. Lodging: Culloden House

DAY 3 — Culloden Moor

Take a full day to explore this most historic part of Scotland. First, visit Cawdor Castle where Macbeth murdered King Duncan in 1040. At the Battle of Culloden Moor, fought in 1746, Charles Edward Stuart's Highland Army was crushed by the British. It ended the Jacobite uprising and dashed the hopes of the Stuarts to regain the English throne. At the end of the day, visit Loch Ness to seek out its famous "resident." Lodging: Culloden House

DAY 4 — Isle of Skye

Drive deeper into the Western Highlands via the island castle of Eileen Donan to the Isle of Skye. Here you will find remnants of a Viking heritage dating back to the 9th century — alongside the associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Settle into the privacy and seclusion of the unique Kinloch Lodge. Built originally in 1680 as a farmhouse, Kinloch was developed in the 18th century as a remote shooting lodge for the MacDonald Clan. Lodging: Kinloch Lodge

Inverlochy Castle

DAY 5 — Western Highlands

Crossing the Sound of Sleat, via lochs and glens, you arrive at historic Ft. William and the illustrious Inverlochy Castle. Inverlochy was built in 1863 near the site of the original 13th-century fortress, against a backdrop of some of the most magnificent scenery in the West Highlands. Queen Victoria spent a week here in 1873 and in her diary wrote, "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot." Lodging: Inverlochy Castle

DAY 6 — Trossachs

Leave the Highlands today via famous Glen Coe the site of the savage massacre of the MacDonalds by the Clan Campbell in 1692. An interesting monument marks the site of the treachery. Continue past Loch Lomond through the marvelous landscapes of the Trossachs to ivy-covered Cromlix House. Built in 1873, this elegant Edwardian house retains all its original character and diverse architectural styles of the interior. Lodging: Cromlix House

DAY 7 — Edinburgh

A short morning drive takes you to Stirling Castle, where Scottish history comes gloriously alive. It was here, at Old Bridge in 1297, where William Wallace (Braveheart) routed an English army of 50,000. "Braveheart's" successes, however, were short lived and, by 1304, the Scottish fight for independence was over. Soon you return to Edinburgh and bid farewell to this fascinating chapter of history.

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