Scotland: Castles, Clans & Culture
About the Trip
October 15–27, 2026 | 13 Days
Discover the many faces of Scotland on this 13-day journey through cities, castles, lochs and legendary landscapes. Begin in Glasgow and travel through Fort William, Inverness and Perth before ending in historic Edinburgh. Cruise the famous Loch Ness, visit Culloden and explore the Isle of Skye. Tour whisky distilleries, learn the art of kilt-making and stroll charming villages. Highlights include a visit to Scone Palace and your Extraordinary Experience: a private tour of the Scottish Crannog Centre, complete with a hands-on jewellery workshop. With guided tours and time to explore with like-minded travellers, this itinerary offers a rich blend of history, culture and Highland spirit.
Member Exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours.
- Plaza Premium Lounge pass†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Crannog Iron Age Tour & Crafting
Step back 2,500 years with a private tour of the Scottish Crannog Centre, where costumed guides bring Iron Age life to vivid detail. Explore reconstructed loch dwellings, discover ancient craftsmanship and view rare artefacts in the onsite museum. Then, try your hand at traditional techniques in a hands-on jewellery-making workshop and create a meaningful memento to bring home.
Package Includes:
- Return airfare from Toronto or Winnipeg to Edinburgh
- Ferry from Mallaig to Armadale
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Glasgow
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Fort William
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Inverness
- 2-night stay in moderate-class accommodation in Perth
- 3-night stay in first-class accommodation in Edinburgh
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 8 dinners and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Local English-speaking tour manager
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host
Scotland: Castles, Clans & Culture
Activity Level: Active. Explore castles, coastlines and Highland history on a 13-day tour of Scotland with scenic drives, local flavour and time to discover at your own pace.
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Edinburgh.
Day 2
Glasgow – Arrive in Edinburgh and drive to Falkirk to see the remarkable Falkirk Wheel and take a photo stop at the Kelpies. Continue to Glasgow for a light lunch and free time before your welcome dinner. (L/D)
Day 3
Glasgow – Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, home to the Mackintosh and Glasgow Style exhibit, followed by the Riverside Museum. Enjoy free time to explore and have lunch, then visit St. Mungo’s Cathedral. (B/D)
Day 4
Fort William – Travel from Glasgow to Fort William, stopping in the charming village of Luss on Loch Lomond. Continue to Glencoe Valley to visit the scenic village and Visitors Centre. (B/D)
Day 5
Fort William – Take a ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye for a scenic tour, returning with a photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle. (B/D)
Day 6
Inverness – Cruise Loch Ness with a visit to Urquhart Castle. On arrival in Inverness, enjoy a panoramic tour and learn about traditional kilt-making. (B/D)
Day 7
Inverness – Tour Culloden battlefield and the nearby Clava Cairns. Spend the rest of the day exploring Inverness at your own pace. (B)
Day 8
Perth – Visit the Highland Folk Museum, Blair Castle and a whisky distillery with a guided tasting. (B/L/T/D)
Day 9
Perth – Tour Scone Palace and visit the Perth Museum to see the Stone of Destiny. (B)
Day 10
Edinburgh – Enjoy a private tour of the Scottish Crannog Centre and a hands-on jewellery workshop. Visit St. Andrews before continuing to Edinburgh. (B/D)
Day 11
Edinburgh – Take a walking tour of the Royal Mile and visit Edinburgh Castle. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 12
Edinburgh – Tour Edinburgh and visit Holyroodhouse. Enjoy free time before a festive farewell dinner show. (B/D)
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | T - Tasting | D - Dinner
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Plaza Premium Lounge is based on one voucher per person and applies to departures from Canadian airports where applicable. Subject to availability
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊ CAA Travel Insurance, an Orion Travel Insurance product, is underwritten by Echelon Insurance. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2026. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance.
Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking.
Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Toronto or Winnipeg on your overnight flight to Edinburgh.
Day 2
Glasgow
Upon arrival to Edinburgh, drive to nearby Falkirk to witness the fascinating Falkirk Wheel lock system and have a photo stop at the signature Kelpies. On to Glasgow for a light lunch and free time to rest and relax before your welcome dinner. (L/D)
Day 3
Glasgow
Today you’ll visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which features the impressive Mackintosh and Glasgow Style gallery exhibit, as well as the Riverside Museum. You’ll have free time to look at the exhibits and have lunch on your own. This afternoon, visit the stunning St. Mungo’s Cathedral. (B/D)
Day 4
Fort William
On the way from Glasgow to Fort William, stop at the quaint conservation village of Luss, tucked on the western bank of Loch Lomond. With its charming cottages and breathtaking scenery, it’s a picture-perfect stop. You’ll also visit the rugged Glencoe Valley, a location used in many movies and TV shows, the Glencoe Visitors Centre and village. (B/D)
Day 5
Fort William
Drive to Mallaig on the western coast of Scotland and take a ferry to Armadale on the Isle of Skye. After a tour around this beautiful island, head back to your hotel with a photo stop on the way at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. (B/D)
Day 6
Inverness
A Loch Ness cruise gives you the chance to try and spot Nessie and includes a visit to Urquhart Castle, on the western shore of the loch. Once you reach Inverness, take a panoramic tour of the city with a visit to the Kilt-Making Visitor Centre to learn how these signature garments are made. (B/D)
Day 7
Inverness
Visit the battlefield of Culloden, where the infamous battle between the British army and the Highlanders took place. Memorial stones of the various clans are placed around the grounds, a poignant reminder of the huge losses suffered by the Highland clans. On the drive back to Inverness, stop at the Clava Cairns standing stones. The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own. (B)
Day 8
Perth
Venture into the Highlands with a visit to the Highland Folk Museum, where historic buildings and costumed guides revive the past. Explore the stately Blair Castle before pausing for lunch. Then tour a traditional whisky distillery, discovering the craft behind Scotland’s iconic spirit and enjoying a guided tasting. (B/L/T/D)
Day 9
Perth
Today head to Scone Palace, the original home to the Stone of Scone or Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs from circa 1249 until the 13th century. After that it was used for English and later British monarchs, as recently as King Charles III in May 2023. Visit the Perth Museum to see the Stone of Destiny. (B)
Day 10
Edinburgh
This morning you’ll be treated to your Extraordinary Experience, a private tour of the Scottish Crannog Centre where you’ll learn how the people lived in prehistory times on this land and have a hands-on jewelry-making workshop. Afterwards continue to Old St. Andrew’s with some time to explore the town on your own and visit the famous golf course if you wish. End the day in Edinburgh where you’ll have some free time before dinner. (B/D)
Day 11
Edinburgh
Explore Edinburgh’s past on a walking tour of the Royal Mile and its hidden alleyways, including a visit to Real Mary King’s Close. The walk ends at Edinburgh Castle, overlooking the city, where you’ll have time to explore. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. (B)
Day 12
Edinburgh
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, taking in its most iconic sights, followed by a visit to the regal Palace of Holyroodhouse. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore on your own or pick up last-minute souvenirs. The day ends with a festive farewell evening featuring a traditional Scottish dinner show. (B/D)
Day 13
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your return flight back to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | T - Tasting | D - Dinner