Welcome to our Scotland tour. Our tour will depart from Kings Cross St Pancras station with a car, van or minibus depending on the size of your group. Tonight we will take an overnight drive to Edinburgh. If you want to start in Edinburgh, you can also check our other Scotland & The Highland tours we are offering. Our overnight drive will take 7 to 8 hours and we will be arriving in Edinburgh in the following morning. G'night.

Good morning. Welcome to Scotland's inspiring capital, a world-class city in unforgettable surroundings, with centuries of history. There are hundreds and hundreds of places of interest in Edinburgh, the Highlands and Glasgow. The entire tour is based on sightseeing activity and we aim to show you as many places as we can. We surely can customize and set indoor visits for the selected places of interest based on what you wish to see and visit. This may affect the duration of your stay in Scotland. Just tell us and we would be pleased to update the itinerary accordingly. After a hearty and very good breakfast on our way, you will start your day in Edinburgh. Here on this tour, you will see some of the finest and cultural highlights of Edinburgh. Your sightseeing tour commences at famous Waverley Bridge which connects the Old Town Market Street and the New Town Princes Street. The Bridge forms part of the Edinburgh Waverley Roof and is situated on Princes Street Gardens' eastern frontier. Blyth and Westland built the current bridge between 1894 and 1896. Scott Monument which was opened in 1846 and is a Gothic monument built to honour Sir Walter Scott, the Scottish author. The tower is blackish on Princes Street and it is just beautiful. The spire features 64 characters from the novels. The white marble statue of Sir Walter Scott shines when compared to a blackened building.

The next landmark in Edinburgh would be the Scottish National Gallery. This spectacular collection of fine art in the country dates from the early Renaissance to the late 19th century is all here. The masterpieces from Raphael, Vermeer and Van Gogh, Monet and Gauguin are the most important artefacts in this immaculate art museum. The collection is rightly considered to be one of the best in the world for a nation of Scottish size.

While proceeding you will notice a very pretty Floral Clock. Not only is the clock an impeccably tended floral appearance in the form of a clock, but it also indicates the right time. It was the first of its kind in the world to be commissioned in 1903. The hands of the clock, numbers and the display are growing, while photosynthesizing life. In 1973, the clock hands had a powerful engine installed. The mechanism of the clock had to be wound daily before that.

Your next stop is two iconic Churches of Edinburgh: St. John’s & St. Cuthbert’s. The first mention in the 8th century was created from St. Cuthbert's chapel. It is thought that there was a church at the same site that had been in use since 850 AD and therefore it was Edinburgh's oldest foundation building. As for the prosperous Scottish Episcopal Church St John’s, the masterpiece dominates the skyline of the West End of Princes Street and features beautiful stained-glass Ballantyne with numerous architectural features. St John's can be considered a new building with history dating back to 1792.

Passing by premiere venue for live music events Usher Hall, you will then proceed to famous Grassmarket which is one of the most vibrant, picturesque and lively areas of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, behind Edinburgh Castle. The Grassmarket is a paradise for self-employed businessmen, designers and craftsmen. It is simply bursting with some of Edinburgh's best shops and restaurants as well as some well-known lively and eclectic bars.

Further down you will notice McEwan Hall. In 1897, William McEwan presented the McEwan Hall not only as a ceremonial room for graduates but also as a gift to the Edinburgh people. Sir Rowand Anderson designed this iconic Grade A building, featuring sophisticated interiors of William Palin. Actually, the building was completed in 1894 but the interior designs took another three years, with the centrepiece being 15 marvellously painted wall panels which form the vast dome.

Heading through the heart of Edinburgh, you will arrive at Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Castle is a world-renowned Scottish icon and is a part of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, both Old and New. The British Travel Awards have recently voted the UK's Top Heritage Attraction and the number one tourist attraction paid for by Scotland. This famous Scottish castle has a complex history of construction. Inside the castle, it’s a real treasure including the One o’clock Gun, (a tradition itself), National War Museum where the Scottish battle history goes back to 400 years, Regimental Museums, focusing on the proud history of Scotland, including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, which in the 17th century were raised by order of Charles II to fight religious dissidents, and the Scots Gris, whose fervent courage was best demonstrated during the battle of Waterloo, The Great Hall full of ancient weapons and suits of armours, The Royal Palace that saw many tragic moments in the lives of the royalty of Scotland, The Stone of Destiny an enigmatic stone, Crown Jewels including sceptre, state sword - British Isle’s islands' oldest and most dazzling jewels. You can also see The Queens Embroideries, Scottish National War Memorial, Half Moon Battery, St Margaret’s Chapel and Mons Meg.

The oldest part, the Chapel of St Margaret, dates back to the 12th century; around 1510, James IV built the Grand Hall; the Regent Morton's Half Moon Battery of the late 16th century and the First World War the Scottish National War Memorial was built. The castle is home to the Honours of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg, the well-known arms of the 15th century, the One O'Clock Gun and Scotland's National War Museum.

Your next stop is just for over 25’s. You know Scotland is renowned for its whiskies. Scotch whisky has three different types: malt whisky (a single malt), grain whisky and whisky blends. But how different are they? You will find so many answers in The Scotch Whisky Experience. Take a bubbled ride through the virtual distillery, and become part of the whisky process.

Edinburgh offers a mind-blowing experience in the heart of the city, Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions which is the perfect afternoon activity and is five floors of stunning optical illusions and visual delicacy for all ages. There's something for everyone from the legendary Magic Gallery, an interactive space to tantalise the senses, to exquisite views from the rooftop terrace to Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile and Castle. It takes around 2 hours for usual visits. Therefore, this will be left for a later visit if the time permits. In the adjacent building, you will notice the Hub. The beautiful setting and architecture of the Hub are not only an ideal place for holidays, weddings, gala dinners and truly unique events, but also for the world-famous Edinburgh International Festival. We surely can stop at the Café Hub for delicious cakes, coffees and delicious Scottish lunches on-site but we have so many things to do for today. Let's keep moving.

Next, you head to Gladstone's Land. A 500 year-old building is a stone's throw from the Castle, a testament to Edinburgh's old town tenement life. It was once owned by Thomas Gladstone, a merchant who extended the building and remodelled it into opulent apartments. There are several important features in the Gladstone Land. This building is one of the oldest on the Royal Mile where rich residential and businessmen live. You will hear about the inhabitants of the property's fascinating and sometimes scandalous lives. You will notice the Renaissance interiors from the 1620s are rarely hand-painted, really impeccable. You will also notice a golden prey bird hanging outside the house. You will learn the very sad but true story while passing the statue of loyal Greyfriars Bobby. A warm and heartfelt story of true friendship.

Your next stop is the National Museum of Scotland where the wonders of nature, art, design, fashion, technology and science, are all part of the diverse collections, which will take you through the history of Scotland and around the world all under one single roof. This is an impressive museum that you will come and visit after your sightseeing tour.

You will visit St. Cecilia’s Hall & Music Museum, the collection of well-preserved instruments from early keyboards on display in a concert hall of the 18th century before heading to the Childhood Museum, which is indeed the Museum of every age. The collections contain teddy bears and lovely dolls dressed in the clothes of the period from the 18th century. Visitors like you will discover, among many other treasures, puppets, toy soldiers and small rudimentary cars with pedals. Some of the toys that are especially interesting for visitors are a 21-bedroom dollhouse and more than 2000 objects inside or a miniature 80's butcher and a little butcher inside. When you observe the evolution of toys in centuries, you come to the conclusion that children always have a soft spot for teddies and those with good imagination use a wooden spoon as a toy for centuries, despite the evolution of more and more realistic video games and dolls.

Proceeding to John Knox House that was one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and has become one of the dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history since 1470. The house has been incorporated now in the Scottish Storytelling centre. Just enter this beautiful 15th-century palace to explore the conflicts of the oldest house in the Royal Mile. Walk in the footsteps of renowned people and listen in every room to the drama of the Reformation of Scotland. Look for the tricks and traps to fool intruders, hunt for the devil hiding in the ceiling of The Oak Room and try our portrait jigsaws that had stunned many visitors in the past.

Through the Royal Mile, The People’s Story Museum will greet you. The name implies that the story tells of the lives, work and leisure history of the ordinary people of Edinburgh from the late 18th century until today through oral history, reminiscence and written sources. These shows include pictures, original objects, photographs and personal stories to show their fascinating city history. The collections concentrate on Edinburgh's history, culture, craft and trade, as well as more contemporary issues, events and views.

On the Royal Mile that lies in the heart of the city is Canongate Church which is an ecclesiastical and historic building of post-reformation significance for the City of Edinburgh. In 1691 the church was opened, and James Smith's design was unique among Scottish churches from the 17th century.

Just across Canongate Church, you will notice the Museum of Edinburgh. The museum is housed in the huge and splendid Huntly House mansion of the sixteenth century. Because of the Latin inscriptions on its façade, the building is known as The Speaking House. The vast manor house contains a range of objects linked to the history and legends of Edinburgh including silver, ceramics and glass objects. In addition, several noteworthy articles exist, such as the original New Town or Old Town drawings from the sixteenth century, that date back to the time of Mary, Queen of Scots. In honour of Greyfriars Bobby, there is also an exhibition which is sad but shows loyalty.

Just less than a minute ahead is the Scottish Parliament and the building was opened in 2004 and has since hosted more than 3 million visitors in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. We would be pleased to arrange a visit to the Scottish Parliament if you make an advanced booking.

Your journey takes you to the journey of life on the earth. Get ready for the science experience of your life: Dynamic Earth is not a natural history museum, but it hits you. There is nothing different or more fascinating than the strange and beautiful world in which we live, which is what Dynamic Earth is going to tell you. Edinburgh's top visitor attraction will take you on a journey that takes you through time to witness planet earth's history. This interactive tour senses the heat and freshness of the polar ice at your fingertips before the collapse of the tropical rainforest and facing dinosaurs! As if this is not enough to take you into the nature of Scotland's only full-dome movie theatre of 360 degrees with an all-round visual experience.

Next to Dynamic Earth, the Palace of Holyrood house greets the tourists. Holyrood Palace is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty the Queen. This fine palace is the home of Scottish royal history at the end of the historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh where visitors can explore, with a guide, 14 wonderful state apartments, romantic ruins of the Abbey of Holyrood, the 12th century and amazing gardens. Most famous as the home of Mary Queen of Scots, the Palace was the setting for a lot of dramatic events. The Queen now regularly uses the State Apartments for public ceremonies and official entertainment. This is another culture visit venue to make your Edinburgh tour memorable.

Proceeding to Regent Street will take you to Burns Monument. This is a small round temple of Neo-Greek style typical of Edinburgh in the Georgian era, built in honour of Robert Burns (1759- 1796), the Scottish national bard.

Situated on the slopes of the Calton Hill overlooking the city centre of Edinburgh, this monolithic art decorated building you will see is St. Andrew’s House. In 2016, the Scottish Office was originally home and remains an important office building of the Scottish Government. Three important sights such as Nelson Monument, National Monument and City Observatory are located on the Calton Hill overlooking the city. The House of St Andrew is the H.Q. Founded East of Princes Street at Calton Hill by the Scottish government would be our next landmark in Edinburgh. The imposing Orwellian hulk, built on the site of the old Calton Jail, was Europe's largest metal-framed structure when it was completed in 1939. The building was also occupied by the government departments that served Scotland in Edinburgh for the first time.

Visitors definitely need to reserve some more time to explore all the places of interest as Edinburgh is a large and magnificent city. After our traditional Scottish dinner experience near the hotel, our guests can enjoy Scotch Whisky Experience (optional) as well as spending free time in bustling Grassmarket. The rest of the night is yours or you may wish to join one of the spooky ghost tours. A spinal night with shimmering tales of torture and gamesmanship as you learn about the ghostly past of Edinburgh! Boo!