Luxury Scotland Mini-Break View Full Screen Itinerary

On arrival in Scotland at Edinburgh International Airport you will be met by one of the dedicated Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions team. They will make sure you have all your luggage before showing you to your hire vehicle which will be waiting for you outside the airport arrivals terminal. Throughout your luxury Scotland mini-break you have the use of your very own Land Rover Defender 110.These are the perfect utilitarian vehicles in which to explore Scotland's rugged landscape. 

Leaving Edinburgh airport you will follow signs towards Glasgow, only you will turn off for Linlithgow Palace. The palace is unmissable, you will see it from the road as you reach the village of Linlithgow. Before you enjoy walking around the palace grounds we have arranged a table for you at the Four Mary's restaurant in Linlithgow. Your table is booked for midday (12noon) and is set right by the fireplace. Here you will enjoy a traditional British pub atmosphere.  

After you have enjoyed your time at Linlithgow getting a taste for some of Scotland's incredible history, it will be time to push on the short distance up to Gleneagles Hotel & Golf Resort. Here you will be staying tonight and of course, dining in one of their fine restaurants. We have booked a table for you at the excellent Strathearn restaurant for 1900hrs this evening but before this you will have time to enjoy a host of activities and on-site facilities. Why not visit the spa for a treatment, take a swim or relax in the sauna and steam room? If you feel like something even more active then there is archery, clay-pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting, falconry displays or even Sedgeway rides through the surrounding grounds and forests!

We recommend trying your hand at clay-pigeon shooting or even having a 9-hole round of golf on the 'wee course'. 

Travel: Edinburgh to Linlithgow, 20-mins (12-miles) via M9. 

Linlithgow to Auchterarder (Gleneagles), 45-mins (38-miles) via M9 and A9.

Accommodation: Gleneagles Hotel, Sovereign Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis plus Castlemains Lodge, Bed & Breakfast basis. (Please note, Castlemains Lodge breakfast is served at Gleneagles in the Strathearn). 

Today you will be waking up early for a breakfast all together at Gleneagles. Enjoy the amazing all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet before loading up the Land Rover and heading north into the Scottish Highlands. 

You will need to be in the village of Dull near Aberfeldy for 9:15am today, roughly an hour north of Gleneagles it will require an early start but once you are here it will be well worth while. This morning you will be departing in another Land Rover Defender on a Highland Wildlife Safari with your own private ranger. The ranger will be taking you up onto the mountain tops via special forest tracks and trails. On the tops there is a high chance you will be able to spot the UK's largest animal, the Red Deer. Both stags and hinds live up here throughout the year and with your rangers expert guidance it should be possible to pick out these majestic icons of Scotland by binoculars (please note, binoculars are supplied). If you are lucky you will be able to see a Golden Eagle soaring in the clouds high above or even a mountain hare whom in the winter months are pure white! 

After a wonderful safari, your ranger will take you to a secret mountain bothy or hut - here a special Scottish picnic has been prepared complete with a selection of local produce and a 'wee nip' of fine whisky. Enjoy your wilderness lunch before dropping back down the bottom of the glen to collect your own Land Rover. This afternoon you will be able to push further north into the Scottish hills and glens, for your next stop we recommend heading to the highest distillery in Scotland at Dalwhinnie. Dalwhinnie produce famous single malt whisky and a tour here gives you a real understanding of this multi billion dollar industry. Once you have learnt all about scotch whisky at the hands of the experts we recommend Blair Castle just a short drive south of Dalwhinnie at Blair Atholl. Home to the Duke's of Atholl for hundreds of years this is one of Scotland's most beautiful and impressive castles. Take a self-guided tour through the castle itself and soak up the amazing Scottish culture! This is a treat for those who love Scotland. 

If you are now thinking about an Afternoon Tea, we recommend heading for your VIP luxury shopping experience at The House of Bruar. Here we have arranged for you champagne and nibbles on arrival, before a personal shopping guide will show you to any areas of special interest. The House of Bruar is the perfect location at which to find yourself a souvenir or present perhaps for a loved-one. 

Heading on from Bruar, you should pop into the charming highland town of Pitlochry, adorned with beautiful Victorian era architecture this one of the most pretty Scottish towns there is. take a stroll down the quaint High Street and soak up the atmosphere before heading to your castle accommodation. Tonight you will be staying east of Pitlochry, over towards  Glenshee at the historic Dalmunzie Castle. 

Travel: Gleneagles Hotel to Dull (Highland Safaris), 1-hr, (38-miles) via A85 and A826. 

Dull to Dalwhinnie, 1-hr, (34-miles) via B846 and Trinafour. 

Dalwhinnie to Blair Atholl Castle 30-mins, (24-miles) via A9. 

Blair Castle to House of Bruar, 5-mins, (7-miles) via A9. 

House of Bruar to Dalmunzie Castle, 1-hour (25-miles) via Pitlochry and A924.

Accommodation: Dalmunzie Castle, McRichtie and MacKenzie Rooms on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast basis. 

This morning sees you departing the Scottish Highlands. We hope you have gained a real flavour of the world famous highland hospitality and enjoyed all the beautiful scenery to go with it. After breakfast it will be time to check-out of the impressive Dalmunzie Castle before heading south back to Edinburgh. 

We recommend that you stop off on your way in South Queensferry. Having just crossed the brand new Queensferry Crossing, you will be able to take a short detour down to this historic fishing town. Here you will enjoy the view of the three stunning bridges of the River Forth. The most iconic of all perhaps being the Forth Railway bridge, one of the finest examples of Victorian architectural ambition it remains a turly stunning bridge to this day. 

Next, head into Edinburgh city centre. Edinburgh has to be one of Europe's if not the world's most beautiful cities. It has an instantly recognisable skyline which can be appreicated from miles out as you drive towards the city centre. Look out for Edinburgh Castle perched high on it's dormant volcanic seat - this is where you are staying! The Royal Mile which leads right up to the castle entrance is lined with ancient cobblestones, just before the castle gates is your hotel, the quirky 'Witchery'. Here you will be able to drop-off your trusty Land Rover Defender with one of our team who will be waiting for you, before checking into your amazing rooms. We have arranged for you to drop off your vehicle at 3:00pm.

Edinburgh offers visitors many charms. From great shopping in the New Town on Prince's Street and George Street, to strolls below the castle in Prince's Street Gardens or the quirky Grassmarket area of the Old Town. Why not climb 'The Scott Monument' for an amazing view, Edinburgh's answer to The Effiel Tower. Edinburgh has an impressive array of restaurants, cafes and bars. We highly recommend taking your time to enjoy exploring the city on foot, this is the best way to appreciate the buzzing and exciting atmosphere. From high up on the Royal Mile to the royal palace of Holyrood by the foot of Arthur's Seat (Edinburgh's iconic city centre mountain!) enjoy everything in-between.  

At 1730hrs we have arranged for you an underground ghost tour of the city with Mercat Tours, the leading experts in historical tours of Edinburgh. Take a stroll down from The Royal Mile to their rendez-vous and enjoy your 1-hr tour.

Tonight, dinner is taken in the superb Witchery restaurant by the castle. Here you will feel as if you have stepped back in time in an enchanting and unique, antique environment. We have reserved your table for 7pm. At 9pm we have a treat for you arranged at Edinburgh Castle, we invite you to take a short stroll through the impressive 'parade ground' to the entrance of the castle, home to 'The Royal Regiment of Scotland'. 

Travel: Dalmunzie Castle to The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, 2-hours, (80-miles), via A93 to Blairgowrie and Perth, before M90 south to Edinburgh. 

Accommodation: The Witchery, Simpell Room and Library Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

This morning will be quite a treat. To wake up just a hop, skip and a jump from the world famous Edinburgh Castle is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After a great breakfast, we recommend heading out for a morning stroll. You will be able to drop off your luggage at the restaurant you are having lunch in (Ondine), which will make leaving after lunch much easier. A short walk down from The Witchery you will find Ondine restaurant.

If the weather is good this morning you could plan to climb Arthur's Seat the extinct volcano that dominates Edinburgh's sky line. This is about a 45 minute walk and offers the intrepid visitor some unforgettable views of the city. Alternatively head to one of the city's fantastic museums or galleries for some last minute Scottish culture. 

At 12noon we have a table booked for you at the brilliant and well-loved Ondine Seafood restaurant just down the Royal Mile from The Witchery. You will just about have time to enjoy a sample of Scotland's world famous seafood before catching the tram back out to Edinburgh Airport. 

Here is where your Scottish adventure ends. Thank you for choosing to visit Scotland and for using Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions.