Skip to main content
Ultion Prevé

Newly Launched: ULTION PRIVÉ by Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions. Scotland’s Ultimate Sporting Journeys

Download Brochure

< Enquire

Scotland's Very Best by Land Rover Discovery View Full Screen Itinerary

8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS, SCOTLAND'S BEST ACCOMMODATION, EDINBURGH & THE WEST COAST, CASTLES, SEA SAFARI, JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN, WHISKY TASTING, LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 5

How to do Scotland properly in 6 days? Answer, "Scotland's Very Best by Land Rover Discovery"

Your luxury tailor-made itienrary sees you arrive in Edinburgh, the historic and beautiful capital city of Scotland. Here you will enjoy two nights staying only yards away from the imposing Edinburgh Castle in what has to be one of Scotland's most unique hotels. The following day you have free to explore this incredible city - speak to your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions travel planner for a list of top tips to enjoy in the city. 

Departing Edinburgh morning you will head with your own All-New Land Rover Discovery 5 north towards the West Coast where you will check into a Relais & Chateaux castle located on it's own private island

Not far from your hotel is the charming seaside town of Oban - with it's famed whisky distillery where we have arranged for you a whisky tasting session and tour. Whilst on the West Coast you will be embarking on a sea safari in a RIB boat with the regions top guides - this 2.5 hour marine safari offers a unique perspective of the West Coast and affords great opportunities for wildlife viewing from seals, to dolphins, even various species of whales if you are lucky - and there is always a chance for both Golden and Sea Eagles! 

Your next accommodation is at one of Scotland's most famous hotels, Inverlochy Castle! Here you will stay two nights using the castle as a base from which to strike out and enjoy the scenically stunning 'Road to the Isles'. You will embark on a steam train journey of a lifetime, taking the Jacobite Steam train to Mallaig on what is arguably the most beautiful train line in the world. 

Heading inland towards the central Highlands of Scotland you are in for a further treat. You will pass by grand mountains, historic castles, lochs and distilleries before ending up at what is set to be one of Europe's top hotels. The Fife Arms, in Braemar (by the royal Balmoral Castle) is owned and run by international art dealers Iwan and Manuela Wirth - only opening its doors again in 2019 after a multi-million pound refurbishment the hotel now boasts over 14,000 peices of unique artwork including works by Picasso and local artists. This is a Scots Baronial dream and your rooms here are exquisite harking back to a time when Queen Victoria would have visited.  

Your final day sees you return to Edinburgh where you will enjoy one final night in the vibrant captial city before an early airport transfer the following morning.  

Dates: 6th August to 13th August 2019

In association with: 

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The Witchery By The Castle, Edinburgh
  • Isle of Eriska Castle Hotel - Relais & Chateaux
  • Inverlochy Castle Hotel - Relais & Chateaux
  • The Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar (recently re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales)
  • Marine Safari on Scotland stunning West Coast
  • Sandgrouse Travel Land Rover Discovery 5 with GPS
  • Whisky Tasting and Tours
  • Jacobite Steam train (Hogwarts Express line)
  • Private Land Rover transfers with iconic luxury Land Rover Defender
  • Option for The House of Bruar shopping
  • Option for Blair Castle visit
  • Guarenteed incredible landscapes and scenery inc. Glen Coe & Western Isles
Day 1

Day 1: Welcome to Scotland!

Today you will arrive into Scotland and be met by a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions representative at the airport. Once you have all your luggage you will be escorted outside the terminal to your luxury Land Rover transfer vehicle which will whisk you into the city centre. 

Today you will arrive into Scotland and be met by a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions representative at the airport. Once you have all your luggage you will be escorted outside the terminal to your luxury Land Rover transfer vehicle which will whisk you into the city centre. 

Your driver guide will drop you off right in the heart of Edinburgh's 'Old Town' at the front door of your hotel, The Witchery By The Castle. Here you are only a stone's throw from the world famous Edinburgh Castle and you will be stepping out directly onto the cobbled Royal Mile. As you are visiting the city in August, there will be an incredible buzz to savour! 

On checking-in to The Witchery, you will quickly realise how this hotel has a reputation as one of Scotland's most sought after - the rich decoration casting a special, cosy atmosphere. 

Tonight we have booked at table for you at the Witchery restaurant. Continueing the theme, this restaurant setting is unique we hope you enjoy this wonderful experience. After dinner, make sure you take a wonder down the Royal Mile and soak up the quaint atmosphere, Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. 

Accommodation: The Witchery By The Castle on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

Read more
Day 2

Day 2: Explore the Capital

Today you are free agents in the buzzing capital city of Edinburgh. We recommend you enjoy a visit to the castle in the morning, before exploring the whole of the Old Town on foot, from the Grassmarket to the narrow lantern-lit ally ways, Edinburgh's Old Town is a...

Today you are free agents in the buzzing capital city of Edinburgh. We recommend you enjoy a visit to the castle in the morning, before exploring the whole of the Old Town on foot, from the Grassmarket to the narrow lantern-lit ally ways, Edinburgh's Old Town is a special place. 

Read more
Day 3

Day 3: Edinburgh to the Isle of Eriska

Today you will wake up in the city centre - after what may be your first ever cooked Scottish breakfast, you will be checking-out of The Witchery and all set to hit the road. At 10:00am your Land Rover Discovery 5 (The All-New Discovery) will be delivered to...

Today you will wake up in the city centre - after what may be your first ever cooked Scottish breakfast, you will be checking-out of The Witchery and all set to hit the road. At 10:00am your Land Rover Discovery 5 (The All-New Discovery) will be delivered to the front door of the hotel and a Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions representative will talk you through the set up of the Land Rover. Once you're good to go, you will simply have to follow the in-built GPS unit towards the Scottish Highlands. 

Today you are in for a sensational drive, passing by and taking in some of Scotland's most famous and dramatic scenery. We have planned your routing carefully but recommend you head towards the isolated and remote Rannoch Moor (via Crianlarich). Once up on the moor (one of the UK's most wild locations), you will soon have the beautiful and distictive Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain in your sights. Heading straight for this iconic pyramid shaped munro (Munro: Scottish mountain over 3,000ft - there are 284 of them!), you will start to enter arguably Scotland's most dramtic and famous glen, Glen Coe. Make sure you stop off in one of the many lay-bys and take in this special landscape. With some luck there may be a traditionally dressed Bagpiper to accompany the occasion. Glen Coe has an incredible history, well worth Googling if you have the time before you visit!. 

On leaving Glen Coe, follow the road down to Loch Leven and then south west to your luxury accommodation. Tonight you are staying on a private island in the magnificent, Isle of Eriska Hotel and Spa - a Victorian built castle and a Relais & Chateau accredited property. 

Check-In and unwind. Make sure to make the most of the long evening light and take a stroll around the 300 acres of island either before or after your fantastic dinner in the formal dining room. 

Accommodation: Isle of Eriska Hotel & Spa - Deluxe Room in the main castle on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

Read more
Day 4

Day 4: Marine Safari and Oban Whisky Distillery

Waking up on your own private Scottish island on the West Coast is hard to beat! After a nice lie-in and a sumptuous breakfast you will have plenty of time to head the short distance south of Oban to your first commitment of the day. Today we have...

Waking up on your own private Scottish island on the West Coast is hard to beat! After a nice lie-in and a sumptuous breakfast you will have plenty of time to head the short distance south of Oban to your first commitment of the day. Today we have arranged for you to join the 12:30 sailing with one of the regions top marine safari companies.

(Before leaving the Isle of Eriska, we recommend you ask them to pack you a Pack Lunch). 

You'll be heading out for a 2.5 hour safari spotting incredible wildlife and of course, marvelling at the Scottish landscapes, islands and mountains from the alternative perspective of the water! Keep a look out for various species of whales, dolphins, seals and even otters. In the skies above will be various fantastic birds and if you are lucky you may well be graced by the sighting of a majestic Golden or huge Sea Eagle. The Sea Eagles in this area are enormous - the fourth largest birds of prey in the world they wingspans give them apprearance of a plane rather than a bird!

Once back on the shore, you will want to head north to north west back to the quaint Victorian seaside harbour town of Oban. The town amazingly, sprung up due to the world famous Distillery which was founded long ago. On parking up in Oban, you'll need to head on foot to the Oban Distillery. Here we have arranged for you to collect your tickets and enjoy a 1-hour tour and tasting session. We particularly like the small an honest feel of this charming distillery, and the whisky itself is fabulous! 

Once you have learnt all about the whisky making process and taken away your samples for later, (and maybe a special bottle for the suitcase back home!), you will be driving again north west. You are heading back up the mighty Loch Linnie towards Fort William. Here you will pass through and just a short distance out of the town itself you will find Inverlochy Castle - one of Scotland's most prestigious hotels. Inverlochy Castle is also a Relais & Chateaux property, so you are in for some more amazing food! 

You will be staying at Inverloch for the next two nights so you can settle in here and really enjoy the amazing surroundings. 

Accommodation: Inverlochy Castle, x2 nights. Standard Double on Bed & Breakfast basis. 

 

 

 

Read more
Day 5

Day 5: Jacobite Steam Train & The Road to the Isles

After a great nights sleep at the beautiful and historic Inverlochy Castle, enjoy another Scottish breakfast before heading into Fort William. (Please ask the hotel reception to book a local taxi for you or run you into Fort William with the hotel car). This morning, at 10:15am your...

After a great nights sleep at the beautiful and historic Inverlochy Castle, enjoy another Scottish breakfast before heading into Fort William. (Please ask the hotel reception to book a local taxi for you or run you into Fort William with the hotel car). This morning, at 10:15am your incredible steam train journey begins. You will be travelling on the Jacobite Steam train, along one the most beautiful train lines in the world (often voted as the most beautiful - and made famous most recently by the Harry Potter films). The railway line actually follows the 'road to the isle' and finished as the historic fishing village of Mallaig. Your journey sees you cross a number of viaducts, travel through tunnels and stunning glens. Craning your necks out the window of this old steam train, take in the majestic landscapes in their summer bloom. 

On arrival into Mallaig, enjoy a mooch about before sitting down for a seafood style pub lunch in one of the many low-key eateries. Around 14:00hrs your Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions driver guide will collect you from the village centre in a Land Rover Defender 110. From here you will be able to leave and follow the road - offering you an alternative perspective to soak up this amazing place. As mentioned, the railway line follows the road, and during this trip back to Fort William you are likely to see the train main time puffing through the glens. We are also able to stop off and enjoy some of the beautiful, hebredian beaches with far reaching views out to the Western Isles. 

By late afternoon, your Sandgrouse driver will have dropped you back off at Inverlochy Castle. Here you will be able to unwind and enjoy this splended hotel and it's grounds before dinner. 

Accommodation: Inverlochy Castle, Standard Double on a Bed & Breakfast basis. 

Read more
Day 6

Day 6: The Central Highlands & Cairngorm Mountains

Today you are checking-out of Inverlochy Castle. We hope you've had a fantastic stay in this iconic hotel. Your day sees you leaving the West Coast of Scotland and heading east towards the central Highlands and the Cairngorm Mountains. Your final destination today is the charming Victorian village of...

Today you are checking-out of Inverlochy Castle. We hope you've had a fantastic stay in this iconic hotel. Your day sees you leaving the West Coast of Scotland and heading east towards the central Highlands and the Cairngorm Mountains. Your final destination today is the charming Victorian village of Braemar - the local village to the Royal family's Balmoral Castle, steeped in history. 

Your journey today takes you along, as is becoming standard on this journey - some of the most beautiful Scottish roads. You will pass by lochs, castles and heather clad glens. On reaching Dalwhinnie you have the option of quickly popping into another famous whisky making distillery. Dalwhinnie makes a fabulous dram - and is also famed as being Scotland's highest distillery. We recommend you stop today at The House of Bruar on the A9. Here you can enjoy a pit-stop lunch and a mooch around the luxury shopping centre. Pick up a gift for yourselves and loved ones back home in what has become dubbed 'The home of country clothing' selling all things Scottish tweed and tartan as well as local artisnal produce and quirkie luxury Scottish homeware. 

After you lunch stop at The House of Bruar, we recommend that you head to Blair Castle. One of Scotland's most beautifu castles which is open to the public daily and offers fantastic self guide tours (although there are guides within the castle in each room if you have questions). The castle has been home to the Duke's of Atholl for over 500 years and offers what we deem to be the quintessential castle visit. 

Once you have finished at Blair, you will need to make tracks across to Glenshee and up towards Braemar. Check-in and enjoy what will probably be Scotland's most beautiful hotel for many many years. The Fife Arms owned by international art deals the Wirths, has only just reopened in 2019, after a multi-million pound refurbishment taking years .The hotel boasts over 14,000 original and unique peices of art from around the world but of course, inspired by Scotland. This is a true salute to Scottish-ness. Sir Walter Scott himself would have stayed here in a heartbeat we are certain! Expect nothing but exceptional service and a memorable final night in the Scottish Highlands.

Accommodation: The Fife Arms, Braemar. Victoriania Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis.  

 

Read more
Day 7

Day 7: Return to Edinburgh

Waking up in the Scottish Highlands is a magical experience to be savoured. These very hills surrounding Braemar hold a special kind of magic - a feeling that managed to captivate the late Queen Victoria and her beloved Albert who bought the Balmoral estate in the 1800s.

Waking up in the Scottish Highlands is a magical experience to be savoured. These very hills surrounding Braemar hold a special kind of magic - a feeling that managed to captivate the late Queen Victoria and her beloved Albert who bought the Balmoral estate in the 1800s.

Enjoy breakfast before jumping in your Land Rover Discovery and heading south with Edinburgh dialled into the GPS. You route will take you over the brand new Queensferry Crossing bridge which spans an impressive 3kms across the River Forth. The bridge stands side by side with both the old Forth Road Bridge built in the 1960's and of course possibly the most impressive Victorian railway bridge in the world, The Forth Railway Bridge. If you have time we recommend you turn off after the bridge crossing dropping down into the historic harbour town of Queensferry. Here you can park up the Land Rover under the railway bridge and take some fantastic photos! 

By mid afternoon you will need to be heading back into the city centre of Edinburgh, here you will be able to drop off your Land Rover outside your comfortable, central hotel (The Royal Scots Club - the perfec, practical final night accommodation). Once settled in, enjoy a final evening in this magical city. A Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions representative will be ready to collect you very early the following morning to take you by Land Rover to the airport. We hope you have loved every minute of your Scottish holiday and will be back soon! 

Read more
Day 8

Day 8: Private Airport Transfer

This morning, as the city still sleeps, you driver will meet you at the doors of your hotel before whisking you off to the airport for your onward flight. 

This morning, as the city still sleeps, you driver will meet you at the doors of your hotel before whisking you off to the airport for your onward flight. 

Read more

Inverlochy Castle

THE GRAND HOTEL OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Probably the castle in your dreams. With just 17 luxury rooms, exquisite traditional decors and...

More info

Royal Scots Club

A HIDDEN GEM IN THE HEART OF EDINBURGH The Royal Scots' Club is a private members club in the heart of...

More info

Isle of Eriska

5-STAR RELAIS & CHATEAUX LUXURY - A GATEWAY TO THE ISLES Isle of Eriska Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is set...

More info

The Witchery

OPULENCE AT ITS BEST WITH SUITES BY EDINBURGH CASTLE Hidden in a collection of buildings on Castlehill up from The Royal Mile, the Witchery by...

More info

The Fife Arms

A ROMANTIC VISION OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS This hotel is a true salute to the traditional Scotland all too quickly cast...

More info

What's Included:

7-Nights Accommodation as follows at the country's best luxury hotels including 2x castles on a Bed and Breakfast basis:

2x night The Witchery By The Castle, Edinburgh.

1x night The Isle of Eriska Hotel & Spa, Oban.

2x nights Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William.

1x night The Fife Arms, Braemar.

1x night The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh.

Dinner Reservations at The Witchery By The Castle restaurant, Edinburgh.

2x tickets for Oban Distillery Tasting and Tour.

2x tickers for 2.5 hour Marine Safari on the West Coast with regions best guides. 

2x tickets for Jacobite Steam train tickets (Single in Standard Class) Fort William to Mallaig departing 10:15am. 

'VIP' Land Rover transfer along famous 'Road to the Isles' - Mallaig to Inverlochy Castle stopping at beaches and Glen Finnan Viaduct (The Harry Potter bridge to see the train cross). 

All-New Land Rover Discovery 5 4x4 ( Delivery:  8th August The Witchery By The Castle Hotel, time TBC, Collection:  12th August, Edinburgh Airport, time TBC, Mileage:  700 included, additional mileage will be charged at 30p plus Vat per mile. Fuel:  Vehicle will be provided with and should be returned with a full tank of fuel. Insurance: Price includes insurance for two drivers between the ages of 25 and 70 with no more than 6 points on each licence which should have been held for a minimum of 3 years.)

'VIP' Meet and Greet service at Edinburgh Airport. 

'VIP' Land Rover transfer to Edinburgh city centre on arrival into Edinburgh from Airport. 

'VIP' Land Rover transfer to Edinburgh Airport from Edinburgh city centre hotel on departure. 

Document Pack with Road directions. 

24-hour on the ground emergency assistance.

On the go tips and recommendations with dedicated Sandgrouse Travel member of staff via Whatsapp. 

Close close