Join our fascinating small group adventure through the Fairytales and Folklore in Scotland. Treat yourself to an inspired discovery of this stunning country with an unparalleled 7-night custom tour through the Highlands that includes local cuisine, unique experiences, and the extraordinary service for which Globus Custom Tours is renowned.
Explore magnificent castles such as Dunrobin, Blair, and Scone- and feel as if you've fallen into a fairytale. Discover ancient wonders such as the mysterious Loch Ness and Clava Cairns with its beguiling standing stones. Wander idyllic villages, visit cozy bookshops, and learn about the relationship between Scotland’s rich history and traditional storytelling.
Guided by a professional Tour Director, we're excited to announce that we've requested a very special tour guide for this adventure- Kaeleigh Campbell. For those who had the pleasure of traveling with Kaleigh on our Jane Austen's England Tour, you know just how magical and immersive her tours are. We’re beyond thrilled to have her join us again to guide us through Scotland's legends and landscapes.
This premium, once-in-a-lifetime itinerary includes exclusive experiences, such as our Scottish Folktales Evening- a private event to experience the magic of traditional storytelling through the repertoire of a professional storyteller of the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
We'll immerse ourselves in the poetry of the region and may even catch a glimpse of the Fae Realm! History and Story often walk hand and hand through the past, and on this one exclusive trip, we'll discover the heart of Scotland together. So- gather ‘round the fire, dear travelers, and let's uncover the many fairy tales and folk stories that have shaped Scotland’s past and continue to intertwine with the future of this remarkable land!
The services of a professional, multilingual Globus Tour Director will be provided throughout.
Daily Breakfast, 1 Lunch, and 5 Dinners included
4 and 5 star hotels in Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Inverness, and Glasgow
Motorcoaches are fully air-conditioned everywhere while touring.
Individual airport transfer on arrival and departure are included.
Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary with inside visits (including admission charges) and special features shown in the tour description. Sightseeing with local guides where applicable.
1 piece of luggage and one carry on without wheels
If/when needed
Where available on motorcoach
Please arrange flights from your home city to Edinburgh, and departing from Glasgow to your home city. Reach out if you would like assistance
All U.S. Citizens must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization prior to travel in the U.K. It costs roughly $20 and lasts for 2 years. Reach out to Laura or Tammi with questions
Unless listed in itinerary
Welcome to Edinburgh! It’s time to settle into your 5-star hotel and go explore Scotland’s capital city. The city is divided into two distinct areas: Old Town and New Town, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. We’ll be staying in the elegant Georgian New Town, known for its neoclassical architecture and grand squares. Edinburgh was the first city to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature in 2004 and has been home to famous writers such as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Arthur Conan Doyle.
This evening we will meet our Tour Director for a welcome dinner at a local landmark and restaurant, The Dome.
(D)
We’ll begin our day with sightseeing across the New Town and Old Town with an emphasis on literary history. The Old Town is a living museum, showcasing Edinburgh’s past from medieval times to the present. It’s known for its narrow, winding streets, including the Royal Mile leading to Edinburgh Castle perched atop a volcanic rock. There, we’ll visit the castle and have a chance to see the Scottish Crown Jewels, which date from the 15th and 16th centuries.
This afternoon is at your leisure, and I highly recommend visiting a couple of Edinburgh’s beautiful old bookshops. If you’d like to wander an art museum, the National Gallery is gorgeous and free to enter. Also- there is lovely shopping along the High Street, many cafes and pubs, and beautiful parks to enjoy!
We’ll meet back at our hotel for dinner and an exclusive event organized with a professional storyteller from the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh. The Centre’s mission is to keep the traditional art of storytelling alive. We’ll be treated to a repertoire of traditional Scottish tales to enthrall us before our journey into the Highlands!
(B,D)
Today we venture to the Highlands! Our first stop is Scone Palace in Perth where we’ll enjoy coffee with shortbread and take a guided tour of the iconic site. It has over 1000 years of history and has been the seat of parliaments, the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce, and the original home of the Stone of Destiny.
We will journey on to Kirriemuir to visit the birthplace museum of JM Barrie, famous playwright and author of Peter Pan. The small whitewashed cottage has been carefully preserved and will provide insight into how his early life inspired his work. The exhibition houses his writing desk from Barrie’s London flat where he penned Peter Pan, and there are also original costumes and manuscripts to view. After our visit, enjoy free time in Kirriemuir to eat lunch and explore.
Continue to Pitlochry, known as the “Gateway to the Highlands”, for dinner at our lodgings- The Fisher's Hotel Pitlochry. This historic hotel is located in the heart Pitlochry and has been a celebrated inn for over 180 years . It boasts a lounge, restaurant, bar, gardens, terrace, and easy access to everything Pitlochry has to offer. Noted literary guests of the past are the poet William Wordsworth and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson!
(B,D)
Venture to the coast of Loch Tay into the fascinating prehistory of the land at the Scottish Crannog Centre and their “Day in the Iron Age” crafting workshop. On arrival we’ll be welcomed with a hot drink and an opportunity to see the site, as well as meet our course leaders. Visit the museum to see the Crannog artefacts from 2,500 years ago on Loch Tay that all the workshop crafts are based on. We’ll then settle in our own workshop area for some time making several things essential to Iron Age life such as pottery, wire jewellery, foraging, cooking, and more. We’ll have a chance to try out all the crafts with tea breaks and an Iron Age lunch in-between making bits and pieces. We’ll leave with your own proudly handmade pieces and memories of a relaxed morning by the loch!
Next, we’ll visit the nearby town of Aberfeldy and the lovely Aberfeldy Watermill Bookshop, Cafe, and Art Gallery. We’ll have free time to explore the lively village that is home to The Birks of Aberfeldy, made famous by Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns. Feel free to wander along the beautiful nature walk that inspired the poet from long ago!
We’ll return to Pitlochry for dinner at our hotel then attend a production at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. After experiencing traditional storytelling in Edinburgh, it’s only fitting to enjoy Scotland’s modern storytelling! The Festival Theatre is the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire and Alan Cumming is the new artistic director with his programmed season beginning in 2026. We’re in for a treat!
(B,L,D)
Today, we’ll travel north and visit Blair Castle and Gardens, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl and home to Europe’s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Unique amongst Scottish castles, the story told here will take you from a visit by Mary Queen of Scots to the Civil War and from the Jacobite cause to the disaster of Culloden following Bonnie Prince Charlie's own stay in the castle. The castle grounds feature a magnificent nine acre walled garden, recently restored to its original Georgian design, of fruit trees and vegetables, complete with Chinese bridge, gothic folly and a trail of contemporary and 18th Century sculptures.
Visit the ruined Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness and enjoy free time to explore. The castle has a distinctly Highland heritage and the site has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in Scotland’s history. We’ll continue on to the Loch Ness Exhibition, where you’ll learn all about Loch Ness, from its prehistoric beginnings, “Water Horse” legend, and famous hoaxes to eye-witness accounts, underwater submarine explorations, and more.
Next, enjoy an enchanting evening cruise to search for “Nessie”, the loch’s celebrity monster. We’ll continue on to Inverness to our centrally located hotel for an evening at your leisure.
(B)
This morning we’re off to Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is a unique architectural marvel of Scottish Baronial and French Renaissance style, and it truly feels like you’re walking through a fairytale. We’ll enjoy The Falconry Display, presented by the resident falconer to see Peregrine and Gyrfalcons, and Harris hawks.
We’ll travel back to Inverness for free time to have lunch on our own, then take a short drive to travel back to the Neolithic era to visit the ancient Clava Cairns burial site. Learn about the significance and symbolism of the ancient passage graves, standing stones, kerb cairns, and mystical ring cairns. Be careful not to travel back in time!
Next, we’ll return to Inverness with the rest of the evening for free exploration!
(B)
Today is our exciting adventure through the rugged wilderness of the Highlands south to Glasgow. We’ll travel through Glencoe- known equally for its awe-inspiring views and sorrowful past – it is a place of history, wildlife, adventure and myth. The mountains were formed through violent volcanic eruptions, and then sculpted by massive glaciers.
We’ll stop at the Glencoe National Nature Reserve Visitor’s Centre. Located in the heart of Glencoe, the centre offers a fascinating insight into the area's rich history, geology, and wildlife. Explore the interactive exhibits, which tell the story of the famous Glencoe massacre of 1692, as well as the history of this stunning and dramatic landscape. The centre is also home to a herd of Highland cows, or hairy coos as the Scots like to say.
We’ll continue on through breathtaking scenery, including along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, made famous in legend and song. When we arrive in Glasgow and settle in, we’ll celebrate a wonderful trip with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
(B,D)
After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and prepare for your flight home. After experiencing the fairytales and folklore of Scotland, look forward to telling many stories of your own at home!
(B)
