Depart Edinburgh this morning and travel north with a brief stop en route to see the Kelpies horse sculptures, two giant horse heads made from stainless steel plates, the largest equine sculptures in the world.

Continue northwards with a visit to Glengoyne Whisky Distillery near Glasgow for a distillery tour and tutored tasting.

The journey north continues along the banks of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with a lunch stop in Tyndrum.

Continue via Glencoe, a place of breathtaking natural beauty but also the site of the infamous massacre which took place in the early hours of 13th February 1692, when government troops, led by the Campbells, slaughtered the MacDonalds. Stop at the informative visitor centre to learn more about this stunningly beautiful region.

Arrive later this afternoon in Oban, which occupies a scenic location on the Firth of Lorn on Scotland’s West Coast.

Overnight: Oban Bay Hotel, Oban (B/-/-)

This morning depart hotel board the ferry, about a 45 minute ride, to the Isle of Mull. Transfer by local bus from Craignure across the largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands, Mull, through the moorlands to Fionnphort. Here we will take a sightseeing cruise to see the island of Staffa. The small uninhabited island of Staffa is located on Scotland’s West coast, 6 miles west of Mull. It was immortalised by the composer John Mendelssohn who after a visit to island in 1829 composed his Hebrides Overture inspired in particular by the astonishing acoustics of Fingal’s Cave with its eye-catching hexagonal basalt columns.

The cruise will finish on Iona, a small island off the west coast of Scotland where, in 563, Columba founded a Celtic monastery that was very influential in its own times.   Iona has been called the entry way of Christianity into Scotland and Northern England.  Upon arrival visit Iona Abbey and the Heritage Centre.  

If weather conditions prevent the sightseeing cruise to Staffa, then group will board ferry for a short ride (5 -10 minutes) directly to Iona and more time will be spent on the island.

Return to Oban later this afternoon.

Overnight: Oban Bay Hotel, Oban (B/-/-)

Depart Oban this morning and travel a short distance for a visit to Ardchattan Priory Gardens. A garden has existed at Ardchattan for over 700 years, since monks, from a little know order in Burgundy, first settled there, on the north shore of Loch Etive. Facing south, with spectacular views over Loch Etive, one can look east to Ben Cruachan and west to the hills of Mull, the monks chose their site well.

The garden has a natural tranquillity and what you see today has been largely developed over the last 110 years three generations of the same family; there are herbaceous borders, roses, a rockery, ornamental trees and a wild flower garden, to mention just some of the highlights.

Continue north to Fort William where a stop will be made for lunch.

This afternoon proceed along the Great Glen and the shores of Loch Ness with some sightseeing stops en route.

Overnight at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness (B/-/-)

Today depart for a visit to Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland's great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland.

The gardens were laid out in 1850 by the architect Sir Charles Barry, who was responsible for the Victorian extension to the Castle and who also designed the Houses of Parliament.

Inspiration came from the Palace of Versailles in Paris, and they have changed little in the 150 years since they were planted, although new plants are constantly being introduced. Despite its northerly location, the sheltered gardens are able to support a surprising range of plants, including at the foot of the steps leading to the garden a huge clump of Gunnera manicata, a native rhubarb of South America that has eight foot leaves!

Return to Inverness with the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness (B/-/-)

Depart hotel this morning and travel into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

There will be a visit to Balmoral the main holiday home of the royal family in Scotland since the 19th century when it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert.

The gardens, which were started under the supervision of Prince Albert, have been expanded and improved by successive members of the Royal Family. Between 1923 and 1925 Queen Mary devised the charming garden, with a semi-circular wall of rocks surrounding a fountain. The gates to this garden bear the monograms GR and MR. The formal gardens, covering some three acres, also contain a range of Victorian glasshouses and the conservatory, which displays flowering pot plants throughout the year. A water garden has been formed to the West of the main garden in the trees between Garden Cottage and the West Drive. 

Continue this afternoon to Crathes Castle Standing against a backdrop of rolling hills and set within its own glorious gardens, Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house. Built in the 16th century, it is an intricate maze of turrets, towers, oak panels and painted ceilings, many of which survive beautifully to this day.

Inside you’ll find a labyrinth of cultural history, from family portraits to fine antique furniture. The walled garden is a wonderful jungle of history, split into eight sections that encompass every green delight imaginable, a sculpted topiary, soft herbaceous colours and modern exotic blooms. The massive yew hedges are thought to have been planted as early as 1702.

Continue to Aberdeen for your overnight stay.

Overnight at Jurys Aberdeen (B/-/D)

Depart Aberdeen this morning for a visit to Dunnottar Castle. This dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress was the home of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland.

Steeped in history, this romantic and haunting ruin is a photographer’s paradise, a history lover’s dream and an iconic tourist destination for visitors the world over.

Continue south to Dundee. On arrival visit the new V&A museum, this eye-catching building designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is home to the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland, displaying the best of Scottish creativity as well as world class international design.

Continue to Dundee Botanic Garden and enjoy its wide range of plants, with fine collections of conifers and broad-leaved trees and shrubs, tropical and temperate glasshouses, water garden and herb garden. Located in 9.5 hectares of south-facing, gently sloping land near the banks of the River Tay, the Garden features many species of indigenous British plants as well as representative collections of important plants from all the continents of the world.

Check in to your hotel later this afternoon.

Overnight at Hotel Indigo, Dundee (B/-/-)

Leaving Dundee we continue south to Branklyn Garden near Perth. This two-acre National Trust garden overlooks Perth and contains an impressive collection of rare and unusual plants.

Continue afterwards to Drummond Castle Gardens, one of Europe’s and Scotland’s most important and impressive formal gardens. Located in Perthshire near Crieff, were first laid out in 1630 by the 2nd Earl of Perth. The gardens were redesigned and terraced in the 19th Century. The formal gardens that you see today were replanted in the 1950s but preserve many of the original features, the ancient yew hedges and the remaining beech tree planted by Queen Victoria, commemorating her visit in 1842. 

Continue to nearby venue for lunch.

This afternoon proceed to Edinburgh and check in to city centre hotel.

Overnight at Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, Edinburgh  (B/L/-)

Today depart for the Scottish Borders for a visit to Floors Castle, home of the Innes-Ker family since it was built for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe exactly 300 years ago in 1721.  It is the largest inhabited house in Scotland and opened to the public in 1977. It remains one of the most iconic pieces of Scottish architecture.

Just a short walk from the Castle you will find the spectacular Victorian Walled Garden with glasshouses, herbaceous borders and a formal Millennium Garden.

This afternoon continue to Carolside House & Gardens, featuring a late 18th century mansion set in beautiful parkland, flanked by wooded hills, nestling in a bend of the River Leader. A romantic and beautiful garden open in the summer to the public.

The garden has been cultivated for over 200 years and today it is best known for its soft and delicate herbaceous planting, striking Delphinium beds and subtle colour schemes. Sweeping lawns lead to an oval walled garden where an Historical Collection of ancient roses is housed.

Overnight at Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, Edinburgh (B/-/-)