

Europe
8 days
7 nights
10 people
Moderate
History & Culture
Immerse yourself in the history, culture and stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands, guided by a globe-trotting Scottish bagpiper. Go behind the scenes of Scotland's oldest and most revered kilt-makers to discover the history and importance of Scottish tartans. Dine with the Earl of Cromartie, current chief of Clan Mackenzie, and drop into the seat of their rivals, Clan Munro. Along the way, uncover the history of the House of Stuart and the Jacobite rebellion, sip Scotch whisky, explore historic castles and ruins, and enjoy the music and dancing of a traditional Cèilidh.
Welcome to "Auld Reekie," the town's affectionate nickname meaning "old smoky." Settle into the hotel before you meet up with your fellow Atlas Obscura travelers for a round of drinks at the hotel before a wonderful welcome dinner. A musical surprise awaits!
Welcome to "Auld Reekie," the town's affectionate nickname meaning "old smoky." Settle into the hotel before you meet up with your fellow Atlas Obscura travelers for a round of drinks at the hotel before a wonderful welcome dinner. A musical surprise awaits!
Apex Grassmarket Hotel or similar, Edinburgh
Welcome Dinner
Apex Grassmarket Hotel or similar, Edinburgh
Welcome Dinner
Today you’ll pay a special visit to Kinloch Anderson, to hear from the most prominent kilt-makers in the world and enjoy a viewing of the Royal Balmoral Tartan, to be worn only with the Queen's permission! Kinloch Anderson has been considered the expert in kilts and Highland dress since 1868, including supplying kilts to the Scottish royal family—and to your guide! You'll discover the history and designs of Scottish tartans and the many types of kilts. Heading north to the Highlands, you'll stop to enjoy a few scenic spots before arriving at your grandiose home for the next three nights: a beautiful Georgian country manor house.
Today you’ll pay a special visit to Kinloch Anderson, to hear from the most prominent kilt-makers in the world and enjoy a viewing of the Royal Balmoral Tartan, to be worn only with the Queen's permission! Kinloch Anderson has been considered the expert in kilts and Highland dress since 1868, including supplying kilts to the Scottish royal family—and to your guide! You'll discover the history and designs of Scottish tartans and the many types of kilts. Heading north to the Highlands, you'll stop to enjoy a few scenic spots before arriving at your grandiose home for the next three nights: a beautiful Georgian country manor house.
Assynt House, Dingwall
Breakfast, Dinner
Assynt House, Dingwall
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, visit Culloden, the site of the famous battle that ended the Jacobite rebellion on April 16, 1746, for a guided tour of the battlefield and moor. After pacing out the battlefield, you'll head to Castle Foulis, the seat of Clan Munro. The Munro family will host you for a light lunch, a few tales, and a tour of their home. In the evening, your resident guide/bagpiper extraordinaire will provide an introduction to the Great Highland Bagpipes. Join in the fun and try your hand at the bagpipes!
After breakfast, visit Culloden, the site of the famous battle that ended the Jacobite rebellion on April 16, 1746, for a guided tour of the battlefield and moor. After pacing out the battlefield, you'll head to Castle Foulis, the seat of Clan Munro. The Munro family will host you for a light lunch, a few tales, and a tour of their home. In the evening, your resident guide/bagpiper extraordinaire will provide an introduction to the Great Highland Bagpipes. Join in the fun and try your hand at the bagpipes!
Assynt House, Dingwall
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Assynt House, Dingwall
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Take the morning to relax before making our way to Brodie Castle, originally built in 1567 by Clan Brodie, once one of Scotland’s most prominent families. We’ll tour the castle grounds and learn about centuries of clan rivalries. After lunch, enjoy Scottish dancing, music, and good cheer with some Highland friends, followed by a delicious Scottish dinner served by our Assynt House hosts.
Take the morning to relax before making our way to Brodie Castle, originally built in 1567 by Clan Brodie, once one of Scotland’s most prominent families. We’ll tour the castle grounds and learn about centuries of clan rivalries. After lunch, enjoy Scottish dancing, music, and good cheer with some Highland friends, followed by a delicious Scottish dinner served by our Assynt House hosts.
Assynt House, Dingwall
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Assynt House, Dingwall
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning depart for the Isle of Skye, home of some of the most iconic scenery in Scotland. Along the way, you'll stop at Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle. In the afternoon, you'll pull into the Talisker Distillery on Loch Harport. Talisker specializes in single-malt Scotch whisky, and you'll learn more about its history as the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye during a tour and tasting. This evening, enjoy the Skye landscapes as we retire to the hotel for dinner.
This morning depart for the Isle of Skye, home of some of the most iconic scenery in Scotland. Along the way, you'll stop at Loch Ness and Eilean Donan Castle. In the afternoon, you'll pull into the Talisker Distillery on Loch Harport. Talisker specializes in single-malt Scotch whisky, and you'll learn more about its history as the oldest distillery on the Isle of Skye during a tour and tasting. This evening, enjoy the Skye landscapes as we retire to the hotel for dinner.
Rosedale Hotel or similar, Portree, Isle of Skye
Breakfast, Dinner
Rosedale Hotel or similar, Portree, Isle of Skye
Breakfast, Dinner
Today is all about exploring the rugged natural beauty of Skye. After breakfast, you'll head to the Storr, a hill overlooking the Sound of Raasay. The walk up takes about an hour and a half, and then it's 45 minutes to return, but you'll want to take some extra time to stop and take in the stunning scenery. There will be plenty of flexibility to set your own pace. From the Storr, we'll stop in the town of Flodigarry for a rest and lunch. In the afternoon, explore Kilmuir, home of the grave of Flora Macdonald, and the Skye Museum of Island Life. Arrive in Portree in the evening to wander and have dinner on your own before enjoying a restful night at the hotel.
Today is all about exploring the rugged natural beauty of Skye. After breakfast, you'll head to the Storr, a hill overlooking the Sound of Raasay. The walk up takes about an hour and a half, and then it's 45 minutes to return, but you'll want to take some extra time to stop and take in the stunning scenery. There will be plenty of flexibility to set your own pace. From the Storr, we'll stop in the town of Flodigarry for a rest and lunch. In the afternoon, explore Kilmuir, home of the grave of Flora Macdonald, and the Skye Museum of Island Life. Arrive in Portree in the evening to wander and have dinner on your own before enjoying a restful night at the hotel.
Rosedale Hotel or similar, Portree, Isle of Skye
Breakfast, Lunch
Rosedale Hotel or similar, Portree, Isle of Skye
Breakfast, Lunch
Make the scenic six-hour trip back to Edinburgh, stopping several times along the way to enjoy the scenery. Take in the otherworldly views of Glencoe and take a break for lunch in Fort William before the final stretch. After checking into our Edinburgh hotel, you'll have a few hours to relax or explore before reconvening for a farewell dinner and Cèilidh full of great food, wine, and live music.
Make the scenic six-hour trip back to Edinburgh, stopping several times along the way to enjoy the scenery. Take in the otherworldly views of Glencoe and take a break for lunch in Fort William before the final stretch. After checking into our Edinburgh hotel, you'll have a few hours to relax or explore before reconvening for a farewell dinner and Cèilidh full of great food, wine, and live music.
Apex Grassmarket Hotel or similar, Edinburgh
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Apex Grassmarket Hotel or similar, Edinburgh
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Today, catch flights home or onto your next destination. We recommend checking out the Atlas Obscura Guide to Edinburgh if you'd plan to stay a few extra days on your own. Until the next adventure!
Today, catch flights home or onto your next destination. We recommend checking out the Atlas Obscura Guide to Edinburgh if you'd plan to stay a few extra days on your own. Until the next adventure!
Apex Grassmarket Hotel, Edinburgh
Breakfast
Apex Grassmarket Hotel, Edinburgh
Breakfast
The listed price of the trip is per person based on double occupancy.
You’re in good company.
Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $1,860 USD.
Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
You’re in good company.
Opt for a Private Room to yourself, subject to availability, for a supplemental cost of $1,860 USD.
Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
If you don’t opt for a Private Room, you'll be matched with another solo traveler of the same gender.
You should plan to arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 8. Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) connects to a range of flight hubs in Europe. The best flight connections to Edinburgh are offered by British Airways and Delta Airlines.
*Airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura.
You should plan to arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1, and depart anytime on Day 8. Edinburgh International Airport (EDI) connects to a range of flight hubs in Europe. The best flight connections to Edinburgh are offered by British Airways and Delta Airlines.
*Airport transfers are only provided if arriving & departing on the trip dates, or if pre/post arrangements have been made through Atlas Obscura.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking four to six miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. We’ll be spending much of our time outside and in rural areas, walking up and down stairs, and on dirt and cobblestone paths.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking four to six miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. We’ll be spending much of our time outside and in rural areas, walking up and down stairs, and on dirt and cobblestone paths.
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
Send us a
Check out the Essential Trip Information for this trip for more details.
Trip Leader
Ross Jennings
Ross Jennings is a bagpipe-playing, Guinness World Record–holding adventurer with the goal of piping in every country on Earth. So far, he’s ticked off over 100 countries! Originally from Scotland, Ross spent most of his childhood moving around Asia. He speaks Mandarin and Spanish and studied economics and Chinese at the University of Edinburgh. When he’s not off on a kilted adventure or leading trips around the world, he lives in Edinburgh. Despite being half-Irish and half-Scottish, he wears the ancient tartan of his mother’s Lowland clan, Clan Baird.
Have a question for us about Scotland : Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan? We're here to help!
Call us at +1 646-961-4857
Check out our FAQ
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Have a question for us about Scotland : Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan? We're here to help!
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
Check out our FAQ
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Sign up for our emails.
Have a question for us? We're here to help!
Call us at +1 833-919-9154
Check out our FAQ
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.