Live Like a Clan Chief
Overview
This self-drive itinerary of Scotland will provide a memorable experience along with stays in castle hotels and traditional manor houses.
Format
Locations
- Edinburgh
- Aberdeen
- Inverness
- Glasgow
Inclusions
- Round-trip flights to Edinburgh (if Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
- 8 nights of accommodation including breakfast, in selected castle hotels and traditional manor houses
- 8-day car rental in selected category
- CDW / Vehicle Damage Cover / Vehicle Theft protection / Airport Surcharge / Vehicle License Fee / Local Tax VAT
- Unlimited mileage for 4-day durations or longer
- Entrance to Edinburgh castle
- Loch Ness by Jacobite’s Freedom Cruise
- Earn Aeroplan® points
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Canada
Fly to Edinburgh.
Day 2-3
Welcome to Edinburgh
Upon arrival in Edinburgh, pick up your rental car at the airport and make your way to your hotel. The remainder of the day is for you to explore at your own leisure.
Edinburgh has a lot of shops, pubs and restaurants to offer, as well as a good selection of activities to choose from. Edinburgh Castle houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland. Visit the castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Family’s official residence in Scotland. For whisky connoisseurs, don’t miss the Scotch Whisky Experience at the top of the Royal Mile.
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 4
Edinburgh – St Andrews – Aberdeen
This morning, drive over Queensferry Crossing, with its dramatic views over the Firth of Forth. Head east to St Andrews, the home of golf in Scotland. Explore this beautiful university town on foot, and have your photo taken standing on top of the Swilcan Bridge.
Continue north across the Tay Bridge, and you have the option to visit Glamis Castle—the childhood home of the Queen Mother, or Dunnottar Castle.
(Approximately 210 km)
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 5
Royal Deeside (Sightseeing)
Take the day to explore Royal Deeside, a magnificent valley of the river Dee and home to the Royal Family’s Highland retreat, Balmoral Castle. You can wander through the colourful gardens of Crathes Castle—a classic fairytale castle, or discover nearby Drum Castle with its 13th century tower and fine Jacobean mansion house.
Spend some time exploring the villages on Royal Deeside as well, featuring their own distinct personalities.
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 6
Aberdeen – Inverness – Malt Whisky Trail
Travel northwards towards Inverness. Follow the Malt Whisky Trail and visit some of the distilleries behind the world's most famous malt whiskies.
Speyside is a must-visit destination for any whisky lover, and this is where you find Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenlivet and several other famous distilleries along the river Spey. The area is also home to magnificent castles, such as Cawdor Castle and Brodie Castle.
(Approximately 175 km)
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 7
Highlands - Sightseeing
Head northwest to visit the famous Inverewe Gardens, the most northern botanical gardens in the world. Or, try Dunrobin Castle, which resembles a French chateau with its towering conical spires.
Visit Culloden Battlefield or stroll around Inverness. If you head south, you can take a ride on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway and explore a Scottish national park. You may also choose to take a cruise on Loch Ness, just a short drive from Inverness.
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 8
Inverness – Loch Lomond, Glasgow (West Coast)
Drive alongside the legendary Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle. Follow the Caledonian Canal along Loch Lochy to Fort William. The town is set in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain. Continue through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most legendary glens, and across rugged Rannoch Moor. Drive along Loch Lomond, known for the tranquil beauty of its wooded shores and islands.
(Approximately 272 km)
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 9
Glasgow – Edinburgh
Spend you last day and night in the Glasgow or Edinburgh area at your leisure.
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Day 10
Return Home
After breakfast, return your rental car at Edinburgh airport, before boarding your return flight home to Canada.
Meal(s): Petit-déjeuner
Accommodations
Where you'll stay
Location
Hotel
Room details
Type of bed(s): 1 double bed or 2 twin beds
Room occupancy: Maximum 2 people (2 adults)
Unless otherwise specified, guests will stay in a standard room at all hotels during the trip.
Important Information
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Daily departures between:
- April 1, 2025 to October 31, 2025
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Not included :
- Meals and beverages, unless specified
- GPS, fuel, parking fees, traffic violation tickets , car upgrades, inter city toll fees, additional insurance coverage, child car seats, lugagge racks, additional rental nights, late drop off fees, cross border fees
- Damage to tires, damaged wheels, lost keys
- Gratuities
- Local city taxes (payable in Pounds at destination)
- Porterage
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Excursions mentioned in the itinerary are all included in the package but may be rescheduled to take place on an earlier or later day, or replaced with an alternate option depending on availability, weather, seasonality and operational reasons beyond the supplier’s control.
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When booking your Fly & Drive, the first name added on the file is considered as the principle driver of the vehicle. Modifications or change of name to principle driver name will incur fees.
Car Categories 2024 :
- Group 2 - Small 2 door / Manual Transmission
- Group 4 - Mediam 4 door / Automatic Transmission
Car Categories 2025 :
- Small Eco Manual - (4/5 door)
- Medium Compact Automatic - (4/5 door)
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Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m. -
The order of the itinerary may change, operate in reverse, sequence of overnights could vary, due to operational restrictions. The itinerary above is for reference only.