Scotland

Scotland is a diverse country: from the iconic Forth Bridge to the rugged Highlands; from the bustling cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, to the peace and tranquillity of the many islands dotted around the coast. A tailor made tour from Janet Redler Travel is the ideal way to make the most of this fascinating place.

Scottish Tours

Scotland has a long and turbulent history which has seen human settlement since prehistoric times. In fact, some of the best preserved Neolithic monuments anywhere in the world are in Scotland, such as Skara Brae on Orkney Mainland and the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis.

Skara Brae © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Throughout history Scotland has been engaged in rivalry with the ‘Sassenachs” over the border in England, and myriad castles bear testament to that longstanding feud, as well as a legacy of inter-clan battles which continued well until the 18th Century. Fortunately the last battle between Scotland and England was in 1746 and these days the Scottish clans are of course peace loving – perhaps best known for their distinctive tartans, kilts and crests.

The romance of Mary, Queen of Scots, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, is evident in many places around Scotland and it is quite an experience to visit the castles and landmarks associated with these larger than life characters from history.

If you're in Scotland on 25 January, be sure to go along to a Burns Night Supper, for a real taste of Scottish tradition and hospitality. Celebrated annually on Robert Burns' birthday, Burns Night gathers Scots and Scots-at-heart to pay tribute to the great poet’s life and works. The occasion is marked by a major programme of festivities across Scotland. A winter vacation to Scotland can be magical!

Abbotsford, pictured above, is the magnificent home of famous 19th century novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott. Nestling on the banks of the romantic River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, Abbotsford is well worth a visit!

Known to many as the 'Father of the National Parks' in the USA, John Muir was born in Scotland and spent the first 11 years of his life there. Follow in the footsteps of John Muir on a tailor-made tour of Scotland.

Family History Tours

A huge number of people around the world can trace their family roots back to Scotland and what better way to follow in your ancestors’ footsteps than with a personalised tour from Janet Redler Travel? We will put together the perfect itinerary for you which takes in the key locations and clan history of your family.

Edinburgh Castle © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Edinburgh is renowned for its splendid castle and majestic Royal Mile. The city’s ancient history blends seamlessly with its Georgian New Town – a masterpiece of town planning and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Edinburgh is a city worthy of its status as capital of Scotland – don’t miss the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, and the strikingly modern Scottish Parliament Building nearby. Here are our recommendations for the top five things to do in Edinburgh.

Neil, one of our team, enjoyed a tour of Edinburgh, the Forth Valley and the wider East Lothian region. Read Neil's blog here.

Photo credit: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

The world famous Edinburgh Festivals take place every summer, when the city becomes an international epicentre for the performing arts, offering an exciting, rewarding and thought-provoking experience for visitors from all over the world. The accompanying Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an experience like no other. Taking place on the esplanade of Edinburgh's iconic castle, expect an unforgettable evening of music, ceremony, theatre and dance, with performers from every corner of the globe.

Photo credit: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, is equally well appointed, with many historic buildings, large parks and impressive squares. The city was recently named one of the world's most exciting cities and it really is a great place for shopping, eating out, culture and entertainment.

George Square and City Chambers, Glasgow © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

For fans of architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow is the place to see many of his most famous buildings, such as the Willow Tea Room, the world's only surviving tea room designed by Mackintosh and a fabulous example of Art Nouveau, which reopened in 2018 after a major refurbishment.

The Kelpies in Falkirk, one of Scotland's modern wonders © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Highlands & Islands Tours

Glasgow is the perfect base to start a tour of the Highlands, situated as it is just a short distance from Loch Lomond, the biggest Scottish loch and in fact the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain.

Loch Lomond

From Loch Lomond the roads wind north and east to famous highland destinations such as Fort William, a paradise for outdoor activity lovers, in the lee of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The North Coast 500 route (NC500), known as Scotland's answer to Route 66, which follows the coast and lochs of the North Highlands, was named ‘Best Road Trip in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveler in April 2017. Let us plan a road trip in Scotland for you or your group.

To the west, Argyll and the Isles is a glorious coastal region of sea, lochs, islands, hills and glens just waiting to be explored! From the famous Mull of Kintyre in the south, which stretches into the ocean towards Ireland, to the picture-postcard islands of Mull and Iona in the north, there is so much for the visitor to enjoy - as the following short video reveals!

Why not board the famous Jacobite steam train between Fort William and Mallaig, voted ‘Top Railway Journey in the World’ for three years in a row by Wanderlust Magazine. The Glenfinnan Viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter films) really is an unforgettable experience. The small fishing village at the end of the line is awash with atmosphere, with its shops and bars and you can even try some freshly-caught seafood at one of the local fish and chip shops.

Glenfinnan Viaduct © VisitScotland / Jakub Iwanicki

Close by, the Glenfinnan Monument, on the edge of Loch Shiel, commemorates the Jocobite clansmen who fought and died in the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The raising of the Prince's Standard took place at the head of the loch on 19 August 1745, in the last attempt to reinstate the exiled Stuarts on the throne of Great Britain and Ireland.

Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel

The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the United Kingdom, located at the heart of the Highlands, and is a place where nature is on your doorstep and adventure is just around the corner. Voted one of the top 20 places to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter what age or ability.

The Cairngorms

Take a Caledonian MacBrayne - 'CalMac' - ferry to one of the many Scottish islands, including the magical Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde. Rothesay, the only town on the island, is famous for its colourful harbour and magnificent ruined castle.

Rothesay on the Isle of Bute

Bute is also the location of Mount Stuart, the most important Gothic Revival house in the British Isles and a must-see on any tour of Scotland. The house is the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute and boasts The Bute Collection, one of the foremost private collections of artwork and artefacts in the UK, as well as extensive gardens (see below) which cover over 300 acres and are among Europe's finest.

The current house dates back to 1877 and was the creation of the 3rd Marquess of Bute. The Marquess had previoulsy transformed Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch in Cardiff, and many of those he had employed in South Wales, including architect William Burges, also worked at Mount Stuart.

Drawing Room at Mount Stuart

Ceiling of the Marble Hall at Mount Stuart

Charlotte, one of our team, enjoyed a visit to Angus - the birthplace of Scotland - on the edge of the Highlands. Read Charlotte's blog here.

Enchanting Castles

Scotland is recognised the world over for its many beautiful castles, from the impressive Eilean Donan, one of the most recognised castles in Scotland, to Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness, home of the legendary monster. Imposing Sterling Castle is perhaps one of the most important castles in Scottish history and Balmoral on Royal Deeside, the holiday home of today's royal family, is well worth a visit on a tour of Royal Britain.

Ballindalloch Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of a Scottish Baronial Castle and tourists flock from around the globe to visit this 'Pearl of the North', located between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Ballindalloch Castle

Brodie Castle in Moray, North East Scotland, is a fabulous 16th century castle and family home of the Clan Brodie, packed with antique furniture, ceramics and art. The castle has Jacobite connections and its 71 acre estate boasts landscaped gardens and the national daffodil collection.

 Brodie Castle

Dumfries House is a magnificent 18th century country house and 2,000 acre estate in Ayrshire, best known for its unrivalled collection of furniture by master craftsman Thomas Chippendale. The house and estate is now owned by The Prince's Foundation, a charity which maintains it as a visitor attraction and hospitality venue. Dumfries House Lodge, in the grounds of the estate, offers exclusive five star guest rooms and self-catering accommodation. 

Dumfries House by kind permission of Dumfries House

Food & Drink Tours

Perhaps you have a penchant for the food and drink of Scotland and, if so, a tour of the famous Scottish whisky distilleries is a must, situated as many of them are in spectacular locations, such as on the islands of Jura and Islay.

Aberlour distillery in Moray, North East Scotland, dates back to 1879

Visit Speyside Cooperage, the UK's only working cooperage, in the north east of Scotland near Ballindalloch Castle, and discover the ancient art of cask making - an important part of the Scottish whisky making tradition.

Speyside Cooperage

Garden Tours

Scotland boasts many fine gardens too and we regularly conduct tours of the finest. Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute is not to be missed and Dunvegan Castle and Gardens on the Isle of Skye is very special indeed.

Mount Stuart © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Golf Tours

Last but not least, Scotland is of course the home of golf and a visit to the Old Course at St Andrews is well worth it – and not just for die hard enthusiasts. Scotland boasts many of the best links courses in the world and we can arrange for you to play some of them on one of our dedicated golf tours.

Let us help you plan your visit...

With its lochs and cairns, cosy hostelries, castles and legends, coast and mountain scenery, Scotland is a tempting vacation destination in its own right, but can equally be added to a UK wide vacation. Let us help you start planning today.

If you or your group would like to enjoy your own tailor made Scottish tour, please do contact Janet Redler Travel today.