Explore Scotland with Spike (May 15-23, 2026) Tour 1

Most flights depart in the evening. The best (and cheapest) flight options leaving Detroit are from Delta but I’ll help you plan air travel.

A quick ride from the airport to the hotel where you can drop your bags and shake off the jet lag (or go exploring if you wish!). We will have an early Welcome Dinner for the group tonight.

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and a center of Scottish culture. We will spend all day and night immersed in its history, architecture, cobbled streets and magic. Start your day with a visit to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an ancient volcano where you’ll see the Crown Jewels and enjoy sweeping views of the city. Then we stroll down the Royal Mile, popping into St. Giles’ Cathedral and browsing the charming streets filled with shops and history, before visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Other sites may include the National Museum or the Royal Yacht Britannia, just to name a few off the top of my head as I have yet to schedule out this entire day. I know we’ll finish the day by unwinding in one of Edinburgh’s famous historic pubs like The World’s End or The Beehive Inn, where you can soak up traditional Scottish atmosphere and enjoy a pint in a setting steeped in centuries of local lore. (group lunch & dinner included today)

After breakfast, we will head north to The Highlands with a stop in the charming Victorian town of Pitlochry. We’ll go through Cairngorms National Park and then 1,000 years of history at the dramatic Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness… will we get a glimpse of the world-famous monster some say live in its deep, dark waters? You will also see the 4,000 year old Clava Cairns, a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves; rings, monuments and standing stones aligned with the sunset, providing important insights into prehistoric burial rituals and beliefs. Stay overnight in Inverness. (group lunch & dinner included today)

A morning walk along the Black Water of Rogie Falls to see the salmon jumping up the waterfall. Then an icon: Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most recognized castles in Scotland. Strategically located on its own little island, overlooking the Isle of Skye and surrounded by the majestic forested mountains of Kintail, Eilean Donan’s setting is truly breath-taking. As we cross into Isle of Sky, you’ll see The Old Bridge at Sligachan and The Fairy Pools, which are a series of vivd aqua blue natural pools and waterfalls in Glen Brittle. The Black Cuillin mountains are begging to be photographed and explored. Stay overnight in the colorful harbor village of Portree lined by quaint shops and cafes. Maybe we’ll accidentally fall into Isle of Skye Brewery in Uig? We’ll watch the late sunset with stunning views of surrounding hills and sea (night 1 of 2). (group lunch & dinner included today)

Today we’ll explore more of the island at a relaxed pace. You will see The Old Man of Storr which is situated in the north of the Isle of Skye in the Trotternish area. and Quiraing as we loop around the Trotternish Peninsula today. We’ll also stop for photos at Lealt Falls which plunge 300 feet down a narrow, tree-lined gorge into the Sound of Raasay. And the towering multi-coloured hexagonal columns of basalt rock known as Kilt Rock. And we’ll stop at spectacular places of myth and wonder like The Quiraing Viewpoint and the Fairy Glen. Nothing like the rich green fields dotted with white houses of Staffin. For dinner and pubs, we retire back to Portree for another night. (group lunch included today, enjoy dinner on your own in Portree tonight… or you’re welcome to join me!)

We say goodbye to Isle of Sky and make a stop at Loch Cluanie, surrounded by dramatic mountain massifs over 3,000 feet high and abundant wildlife like golden eagles and red deer. Maybe a quick comfort stop in The small and attractive village of Spean Bridge before we set sail on a ferry back to the mainland with extensive views over Loch Nevis and the stunning mountains of the Knoydart peninsula. It is not uncommon for aquatic wildlife to accompany your voyage so keep an eye out for seals, dolphins, porpoises and more as we sail. Then we get to our lunch stop in the bustling and thriving port of Mallaig. Enjoy fresh seafood caught this morning! And then we take a wizardry trip… you’ve heard of Harry Potter, I hope? We will stop for photos at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland. You may recognize it as the train to Hogwarts! And no description can re-create the impact of seeing Glen Coe for the first time. It is a place of awe-inspiring scenery, wildlife, adventure and myth, dramatic mountains, rare beauty and haunting history in the heart of the Highlands. Movies like Highlander, Skyfall, Harry Potter and The Dark Knight Rises all filmed here. We will stay overnight in Fort William or Glencoe. (group lunch & dinner included today)

As we depart Glen Coe, we’ll make a stop in the tiny, pretty village of Luss. A settlement has stood on this site since medieval times although much of the current village dates from the 18th century. Our destination today is Glasgow , a vibrant and compact city with plenty to offer. We will see the grand architecture of Glasgow Cathedral and the haunting Necropolis, unwind in the historic Glasgow Green, and finish your evening sipping whisky or local ale in a classic city pub, soaking up Glasgow’s lively atmosphere and welcoming spirit. Tonight we stay overnight in Glasgow. (group lunch today, enjoy dinner on your own tonight… or you’re welcome to join me!)

A chance to explore more of Glasgow on your own today – many of its art galleries and museums are free. Then after lunch, we will visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most historically important sites: it was once a favored residence of the kings and queens who held grand celebrations. Afterwards, a quick photo opp at The Kelpies – the largest equine sculptures in the world. And then maybe a peek at “Winterfell,” the castle from Game of Thrones! (This same castle stars in Monty Python And The Holy Grail.) We return to Edinburgh in the afternoon. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. This is a chance to explore on your own and do some souvenir shopping before we head home. We’ll stay overnight in Edinburgh for final night in Scotland. (lunch in Glasgow & dinner on your own in Edinburgh… or you’re welcome to join me!)

Fly out of Edinburgh to head home. Cheers! Haste ye back!