Castles of Scotland... A Grand Historic Tour

10 days from £8,665 / $13,864 per person

• London
• Edinburgh and The Lothians
• Fort William
• Loch Ness

The Ampersand UK team has returned from a spectacular jaunt across Scotland and, with many bracing walks, whisky tasting tours and Michelin-starred meals under our belt, we’ve fallen for Scotland all over again. Based on our discoveries, we have crafted what we believe is the ultimate luxury tour of Scotland showcasing her most sensational experiences – from the vibrant culture of Edinburgh to traditional Highlands pursuits – whilst travelling in lavish style and staying in Scotland’s best castle properties: Aldourie Castle, Inverlochy Castle and The Witchery, literally a stone’s throw from Edinburgh Castle. As Aldourie Castle is an exclusive-use property, this vacation is ideal for small groups and it has been priced based on six people travelling.

Spend two nights at the most atmospheric address in Edinburgh, The Witchery – an eight room hotel and restaurant positively dripping in historic charm. It couldn't be better located and is the perfect base from which to explore Edinburgh's excellent shops, bars and restaurants.

From the Royal city of Edinburgh, journey into the romantic Scottish Highlands in your chauffer driven 7-door Mercedes limousine. Drive through some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, including the White Sands of Morar – a place of intense beauty with powder white sands and translucent blue sea – where you will have a private picnic lunch. Continue on past the Glenfinnan Monument, which dates back to the Jacobite uprising, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the Hogwart’s Express passes over in the Harry Potter movies. For the next two nights stay at Inverlochy Castle, a grandiose county house hotel set in the foothills of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. In addition to its Michelin-starred restaurant, Inverlochy Castle plays host to a wide range of sporting activities including mountain biking, sailing, archery and abseiling.

For your final four nights you will have Aldourie Castle all to yourselves. Set on the banks of Loch Ness, this castle is a real-life fairytale of baronial turrets, steep winding staircases and secret rooms. Creaking with history and atmosphere yet fitted to the highest standard of luxury, it is overflowing with antiques and paintings that would not be out of place in a museum. Spend your days indulging in traditional country pursuits like clay pigeon shooting, take a speed boat down Loch Ness, have a game of golf at St Andrews, tour the whiskey distilleries and castles in the area, and end your vacation with a day trip to the beautiful Isle of Skye.

This tour includes full-board accommodation, limousine transfers (in two 7-door Mercedes vehicles) and private Blue Badge guides or equivalent for sightseeing tours. The structure of this itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be fully customised to your requirements.

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.
Susan Heller