Back by popular demand - the second tour to Scotland curated by me, Bonny Wise, is ready to launch!

Inspired by Jane Austen, Poldark, Afternoon Tea, the Bronte’s, All Creatures Great and Small and more, I have been successfully arranging tours to England, Scotland and Wales for nearly 15 years.

This journey of 15 unforgettable days will take you from Manchester all the way to the Orkney islands in the north, revealing to you Scotland, the land where there are more sheep than people! Scotland, a country known for tartans, bagpipes, whisky and the thistle, and where the unicorn is the national animal!

During this tour we will experience so much of what makes Scotland special – the natural wonders, the historic castles, whisky, bagpiping, Highland games, delicious culinary foods, Outlander and more. We will be welcomed in four-star hotels with breakfast included and taste the Scottish cuisine during our eight included dinners and three lunches.  Our own private coach will carry us to many destinations with admission included for hassle-free travel.

As you probably know all my tours allow time for some independent exploration and to do a little shopping. Who doesn’t love a good charity shop?!

I’ve pulled out all the stops to make this 15-day/14-night tour a one of a kind, never to be forgotten, trip to Scotland and invite you to step aboard for a new adventure together to build memories that will last a lifetime.

A deposit of £800 per person is required at registration to confirm your booking, with a further deposit due by 06th November 2026 and the balance due no later than 23rd April 2027 (66 days prior to departure).

Please note that his tour price is based on a minimum of 15 travellers. If the minimum number is not reached we reserve the right to cancel the tour or calculate a new tour price to reflect the number of people booked. You have the right to cancel free of charge if you do not accept the revised tour price.
 

CANCELLATION POLICY

Individual cancellations received in writing on or before 26th June 2026 will be subject to a forfeiture of £150.00. Thereafter, individual cancellations will be subject to the following forfeit of the tour price:

(a) if received in writing after 26th June 2026 and on or before 05th November 2026; loss of £800.00 deposit

(b) if received in writing after 05th November 2026 and on or before 18th February 2027: 35% of the tour price;  

(c) if received in writing after 18th February 2027 and on or before 22nd April 2027: 55% of the tour price;

(d) No refund for cancellations received after 22nd April 2027.

We do strongly recommend that all passengers take out some form of cancellation or curtailment and medical insurance.

All contracts and  agreements will be governed by English Law.

Pathfinders reserves the right to cancel the tour and to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour at any time for reasons of health, safety and/or general welfare of the tour group or of the individual participant. In such case, the refund will be based on actual costs of services remaining in the unfinished portion of the tour. 

Due to the unpredictable nature of travel, Pathfinders reserves the right in its discretion to alter any part of the itinerary or change any feature without allowance or refund.

Access:

A reasonable level of fitness is required for this tour – participants should be able to walk up one flight of stairs and at least half a mile. Step-free access to hotel rooms and showers cannot be guaranteed. 

Please ensure that you bring suitable footwear for walking, occasionally on unpaved and uneven ground. 

Arrive in Manchester and make your own way to Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport (shuttle bus service available).

Check in at hotel and enjoy your free time to relax before the tour begins.

Overnight: Manchester Airport

No meals included

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and get ready to discover the beautiful landmarks of Scotland. Stop en route to see section of Hadrian’s Wall near Carlisle. Visit the Roman Army Museum and walk to section of the wall at Walltown Crags (one of the best sections where it is possible to see the wall)

Stop in Gretna Green, a small village in the southern Scotland particularly known for its “anvil weddings” at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop. Since 1754, it has been a romantic hub for young couples escaping strict English marriage laws.  Have a break and enjoy your independent lunch in their cafeteria before continuing to Dumfries.

Overnight in Dumfries

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After breakfast at the hotel embark on a guided Burn’s tour of Dumfries including visit to Ellisland Farm built by Robert Burns in 1788 for his young wife Jean Armour and their family. Burns was especially creative at Ellisland, writing a quarter of his songs and poems including Auld Lang Syne and Tam o Shanter. 

Lunch included at The Globe Inn followed by a tour of this historic inn where Robert Burns ate, drank, recited, slept and otherwise entertained ‘affairs of the heart’. Sit in his chair, dine from his table or read the verse that he etched into the windowpane of his bedchamber.

In the afternoon visit Culzean Castle, an iconic Scottish castle set in a large country park, that rises majestically from its clifftop location looking out towards the Isle of Arran.

Overnight in Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast at the hotel get ready for your morning panoramic tour of Glasgow including visit to the National Piping Centre for tour of Museum of Piping, a demonstration and opportunity to try Scottish bagpiping yourself.

The afternoon is free to discover Glasgow at your own pace.

In the evening meet your fellow travellers and indulge yourself in the taste of Scottish cuisine during a food tour in Glasgow.

Overnight in Glasgow

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Depart Glasgow for Loch Lomond and a visit to the Luss Highland Games.

The first Luss Highland Gathering was held in 1875 and has been held annually since, except for a break during the two World Wars. It owes its inception to the enthusiasm of local farmers and sportsmen and has over the years become a symbol of local sporting endeavour and community spirit. It has also become the focus of the annual gathering of the Clan Colquhoun, bringing with it an influx of visitors from distant lands seeking their heritage.

Continue to Oban in the afternoon for included dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Oban

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

This morning, we enjoy a 2-hour Wildlife cruise of Oban Harbour. After exploring the harbour, we savour a gourmet seafood lunch in Oban.  Considered the” Seafood Capital of Scotland”, Oban is a vibrant harbour town in Argyll, West Highlands renowned for its fresh seafood, whisky and stunning coastal scenery.

The afternoon is free to explore the town independently. Return to your hotel just in time for dinner.

Overnight in Oban

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast at the hotel depart Oban via Glencoe Valley and Fort William with stop en route for independent lunch.

Take a scenic ride on the Nevis Range Gondola to the top of Aonach Mor and admire the stunning views and clear mountain air of the Scottish Highlands.

Continue via Loch Ness en route to Inverness.

Overnight in Inverness

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

This morning, we journey north into the historic county of Caithness.

Quick stop for a group photo at the iconic John O’Groats signpost, famous as the traditional northern end of the Land’s End to John o’ Groats (LEJOG) journey – a famous “end-to-end” challenge across Great Britain. 

After independent lunch en route continue to the Castle of Mey, the most northerly inhabited castle on mainland Britain. The castle was the summer home of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother, as she loved spending her time in Caithness.

In the afternoon arrive in Thurso, a town and former burgh on the north coast overlooking the Pentland Firth, with Orkney visible across the water. Free time to explore Thurso before dinner.

Overnight in Thurso

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After breakfast at the hotel take the morning ferry to Orkney Island and discover its rich heritage, culture, nature, food and crafts. If time allows visit Ring of Brodgar, an enormous ceremonial site dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. 

Continue with visit to Maeshowe a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave built around 2800 BC and the largest tomb in Orkney. Finish with visit to Skare Brae, the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in Western Europe and part of the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage. 

Return to Thurso in the late afternoon for included dinner.

Overnight in Thurso

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After breakfast leave Thurso and transfer to Golspie Burn Waterfall and Gorge. Accessible by an easy twenty-minute walk through shaded woodland, the gorge and waterfall are best enjoyed on a sunny day, when the light makes the whole place twinkle.

Stop in Golspie - a small, attractive town of under 2000 people with award-winning beaches, for short visit and independent lunch.

In the afternoon continue with visit to Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses and the largest in the Northern Highlands with 189 rooms. Dunrobin Castle is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 1300s.

Arrive to Inverness in the late afternoon for independent dinner and free time to explore this lovely city.

Overnight in Inverness

Meals: Breakfast

We depart Inverness for Speyside - located in the northeast Scotland around river Spey, is the heartland of Scotsh whisky distillery production, housing over 50 distilleries - for an enhanced whisky tour and tasting in one of their distilleries. 

Continue to Aberlour – home of Walkers Shortbread for included lunch in a local pub and possible visit to the Walker’s factory shop after lunch.

In the afternoon stop to Craigellachie for visit to a cooperage to see how whisky barrels are made.

Arrive to Aberdeen in the late afternoon for independent dinner.

Overnight in Aberdeen

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

A scenic drive takes us to Cairngorms National Park, where friendly villages and ancient fortresses and castles coexist with wildlife.  

Stop en route to visit Balmoral Castle – the Highland home of the Royal Family since 1852. Explore the gardens, admire the castle and immerse yourself in the estate’s natural beauty to discover the timeless charm of Balmoral.

Return to Aberdeen, the third largest city in Scotland for organised dinner and free time to relax and explore this city.

Overnight in Aberdeen

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Today we journey south to Edinburgh with 2 stops en route to visit Scone Palace and Midhope Castle.  Near Perth we will be welcomed to the original home of the Stone of Scone and the crowning Palace of Scottish Kings, the Scone Palace, a place where great ceremonies and affairs of state have been conducted throughout time.

Continue to Midhope Castle, an impressive derelict 16th century tower house, once home to the Lindsays and used as Lallybroch in the Outlander TV series.

Later this afternoon, enjoy an evening cookery demonstration followed by dinner. Learn about Scottish produce, be fascinated by stories about the history of Scottish cookery and see how the chefs are making your meal.

Overnight in Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

After breakfast at hotel get ready for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Edinburgh with a stop to visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Perched on a volcanic plug, Edinburgh Castle has dominated the skyline of Scotland’s capital city for centuries. Within the castle walls admire Scotland’s crown jewels among other national treasures on display.  

Continue for visit to Royal Britannia Yacht and discover the history of the Royal Yachts, dating back to 1660.

Later, enjoy free time for independent shopping before gathering for a farewell dinner at hotel to celebrate our journey through Scotland’s dramatic landscapes, rich traditions and majestic castles.

Overnight in Edinburgh

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Private transfer to Edinburgh’s Airport for return flight. Say goodbye to Scotland as you travel home, carrying with you cherished memories of a wonderful tour rich in history, culinary delights and culture.

Meals: Breakfast