Arrival to Edinburgh
Upon arrival, you have a check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Edinburgh Royal Mile & Palace of Holyroodhouse
Today you enjoy the walking tour around the gems of the beautiful capital of Scotland, Edinburgh.

The day is dedicated to the exploration of the Royal Mile, the street running just in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town.

The tour includes an inside visit to the Edinburgh Castle to explore this famous fortification that was once the residence of Scottish monarchs, and enjoy great panoramic views over the city.

Then you continue to the elegant Palace of Holyroodhouse which stands at the end of the Royal Mile and serves as the official residence of His Majesty The King in Scotland.

Note: as the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working palace, opening arrangements are subject to change at short notice.

Falkirk Wheel, the Kelpies, Wallace Monument, Callendar House & Linlithgow Palace
Together with the driver-guide, we start the journey with a visit of Falkirk Wheel - the world’s only rotating boatlift. It is already being recognized as an iconic landmark worthy of Scotland's traditional engineering expertise!

Continue your tour to Kelpies. These stunning 30m high sculptures of two horse heads, stand guard over the entrance to the Forth and Clyde Canal. 

Today we also visit the National Wallace Monument. Stirling’s famous landmark stands above the fields where William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge and tells the story of the patriot and martyr who became Scotland’s National Hero.

After make your way to Callendar House a stunning 14th century, French chateau-styled house that is set in the nationally important historic landscape of Callendar Park which contains a section of the Roman Antonine Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You enjoy a visit to the house, park and optionally have a cup of tea in newly refurbished Tearoom.

Our final stop today is the Linlithgow Palace. Here you explore the magnificent ruins of the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots! Linlithgow Palace was built and added to over two centuries by the Stewart kings, resulting in a superb Renaissance residence.

Following the tour we return back to the hotel in Edinburgh.

Travel to Dumfries via Dawyck Botanic Gardens, Peebles & Rosslyn Chapel
Today we set-off for yet another exciting day-trip from Edinburgh.

Our first visit today is the Dawyck Botanic Gardens. Nestled in the picturesque Scottish Borders, Dawyck is home to one of Scotland's finest tree collections and to an abundance of plant treasures from Nepal, Chile, China and more.

Next we visit Peebles and the former Veitch store, still a notable landmark building in the Scottish Border town of Peebles.

We then visit Scott's View, a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the Tweed Valley, and William Wallace's statue, also nearby. Located nearby is Melrose Abbey, which was founded by the Cistercians in 1213, but has now been ravaged by time. According to legend, the heart of Robert the Bruce is buried in Melrose Abbey. This abbey had close ties with the Knights Templar after returning from the crusades in Moorish Spain.

Before heading to Dumfries - the culmination of your visit is the Rosslyn Chapel, which appeared in Dan Brown's acclaimed novel 'The Da Vinci Code'. In this chapel, you will be able to explore and learn more about myths and legends involving the Holy Grail's location.

Arrival to Dumfries
Upon arrival, you have a check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Guided Tour of Dumfries & Robert Burns House
Today enjoy a guided tour of the market town of Dumfries. We start by taking you into the Robert Burns Centre brings Burns' time in 18th century Dumfries back to life.

Afterwards, we guide you along the old streets and vennels of the town before entering the house where Burns lived until his untimely death on 21 July 1796. 

We pay a visit the oldest working theatre in Scotland. The theatre is now owned by the Guild of Players who bought it in 1959, saving it from demolition. Burns was a patron of this theatre and regular attendee after it opened in 1792. 

Once we have explored the town and its connections to Burns, we take you along to the the Kirk (church) where he is buried. A schematic in the graveyard highlights a number of important people who were friends and associates of Burns during his time in the town. We show you the Bard's original 1796 gravesite before providing you with exclusive access to the magnificent mausoleum where Robert was interred after his exhumation in 1815. Robert's wife, Jean, was buried alongside her husband after she died in 1834. A very poignant experience. 

On a happier note, your tour would not be complete without a visit to the Bard's favourite drinking Howff in the town. This fine establishment first opened its doors in 1610 and it has been painstakingly restored to a very high standard by the owners of the Annandale whisky distillery.

Following the tour you have the afternoon free.

Use our local knowledge and local resources to design a tailor-made family history and heritage tour in Dumfries and Galloway region. Walk in the footsteps of your Scottish ancestors. 

Castles and Abbeys Tour
Today after breakfast we set-off for an exciting day trip from Dumfries to explore the Castles and Abbeys of the region.

Being a border region, Dumfries and Galloway has an abundance of castles which provide a fascinating glimpse into the region’s troubled, and often bloody, past. 

Impressive abbeys and priorys highlight the importance of this region to early Christians and it remains a place of religious pilgrimage.

Threave Castle is impressively situated on an island in the River Dee. In a lovely quaint tradition, you ring the bell for the custodian who will row you across the river to visit the castle. Built by Archibald The Grim, Lord of Galloway, Threave was the stronghold of the Black Douglas Clan, the most powerful family in Southern Scotland in the mid 15th century. Ravens now make their home here. Osprey also nest near by.

One of the most romantic stories of our past can be found in the picturesque village of New Abbey, a few miles from Dumfries. Sweetheart Abbey is the burial site of Lady Devorgilla of Galloway.

Kirkcudbright is the site of Maclellan's Castle. Built as a town house by Thomas MacLellan , the castle dominates the town harbour. Nearby, you will find Broughton House. Now a National Trust for Scotland property, Broughton was formerly occupied by the renowned artist E.A Hornell who took up residence in the town. 

Following the tour we return back to Dumfries.

Chesters Fort & Hadrian’s Wall
Our today's route takes you down the old Roman Dere Street, which connected the supply ports of the south of England up to the Scottish Highlands in the present day. The first stop on this tour is the historic border town of Jedburgh, home to a magnificent Augustinian Abbey built in the 12th century.

We also visit the Chesters Hill Fort that was probably built in the first millennium BC, and was occupied into the Roman occupation of Britain in the early centuries of the first millennium AD. It remains an impressive and imposing monument despite the intervening 2,000 years.

When you arrive in Jedburgh, you may have time to stroll through the narrow streets and see this impressive ruin. The scenic Carter Bar, located on the edge of the Cheviot Hills, is the oldest border crossing point between Scotland and England.

The tour continues towards Hadrian’s Wall. We follow the road that takes us along the south side of the wall, stopping at Steel Rigg. You have time to walk beside the wall and experience the isolation that Roman foot soldiers would have experienced as they guarded their empire from the ‘barbarians’ to the north. 

Transfer to Glasgow
Following breakfast you check-out and we have a private transferred arranged to Glasgow.

Arrival to Glasgow
Upon arrival, you have a check-in at the hotel. 

Guided Glagow City Tour
Meet your guide and start a 4-hour walking tour. Together you explore the gems and the great historical importance of Glasgow.

This port city on the River Clyde, famous for its shipbuilding industry, is famed for its outstanding Victorian and art nouveau architecture, fine art museums and excellent shopping opportunities. Following the tour we recommend you to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

After the tour, you return to the hotel or may continue an exploration of the city on your own.

Departure Home
Following breakfast in your hotel, you check out and depart from Glasgow.

Transfer to the airport is included