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Insight Vacations

Scenic Scotland, a Women-Only Tour

Everyday Price From

$8,495

8 days

No Countries

Overview

Lands so diverse they will leave you spellbound; Scotland is a sight to see. Over this 8-day women-only tour, appreciate the country’s natural beauty on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre with a conservation expert. Savour another MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience over morning tea over at Ardgowan House with Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart. In Edinburgh, meet the Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh since 2006 and Julie Hill, the only woman ever to have won the International Sheepdog Championship. Commemorate your small group women-only tour making your own Scottish handbag and delve into the history of Scottish royals at Stirling and Edinburgh Castle.

Locations Visited

Glasgow, Glencoe, Oban, Isle of Mull, Inverness, Edinburgh

Countries Visited

Scotland

Travel Style

Women-Only

Accommodations

7 nights included

Age Requirements

Minimum age 5

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Itinerary

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

Day 1

Welcome to Glasgow

Glasgow, the undisputed capital of Scottish culture, offers endless opportunities for the curious traveller. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow boasts more than 20 museums and art galleries that may tempt you upon arrival. After you meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers, celebrate your first night of your Scotland women-only tour over dinner.

  • Accommodation

    Voco Grand Central


  • Meals

    Dinner

Highlights

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Dine in Glasgow

Tonight you'll be greeted with genuine Scottish hospitality. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Glasgow's city centre as you indulge in a carefully curated selection of local flavours and traditional delights. Let the evening unfold as you connect with fellow guests and embark on a journey of culinary discovery in this bustling Scottish hub.

Embark on an orientation drive with your Travel Director who reveals Glasgow’s grand public buildings including George Square and St. Mungo’s Cathedral. The morning continues with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Ardgowan House where Sir Ludovic Shaw Stewart welcomes you to his family castle set on a 10,000-acre coastal estate. Not only will you dine with a Baronet, your host will even be involved in the food preparation. Work up an appetite walking amid the beech trees while learning about the Shaw Stewart family. Then return to the castle for a sumptuous afternoon tea of finger sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients, freshly baked scones, cream, jam and cakes.

  • Accommodation

    Voco Grand Central


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Lunch

Highlights

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Visit Ardgowan Estate for a Private Tour and Afternoon Tea

Join Sir Ludovic for a tour of his family home, Ardgowan Estate, and savour a traditional Scottish tea made from local ingredients. Hear more about centuries of history onthe beautiful grounds during the Make Travel Matter experience. Your visit helps support the estate, helping keep Scottish history alive. 

The Estate educates its visitors and the local rural community about their sustainability initiatives, reducing food waste and sourcing all ingredients locally to support the local economy.  Ardgowan Estate invests in renewable projects including a wood bio mass boiler, a gas plant and wind turbines, to create a greener, more sustainable future. 
Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 7 & 12: Affordable and Clean Energy & Responsible Consumption and Production. 

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Glasgow Orientation

See the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral.

Centuries old history and a massive structure rising above the River Forth – Stirling Castle, a symbol of Scottish national pride and once home to Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots, awaits your discovery. Explore its halls, chapels and bedrooms, see the famous 'Stirling Heads' and admire the poignant Wallace Monument and battlefield of Stirling Bridge from its 16th-century walls. After a morning exploring the lives of royals, arrive in scenic Scotland’s Loch Lomond for an Optional Cruise on the ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs’ according to historian and novelist Sir Walter Scott. The evening finds you in Glencoe, a village located on the banks of Loch Leven.

  • Accommodation

    Ballachulish Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Stirling Castle Visit

Delve into the insights of Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland dating back to the 13th century. Learn how the castle has endured eight sieges and has witnessed the crowning of Scottish Kings and Queens including Mary Queen of Scots. 

Scenic Scotland conjures up images of green highlands and wind-whipped seas. Encounter them for yourself today on a ferry from Oban to Craignure, the main ferry port on the Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Then make your way to the Isle of Iona for a visit to Iona Abbey. Your curiosity will be piqued on this tiny island that has been a vibrant centre of Christian worship. It’s even rumoured that the Book of Kells was made at Iona Abbey. Before returning to the mainland, view Rèilig Odhrain, the final resting place of many Scottish kings. 

  • Accommodation

    Ballachulish Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Isle of Mull Day Trip

Embark on a day trip to the Isles of Mull and Iona, an ideal way to explore the sights and insights of the Scottish Highlands. At Iona Abbey, your Travel Director reveals its history, beginning with Columba’s monastery until the end of the 12th century followed by a Benedictine abbey. Iona Abbey Museum also houses Scotland’s finest collection of early medieval carved stones and crosses. Then visit the Reilig Odhrain, a sacred burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings.   

Take your Scotland tour to a deeper level at a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in Dundreggan, home to a pristine and fragile ecosystem, at Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Meet a conservation expert to learn about the ecology of the Highlands and the connection between nature and regenerating the Gaelic cultural heritage. After an illuminating morning, the afternoon finds you tailoring your time with Insight Choice. Choose between a relaxing Loch Ness Cruise and a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at Uile-bheist Distillery, where sustainability and tradition come together in the craft of whisky and beer making. 

  • Accommodation

    Dornoch Station Hotel


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Dundreggan Rewilding Centre

Over a visit to Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, your rewilding expert shares information about the reintroduction of native tree species such as the Caledonian Pine, and animal species such as the lynx, red squirrel and beaver into the wild. Your visit directly contributes to safeguarding one of the most beautiful and ancient landscapes in Europe that is in a critical condition. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

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Loch Ness Cruise

Soak up the scenery and hear intriguing tales of Nessie during a cruise on one of Scotland's most famous lakes.

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Whisky Tasting at Uile-bheist Distillery

Step into the world of Uile-bheist, where age-old whisky and beer traditions meet modern craftsmanship. Discover how folklore inspires their brews, explore the art of distillation, and savour a tasting of their signature creations. Built with sustainability at its core, Uile-bheist is one of Scotland’s lowest-carbon distilleries, aiming for net zero by 2030. Your visit supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. 

Blair Castle is a treasure trove of history and fine 18th-century interiors. Join an Optional Experience to learn about its seven centuries as home to the Atholl family, through both turbulent and peaceful times. Even the gardens surrounding Blair Castle, featuring a nine-acre walled garden, wooded grove, gothic folly, kirk ruin and extensive deer park, will have you slowing your pace and reflecting on the castle’s past. Continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, where you could opt to experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu Georgian hall for Scottish dining, live music and Ceilidhs, traditional Scottish Barn Dances. Tickets to The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included on departures that align with performance dates.

  • Accommodation

    Virgin Hotels Edinburgh


  • Meals

    Breakfast

Highlights

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Witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

A hush descends and eyes turn to the castle. The skirl of the pipes rises and drums crack the night air as a tide of tunics and tartan flood from the drawbridge. For a limited time in August, witness the incredible spectacle of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Edinburgh offers endless possibilities for the curious traveller. Discover the sights and insights of the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the ornate Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Georgian facades of New Town, and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse, in the Old Town. Your Local Expert then guides you inside the walls of Edinburgh Castle for sights and insights into the lives of the royals. Discover the local arts and culture over an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, making your own handbag. Before dinner enjoy a demonstration and bagpipe playing workshop by Louise the Piper, who piped for the Prince and Princess of Wales. To complete your Scotland trip, dine on an unforgettable dinner joined by sheepdog herding champion Julie Hill.

  • Accommodation

    Virgin Hotels Edinburgh


  • Meals

    Breakfast

    Dinner

Highlights

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Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop

Get up close and personal with the culture and crafts of Scotland over an Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop, creating your very own Islander Harris Tweed® Handbag. Embrace the spirit of Scotland step–by–step as you select the body colour of the bag, your favourite Harris Tweed® cloth lid and decorative strap. Once you’ve chosen the different components, construct your bag with a set of tools prepared for you. Take a piece of Edinburgh home with you in your very own bespoke Harris Tweed® Islander Handbag.

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Edinburgh City Tour

Explore the city with your Local Expert as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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Edinburgh Castle Visit

Alternatively known as the Maidens’ Castle until the 16th century, Edinburgh Castle offers dramatic vistas and historic insights. Walk with your Local Expert within the walls of the castle to view the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg and other artefacts.

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Julie Hill, Sheepdog Trainer

Full of curiosities, the world of sheepdog training will inspire the mind of any curious traveller. Meet Julie Hill, the first and only woman to have won the Supreme International Sheepdog Championships. Over dinner, learn how Julie trains Border Collies in some of the remotest and most rugged hill terrain in the UK, single-handedly tending to sheep that graze over 600 acres.

Louise the Piper

Meet Louise, Piper to the Lord Provost of Edinburgh since 2006. Louise has played for Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope, and many celebrities to events. She has performed on ITV This Morning, the Olympics, and even provided a bagpipe lesson to legendary Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May. Celebrate the heritage and sounds of Scotland over a demonstration and bagpipe workshop from "Scotland's National Piper."

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Dine in Edinburgh

Enjoy a dinner of modern Scottish cuisine in the heart of Edinburgh.

It’s time to close the chapter on a memorable Scotland tour. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.

  • Meals

    Breakfast

Dine in Glasgow
Visit Ardgowan Estate for a Private Tour and Afternoon Tea
Glasgow Orientation
Stirling Castle Visit
Isle of Mull Day Trip
Dundreggan Rewilding Centre
Loch Ness Cruise
Whisky Tasting at Uile-bheist Distillery
Witness The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Islander Edinburgh Handbag Workshop
Edinburgh City Tour
Edinburgh Castle Visit
Julie Hill, Sheepdog Trainer
Louise the Piper
Dine in Edinburgh

Highlights

Well-being

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

     

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  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

What's Included

Transport

  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Vox Headsets

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

Wifi

  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

Porterage

  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

Touchpoints

  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Gratuities

  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Hotels

  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

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Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request.
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Start Date Fri, Sep 12, 2025
End Date Fri, Sep 19, 2025
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Terms & Conditions

Trip Notes: 

  • ​Please note that airfare to and from your start/end destinations is not included in the cost of your trip. 
  • Call 1300 321 962 for great deals from Australia to & from all start/end cities for your selected itinerary. 
  • Internal flights as specified on individual trip itineraries are included as part of the trip price. 

Terms & Conditions: 

  • ​Prices listed are land only & do not include airfare to and from the start/end of the tour. 
  • Prices listed are per person, based on twin share. If you’re travelling solo, we can pair you with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or you can upgrade to a single for an additional cost, subject to availability. Please note solo room share is not available on all trips. 
  • For departure points and stay longer accommodation options call 1300 321 962 for more details. 
  • 'Exclusive Costco Member Price' is available upon member login.  
  • 'Price with Current Deals' reflects applicable promotions. Promotions and savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all tours/departure dates and are subject to availability. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details. 
  • All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details. 
  • ​Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking. 
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