Scotland has a personality as wild as its Highlands, with brooding castles, whisky-rich glens and a history full of colourful characters. Beyond the familiar sights of Edinburgh’s Old Town, you might find yourself playing a round of golf on a celebrated links course or watching a Highland shepherd put his remarkably clever sheepdogs through their paces. Through our trusted local connections, we can introduce you to some of the best things to do in Scotland, with exclusive access and personal encounters that bring a new dimension to your tailor-made luxury holiday.
GO WHISKY TASTING IN SPEYSIDE
Learn the secrets of the ‘water of life’ in one of Scotland’s best-known whisky-making areas. The northeastern region of Speyside, named after the River Spey that flows through it, contains more than half of the country’s distilleries, the oldest of which dates back to 1786. Escorted visits (group or private) take you behind the scenes for an insight into the process of turning barley from the fertile local valleys and the soft water from the hills into a classic Speyside malt. You’ll learn about the various painstaking steps of the distillation and ageing process, then savour the results with a guided tasting where you’ll hear about the difference between Speyside’s relatively light and sweet malts and those from the other five whisky regions. With so many distilleries to choose from, you may want to opt for the one that makes your favourite brand or simply the most convenient to where you’re staying.
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STEP BACK IN TIME AT EDINBURGH'S OLD TOWN
The atmospheric streets of Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town bear witness to the Scottish capital’s long and rich history. Explore them with an expert guide who knows the most famous sights and more tucked-away treasures, along with a wealth of fascinating tales of life here in the past. The walk focuses on the Royal Mile, the broad sloping avenue that connects the elegant 17th-century Palace of Holyroodhouse – which remains a royal residence – at the bottom to the magnificence of Edinburgh Castle at the top. Along its route, interspersed with pubs, boutiques and cafés, you’ll see old and new parliament buildings, the country’s highest courts and a clutch of ancient churches including St Giles’ Cathedral. The crowning glory of the Royal Mile is, of course, the castle. Perched on its granite outcrop, it has looked down over the city for almost 1,000 years; its highlights include a display of Scotland’s Crown Jewels and the 12th-century St Margaret’s Chapel.
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STEAM TRAIN THROUGH THE HIGHLANDS
Immerse yourself in some of Scotland’s most majestic scenery from the comfort of an immaculately restored vintage steam train. From April to October, the train travels the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig, the coastal port for ferries to Skye, following the route of the famously beautiful Road to the Isles past wild lochs and rugged hills. Along the way, the track crosses the 19th-century Glenfinnan Viaduct overlooking Loch Shiel, long a highlight of the journey for its graceful design. Its appeal has soared since the Hogwarts Express puffed its way across it in several Harry Potter films (and Ron and the boy wizard were flung among its arches in a flying car). The 84-mile round trip takes around six hours, including pauses for that perfect photograph, so there’s time to enjoy the landscapes, the nostalgia-inducing sound of the puffing locomotive and, perhaps, a gourmet picnic in Mallaig.
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TAKE A PRIVATE VOYAGE ON THE LOCH NESS
Stretching for 23 miles along the Great Glen, a geological fault that cuts through the Highlands, the epic Loch Ness is the largest lake by volume in the British Isles. Flanked by swooping hills shaped by long-vanished glaciers, it’s one of the essential stops on any visit to this part of Scotland. Shake off the summer crowds by taking to the water for a private journey in a luxurious boat with a cosy space below for cooler days and plenty of room on deck to drink in the beauty of your surroundings. Glide past romantic ruined castles, cascading waterfalls and lochside villages over a delicious picnic or glass of champagne, if you wish, while hearing about the area’s history and legends, not least Nessie, the elusive monster said to lurk in the lake’s inky depths.
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TEE OFF AT RENOWNED SCOTTISH GOLF COURSES
For golfers, Scotland is something of a pilgrimage, its historic links courses and coastal winds capable of turning an apparently straightforward hole into a rather more interesting proposition. Tee off at Royal Dornoch, whose raised greens and deep bunkers demand precision, or tackle the boldly contoured greens of Castle Stuart overlooking the Moray Firth. Gullane's championship links provide a testing combination of steep climbs and strategically placed pot bunkers, and Archerfield offers a choice between pine-lined holes and more exposed coastal terrain. We can arrange a single round or a personalised itinerary, perhaps playing four courses over four days, including private drivers to handle the journeys. In between games, settle into the clubhouse for lunch, recounting the morning's triumphs and near misses over a dram of Scotch.
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ENJOY A GOURMET CULINARY IN EDINBURGH
Spend a day discovering Edinburgh's food scene with a chef who counts members of the British royal family among his clients. This private experience begins with a visit to some of the capital's finest independent suppliers, from an award-winning butcher who can trace the provenance of every cut to a traditional fishmonger displaying the morning's catch. Browse the colourful abundance of seasonal vegetables at a local greengrocer, then call at a wine merchant whose history stretches back to the 17th century to select bottles for your meal. With your ingredients gathered, return to the chef's private kitchen in a converted whisky bond warehouse, where he will guide you through preparing a feast from your purchases. All that’s left to do is sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labours, accompanied by the wines you chose earlier and, no doubt, a few entertaining stories from your host.
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GAIN INSIDER ACCESS TO SCOTLAND'S CASTLES
The castles of Scotland have witnessed everything from royal coronations and clan rivalries to lavish celebrations, and some still remain closely connected to the families who have lived in them for centuries. Through our local contacts, we can arrange private visits to selected historic residences, opening doors to rooms and collections rarely seen by the public. You might be shown around by a member of the family, hearing the stories behind ancestral portraits and objects collected over generations, or gain access to private apartments normally closed to visitors. In the grounds, there may be the opportunity to watch a falconry demonstration, wander through formal gardens or tackle a centuries-old maze. For a truly memorable occasion, some visits can even conclude with lunch hosted in the family's own rooms, giving you a glimpse of life behind the castle walls.
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WATCH A SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION ON A HIGHLAND FARM
On a working sheep farm near Inverness, generations of shepherding knowledge come to life in the remarkable partnership between farmer and dog. Against a backdrop of rolling fields and Highland hills, watch a team of highly trained border collies gather sheep across the slopes, responding to the shepherd's whistles and quiet commands with astonishing speed and precision. It is fascinating to see how the dogs anticipate the flock's movements, adjusting their pace and direction almost instinctively, while their handler explains the years of training behind such seemingly effortless teamwork. Afterwards, there is time to meet the dogs and chat with the family about the rhythms of farm life, from lambing season to the challenges of working in the Scottish weather.
