The Scottish Highlands: From the Cairngorms to Edinburgh

Arrive in Inverness for 1pm, where you can either be picked up in the city centre or at the airport, and meet your guide and fellow solo travellers. Your Scottish adventure then starts with a scenic cycle along the River Ness. Absorb beautiful views of the river unfolding before you, before crossing over to the Ness Islands, with their dappled forests and meandering paths. From here, you’ll continue the journey onwards to the Inverness Botanical Gardens, down the Caledonian Canal and finally out to Moray Firth on the northern coast. Savour a special moment watching wild dolphins leap and swim in their natural habitat. Then, it’s onto Kingussie, where you’ll check into your hotel before a three-course welcome feast in a traditional Scottish pub.

This morning, drive an hour west to Bruar Canyon, whose deep blue waters lend the region a serene beauty. Threaded with waterfalls, pools and natural rock flumes, this is a brilliant location for canyoning – which you’ll experience for yourself as you swim, abseil and climb your way through this wilderness playground. This afternoon’s activity? A spot of pigeon shooting (clay ones, naturally) and axe throwing on the atmospheric Ardverikie Estate, complete with views of the shimmering loch and rolling mountains.

Your first activity this morning will see you hiking in the Cairngorms National Park, under the guidance of a local mountain ranger. As you make your way deeper into the Scottish Highlands, your guide will bring the region to life with histories and tales of the mountains. Savour epic views of your surroundings, with Ben Macdui – the UK’s second highest mountain – well within sight. Then, it’s back down to base camp for a replenishing pub lunch, followed by the perfect indulgent experience: a whisky and chocolate tasting in Scotland’s highest distillery. Dating back to 1897, Dalwhinnie Distillery has survived through countless cold winters to consistently produce some of Scotland’s finest, honey-hued whisky. Such decadence deserves a fitting finale, so tonight you’ll bed down in an elegant rural castle hotel, with a spa at your disposal and atmospheric highland views unfolding before you.

This morning, you’ll make a scenic three-hour drive down to Edinburgh, where you’ll enjoy a walking tour of the city. From the atmospheric alleys of the Royal Mile to the medieval castle, Edinburgh is laden with historical intrigue – the perfect city to keep exploring at leisure, as our tour officially comes to its end. Whether you wish to extend your adventure in Edinburgh, or fly onto one of our bestselling Europe destinations, we’ll leave it with you.