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Edinburgh Tattoo and the Highlands

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You are viewing the 2024 itinerary. Select your departure year
20242025
4 days From £1,015 per person
4.7 stars(6 reviews)
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Experience the grandeur of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the stunning landscapes of Highland Perthshire.

2024 Tour code: EPE24

About the tour

Experience the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo, with pipes and drums resonating from the castle's elevated setting. Based in charming Dunblane, peacefully situated in the Perthshire highlands, enjoy a heritage steam train journey, visit picturesque Pitlochry, and tour the Kinrara Gin Distillery with a tasting.

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Unforgettable experiences

Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Prepare for a breathtaking spectacle of entertainment, tradition, and music at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
Strathspey Steam Railway
Strathspey Steam Railway
Journey on the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway through the scenic beauty of mountains, forests, lochs, wildlife hotspots, and friendly villages.
Cairngorms
Cairngorms
Enjoy a guided tasting of award-winning, handcrafted local gins in the beautiful setting of the Cairngorms.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – The charming wee town of Dunblane

Our holiday begins today in the picturesque town of Dunblane. We meet our Tour Manager at our hotel this afternoon, and once we've checked in, there's time to get to know the town at leisure before dinner this evening. Our hotel is just a short walk from the Allan Water River, where you could enjoy a delightful riverside stroll. Next to the river, you'll discover an 11th-century cathedral standing among a cluster of old-world buildings, among them is Dean's House, a 17th-century structure that now hosts the cathedral museum, showcasing interesting exhibits on local history.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – The nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway and a taste of local history at the Kinrara Gin Distillery

Travelling to Aviemore today, we join the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway for a trip through the stunning sights of Cairngorms National Park. The carriages are beautifully restored, with comfortable seats and large windows, which let us marvel at the breathtaking scenery.

Snaking our way alongside the River Spey, we enjoy views of rolling hills blanketed by purple heather, the craggy top of Cairngorm Mountain, and the thick pine forests and wooded glens which line the tracks.

Following a round trip on the railway, we rejoin our coach and set off to the Kinrara Distillery, on the edge of the Cairngorm National Park. In these beautiful surroundings, we indulge in a hosted tasting experience to learn about the local history and ingredients that have inspired the distillery's craft gins. In the late afternoon, we drive back to our hotel with time to relax before dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Magnificent Stirling castle and the sensational Edinburgh Tattoo

After a relaxing morning at leisure, our coach picks us up early this afternoon for another culture-packed day. Heading toward Edinburgh, we stop at the impressive Stirling castle for a guided tour and time to wander the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, the Great Kitchens and tapestry studio. There are also beautiful gardens to explore and a lovely cafe where you could enjoy a hot drink and a bite to eat. Alternatively, you could walk down the hill into the centre of Stirling for lunch. Here, you could explore more of the city's history by meandering through its charming Old Town and wandering over the Old Stirling Bridge where Wallace defeated the British army.

Later this afternoon, our coach continues to lively Edinburgh. You're at leisure in Scotland's capital to get some dinner and explore before our Edinburgh Military Tattoo experience. It's easy to find restaurants and pubs anywhere in the city centre, however, for the most interesting areas we recommend heading to the top of the Old Town's Royal Mile, or the charming Rose Street and Princes Street in the New Town. If there's a particular place you'd like to eat, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Meeting up with our group again this evening, we settle into our seats for the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This remarkable event happens every year and brings together music, entertainment, and ceremonial performances. Watching in awe, we see the Scottish regiments' pipers and drummers performing together, the impressive Massed Bands of the Royal Marines, and a fantastic firework show - all with Edinburgh Castle magnificently illuminated behind them.

After an incredible spectacle, our coach takes us back to our hotel in Dunblane late this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Homeward bound

It's time to say goodbye to our Scottish adventure today. After breakfast, our holiday comes to an end and you can make your way home, taking new, fantastic memories with you. Or, if you're not ready to leave Highland Perthshire behind just yet, you could continue exploring the dramatic landscapes, ancient castles, and unspoilt nature at your own pace.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

The Doubletree by Hilton, Dunblane Hydro

The Doubletree by Hilton, Dunblane Hydro

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Train

Strathspey Steam Railway

Enhance your holiday

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Extending your holiday in Edinburgh

Reviews

4.7 stars4.7 / 5 · 6 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (5)
  2. 4 stars
    (0)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

B Derbyshire

5 stars

Submitted 29 Aug 2023

First time on a trip like this, very well organised and very friendly

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Peter Wroe

5 stars

Submitted 27 Aug 2023

A very enjoyable trip around the Highlands and the Edinburgh Tattoo. A very well organized trip.

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Peter Wroe
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Anita

5 stars

Submitted 22 Aug 2023

Superb hotel in great location. The Tattoo itself was expertly organised and exceeded our expectations on all levels

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Mrs Joanne Michelle Jones

5 stars

Submitted 22 Aug 2023

Fantastic hotel great well managed and timely tours with very pleasant and helpful guide Yvonne and the tattoo was breathtakingly good an excellent short break

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MRS PATRICIA MCEVOY

5 stars

Submitted 22 Aug 2023

It was very well organised with a great number of places to visit. When we went to Pitlochry it would have been nice to go earlier in the day so we had longer to look around. The time in Edinburgh was great to see some of the fringe

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MRS PATRICIA MCEVOY
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David Brown

3 stars

Submitted 21 Aug 2023

I sent an email with positive and negative feedback.

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