A winding river traverses a green valley, bordered by towering mountains under a clear blue sky

Scotland tours & holidays

Travel guide

It may be a ‘wee’ country, but we have plenty to explore in this land touched by Vikings, Romans and Royalty. Your trip to Scotland with Trafalgar will be marked by long days steeped in charming scenery and vibrant history, topped off with rustic cuisine still adored many centuries after its birth. We'll journey to the medieval city of Edinburgh, with its iconic castle perched on a hilltop, for a close encounter with kings and queens of the past. In Glasgow, the heave of vibrant culture and opportunity to embrace Scottish heritage will captivate. The wild and windswept Highlands gift us valleys and big skies that not even the dreariest of weather could ruin. Whilst the misty glens and lochs will pull us in with the dark tales they have to tell. Mysterious and captivating to the very core, the country of Scotland is a place you will savour.

 

Trending Scotland tours

Save up to $519

An uphill view of Edinburgh Castle and Ross Fountain
visit-rosslyn-chapel-edinburgh-scotland.jpg
enjoy-ceilidh-evening-dinner-see-scottish-piper-ghillie-dhu-scotland.jpg
scenic-drive-dinner-torphichen-scotland.jpg

4.5

Popular

Best of Scotland

7 Days

1 Country

9 Locations

7-Day Scotland Tour from Edinburgh to Glasgow

From

$2,966

Standard Price

$3,295

Save up to $775

A view of the Giant Causeway steps in Antrim, Northern Ireland
shannon-river-cruise-ireland.jpg
watch-trad-prom-galway-ireland.jpg
scenic-dinner-drive-galway-ireland.jpg

4.7

Highlights of Ireland and Scotland

11 Days

3 Countries

13 Locations

11-Day Ireland and Scotland Tour from Dublin to Edinburgh

From

$5,603

Standard Price

$6,225

A scenic view of a Scottish sheep landscape
visit-irish-countryside-glendalough-ireland.jpg
dinner-show-dublin-ireland.jpg
waterford-city-at-sunset-waterford-ireland.jpg

4.5

Popular

Best of Ireland and Scotland

15 Days

3 Countries

21 Locations

15-Day Ireland and Scotland Tour from Dublin to Edinburgh

From

$7,335

Standard Price

$8,150

Scotlands Highlands Islands and Cities Guided Tour
visit-rosslyn-chapel-edinburgh-scotland.jpg
enjoy-ceilidh-evening-dinner-see-scottish-piper-ghillie-dhu-scotland.jpg
scenic-drive-dinner-torphichen-scotland.jpg

4.6

Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities

13 Days

1 Country

20 Locations

13-Day Scotland Tour of Edinburgh, Orkney Islands, Isle of Skye and Glasgow​

From

$7,583

Standard Price

$8,425

Unedited Scotland tour reviews

Verified by

Your best Scotland tour starts here

Your best place to plan and book Scotland tours with complete ease.

Scotland experiences with Trafalgar

With Trafalgar, you’ll journey into the heart of each destination. Be My Guest invites you to connect with locals, while MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences let you positively impact communities. Plus, on many tours, you’ll overnight at Stays with Stories accommodations with tales as rich as the places you explore. Here are just a few of these unforgettable experiences on a Trafalgar Scotland tour.

Meet a Glencoe Ranger

Venture into Glencoe accompanied by a knowledgeable wildlife ranger for your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Delve into the intricate world of biodiversity, exploring the abundance of wildlife, from insects and invertebrates to mammals like otters and fallow deer. You’ll learn about the delicate balance of ecosystems and the fascinating behaviours of these creatures that call Glencoe home. Your visit advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. Experience on Scotland's Highlands, Islands and Cities.

Great Western Road Glasgow Scotland

Save today with our Scotland travel deals

Unlock big savings, giving you even more value for money with Trafalgar.

Coffee and Trafalgar brochure on the table

Get your free brochure

Find your next escape with the world's leading travel brand.

St. Peter Basilica and old bridge over river at sunset in Rome, Italy

Request a quote

Hear from one of our Travel Experts and take the first steps to finding your perfect tour.

As seen on

The Australian Logo
News.com.au Logo
Traveller Logo
Mindfood Logo
Escape Logo
Cattle eating grass on mountain meadow in Highlands, Scotland

Scotland at a glance

Come and explore the mysteries of Scotland, with ancient castles dotted across the magical Highlands, and thrilling stories of Romans, Vikings and mystical creatures

Currency

Pound Sterling

Capital City

Edinburgh

Winter avg

4°C

Language

English

Summer avg

15°C

Good morning

Good morning

Time Zone

GMT+1

Good evening

Good evening

With breathtaking scenery, hearty cuisine and ancient history and culture, it's easy to fall in love with Scotland. Join your expert Trafalgar Travel Director and roam the wild Highlands, misty glens, medieval cities and majestic castles in this land of Vikings, Romans and royalty.

Weather in Scotland

Discover the weather, temperatures, and seasonal trends across Scotland to plan your trip.

Our top 5 things to do in Scotland

You'll uncover plenty of natural beauty and human history on our vibrant trips to Scotland. Stroll Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, climb the rugged hills of Arthur's Seat and journey through the Highland wilderness.

Best museums in Scotland

Spend hours and days fascinated by the stories held in the museums of Scotland. Trafalgar's picks will prove these enthralling institutions shouldn't be saved for a cloudy day.

Best food in Scotland

If it seems like Scottish cuisine is designed to warm your insides, that’s because it is. Come sunshine or rain, the dishes you'll enjoy on our trips are just another reason to love Scotland.

What to pack for a tour in Scotland

Consider your environmental impact when you next take a trip and go single-use-plastic-free by packing a reusable water bottle, a steel straw, your own shopping bags and refillable toiletry bottles.

A man standing and packing suitcase next to a woman sitting on a bed

Walking shoes

Something comfortable and flat, with grip. There's a lot of exploring to do and the hills of Scotland are just as abundant in the cities as they are in the countryside.

Woolen socks

A couple of pairs of woollen socks will serve you well in Scotland. They're warm and thick but surprisingly light to carry, perfect for protecting feet from long walks or the country’s beloved cold stone floors.

Something warm

Even in the height of summer the Scottish night air has a bite. To make the most of your Scotland adventure, bring along a quality coat or jacket.

Hydralytes

Prepare to sample the finest whisky distilleries around with hydralytes. Enjoy a tipple or two or three and you will still be fresh for adventures the following morning.

Looking for inspiration?

ledard-farm-scotland.png

Embrace the spirit of the Scottish Highlands at Ledard Farm

scotland-september-travel.png

10 spots to visit when travelling to Scotland in September

burns-night-scotland.png

Ultimate guide to Burns Night: celebrating Scotland's national poet

outlander-locations-scotland.png

All the Outlander filming locations you can visit in Scotland

Frequently Asked Questions

Scotland is part of the UK. Travellers from the US, EU, Canada, Australia, and several other countries do not need a visa for stays under 6 months. Check the UK government website for specific requirements.

Visit in summer (June–August) for mild weather and long daylight hours. Edinburgh in August is especially popular, because of the vibrant month-long arts festival, Edinburgh Fringe. Spring (April–May) and Autumn (September–October) are great for beautiful landscapes and fewer crowds. Winter (November–March) is very cold, but great for festive celebrations like Hogmanay.

Scotland has a temperate maritime climate. Weather is unpredictable, and rain can occur year-round. Summers reach around 15–20°C (59–68°F), while winters are cold, but not freezing, with temperatures dropping to 0–5°C (32–41°F).

Scotland uses the British Pound Sterling (GBP). Scottish banks issue their own banknotes, which are legal tender across the UK.

Scotland uses Type G power outlets with a voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz. Visitors from outside the UK will need an adaptor.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, leaving 10–15% is common if service isn’t included. Rounding up taxi fares and tipping hotel staff is also customary.

ATMs are widely available in cities and towns. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Pack layers, waterproof clothing, and comfortable walking shoes. A warm jacket is essential, even in summer. Even more essential is an umbrella and scarf, as the winds and rains can come at any time of year.

Plan for at least 7 days to explore key cities and the Highlands. A 10–14 day Scotland tour package allows for in-depth exploration of islands and remote areas. If you can fit the Isle of Skye into your itinerary, do so - it's one of the most beautiful and famous parts of Scotland.

No, Scotland is part of the UK, which left the EU in 2020.

The shortest distance between Scotland and Northern Ireland is around 12 miles (19 km) across the North Channel.

We highly recommend guests purchase travel insurance prior to your trip. Please ensure you add the details of your insurance to the My Trafalgar portal. 
Your insurance should cover trip interruption, personal injury, medical expenses, and evacuation and repatriation cover including during pandemic events. 

Trafalgar Tours Limited is a proud member of The Travel Corporation family of companies.
#SimplyTrafalgar
Travel House, Rue du Manoir St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 2JH

Copyright 2026 Trafalgar. All rights reserved.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is a trademark of The TreadRight Foundation, registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions, and is being used under license

Logo Treadright Blackttc-logo-tour-brand.svgIATA Logo blacklogo_cato_white_export_01-1.svglogo_atia_white_export_01-1.svg