Scottish Highlands Easygoing Walking Tour
Dolce Tempo Journey in Edinburgh, St Andrews & Loch Lomond
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 1-2
Premiere Hotels
From: $5,799 - $6,199 pp dbl occ
($1,250 - $1,350 for sgl occ)
Regal castles and moody mountains. Lofty crags reflected in shimmering lakes. Walks in remote corners of rugged wilderness. The ancient Kingdom of Fife, with its rich maritime history, bucolic beauty and historic seaside town of St Andrews. Three luxurious hotels, two spectacular national parks, one incredible trip. Join us and experience the Scottish Highlands.
Scotland
Start/End Edinburgh
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
Refreshingly Active Adventures
Morning strolls and afternoon rambles in pristine Scottish landscapes, from The Cairngorms to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Parks. There’s no better way to experience the Highlands.
Immersive Travel
Discover ages-old footpaths and feel history come to life. Connect with locals over a spot of tea or a dram of Scotch whiskey. Explore the picturesque Perthshire town of Dunkeld.
Unique Hotels & Delectable Dining
Savor dinners fit for royalty and the simple joys of a local pub. Off the trail, vacation at an impossibly charming family-run hotel, a seaside hotel in historic St Andrews and then a luxury resort on iconic Loch Lomond.
Itinerary
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Set out from the lovely historic villages of Dunkeld and Birnam, planned by the Dukes of Atholl in the 1700s, now the gateway to the Scottish Highlands | Walk through picturesque deciduous woodlands along the River Braan to beautiful Black Linn waterfall and its confluence with the River Tay | Take in the spectacular natural beauty of the Royal Deeside and Cairngorms National Parks | On the way to her Balmoral estate, trace the route of Queen Victoria | Explore the Muir of Dinnet and sparkling Loch Kinord | Circumnavigate Burn O'Vat, a glacial pothole formed after the last ice-age with a long history as a hiding place for fugitives, including outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor | Toss a caber at the Highland Games Centre in Braemar, where the Braemar Gathering has been a highlight on the sporting calendar since 1832.
Set on a sunny wooded slope of Craigendarroch, creature comforts and serenity are on offer at this family-run hotel.
Explore an authentic Scottish landscape of spittals, moors, hills, heaths, bogs and glens in Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the UK | Stroll along the sparkling River Dee to the historic town of Braemar, home of the Highland Games | Try your hand at caber toss, a favorite of the royal family | Take in glorious views of the Grampian Mountain range, whose peaks are often shrouded in mist | Settle into an elegant resort with views of the sea and easy access to the historic town of St Andrews | Experience a bagpipe demonstration by a local friend whose family has handcrafted instruments for generations.
One of Scotland's leading hotels, the refined and elegant Old Course overlooks West Sands Beach and St Andrews's world-famous golf course. (pool, spa)
Discover the picturesque bens, glens and lakes of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park | Visit Kellie Castle and wonder at the majestic library ceiling—one of the oldest ornamental plaster ceilings in Scotland | See the long-concealed mural by Phoebe Anna Traquair and explore the Arts & Crafts garden filled with the smell of roses | Set out on a stunning coastal walk through Anstruther to Pittenweem, admiring the rocky shoreline and quintessential Scottish fishing villages | Arrive at the exquisite Cameron House, a resort bursting with Gothic grandeur | Ramble through Cashel Forest for awe-inspiring views of Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps (and Glasgow on a clear day) | Stroll the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond before returning to Edinburgh.
An elegant resort and golf course set on the shore of shimmering Loch Lomond. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
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From our Guests
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Activity Level: 1-2
Our Dolce Tempo walking activities allow you to leisurely explore local hidden gems and to get away from the crowds, experiencing the essence of your location on your own terms and at your own pace. Easier than our other trips, but still wonderfully active, route options typically include 2-3 hours of walking per day. Your trip is fully supported with dedicated Trip Leaders, vans, meticulously selected routes and downloadable GPS files available for use on your own device.
Route notes
The walking terrain on this trip is mostly rolling, with some moderate and occasionally steep ascents and descents. Many of our routes are on uneven narrow and rocky trails and dirt paths that can be wet, muddy and boggy. We also traverse some steep mountain paths with rocky outcrops. Please note that on most days the van will be unable to intersect the route.
Daily Activity Options
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage