Top Scotland Culture - page 4

Uncover a different side of Edinburgh and learn about its dark past with this guided walking ghost tour. Uncover the mysteries, legends, murders, and dark stories over the centuries, including stories about corpses, serial killers, witches, fairies, as you walk along the Royal Mile, with stops at the Old Calton Cemetery and Canongate Kirkyard.

Even if you’ve only got limited time in Edinburgh, it's still possible to see the breadth of the city’s natural landscapes. Cover more sights in less time during a bike ride which takes you from Arthur’s Seat to the beaches of Portobello and the Port of Leith. Plus, you’ll be able to choose between an electric or manual bike, depending on your fitness level.

Swap the crowds of the Royal Mile for a more intimate view of Edinburgh. This small-group tour takes you to some of the city's most atmospheric (and less-visited) neighborhoods, including the picturesque Dean Village. You'll discover hidden alleyways, quirky cafes, and historic buildings and take a wander along the city's only river.

Step off the tourist trail and explore the Scottish capital’s hidden secrets on this underground walking tour in Edinburgh. Follow a guide from the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town down below street level, where a series of ancient vaults lie. As you explore the dark passageways, learn why the vaults were built, hear of the poor souls who sought refuge in the depths and discover a hidden witchcraft temple. Gain insight into city life during the 18th century, and learn of the deadly diseases which threatened Edinburgh’s inhabitants.

Explore Scotland's rugged countryside and sample the nation's favorite beverage on this guided Highlands and whisky tour from Edinburgh. Make photo stops in quaint villages and at natural attractions including dense forests, sparkling rivers, and tall waterfalls as you head north toward Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery for a tour and taste.

Edinburgh's underground network of vaults, which dates from the 1700s, is one of the most fascinating parts of the city to explore. To truly understand these former slum dwellings, and their dark histories, you need to explore them in the company of a guide who can provide all of the necessary context, background information and spooky stories.

This Edinburgh city sightseeing tour offers a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus experience with an open-top double-decker bus and audio commentary in multiple languages. Hop on and off at key stops including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. Buses run every 20 minutes with tickets valid for 24 hours from first use, providing flexible sightseeing at your own pace.

Explore St. Andrews and the pretty fishing villages of Fife, without the hassle of navigating, on this multi-stop day trip from Edinburgh. All in one day, discover pretty coastal villages before exploring historic St. Andrews. Enjoy free time to explore its castle and cathedral ruins, stroll along the harbor, or soak up the sunshine at your leisure. Afterward, travel through the pretty Lomond Hills en route back to Edinburgh.

Explore the ancestral home of Scottish monarchs on a private full-day tour of the Fife Coast, Dunfermline, and St. Andrews. From Edinburgh, you’ll travel through the dramatic Scottish countryside and absorb panoramic views of the Forth Rail Bridge and the ruins of Dunfermline Abbey. Surrender to the picturesque charm of East Neuk, a rugged stretch of coastline peppered with quaint villages, and delve into the medieval history of St Andrews, considered the religious capital of Scotland. On this private tour, you’ll receive undivided attention from your guide.

Witness dramatic landscapes and majestic castles on a full-day trip through Scotland’s West Highlands from Edinburgh. With a knowledgeable guide, soak up stunning scenery from the rugged Breadalbane Mountains to The Trossachs National Park. Visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scottish heroes and rebels. Movie buffs will love the visit to Doune Castle, film site of Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

Embark on a quick and fun ride through Edinburgh's rich literary history. This literature-themed pub crawl through Edinburgh's Old and New Towns is led by a couple of actors who will bring such figures as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson to vivid life as you journey in and out of Edinburgh's most atmospheric pubs, courtyards, and hidden alleyways.

Combine the magic of Harry Potter with the history of the Scottish borders on this day trip from Edinburgh. Ideal for fans of the world’s favorite wizard, this tour takes care of transportation, leaving you free to admire Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle, a filming location featured in both Harry Potter and Downton Abbey. You'll venture beyond the capital's crowds and visit parts of the country that many first-time visitors often overlook.

Take a break from the city and head into the Scottish Highlands for a taste of Scotch whiskies often missed by visitors. In addition to navigating, your guide acts as designated driver so that you can fully enjoy the tastings. Between distillery visits, break up the day with a midday stop to explore Aberfeldy. Round-trip transport from Edinburgh is included for your convenience. Note that in January, Glenturret Distillery is replaced by Blair Athol Distillery. Admission fees for distillery tours are not included.

This 'Harry Potter' walking tour gets fans closer to spots in Edinburgh that inspired J.K Rowling’s famous books. Walk past key sites that inspired places such as Diagon Alley, and even see the cafes and hotels where the writer wrote her book series. Your guide knows the quickest ways to get around the city on foot to fit more into your time, as well as fun facts about Harry Potter.

Experience the legend and mystery of Rosslyn Chapel and its links to the “Da Vinci Code” and the Holy Grail on this tour from Edinburgh. In a small group, travel to the charming town of Melrose and through the Scottish borderlands. Explore Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel, and hear intriguing tales of Cistercian monks, the Knights Templar, and Robert the Bruce.

Skip the guesswork of exploring Edinburgh on your own with a private walking tour led by a local guide. Discover the city’s past and present through its royal history and memorable characters—some of whom inspired well-known books and stories—while visiting highlights on and off the Royal Mile, including the area around Greyfriars Kirk. Along the way, get personalized recommendations on where to eat and drink, and enjoy a relaxed pace with one-on-one attention tailored to couples, families, and small groups.

Discover the secrets of Edinburgh as a local host accompanies you during this private, personalized experience. Learn about a more authentic side to the city that many travelers won’t see, visiting both popular attractions and hidden spots over the course of a day. The schedule is flexible, so make your own sightseeing suggestions or take advantage of your host’s insider insight and recommendations.

If you’re a history buff, no visit to Edinburgh is complete without a tour of Edinburgh Castle. Receive personalized attention on a private 3-hour tour, during which you’ll delve deep into the history of the Edinburgh icon and avoid long lines often in excess of two hours with a pre-booked entrance ticket. Plus, you’re guide collects you from your hotel to prevent you getting lost in Edinburgh’s winding streets.

Edinburgh’s stately streets hide a darker, more mysterious side of the city, rooted in its 18th-century slums, ‘wynds,’ (alleyways), and vaults. This 75-minute tour takes you back in time to this shadowy world, exploring dark cobbled lanes, a haunted cemetery, and underground vaults. As you explore, your costumed guide shares captivating tales of the city’s history, along with stories of ghosts, murders, crimes, and more.

The Speyside region of northeast Scotland is renowned for its single malt whiskies, but enjoying them typically requires designating a driver. Skip the hassle on a private tour that allows you to fully immerse yourself in Scotland’s whisky-making history and heritage as you visit three Speyside distilleries in one day. Visit distilleries such as Macallan, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, or Aberlour; learn about the whisky-making process; and sample a selection of different whiskies.

No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a stop at the Edinburgh Vaults—aka South Bridge Vaults—the 18th-century underground chambers that lie far below the city. But independent visits aren't allowed. On this underground walking tour, hear tales of this dark and almost-forgotten place below one of Edinburgh’s busiest thoroughfares. See evidence of excavated storage spaces, human habitation, taverns with wine vaults and more.

Discover the nature and neolithic history of the West Mainland of Orkney with this guided tour. Setting off in a group of up to eight travellers, this experience takes guests to a selection of the Scottish island’s hotspots. Ideal for those exploring the highlands for the first time and want to get a real flavor of the area.

Discover the key attractions of Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands on a small-group tour from Glasgow, blending nature, history, and culture for an immersive Scottish experience. Benefit from all-inclusive swift transportation, optimizing your time at each location. Itinerary highlights include a brief hike on the West Highland Way, a stroll along Loch Lomond's banks, and a tour of one of Hollywood's favorite filming locations, Glencoe.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlights on this small-group tour from Edinburgh that takes you to Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. Soak up the scenery as you journey through dramatic landscapes, make plenty of photo stops, and enjoy the freedom to explore Fort Augustus, set on the banks of Loch Ness, at your own pace.