Whisky & Golf Tour of Scotland

(12 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Northern Highlands (Dornoch), Royal Deeside (The Fife Arms)

This private luxury golf tour of Scotland features an ideal combination of private city touring in Edinburgh, tee times at some of the most renowned courses in Scotland, visits to top Speyside and Highland whisky distilleries, and scenic and cultural touring in St. Andrews and the Northern Highlands. Accommodation is at the best hotels and resorts in each location.

Begin in Edinburgh, the stunning capital of Scotland, with a stay in a sophisticated city hotel. During flexible touring with your private guide, tour the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See iconic Edinburgh Castle and walk along the Royal Mile, the road leading from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Explore historic buildings, as well as the narrow closes (alleys) and stairways that connect different levels of the city. Visit shops specializing in wool tweed and other distinctive Scottish products. Depending on your interests, you might like to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch; visit the Royal Botanic Garden or National Gallery; tour the unusual architecture of the Scottish Parliament Building and other contemporary design highlights in the city; or hike up an extinct volcano for panoramic views of Edinburgh and the nearby Firth of Forth tidal bay. For travelers visiting in August, Artisans of Leisure can arrange tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo or performances at the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Continue to St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf and a charming university town on the northeast coast of Fife. Artisans of Leisure will arrange tee times at St. Andrews Links, a legendary complex of courses that includes the iconic Old Course, the New Course, the Jubilee Course, the Castle Course and the Eden Course. We can also arrange golf at other renowned courses near St. Andrews, such as Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and Dumbarnie. During private touring, learn more about the history of the game at the R&A World Golf Museum and take a private walking tour of the Old Course. Visit the University of St. Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university, and walk among the atmospheric ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral and St. Andrews Castle. Another option is privately touring Dundee, including its historic waterfront and the V&A Dundee, an outpost of London's Victoria & Albert Museum dedicated to showcasing Scottish design.

Next, you will be transferred to the Northern Highlands, stopping en route to visit Inverness, tour the Battle of Culloden historical site or see Cawdor Castle, a historic Scottish manor known for its gardens and literary connections to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Continue to Dornoch, a seaside town in Sutherland with a rich golf heritage dating from the 17th century. One morning, Artisans of Leisure will arrange a round of golf at Royal Dornoch Golf Club, considered one of Scotland’s finest links courses. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange golf at other historic courses in the Sutherland region, such as Tain Golf Club, Golspie Golf Club, Brora Golf Club and the Nairn Golf Club. During private touring in the area, see spectacular Highlands scenery, ancient standing stones and quaint fishing villages. Also enjoy whisky tastings at Glenmorangie Distillery or other Highland whisky distilleries in the region. Other options include touring the historic town of Dornoch and taking an excursion to Dunrobin Castle, the home of the Dukes of Sutherland since the early 1300s. During time at leisure, Artisans of Leisure can arrange activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, horseback riding, biking and shooting.

Continue to Royal Deeside and The Fife Arms, a luxurious restored inn decorated with contemporary art and traditional Scottish antiques and decorative arts assembled by the owners, who cofounded the acclaimed Hauser & Wirth art gallery. One day, enjoy a tasting tour of favorite Speyside whisky distilleries such as Glenfiddich, Glenlivet, Cardhu, Aberlour and Macallan. Alternatively, see beautiful Highlands scenery in Cairngorms National Park and visit towns such as Braemar, famous for the Braemar Gathering (Scotland’s most prestigious Highland Games) and Ballater, a picturesque village with strong connections to the British royal family. Another option is seeing Balmoral Castle, the private Scottish residence of the royal family since the 19th century, and warming up with a dram of whisky at Royal Lochnagar Distillery next to the Balmoral estate.

Return to Edinburgh for additional touring or shopping customized to your interests.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Edinburgh Full-day private city tour Day 3 Edinburgh – St. Andrews Morning flexible touring. Private transfer to hotel for 3 nights with touring en route Day 4 St. Andrews Morning round of golf. Afternoon private tour Day 5 St. Andrews Morning round of golf. Afternoon at leisure Day 6 St. Andrews – Northern Highlands Private transfer to Dornoch hotel for 3 nights with flexible touring en route Day 7 Northern Highlands Morning round of golf. Afternoon scenic and cultural touring Day 8 Northern Highlands Morning round of golf. Afternoon at leisure Day 9 Northern Highlands – Royal Deeside Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 10 Royal Deeside Full-day private tour focused on distillery visits Day 11 Royal Deeside – Edinburgh Private transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 12 Depart Edinburgh Private airport transfer

Hotels

Edinburgh: The Balmoral Hotel or Gleneagles Townhouse St. Andrews: Old Course Hotel Northern Highlands: Dornoch Station Royal Deeside: The Fife Arms

Costs

$25,110 Per person (double occupancy)