EDINBURGH AND SURROUNDS SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Duration: 6-8 hours in full.
Itinerary Summary
My Edinburgh sightseeing tour provides takes in the magnificent Holyrood Palace, home to Scottish and British monarchs over the centuries; and Scotland’s most iconic castle, Edinburgh Castle. We discover Edinburgh’s 18th-century Georgian “New Town” and the medieval “Old Town” and St Giles Cathedral, admiring the architecture and learning about some of the rich history of Scotland’s capital city. A scenic drive around Arthur’s Seat in Queen’s park, a slice of wilderness amazingly in the middle of the city, provides splendid views of the cityscape. We now venture to the old fishing village of Queensferry, a few miles outside of Edinburgh where we view the magnificent Victorian engineering feat and World Heritage Site Forth Rail Bridge. We then journey to North Queensferry on the other side of the Firth of Forth for a close up look at the steel structure of the Forth Bridge. Next stop is Hopetoun House (Apr-Oct), regarded as one of Scotland’s finest stately homes and residence of the Hope family for over 300 years and the current Lord Hopetoun. We then journey to the ruins of the ancient Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of the Mary Queen of Scots and one of the main residences of Scottish monarchs in the 15th and 16th century. We then proceed on to Blackness Castle jutting out onto the Firth of Forth; known as the ship that never sailed, this medieval fortress built by the powerful Crichton family, has served as formidable artillery fortification, military garrison, port and prison.
Tour Customisation Activities
Glenkinchie distillery: A single malt whisky distillery in East Lothian, it is one of the six distilleries in the Lowland region. Also known as the ‘Edinburgh malt’. In the beautiful countryside setting, take a tour of distillery.
Maid of the Forth boat cruise (Mar-Oct): Take a spectacular 90 minute sightseeing cruise, where you will cruise under all three Forth Bridges and down towards Inchcolm Island. By far the best way to view the magnificent engineering of the bridges.
Hopetoun House entry (Apr-Oct): Visit the rooms filled with stunning collections and majestic grounds with nature trails and scenic walks.
Linlithgow Palace entry: Step inside the ruins of Mary Queen of Scots’ birthplace and gain unique insights into the domestic life of Scottish royalty. See the ornate fountain where it was said wine once flowed. Enjoy open views from the tower over the loch.
Rosslyn Chapel: One of the most mysterious and magical chapels on earth, the intricacy and perfection of stonework craftsmanship at the 15th century Rosslyn Chapel is a wonder to behold. There’s the connection to the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail and the enigmatic carvings including faces of ‘Green Men’ and of ‘New World’ crops. The site became world famous with the issue of Dan Brown’s novel, the Da Vinci Code.