4-Day Scottish Castles Experience Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
Overview
Available languages
4 days
Mobile ticket
Feel like a lord or lady as you wander through castles and manor houses. Stride ancient battlefields like a sword-wielding Highlander. And relive Scotland’s history defining moments of conceit and treachery as you listen to your driver-guide’s epic tales.
On this tour, you’ll join the ranks of esteemed history lovers while you travel through glens and mountain passes. You visit Scotland’s most impressive castles, tower forts, and palaces. And you even get a chance to visit a distillery that was started by one of the pioneering women in the whisky industry.
This small group tour is your ticket into Scotland’s medieval past and royal history.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
We apologise, but we cannot accommodate children under 5 years old on our tours. Children under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult. Please note that if this policy is not followed, we will have to refuse travel without issuing a refund. Thank you for understanding
Please note: you will be required to choose between either a Bed and Breakfast or 3-star hotel at time of booking
Booking three or more people? We can accommodate up to 8 guests in a group, please add each required room to your basket separately. To ensure that bookings for passengers traveling together are not separated, please inform us if you have multiple bookings.
When booking three or more people, efforts will be made to book a combination of suitable rooms (double/twin/family). Preferences should be noted upon booking in the Special Requirements section
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Admission to Falkland Palace. Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Fyvie Castle, Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield, Blair Castle and Gardens included in a tour price.
Cardhu Distillery tour and tasting included in a tour price.
B&Bs tend to be located on the outskirts of towns and you should be prepared for a 20-30 minute walk to local facilities like pubs and restaurants. If you have difficulty with stairs, please mention it to us as lifts will not be available in this type of property. Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
Hotels usually have a relatively central location but may be up to a 20-30 minute walk from local facilities. If you have difficulty with stairs, please let us know so that we can either book a ground floor room or a hotel with lift access, if available.
*Please note that Blair Castle will be closed on 5 October 2026, we will visit Scone Palace instead.
*Please note that if your tour departs on 1 May, Cardhu Distillery will be closed, so we will visit Glenlivet instead.
What To Expect
Edinburgh - Dunnottar Castle - St. Andrews - Aberdeen
Accommodations
Overnight in Aberdeen.
Falkland Palace & Garden
The palace was the countryside home for many of the Stuart royalty. They would make use of the woodland areas in the vicinity to hunt.
St. Andrews
Chance to get lunch and explore the cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.
Dunnottar Castle
This is the archetypical Scottish castle. Mystrerious, ruined, and beautiful.
A full day at Royal Deeside
Accommodations
Overnight in Aberdeen.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Castle Fraser Garden & Estate
Stand before one of the largest tower houses in the land. Dating from the 15th century, Castle Fraser is a fabulous place to soak up the atmosphere of old Scotland and its colourful stories. Enjoy panoramic views and discover quirky features such as secret staircases, hidden trapdoors, a spy hole and a wooden leg.
Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate
Crathes Castle is every inch the classic Scottish tower house, and a fantastic day out for all the family! Discover a labyrinth of cultural history, from portraits and antique furniture to painted ceilings. Explore the famous garden and enjoy a walk through the wider estate.
Fyvie Castle - Elgin - Culloden - Forres
Accommodations
Overnight in Nairn.
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Fyvie Castle
A magnificent fortress in the heart of Aberdeenshire, Fyvie Castle’s 800-year history is rich in legends, folklore and even ghost stories. Discover the amazing collection of antiquities, armour and lavish oil paintings. Stroll around the picturesque loch, or visit the restored glass-roofed racquets court and ice house.
Elgin
Chance to have lunch. If you are a history lover, make sure to marvel at the intricated carvings of a weathered Pictish stone, standing on the grounds of the ruined Elgin Cathedral.
Culloden Battlefield
Visit the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Explore the interactive visitor centre, view fascinating artefacts from both sides of the confrontation, and experience the battle in their immersive surround cinema.
Clava Cairns
A short distance away is Clava Cairns, an ancient complex of ring cairns and standing stones said to inspire the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in Outlander.
Cardhu Distillery - Blair Castle & Gardens - Perthshire - Edinburgh
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Cardhu Distillery
First distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. *Please note that Cardhu silent season will run from 29 September to 17 October. During this time, tours of the production facilities will not be available. Instead, the group will enjoy animated videos and whisky samples
Blair Castle & Gardens
Gardens, antlers, and gory battles: delve into Scottish history at this famous castle.
Perthshire
Perthshire - home to some of the most remarkable woodlands, and have a break in one of the picturesque towns.
Options
B&B Double Room
Double en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 large bed).
Hotel Single Occupancy Room
Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 x single bed).
Hotel Double Room
Double en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (1 large bed).
Hotel Twin Room
Twin en-suite room with breakfast in a 3-star Hotel (2 x separate single beds).
B&B Twin Room
Stay in twin en-suite room (2 x separate single beds) guesthouse accommodation with breakfast.
B&B Single Occupancy Room
Accommodates 1 person in a single en-suite room with breakfast in a B&B (1 x single bed).
What‘s Included
Transportation by top of the range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach (small groups max 16 passengers)
3 nights en-suite accommodation in a B&B or 3-star Hotel (breakfast included)
Flavour Journey tour and Tasting at Cardhu Distillery
Admission to Castle Fraser
Admission to Blair Castle and Garden
Admission to Fyvie Castle
Professional driver guide
Admission to Culloden Visitor Centre, Museum & Battlefield
Admission to Crathes Castle
Admission to Falkland Palace
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Meals and refreshments
Admission fees unless specified
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 21 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 21 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
18 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Rabbies small group tour is the way to see the most!
Lisa Kay S,Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rabbies small group tour is the way to go! You get to know your group and the experience feels exclusive to you. There were no crowds in one of the busiest times for Scottish tourism because our guide Jim Divine plan and curated our tour so we could beat the crowd of massive tour buses. He pointed out things to look for (as in dont miss this) and we were allowed ample time to see each castle. Scotland is amazing!
Best ever!!! That is...
Ruth S,Jun 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Best ever!!! That is because our tour guide Sean Gordon was absolutely amazing!!!! One very well versed and knowledgeable guide that can weave history into an incredible story!!
Amazing tour with Sean Gordon.
Jason L,May 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing tour. Sean Gordon is a direct descendent and member of the House of Gordon. He is extremely knowledgeable and a fantastic storyteller. The castles were remarkable and his insight added a lot of depth. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Fantastic Scottish tour
X6615CEpaolop,Sep 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Fantastic tour to Scottish Castles; Edinburgh fascinating, but the charm of Highland landscapes is unparalleled.
Definitely recommend this tour
Z1282UZannem,Aug 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had Jim Devine as our driver and guide. Not only was he an excellent driver but his knowledge of the fantastic places we visited brought them all to life fir the 8 of us
Jim Divine Castles Tour, July 24
HailHailFreedonia,Jul 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose this tour group at random, and we're sure glad we did! The four day castles tour was a magnificent experience, and our driver Jim Divine certainly lived up to his name! The castles themselves are absolutely fantastic, and the organizations that maintain them make it a friendly and welcoming experience for all! Be mindful of accessibility warnings though, there are some windy, wonky stairs and a good bit of walking. Jim had a wealth of knowledge to share, ranging from historic to mythical, but they were all engaging and set the scene well before each stop we made. He was a proficient and safe driver who ensured we were all safely buckled and boarded for the next stop. Additionally, he packed in a few extra stops on the days we were ahead of schedule so we could see some ancient Pictish carvings, several cathedrals, and quaint little towns. Overall, this was an amazing tour and we will be recommending it to everyone we know!
Rabbies tour guides are top-notch!
ChathamCouple,Sep 7, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jim Devine was our tour guide and driver. The tour was amazing but Jim went the extra mile for us. We were to see the Brodie Castle but the stop did not include an inside tour. Our last name is Brodie so this was highly important to us that we see inside. Jim arranged for us to get a partial tour inside. We were only able to purchase 4 tour guides (souvenirs for family members back home) from the gift shop but we wanted 5. When we returned to the tour bus, Jim surprised us by telling us he didn't know if we had time to buy a tour guide so he bought one for us at the Welcome Centre and didn't want us to pay him!!! Of course we did pay him. That truly went above and beyond helping to make tourists' experience the best it could be. Thank you again, Jim, for your thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity. I tell this story over and over again now that we're back in Canada. About the tour itinerary, I wish we had been allowed more time at the Brodie Castle and that all our tour mates could have had a tour inside. This was one of the main reasons we travelled to Scotland and it was rushed and stressful. From the little we did see, it had a gorgeous interior. We are grateful Jim arranged for us to see what little we could.
Great Rabbies 4-day tour of castles, glens and distillery in the Aberdeen area
fringewalker,Aug 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are looking for a great castle visiting experience this is a great choice. If you lucky enough to have Jim Devine as your tour guide and driver, you have hit the jackpot. Jim, is very, very knowledgeable on the history of the castles and the area you are traveling through. He is a very friendly and a good sport. You will go to amazing castles of all types from castles with incredible rooms and displays, to ancient ruins of castles. The accommodations were very good especially in the small town of Foress. If you choose this tour, you will definitely enjoy it.
You can't do better than Jim
Luke T,Aug 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Take this trip with Jim Divine! Jim is a seriously talented storyteller who really knows his history. He clearly has travelled every inch of Scotland and is generous in sharing his knowledge. I could not recommend this more!
Highly Recommended
Phader240,Aug 18, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was my first time to Scotland, and first time ever seeing any castles in person. I was blown away! We stopped at 5 or 6 locations each day, learning the history of the country as well as the people who shaped it. Along the way we ate some great food, met some really good people, made a few friends, and saw tons of breathtaking scenery. Our tour guide Jim Divine is an absolute legend! He was funny, interesting, and kept us engaged the whole time. His experience, extensive knowledge, and Scottish charm made this trip great trip even better. He took us not only to touristy areas, but also slightly off the beaten path which was very interesting. Perfect balance of time spent on the bus vs time spent at each stop. Accommodations were also great. Highly recommend!
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