Castles and Kilts - 10 day tour
Castles and Kilts
10 day / 9 night
This one-way tour links the capital cities of London and Edinburgh with a little bit of magic for Harry Potter fans of all ages! Start the journey with a relaxed three-night stay in London, complete with a whole day to discover on your own. See the dreaming spires of Oxford, then travel to stately Bath. A real highlight is a stay at historic Ruthin Castle, where we dine like Lords and Ladies! Explore the beauty of the Lake District before heading to Scotland to discover Edinburgh, its historic Capital City.
London - during your three-night stay, enjoy a Harry Potter themed tour and a free day to explore on your own
Lacock - visit this pretty village to see Harry Potter’s house
Liverpool - enjoy a fun-packed day in the home of the Fab Four
Tatton Park - explore this elegant manor house set within a 1,000-acre deer park
Edinburgh – join a local expert for an in-depth tour of Scotland’s Capital City
Movie locations - Harry Potter, Mary Poppins and Brave
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Welcome to London
One of the most exciting capital cities in the world is waiting to be discovered! After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore.
This evening, meet with your fellow travellers and Travel Director at the hotel. Tonight we will take you out for a fun evening at a popular London restaurant for your Kick-Off Party.
Your Travel Director will explain all the cool things you can do in London.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Kings Cross, London (or similar) (3 nights)
Day 2 - London Sightseeing
Your Local Expert shows you the city's sights, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey.
Visit the location of the red telephone box where Harry Potter and Mr Weasley descend into the secret Ministry of Magic in the ''Order of the Phoenix''.
Admire the magical platform 9 ¾ sign where Harry catches the Hogwarts Express! Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (subject to the event taking place).
Later, after free time for lunch at St Katherine's Dock near Tower Bridge, visit the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels.
Day 3 - Explore London
Today you are free to explore the city on your own.
Perhaps visit Tate Modern or the scary London Dungeon. Shop for fashions in the West End, pop into the most famous toy store in the world – Hamleys on Regent Street – or take a day trip to Windsor Castle.
Afterwards, you might like to take an optional experience to The London Eye for fantastic views across this amazing city or take a cruise along the Thames.
The options are endless, and your Travel Director will be happy to help.
Day 4 - London - Oxford - Bath
Travel west to Oxford for an orientation of this famous university city. Kings, Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers have all studied here, and you may even have the chance to look inside one of the historic halls (if students are not sitting exams).
Later travel to picturesque Lacock in rural Wiltshire – one of England''s most beautiful villages.
Walk in Harry Potter's footsteps to see his house and other historic buildings used as locations in recent films. Perhaps take time to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea and cake in one of the local tea rooms before arriving in Bath for a relaxing overnight stay.
Overnight: Hilton City Hotel, Bath (or similar)
Day 5 - Bath - Llangollen - Ruthin Castle
Your orientation of Bath includes the Pulteney Bridge and famous Georgian architecture. Visit the Roman Baths and Pump Room and see Bath Abbey, founded in 1499.
Cross the border into Wales and visit the town of Llangollen, famous for its annual Eisteddfod.
Travel over the picturesque Horseshoe Pass to reach the fantastic medieval-style Ruthin Castle that is your home for the next two nights!
Tonight enjoy a Welsh themed dinner with your fellow travellers.
Overnight: Ruthin Castle, Ruthin (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 6 - Excursion to Liverpool
Spend the day exploring Liverpool.
There are many things to see and do, including the free World Museum and the Merseyside Maritime Museum featuring a gallery devoted to the story of the Titanic.
Consider joining an optional experience which takes in sites further afield from the city centre, including Liverpool Cathedral and Mathew Street, the birthplace of The Beatles.
Later return to your castle for free time to relax in the extensive grounds.
Day 7 - Ruthin Castle - Tatton Park - Lancaster
Visit Tatton Park for a unique insight into an elegant mansion house set in 1,000-acre deer park, where the butler and housekeeper take you on a guided tour.
Continue north to the Lake District National Park and see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.
Perhaps take a steam train trip on the Lakeside Railway or cruise across Lake Windermere before reaching your hotel, where you dine tonight.
Overnight: Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster
Day 8 - Lancaster - Hadrian's Wall - Edinburgh
Visit the Roman Army Museum for an insight into life as a Roman soldier and see excavations on the site. Explore Hadrian's Wall, built by order of Emperor Hadrian in AD122, the most important Roman monument in Britain.
Later in Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital City, your Travel Director will propose a fun night out!
During the Edinburgh Festival, tickets to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo are included.
Overnight: Marriott Hotel, Edinburgh (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 9 - Edinburgh Sightseeing
Experience the beautiful sights of Edinburgh during your sightseeing tour with a Local Expert, including the historic Grassmarket, Royal Mile and the famous Scott Monument.
See the Scottish Crown Jewels during your visit to Edinburgh Castle and hear tales of bravery, treason and intrigue.
Alternatively, you can opt to visit the nearby Edinburgh Camera Obscura.
Spend the afternoon exploring on your own or join your Travel Director for an Optional Experience.
Celebrate the end of your journey this evening with your fellow travellers and Travel Director at a special Farewell Dinner.
Day 10 - Depart Edinburgh
Say goodbye to your companions at the end of an amazing holiday.
Transfers are available to Edinburgh Airport. Conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Escorted Tour?
If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. These tours are carefully researched and combine quality hotels, luxury travel, informative visits and leisure time. You’ll find our Escorted Tours to be memorable - for all the right reasons!
You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too.
An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain locations you’ll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights.
These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals.
On many tours you’ll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. These are at additional expense and, if available, details will be provided with your tour documentation.
What kind of accommodation do you use?
The group will stay together in first class or superior tourist class hotels. Each has been carefully selected for comfort, quality and ambiance located in the best locations close to the shopping areas and the key sights.
You will discover a pleasant balance of familiar brand hotels such as Hilton, Marriott and Accor together with locally owned family-run hotels.
In rural locations your accommodation will be in the best available hotels. A full hotel list will be provided as part of your Tour Documentation.
What is a typical tour schedule?
Usually the tour will depart the hotel between 08:00 hrs and 08:30 hrs in the morning. During the course of the day you’ll normally be travelling for no more than 2 hours at a time before making a stop to enjoy a visit to an attraction or for a comfort break/meal stop.
Usually the coach will arrive at the overnight stop between 16:30 and 17:00 hrs each day.
In some cases, due to ferry or other travel connections, the tour may depart earlier or arrive later – your tour director will advise you if this will be happening on your tour.
Can I get laundry done?
Many hotels offer a laundry service, so where the tour itinerary includes a two-night stay in the same hotel it may be possible to get clothes washed.
Included in your tour documentation will be a confirmed hotel list. We would strongly advise you to contact the hotel directly to check what facilities are available and if there are any restrictions in place during the dates of your stay.
Can you arrange pre or post tour accommodation?
If you are flying internationally to reach United Kingdom then it is worth considering arriving a day early to relax and let the jet-leg subside.
Please email us for a quotation at info@scottishtours.co.uk.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 9 nights hotel accommodation
- Location: London (3); Bath (1); Ruthin (2); Lancaster (1) and Edinburgh (2)
Meals
- Cooked/Continental breakfast (9)
- Kick-off party in London with your Tour Director
- Table d’hôte dinners (1)
- Regional meal at Ruthin Castle
- Farewell dinner in Edinburgh
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- Admission to the Tower of London, Oxford University Halls, Roman Baths, Tatton Park, Hadrians Wall, Roman Army Museum and Edinburgh Castle or Camera Obscura
- City tours of London and Edinburgh
- Tickets are included for the World-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the 01 August 2024 departure
Tour Essentials
- Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with extra-legroom, reclining seats, on board washroom and Wifi
- All baggage handling and hotel tips are included
- Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director
- Service charges and taxes
Departure information
Crowne Plaza - Kings Cross
1 King's Cross Road
London WC1X 9HX
The tour will end in Edinburgh after breakfast on day 10
Check-in: 16:30 hrs
Tour Departs: 17:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 09:00 hrs
Child details
Child discount applies to children aged 5 to 17 years inclusive on the basis that they share a room with an adult.
We’re sorry but children aged under 5 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Selected departures include a visit to this famous celebration of music, dancing and culture performed against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
TT 01236
