Pre-Tour

Scotland

Thistles & Tartan. A 5-day immersive Scottish journey, ending in York for the World Meeting.

Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Edinburgh
2 nights — Voco Hotel
Glasgow
2 nights — Clayton Hotel
Price
€1,000.00 per person

About this tour

A curated programme blending Edinburgh's historic elegance, Glasgow's creative energy, a taste of the Highlands and Scotland's dramatic coastline.

Guests will experience vibrant city culture, tranquil lochs and glens and a coastal university town, ending with a gala celebration in Glasgow.

Edinburgh, the Highlands and whisky.

A piper on the Royal Mile
A piper on the Royal Mile
Sunrise over the city from Salisbury Crags
Sunrise over the city from Salisbury Crags
The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill
The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill
Edinburgh at sunset — the Balmoral, the Scott Monument and the castle
Edinburgh at sunset — the Balmoral, the Scott Monument and the castle
Princes Street from above
Princes Street from above
The Balmoral clock tower at golden hour
The Balmoral clock tower at golden hour
The Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens
The Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens
Victoria Street in the Old Town
Victoria Street in the Old Town
Greyfriars Bobby, Candlemaker Row
Greyfriars Bobby, Candlemaker Row
Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Buchanan Street, Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
A piper at the cathedral doors
A piper at the cathedral doors
1901Kelvingrove opened
22Themed galleries
8,000Objects on display

Background

Glasgow

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

Kelvingrove is one of Scotland's most famous museums. Opened in 1901, it has 22 themed galleries featuring around 8,000 objects — including paintings by Salvador Dalí, and decorative art and furniture by Scotland's own Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Highlights

🏰

Edinburgh Castle & the Royal Mile

A panoramic city tour taking in the Royal Mile, the New Town and Arthur's Seat viewpoints, with a visit to Edinburgh Castle and guided highlights.

🥃

Lunch & a wee dram

An optional themed walking tour — literary ghosts, or the hidden closes — and time at leisure for shopping on Princes Street or George Street.

🌇

Dinner at the SKY Suite

A three-course dinner perched high above the busy streets, with a handcrafted cocktail as the sun sets behind Edinburgh Castle.

St Andrews

A guided walking tour of the cathedral ruins and the university, with views over the Old Course and free time to stroll the beach.

🌉

The Forth bridges & Fife

Crossing the Forth bridges with commentary, then a scenic detour through rural Fife or Perthshire with a photo stop at a loch or viewpoint.

🖼️

Kelvingrove

One of Scotland's most famous museums — 22 themed galleries, around 8,000 objects, Salvador Dalí and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

🎻

The “Thistles & Tartan” gala

A drinks reception with a piper welcome, a three-course Scottish-inspired menu and a small Scottish gift for every guest.

“Thistles & Tartan” — the final night

“Thistles & Tartan” — the final night

Dinner is hosted in the beautiful riverside venue on the Clyde at the Clayton Hotel.

A drinks reception with a piper welcome, a three-course Scottish-inspired menu, and a small Scottish gift for each guest.

Your itinerary

  1. 1
    Day 1 — Edinburgh arrival & an Old Town welcome

    Arrive in Edinburgh and travel to a central city hotel. Time to freshen up and relax, or spend some free time exploring the cobbled streets. Evening — a Scottish welcome in the Old Town, with private hire of a characterful Old Town venue: Edinburgh's famous Tollbooth Tavern, established in 1820. With over 200 years of Scottish hospitality behind it, this is the perfect spot for your first night in the city — fine ales, local gins and malt whiskies in abundance, a live Scottish folk trio or piper welcome, and a modern Scottish two-course dinner of seasonal local produce. Overnight: Voco Hotel, Edinburgh.

  2. 2
    Day 2 — Culture, castles & creativity in Edinburgh

    Morning — curated Edinburgh experiences, with a panoramic city tour taking in the Royal Mile, the New Town and Arthur's Seat viewpoints, then a visit to Edinburgh Castle with photo opportunities and guided highlights. Afternoon — lunch and a wee dram, an optional themed walking tour (literary ghosts, or the hidden closes), and time at leisure for shopping on Princes Street or George Street. Evening — an elegant Edinburgh dinner. A three-course dinner in a stylish city venue perched high above the busy streets, where you'll get unbeatable views of Edinburgh's iconic skyline. Just imagine sipping a handcrafted cocktail while the sun sets behind Edinburgh Castle — magical, right? The SKY Suite isn't just a venue, it's an experience. Overnight: Voco Hotel, Edinburgh.

  3. 3
    Day 3 — Countryside & coast: St Andrews, Fife and on to Glasgow

    Morning — a scenic transfer via Fife, departing Edinburgh and crossing the Forth bridges with commentary. Late morning — a coastal visit to St Andrews: a guided walking tour of the cathedral ruins and the university, with views over the Old Course, and free time to stroll the beach or enjoy a coffee overlooking the sea. Afternoon — a countryside and loch-side stop, with a short scenic detour through rural Fife or Perthshire and a photo stop at a loch or viewpoint. Late afternoon brings arrival in Glasgow and check-in at a central hotel, with time to relax. Evening — a casual Glasgow dinner. A relaxed group dinner at Di Maggio's, set right in the heart of Glasgow with an amazing outdoor terrace to watch the world go by. Overnight: Clayton Hotel, Glasgow.

  4. 4
    Day 4 — Glasgow, the Clyde & gala night

    Morning — Glasgow city and the River Clyde. A panoramic city tour taking in George Square, the Merchant City and the West End, followed by a visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Kelvingrove is one of Scotland's most famous museums: opened in 1901, it has 22 themed galleries featuring around 8,000 objects, including paintings by Salvador Dalí and decorative art and furniture by Scotland's own Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Afternoon — free time. Final night — “Thistles & Tartan”, hosted in the beautiful riverside venue on the Clyde at the Clayton Hotel. A drinks reception with a piper welcome, a three-course Scottish-inspired menu, and a small Scottish gift for each guest. Overnight: Clayton Hotel, Glasgow.

  5. 5
    Day 5 — Transfer to York city centre

    Morning — depart Glasgow for York, with a private coach transfer (or rail if preferred) from Glasgow to York. Mid-afternoon — arrival in York city centre, with a drop-off at a central York location or hotel by mid-afternoon, ready to join the main programme.

What's included

Airport collection

Collection from the airport on arrival.

All ground transportation

Every transfer and coach movement across the five days, ending with the transfer to York.

Entrance to listed attractions

Admission to each of the attractions named in the itinerary.

Daily guided experiences

Guided tours and hosted experiences on every day of the programme.

Accommodation with bed & breakfast

Two nights at the Voco Hotel in Edinburgh and two at the Clayton Hotel in Glasgow.

Evening dinners as noted

Including the Old Town welcome at the Tollbooth Tavern, dinner at the SKY Suite, Di Maggio's in Glasgow and the “Thistles & Tartan” gala.

Itinerary supplied by Croga Tours and subject to change. Final timings will be confirmed nearer the time.

Book your place

€1,000.00 per person
  • Airport collection
  • All ground transportation
  • Entrance to listed attractions
  • Daily guided experiences
  • Accommodation with bed & breakfast
  • Evening dinners as noted