scotland-london

RMC presents

SCOTLAND & LONDON
October 3-12, 2025

scotland tour

Scotland is one of the most untouched regions in the western world, which means it has been able to retain its scenic and historical past. It has thrilled millions of people over several millennia, yet it still feels “untouristed” and pure. This journey to Scotland will guide you to to this land’s most popular sites, both ancient and modern, and feature the country’s legendary and historical figures.

Then to London for a few days of sightseeing, shopping and theater…
plus visit the Celtic and pre-Celtic mysteries at Stonehenge for a full day tour including a visit to Oxford.

 

TOUR INCLUDES
• 8 night’s First Class hotel accommodations
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• Breakfast every day
• 1 dinner
• Transportation in Scotland by coach
• Rail transportation from Edinburgh to London
• Escorted in Scotland
• Local Guides in London
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Sightseeing entrance fees

SPECIAL FEATURES
• Visit historic Clava Cairns
• Tour Edinburgh Castle
• See the Rosslyn Chapel
• Cruise on Loch Ness
• Panoramic Tour of London
• Visit to Westminster Abbey
• Visit to Oxford
• Visit to Stonehenge
• Dinner cruise on London’s’ Thames River

TOUR ITINERARY **

Day 1, Friday, October 3- To Scotland
Depart this evening on your own for Inverness Scotland.

Day 2, Saturday, October 4- Arrival Inverness
Morning arrival in Inverness where you transfer on your own to your reserved accommodations. Balance of the day free to relax.

Day 3, Sunday, October 5 – In Inverness (B)
FortroseAfter breakfast, it’s off to the Black Isle. Contrary to its name, the Black Isle is not an island. It is in fact a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by expanses of water and is distinguished by its Georgian merchant houses and quaint fishermen’s cottages. Overlooking the Moray Firth, Fortrose is the largest of the Black Isle’s towns and lies close to Rosemarkie, a small village with a beautiful beachfront. Also situated on the coast is Avoch, a fishing Rosmarkievillage characterized by neat little lanes of cottages running down to a historic harbor. In the west of the peninsula is Beauly. This trip will give an insight to the beautiful Scottish countryside. On our return to our hotel, we visit Clava Cairns (site of the Outlander TV series). Tucked away in a beautiful woodland east of Inverness we will find the sacred burial cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava or widely known as the Clava Cairns. Clava Cairns is the site of an exceptionally well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns that were built about 4,000 years ago and you discover one of Scotland’s Clava Cairnsmost evocative prehistoric sites – the exceptional remains of an ancient cemetery, set on a terrace above the River Nairn. The cemetery remained a sacred place in the landscape for millennia and provides many clues to the beliefs of Bronze Age. Clava Cairns has also experienced the “Outlander effect”. Since the launch of the series, thousands of visitors have travelled from all over the world to have their photo taken by the stones where the character Claire Randall is transported back in time and where she falls in love with Jamie Fraser. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and some free time.

Day 4, Monday, October 6 – To Glasgow (B)
loch ness castleWe leave Inverness and travel though the Highlands and Los Ness Glens as we journey through moors, lochs, forests and craggy mountains. Our destination is Loch Ness, where we will take a short cruise on the lake. On our cruise we will learn the insights and knowledge of the unique and unparalleled famous Glencoesightings of the monster and the history of Scotland’s most mysterious Loch. Although Loch Ness is brimming with history and tales of the world’s shyest monster (you might just spot Nessie), its real stars are its castles, monuments and scenery while cruising. From Loch Ness it is to Fort William. Here we will be traveling along a natural fault line called “Great Glen that divides Scotland in half. A photo stop at Glencoe before a late afternoon arrival in Glasgow.

Day 5, Tuesday, October 7 – In Glasgow (B)
Loch LomondThis morning’s program will focus on Loch Lomond with a photo stop at Scotland’s first National Park. Walk from the wide-open lush landscapes to the sprawling glens and rocky peaks for some great picturesque shots. The fault line that divides the Highlands from the Lowlands runs right across Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, making this an endlessly varied part of the world – rugged hills, wooded nooks and enticing waters. Return to our hotel with a stop at “Rest & be Thankful,” the highest point of this scenic road. The famous pass called “Rest and Be Thankful” is a viewpoint with beautiful views in Glen Croe where you can clearly see the old valley road that was engineered by General Wade during the subjection of Scotland following the Jacobite rebellion. A stone placed there by soldiers who built the original military road in 1753, states “Rest & Be Thankful.” Return to Glasgow in the afternoon for some independent exploration

Day 6, Wednesday, October 8 – To Edinburgh (B)
Rosslyn ChapelToday we are off to Edinburgh. Enroute we will visit Rosslyn and the Rosslyn Chapel, a magical chapel just outside of Edinburgh. For years, the small and enigmatic chapel has been featured in a number of publications, especially “The Da Vinci Code,” but also in many non-fiction books. Edinburgh castleThere are hundreds of magical carvings, artwork and so much more that will initiate you into the true history and purpose of this sanctuary. We then make our way up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, the great medieval fortress that dominates the city. Built upon a sacred rock in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, we will explore its rich history. Afterwards it’s onto our reserved accommodation in Edinburgh.

Day 7, Thursday, October 9 – To London. By Rail (B)
After breakfast, we transfer to the Glasgow rail station and board our high-speed train to the heart of London. On arrival, transfer to our accommodation. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Why not attend one of the wonderful shows in London’s theater district?

 

 

Day 8, Friday, October 10 – In London. Excursion to Oxford & Stonehenge (B)
StonehengeThis morning, we head for Stonehenge and Oxford on a full-day trip to these historical landmarks to learn more about English history and culture, and to see breathtaking views of the countryside. Our first stop is Stonehenge as we look out for the mysterious Stonehenge as we approach Salisbury Plain — and where we’ll be able to get up close to the 5,000-year-old monument during this visit to the Neolithic stones. Christ Church OxfordSitting strikingly on the landscape, Stonehenge’s origins have puzzled experts for hundreds of years. During our visit, we’ll get a chance to discover many fascinating theories and attempt to make up our own mind and solve the mystery ourselves. We will also have a little time to visit the exhibition, where 250 archaeological objects are displayed! Then after lunch on our own, we head for Oxford and a stroll through the quaint cobbled streets.Merton College Oxford Here we will get a real feel for this historic city. During our guided walking tour, we’ll get to wander through the charming college courtyards, which can be found dotted throughout the city, including that of Christ Church. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you’ll recognize this college from several famous scenes. Our guide will also take us to see the famous 17th century Bodleian Library, a huge library packed with research and literature. Our Oxford visit wouldn’t be complete without visiting the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The 36 colleges that comprise Oxford University have produced such gifted alumni as T. S. Eliot, Hugh Grant and Bill Clinton. Back to London in the early evening.

Day 9, Saturday, October 11- In London (B/D)
Changing the Guard at Buckingham PalaceAfter breakfast, we have a panoramic tour morning to experience London’s West End, including a look Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and other famous sites. A stop will be made for a visit to Westminster Abbey, an architectural masterpiece of the 13th to 16th centuries that presents a Westminster Abbeyunique pageant of British history – the tombs of kings and queens, and memorials to some of the greatest writers in history. King Henry III, who rebuilt Westminster Abbey in 1245. The rest of the afternoon is free for some independent time on your own for lunch, exploration, museum hopping and shopping. In the early evening, we will be transferred to the pier for our evening dinner cruise on the Thames River. London WestminsterAs we step on board our floating River Restaurant, we start to sail gliding on the River as London’s landmarks are even more impressive at night. With their bright lights and dreamlike quality, the ever-changing backdrop is simply mesmerizing as we sail under Tower Bridge, down towards the Thames Barrier and past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Dinner is served and a live band sets the mood with gentle background music. After disembarking, we return to our hotel by coach.

Day 10, Sunday, October 12 – Fly home from London (B)
The tour ends after breakfast as you make your way on your own to the airport and your fights home.

 

** NOTE: The above is based on the Coach & Escort Itinerary. If the tour is by private van, the day-by-day itinerary remains the same, but the touring schedule may be adjusted, and the tours will be by private local guides.

Hotels or similar

  • Inverness: The Kingsmill Hotel – 2 nights
  • Glasgow: The Address Hotel – 2 nights
  • Edinburgh: The Bonham Hotel – 1 night
  • London: The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel or H10 Waterloo Hotel – 3 nights

 

 

 

Photo credits:
Oban harbour: dun_deagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fingal’s cave: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Fortrose, the Anderson: Peter Bond / The Anderson,Fortrose
Rosmarkie: Ulrich Hartmann / Rosemarkie seen from the beach
Clava Cairns: Elliott Simpson / Clava Cairns – Bronze Age monuments
Rest And Be Thankful Memorial Stone, Glen Croe: Chase me ladies, I’m the Cavalry, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The west front of Rosslyn Chapel by David Purchase, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
London train at Glasgow Central by The Carlisle Kid, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Christ Church by N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Front Quad, Merton College, Oxford by Richard Humphrey, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Changing the guard at Buckingham Palace: Radosław Botev, CC BY 3.0 PL, via Wikimedia Commons
Westminster Abbey: Alicank, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons