Scotland Literary Tour: Edinburgh, Swanston, Glasgow & More

What to expect on this itinerary
If you loved Treasure Island and tore through the seven books of the Harry Potter series, if you’ve ever recited a Burns poem or dazzled at the adventures of Sir Walter Scott, or if you’ve ever wanted to know the true story behind Shakespeare’s Macbeth, then this unique tour of Scotland is sure to be one you’ll never forget.
Customizable Itinerary
Edinburgh - Starting Your Tour in Scotland’s Charming Capital
This morning you land in Edinburgh, ready to explore this incredible country and learn more about her most famous scribblers and stories. A private car will pick you up from the airport and take you to your centrally located and incredibly luxurious hotel, where you can drop-off your bags and freshen up before hitting the streets of this inspiring and unique capital city. Your first stop while in Scotland is atop the gentle rise of Calton Hill, where you’ll gain purchase for phenomenal vistas over the ancient city below and out to the Scottish countryside and the mighty Firth of Forth. There are also a number of notable monuments atop the hill, from the eerie incompleteness of the National Monument, to the terraced tower that marks the victory of Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar, to the graceful columned rotunda serving as the monument to Scotland’s national poet, the immortal Robert Burns.
Descend the hill back to the city just in time for dinner at one of the city’s best restaurants. The Witchery near Edinburgh Castle is particularly fine, offering excellent fare, impeccable service, a charming ambience and one of the best wine lists in the city.
What's Included:
Edinburgh - The Best of Scottish Writers and the Best of Scottish Culture
Edinburgh - South of Edinburgh and Scott’s Stomping Grounds
Glasgow - A Red Red Rose and the Bonnie Bonnie Banks
Kirriemuir - The Gorgeous Countryside of Scotland
Edinburgh - Turning to Glamis, Returning to Edinburgh
Edinburgh - Departing Scotland
Trip Highlights
- Discover enchanting Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland and the inspiration for a wide swath of the country’s greatest writers, from Robert Louis Stevenson to J.K. Rowling
- Visit Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by Sir Walter Scott and mentioned in The Da Vinci Code, before setting out to Scott’s home at Abbotsford and Scotland’s best town for bibliophiles
- Turn south of Glasgow to discover the home of famed Scottish poet Robert Burns before heading north into the country of Scotland’s best-known outlaw
- Tour the scenic Lowlands north of Edinburgh, from the majestic halls of Glamis Castle to the charming village of Kirriemuir
Detailed Description
Flanked by the estimable literary nations of England and Ireland, the traditions of prose and poetry in Scotland are often overlooked, but make no mistake: this rugged and romantic nation has produced its share of wordsmiths and bards. From the beloved novels of Sir William Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, to the immortal verse of Robert Burns, this weeklong tour will show you all the highlights of Scotland’s rich writing traditions, as well as the country’s scintillating scenery. And with locals that are as memorable as they are engaging, this is sure to be a trip that creates more than a few stories all its own.
Explore the homes and birthplaces of some of Scotland’s most famous literati, from Scott’s expansive estate at Abbotsford to the thatch-roofed cottage where Burns was born. Come face to face with some of the places that have inspired Scots for generations, from the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine to the august walls of Glamis Castle and Rosslyn Chapel. Visit the country’s biggest cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, and perambulate through some of her quaintest villages like Kirriemuir and Ayr. Of course, be sure to make a quick stop at Scotland’s National Book Town of Wigtown, where you can check out the wares of more than a dozen reputable booksellers.
Romantic novels of daring and chivalry from the 18th century and lyrical odes to the Scottish countryside, stories of patriots and heroes and celebrated songs of the best of Scotland’s scenery, even the place where Harry Potter was born can all be found in this incredible country. There is inspiration here waiting to be found, magic waiting to be discovered, and stories waiting to be told; so bring your travel journal and love of language because this is definitely a trip for the bookworm in all of us.
Starting Price
$3,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 500 reviews
The trip was put together by Zicasso's travel company with much thought and numerous suggestions.
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The trip was lovely. Working with Zicasso's travel consultant was delightful from start to finish. She had really great ideas for things to add to the itinerary and was great about incorporating things to see and places to visit that we already had in mind. It was truly a collaboration between the two of us to form the perfect itinerary.
I've worked with a lot of other travel companies to arrange custom itineraries for trips and this was one of the best. The app was very handy for quick changes and communication when we were in Scotland.
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The trip was absolutely amazing!! The lush green landscape, the authentic food, the amazing golfing, and the amazing people. Zicasso's travel company was “spot on“ for our wants and needs, including the unique places we stayed at along the way. The transportation was seamless and the drivers were friendly and engaging!
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The trip was everything we wanted it to be and more.
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There was great planning by Zicasso's travel company, with just the right amount of activity, without exhausting us. And great accommodations.
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Zicasso's travel agency was easy to work with and helped customize our plans to meet the needs of our family.
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