Loch Morlich, Cairngorms National Park

Edinburgh & The Highlands in Winter

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

5 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £675 per person
Best time to go: November - March
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Historic Edinburgh

With its iconic castle looming over the city, Edinburgh is truly one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Quaint independent shops and cosy pubs line the cobbled streets, while Edinburgh’s Old Town – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is home to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, and the National Museum of Scotland.

Delightful Pitlochry

The Victorian Spa town of Pitlochry, nestled amongst spectacular Highland scenery, is the perfect winter retreat. Pamper yourself at a luxury spa, browse local craft shops, or enjoy a show at the renowned Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

Scotch Whisky Experience

Sample Scotland’s national drink at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh. Find your perfect dram and learn about the ancient process of whisky making.

Highland Perthshire

The magical region of Highland Perthshire is home to opulent Highland castles and world-renowned whisky distilleries including Edradour and Dewar’s of Aberfeldy. Explore the delightful attractions while enjoying a backdrop of frosty forests and snow-covered mountains.

Cairngorms National Park

Experience the breathtaking and majestic Cairngorms National Park – the UK’s largest national park – with huge forests of ancient native trees, cascading waterfalls and picturesque, snow-capped peaks.

Highland hospitality

Relax each evening in wonderful accommodations where it will be a pleasure to unwind and enjoy peaceful evenings with a book or a spot of stargazing out to clear Highland skies.

A Relaxing Winter Escape to Scotland

This cosy getaway combines a festive city break with a calming escape to the stunning Scottish countryside, the perfect formula for a relaxing winter holiday.

Scotland’s magical capital city comes alive in the winter months, while Highland Perthshire offers a warm Scottish welcome in the midst of beautiful rural tranquillity.

One of the world’s most spectacular capital cities, Edinburgh attracts visitors year-round to enjoy its thriving cultural and historical attractions. The winding cobbled streets of the Old Town and the wide, sweeping Georgian crescents of the New Town reveal a maze of cosy pubs, excellent restaurants and charming shops, perfect for exploring on your winter break.

The many city-centre sights include St Giles’ Cathedral, the Royal Mile, and the iconic Edinburgh Castle towering over it all. For a panoramic view, take a walk up Arthur’s Seat, the impressive extinct volcano which looks over the city and on to the Kingdom of Fife.

From here, travel north to Highland Perthshire, replacing bustling urban life with peaceful countryside. Enjoy a scenic journey through the rolling hills to your destination, the charming Victorian spa town of Pitlochry. Nestled amongst the pine forests on the River Tummel, this is the perfect base for exploring some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes.

Spend a day visiting the spectacular Cairngorms National Park, the UK’s largest National Park, with snow-capped mountains, expansive forests and an abundance of undisturbed wildlife. Finally, indulge in a wee dram of Scottish whisky and let this trip be a well-deserved pause from daily life.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Edinburgh

Arrive in Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital city, and enjoy a City Sightseeing bus tour to get your bearings. Visit historic Edinburgh Castle and sample Scotland’s national drink at the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. This truly is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 2: Edinburgh Sightseeing

Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former floating holiday home of Her Majesty The Queen, or hike up to the top of Arthur’s Seat – an extinct volcano which looms over the city – for breathtaking panoramic views.

Explore the Georgian grandeur of the New Town, or learn about Scotland’s turbulent and fascinating history at the award-winning National Museum of Scotland.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 3: Edinburgh to Highland Perthshire

A wonderfully scenic journey takes you over the River Forth, through the Kingdom of Fife, and past the city of Perth on your way to the Scottish Highlands.

Your destination is the quaint Victorian spa town of Pitlochry, nestled peacefully amongst the picturesque forests and peaks of Perthshire. Popular with holiday-makers for over a hundred years, it is the ideal base for exploring some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe.
Overnight – Pitlochry

Day 4: Highland Perthshire Sightseeing

Spend the day exploring your surroundings, as Perthshire is home to stunning castles, vast lochs, delightful villages and beautiful, diverse scenery.

You may wish to visit one of Scotland’s famous distilleries, such as Glenturret Distillery in Crieff or Dewars World of Whisky in Aberfeldy, for a warming, wee dram of the ‘Water of Life.’
Overnight – Pitlochry

Day 5: Highland Perthshire Sightseeing

You may choose to visit the magnificent Cairngorms National Park just north of Pitlochry, the UK’s largest and wildest national park, with towering snow-capped peaks and ancient native trees. Winding mountain roads connect picturesque villages, with fresh Highland air and unspoilt flora and fauna making this an idyllic rural location.
Overnight – Pitlochry

Day 6: Highland Perthshire to Edinburgh and depart

After breakfast, you will make the scenic journey through Perthshire and Fife back to Edinburgh, where your winter escape will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 5 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Scotland with our recommended driving route
4 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Tickets for the Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

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