2-Day Loch Ness, Inverness and The Scottish Highlands Escape

Day 1:
Your private guide meets you in Edinburgh and the journey north begins. First up are The Kelpies, two thirty-metre steel horse heads near Falkirk and the largest equine sculptures in the world. From there it's on to Stirling, where you'll pause for photographs beneath Stirling Castle, perched on its volcanic crag and once the favoured home of Scotland's Stuart kings. This was the historic gateway between Lowlands and Highlands, and as you cross it you'll feel the landscape start to change.

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The country opens up at Callander, the handsome little town that marks the edge of the Highlands proper. From here your guide takes you across Glen Ogle, the old pass the Victorians nicknamed the Khyber of Scotland, and on through Glencoe, the most dramatic glen in the country and the site of the infamous massacre of 1692. There's no rush. Stay in the comfort of your luxury Mercedes and watch it all roll by, or get out and stretch your legs.

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Beyond Glencoe the route joins the Great Glen, the enormous fault line that splits the Highlands in two. You'll stop at Fort Augustus, where the Caledonian Canal drops through a staircase of locks into the southern end of Loch Ness, a piece of Thomas Telford engineering that's still a pleasure to watch in action. A little further up the loch stands Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's largest and most photographed castles, looking out over the dark water where Nessie is said to lurk. Keep your camera close.

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By late afternoon you'll reach Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands. The evening is yours. Wander the streets along the River Ness, find a quiet pub, or settle in for dinner at one of the city's many restaurants. Inverness has something for everyone.

Day 2:
On the second day, you’ll begin at Culloden Battlefield – where the Jacobites famously fought against the British Monarchy.

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Next, you’ll discover the mysteries of Clava Cairns, an ancient burial site and the stories that go alongside this remarkable site. Opt for a visit at the renowned Blair Atholl Distillery where you can stop for a tipple at their bar.

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From here, you’ll be taken to the picturesque town of Dunkeld on the banks of the River Tay, with its historic sites you’ll have time to explore The Hermitage, this stretch of magical Perthshire forest was originally designed as a pleasure ground in the 18th century for the Dukes of Atholl.

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On your way back to Edinburgh, you can capture photos of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge and make memories that last a lifetime.