Royal Deeside, Dundee and the Northeast
Explore the majestic scenery of Royal Deeside and the highlights of Scotland’s North East
Royal Deeside, Dundee and the Northeast - 2 day tour
About this Tour
Royal Deeside, Dundee and the Northeast
2 day / 1 night tour
This adventure starts with a journey through the Kingdom of Fife to Dundee’s famed V&A Museum. After a break in Montrose, visit St Cyrus to see dramatic Dunnottar Castle. After exploring Stonehaven, rest overnight in Aberdeen. Day two begins at Crathes Castle, celebrated for its stunning gardens, followed by lunch in Ballater and a tour of Balmoral Castle, the Royal Highland retreat. Enjoy Highland views at Devil’s Elbow before heading to Edinburgh via historic Perth and the Forth Bridges.
V&A Dundee - discover classics from around the World at Scotland’s first dedicated design museum
Dunottar Castle - explore this atmospheric cliff-top fortress
Aberdeen - enjoy an overnight stay in the Granite City
Royal Deeside - experience the delightful countryside and attractive villages that amused Queen Victoria so much
Balmoral Castle - visit the Royal Family’s cherished summer retreat
Movie locations - Outlander, Loch Hero and Mrs Brown
Guest house accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh - Dundee - Aberdeen
Crossing the famous Firth of Forth by the Forth Road Bridge, we leave the city behind as we whisk through the Kingdom of Fife and rural Perthshire, famed for its gorgeous countryside. The rolling glens and towering pine forests slowly give way to the flatter stretches of the Carse of Gowrie before we spy the imposing hill known as The Law that overlooks Scotland’s fourth largest city, Dundee.
Stroll along The Waterfront and take in the sweeping views over the silvery River Tay, which flows 120 miles from west to east across Scotland. No visit to Dundee is complete without a tour of the V&A Design Museum. Opened in 2018, its striking exterior, designed by architect Kengo Kuma, was based on Scotland’s sea cliffs. The museum's interior is equally stunning, with a wealth of ever-changing exhibitions and permanent Scottish artworks, including Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Oak Room.
Snaking our way along the coast road, we arrive at one of Scotland’s most unmissable attractions – Dunottar Castle. Perched atop 160ft cliffs, with mighty waves crashing on three sides, this medieval fortress was once home to the powerful Earls Marischal family.
Next, we visit the charming harbour town of Stonehaven, which comes alive every Hogmanay with its blazing fireballs ceremony.
Today’s journey ends in Aberdeen, the “Granite City,” where shimmering granite buildings gleam in the sun. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy a free evening to explore this vibrant city.
Overnight: Aberdeen
Day 2 - Aberdeen - Royal Deeside - Edinburgh
After breakfast, we head into Royal Deeside, which winds gracefully along the banks of the River Dee.
Fairytale Crathes Castle is a true gem adorned with striking turrets, gargoyles, and a stunning 18th-century walled garden. During our visit, explore the history of this 16th-century marvel and wander its picturesque grounds, soaking in the tranquil beauty.
This enchanting region, with its dramatic Scottish landscapes of rugged peaks, cascading rivers, sweeping moors, and ancient forests, is what Queen Victoria called “This Dear Paradise”.
Our journey will take us through picturesque towns and villages. We will stop for lunch in Ballater, where many of the shops proudly display their Royal Warrants.
Our next stop is Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s holiday home since Queen Victoria bought the estate in 1852. There will be time to explore the exquisite grounds and exhibitions, taking in the grandeur of this world-famous estate.
The next part of our journey will take us to Braemar, which is famous for its annual Highland Gathering. We will then descend through Glen Shee, stopping to admire the stunning views at the Devil’s Elbow.
Our final stop is Perth, where there will be the opportunity to explore its rich history before returning to Edinburgh, crossing the majestic Forth Bridges once more.
Details
What's Included
Accommodation
- 1 night guest house accommodation
- Location: Aberdeen (1)
Meals
- Breakfast (1)
Tour Essentials
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Live commentary in English
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
What's NOT Included
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure Information
Outside NCP Car Park
Castle Terrace
Edinburgh EH1 2EW
Check-in: 08:45 hrs
Tour Departs: 09:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 18:30 hrs
Child details
Concession discounts apply to adults aged 60 years and above; students and children aged 4 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 4 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Book Assured
Book by paying a 20% deposit. Make date changes or get a full refund with 8 days notice before travel. Click here for more information.
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes guest house accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Admission Prices
To give you maximum flexibility, admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
TB 04128
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From £146.00
Royal Deeside, Dundee and the Northeast
Explore the majestic scenery of Royal Deeside and the highlights of Scotland’s North East
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Signature Multi-day Tour?
For the discerning traveller a Signature Multi-day Tour offers amazing value for money, cozy accommodation, well-paced sightseeing and comfortable travel.
All of this combines to create the definitive Scottish experience.
Each tour is hosted by a professional driver/guide, who has been chosen for their extensive knowledge as well as their driving skills. And being locals you are sure to get that extra insight. If you should have any problems during your stay, they’ll go out of their way to help.
You will want to see as much as possible, but you don’t want to be rushed. Our tours are carefully planned to strike the right balance, and as well as comfortable mini/midicoach travel many feature memorable railway or ferry journeys.
Having somewhere pleasant to stay after an exciting day of discovery is an important part of your holiday experience. Comfortable guest house accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, tv and other amenities is included in the price of all tours. Click here for more information.
Breakfast is included each morning of your stay.
What type of room should I choose?
There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect:
Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)
Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
Discover more about your accommodation options here.
What options are available on this tour and what is the cost?
To give you maximum flexibility the cost of admission fees and other optional extras are not included in the tour price. This gives you complete freedom to choose as the mood takes you. On this tour there are optional visits to:
V& A Museum
Dunottar Castle
Crathes Castle
Balmoral Castle
Following the links above will give you more information on these attractions including current admission prices. At some locations a special discount is offered to tour participants, your driver/guide will give you more information if this applies. Credit/debit cards are not always accepted so you should plan to have sufficient cash with you should you wish to make any visits.
Can I reserve specific seats on the coach?
Seating on this tour is on a first come, first served basis and cannot be pre-booked.
If you are travelling as part of a group please make sure that all members of the party arrive at the departure point together.
What meals are included ?
Breakfast is included from day 2 onwards, which can be either a cooked or continental option.
If the accommodation provides a cooked breakfast, it will likely include bacon, sausages and eggs. You might even get the chance to taste haggis too, if you wish. A continental spread could consist of cereals, pastries and fruit. Tea and coffee are served with both options.
Lunch and dinner are not included in the price.
During the touring day, there will be a stop where you can pick up lunch. In the evening, your driver/guide will be happy to suggest a conveniently located restaurant where you can enjoy dinner. In popular destinations such as Skye, Oban, Fort William and Inverness, making a dinner reservation in advance is recommended.
For more information on meals and accommodation while on tour, click here.
What is the luggage allowance on this tour?
For safety reasons there is a luggage allowance of 15kg (33lb) per person in a bag similar to an airline carry-on bag (maximum size 67cm x 45cm/ 26in x 18in) and a small day-pack for your essential items.
Click here for helpful tips, packing list and details of left luggage facilities.
