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Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo

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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
(12)
Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo
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From $217.30

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Free Cancellation
up to 24 hours in advance
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icon9 hours 30 minutes  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English and 7 more
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
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(888) 651-9785

Overview

Soak up the spirit of Scotland with a full-day trip through the Highlands and an evening viewing of the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Wind through the Highlands and marvel at the majesty of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, then visit a local whisky distillery for a tour and tasting. Head back to Edinburgh for guaranteed entrance to the Military Tattoo –  an exciting light show and military performance on Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade.
  • Combined Highlands day trip and ticket to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
  • Enjoy a scenic drive through Trossachs National Park to the Highlands
  • Learn all about Scotch whisky on a whisky distillery tour and enjoy a sample, too
  • Explore the Hermitage pleasure grounds, and walk through the woodlands to Ossian’s Cave
  • Gaze in awe at the tattoo’s performers at the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle
  • Book for a Saturday to include entrance to a firework display after the tattoo
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From $217.30

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional guide
Whisky distillery tour, dram of whisky included
WiFi on board coach
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified

Departure Point

Highland Explorer Tours, 60 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TB, UK

Departure Time

8:30 AM

Return Details

Returns to original departure point
Meet your guide early in central Edinburgh, where you'll embark by coach on a scenic drive to the ancient capital of Stirling. Enjoy spectacular morning views as the sun lights up Stirling Castle, former residence of Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots. Snap some photos and learn about the site’s colorful history, then continue to the William Wallace monument to hear more about this legendary character.  

As your coach travels through the Highlands, admire unspoiled geological wonders like Loch Earn and Loch Lomond. Your expert guide will narrate the journey through Trossachs National Park and offer tall tales like that of Scottish folk hero Rob Roy. Stop next at The Famous Grouse, Scotland’s oldest working whisky distillery. Enjoy lunch, take an optional distillery tour and sample a dram of whisky straight from the cask (own expense)!

Your trip continues to the Hermitage, a natural wonderland where you’ll stroll through fir-lined paths along the River Braan to Ossian’s Hall and the majestic Black Linn Falls. After your nature walk, head back to Edinburgh, passing the stunning Dunkeld Cathedral and Forth Bridge on the way.

You’ll arrive back to town with several hours to relax before the evening entertainment. Grab some dinner (own expense) and make your way to Edinburgh Castle. As you enter the illuminated esplanade, take your seat amongst the thousands of eager viewers that flock to the capital annually for the 1.5-hour Edinburgh Military Tattoo. With diverse performances ranging from Her Majesty’s Royal Marines to Zulu warriors and steel drummers, the tattoo is a true international celebration. Revel in the sights, sounds – and fireworks on Saturday!
Itinerary
Stop At:  
National Wallace Monument
We stop to hear tales of Scotland’s most famous patriot and his part in the medieval Wars of Independence.
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Duration: 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Not Included
Stop At:  
The Glenturret Distillery
We visit a local whisky distillery where you will learn how our national drink, the 'water of life' is made with an informative tour and sample a wee dram.
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Duration: 2 hours 
Admission Ticket Included
Stop At:  
The Hermitage Woodland Walk
Explore a stretch of magical Perthshire forest; the peaceful Hermitage. Take a short woodland walk to see the Black Linn Falls on the River Braan and don't forget to look up! You can spot here the giant Douglas firs which are among the tallest trees in Britain.
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Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Stop At:  
Dunkeld Cathedral
Take in Dunkeld with its spectacular cathedral on the banks of the River Tay
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Duration: 45 minutes
Admission Ticket Free
Pass By:  
Forth Bridge
Return to Edinburgh via the inspiring Forth Bridges - Forth Rail Bridge, Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing.
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Stop At:  
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Tattoo is an iconic Edinburgh institution, and a sellout year after year after year. Music, dance and precision display with the Massed Pipes and Drums, the Massed Military Bands, cultural troupes, singers and the poignant refrain of the Lone Piper against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
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Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Admission Ticket Included
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 23 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
  • The Castlehill location at Edinburgh Castle, where the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place, is reached via a short walk along an old cobbled street of some 262 feet (80 meters) and on a steep incline. Some people may find this difficult. There is another 197-foot (60-meter) walk including several steps before the steeply tiered seating area is reached
  • Minimum age is 5 years
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 41 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Highland Explorer Tours Ltd

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo?
A:
The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
See all safety measures taken by Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo?
A:
The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo?
A:
The policies on social distancing are:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
See all safety measures taken by Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo?
A:
The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
See all safety measures taken by Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Q:
What is the maximum group size during Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo?
A:
This activity will have a maximum of 41 travelers.

See all safety measures taken by Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
66 Reviews
5 stars
47
4 stars
12
3 stars
3
2 stars
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1 star
2
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 66 reviews
star-5
Great day - spectacular night!
yvonneh224
, Aug 2019
This was a great way of getting late tickets for the Tattoo. The trip was very enjoyable and our guide/driver, Duncan, who was very knowledgable, kept us interested throughout. For the Tattoo, we had very good seats. It was a fantastic evening, full of music and colour; not to be missed when visiting Edinburgh, at this time of year. I would highly recommend this trip.
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icon Response from Host , Aug 2019
Thank you for your great review. I am very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your day tour with Duncan as well as the Tattoo. It's definitely a must-see if you visit Edinburgh in August. Best, Ronja
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star-5
Bucket List: Checked
RyFitz23
, Aug 2019
What a great day! Incredible to be able to see so much in one day but somehow not feel rushed. Topping it off with the Military Tattoo at night. The guide was awesome, pretty funny, we learned so much but he also left enough time to just enjoy the sights (and take a wee nap). And to get a ticket to the Military Tattoo included in the price was pretty outstanding. We would do it all over again
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icon Response from Host , Aug 2019
Thank you for taking your time and leaving us such a great review. I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour as well as the Tattoo performances. Best, Ronja
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star-4
Tattofantastic
rossellapasquale
, Aug 2019
The tour was ok but the cherry on the cake was the military tatto. We enjoyed every single moment of it and it was not raining as well...result! 😬
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icon Response from Host , Aug 2019
Thanks for your review! It is lovely to hear you enjoyed the the tattoo and that you had a good weather day for it. We hope to see you again soon. Kind Regards, Emma
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star-5
Wonderful adventure-filled day with Caitlin
F6370EZsharon
, Sep 2018
Caitlin was the most informative, interesting and attentive tour guide with whom we've ever been. Her energy and enthusiasm for Scotland and its history, her great stories, and music made it a very special day. The day was well-organized and ended with a late night performance of the Military Tattoo, the most fantastic production we've ever seen on any continent! Many thanks for a most memorable and enjoyable experience.
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star-5
Enjoyable tour with knowledgeable & delightful guide
, Aug 2018
Our tour guide Carrie (sp?!) was knowledgeable, entertaining, organized and patient- we loved her! A great one day trip...the countryside was beautiful, the brief hikes were a nice break, the distillery was better than expected, the town stop at the end was charming and the Tattoo with Saturday night fireworks was the perfect topper. It's a long day on a bus and patience is tested getting out of the stadium after the late night (well after midnight), but we all agreed it was a day well spent.
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star-5
The highlands day tour was not quite...
Lars H
, Nov 2017
The highlands day tour was not quite as advertised. Rather than being in a small minivan, we were in a large tourist bus with Graham as the tour guide. That having been said, the tour was an excellent one, and well worth the time. The stop at the Glenturret Distillery makers of The Famous Grouse provided a fascinating and informative tour of the distillery itself. The distillery tour allowed us to see the key ingredients in scotch whiskey and to see the various steps of the distillation process in action. This one is not to be missed if one is interested in how scotch whiskey is made. The stop at the Wallace Monument was worthwhile as well, but we appreciated the recommendation too not bother with entering he monument. Just climbing the hill provided a sufficient lookout over the battleground and across to Stirling Castle. The highlight of this tour was the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh Castle! We saw this on the last performance. Very impressive! And the Saturday events are capped with a wonderful fireworks display. Do not miss this one!
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star-5
This tour was the highlight of our...
Karen M
, Aug 2017
This tour was the highlight of our Scotland trip. While we drove through the beautiful countryside, our driver/tour guide, Ben, played wonderful modern and traditional Scottish tunes in between giving us the lowdown on Scottish history. The distillery tour was fascinating and we appreciated the chances to stretch our legs with walks at the Hermitage and in a little village. We had great seats for the Tattoo which was spectacular. I highly recommend this tour as a way to see a lot of Scotland in one day.
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star-5
Our trip was fantastic and our...
Andy C
, Aug 2017
Our trip was fantastic and our guide, Graham was so nice and informative. Honestly, it was the highlight of our trip to Edinburgh. The tattoo was certainly awe inspiring, but our guide during the day trip was as good as they get.
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star-4
The military tattoo was great, but...
David Z
, Aug 2017
The military tattoo was great, but the day time itinerary is mainly a whiskey distillery visit and a few other attractions. You don't really much time to enjoy the other attractions half hour at most other than the distillery but it was interesting. If you're looking for a quick highlight and don't mind sitting in the bus quite a bit then it's a good choice. The only minor complain is that would be nice to have the speaker on the buss turn down a little so is not so loud that is hard to get rest if you didn't want to listen to the stories and jokes the driver tries to tell the whole ride.
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star-4
The Scottish Highlands portion of...
Beatrice D
, Aug 2017
The Scottish Highlands portion of the trip was very good in that the driver was extremely knowledgeable - he's missed his calling as a history teacher! - and engaging. The visit to the whiskey distillery, on the other hand, was too long. They put on a good presentation but it was just drawn out unless I guess you were extremely interested in the subject. Now, the Tattoo....worth everything else about the trip - it was fantastic, the seats were very good - I have nothing but accolades to give. I'm so glad we were able to be part of that memorable night it was one of the top highlights of our 14 day trip to the UK and Ireland!!! I'd suggest you drop the distillery and go further into the Highlands.
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Product code: 5211TATTOO

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