Highland
Birthday Bash

August 2028

Itinerary

    • Depart Newark 10:15 pm

    • United to Glasgow (6 hrs 55 min)

    • Arrive Glasgow 10:10 am

    • Loch Lommond lunch and a boat tour

    • Overnight at the historic George Hotel

    • Duntrune Castle, inspiration for James Bond’s family estate in Skyfall

    • Glencoe iconic locations from the Bond film Skyfall

    • Overnight in Glencoe

    • Ride the real Hogwarts express on the Western Highland Rail and see iconic filming sights

    • Overnight in Glencoe

    • Lunch at Stonehaven Harbor on the Aberdeen coast

    • Dunnotar Castle ruins

    • William Wallace Momument and battlefield

    • Overnight at Mercure Glasgow City Hotel

    • Rangers FC store for Drew Mcintyre’s football club gear

    • United direct to Newark

      • Departs Glasgow 2:00pm

      • Arrive 4:35pm

A castle on a hill surrounded by lush green trees with a stone bridge over a river in the foreground.
A calm body of water reflecting a row of white buildings and a tall tower with a cloudy sky at sunset.
Six standing stones arranged in a row on a grassy field with bare trees and a misty sky in the background.
Stone pillars with deer statues on top, leading to a castle overlooking a lake and hills in the background, with a cloudy sky.
A person standing on a grassy trail in a lush mountain valley with green hills and rocky cliffs, under a partly cloudy sky.
A deer with antlers standing on grassy terrain in front of snow-capped mountains under a cloudy sky.
A train crossing a stone viaduct with lush green hills, purple heather, and mountains in the background, near a lake under partly cloudy skies.

Arrive in Scotland this morning and drive 40 minutes to Loch Lomond where you’ll board a boat for a one-hour scenic and relaxing tour of the loch.

Continue to the beautifully preserved Georgian town of Inveraray on serene Loch Fyne. Relax, enjoy a whiskey or beer and the delightful Scottish town.

Overnight in the luxurious and historic George Hotel.

Inveraray

DAY 2

Skyfall’s Scotland
Duntrune Castle
& Glencoe

DAY 3

On your first full day in Scotland, enjoy a scenic drive to Duntrune Castle, the inspiration for Jame Bond’s family estate in Skyfall. Take a private tour of the castle, then visit the ancient Ballymeanoch Standing Stones nearby.

Head north to picturesque Glencoe, stopping for photos at the Skyfall filming location and hopefully meeting a few wild red deer.

Watch the sun set from our lodge, nestled between the stunning bay and dramatic Sgorr na Ciche mountains.

Yes, the Hogwarts Express is a real train, and we’ll be riding it!

We’ll depart Fort William at 10:15am on the Jacobite Steam train and enjoy beautiful scenic views on our journey up to the northern Highlands and back. Sights include:

  • Glenfinnan Viaduct bridge made famous in the Harry Potter movies

  • Location on Loch Shiel for Hogwarts Castle

  • Site of Dumbledore’s final resting place

  • Glenfinnan Steam Train museum

  • Stunning loch and mountain views

The train stops in Mallaig, a tiny fishing village to turn around before heading back to Fort William. Here, we’ll visit a Harry Potter themed souvenier store, Haggard Alley.

Return to Glencoe for the night.

Hogwarts Highlands
Steam Train Tour

DAY 4

Central Highlands
Culture & Wildlife

DAY 5

Drive into the central highlands this morning and arrive at Kingussie, tucked on a plateau in the mountains.

View local and exotic animals at the Highland Wildlife Park, including the singular highland shaggy cow.

Overnight in the Star Hotel, in a building dating back to the 1700s.

The Macallan Distillery
Aberlour

DAY 6

This morning visit the Highland open air Folk Museum (free admission but donations are welcomed) and learn about clan history.

Proceed to the village of Aberlour and take an evening tour of the beautiful Macallan Whiskey distillery, warming up with a Bond whiskey flight.

Overnight at Craigellachie Lodge, across the street from the world-famous Whiskey bar at the Highlander Inn.

Beach with boats, children playing, and people relaxing under umbrellas near a row of historic buildings on a cloudy day.
Cliffside castle ruins on a green hill overlooking the ocean, with a winding path and visitors walking towards it.
A historic castle on a hilltop overlooking a lush, green forest with a partly cloudy sky in the background.
A historic stone castle with a large arched entrance, towers, and battlements, situated on a slightly elevated area with a cobblestone path leading into it and a cloudy sky overhead.
A stone bridge with multiple arches crossing a river surrounded by lush greenery, with a town and hills in the background under cloudy skies.

William Wallace’s Battlefield
Stirling

DAY 7

Head to the east coast village of Stonehaven and enjoy lunch on the harbor, followed by a stroll through the clifftop remains of Dunnotar Castle.

Continue to Stirling and visit the battlefield where William Wallace defeated Edward the Longshanks, cruel King of England at Old Bridge. Take in the massive Wallace Momument and see the real sword of the Scottish legend. Tour Stirling Castle, home to centuries of Scottish royalty.

Head into Glasgow and spend two nights in the city center.

Hit up the Rangers FC store and grab a jersey from Drew McIntyre’s team.

Visit the famous Kelvingrove museum featuring works from Dali and Mackintosh (free admission).

Spend the last evening enjoying this vibrant city’s pubs, traditional music and fun nightlife.

Glasgow

DAY 8

Land Cost
$2,100 (est. per couple)*

  • Includes 7 nights hotel, Loch Lomond Boat Tour, Hogwarts Steam Train, and Macallan Distillery Tour and Tasting.

    *Subject to any major hotel increases

Airfare from Newark
$500 (per couple)

  • Includes round trip tickets on United from Newark to Glasgow using Shelley’s points. $500 cost covers taxes.