Griffin

© Celtic Compass

Hidden Scotland

A tour of some very sacred and special sites in the heart of Scotland explored through myth, visits to ancient monuments, hidden treasures and forgotten fables. Of course accompanied by delicious food, whisky and gin tastings and a Shetland pony!

Full Itinerary

Please see our website for photos and more information about our guides and accommodation....

Day 1 

Pick up from Edinburgh and travel to our first destination, Rosslyn Glen. We will be met by our guide Scot who will take us on an exciting exploration of this most beautiful and magical of glens. He will show us some of its hidden wonders, relating some of the many tales surrounding this mysterious glen and castle. 

We then venture onto Rosslyn Chapel. It is a rare architectural gem with exquisitely carved stonework; it has long been associated with mystery, the Knights Templar and is even said to be home to the Holy Grail. We will have a guided talk about the chapel and time to explore at our leisure. 

Then travel to a secret garden for a delicious lunch in their amazing glasshouse. We will then have a tour around the gardens with the owner, who will explain how using the organic herbs grown there has fined tuned their award winning gins. He will explain the properties of the herbs used in the gin and why they change colour when you add tonic water! We also visit the drying room, the smell is simply divine in there! The gardens are set within 7.5 by a stream and a very enjoyable place to wander around at your leisure. Then on to your stylish accommodation and evening at your leisure, maybe with a tot of gin!

“Where the forest murmurs there is music, ancient, everlasting” – Fiona MacLeod

Day 2

After breakfast we make our way North towards the Highlands to visit some of the tallest native trees in Scotland and spectacular waterfalls. We will meet with your guide Grahame who will explain the significance of this place as we walk underneath the magnificent canopy. Then onto lunch on the banks of the majestic river Tay. After lunch, Grahame leads us to explore a very special little stone circle hidden in the Tay valley and a chapel with beautiful medieval paintings, one of only two surviving sites like it in Scotland. Grahame will explain the origins and significance of these places. Our final trip of the day is to a Highland distillery for a whisky tasting and tour. Then onto our comfortable accommodation in a pretty highland town with many nice places for an evening meal, possibly finished off with a dram from the distillery!

“Imitate the magnificent trees that speak no words of their rapture, but breathe largely the luminous breeze.”

D.H. Lawrence

Day 3

We meet with our guide Grahame and morning visit to an ancient loch dwelling on Loch Tay and see what life was like in the area in the early Iron Age, it’s a great insight. Next we venture onto one of the valleys most notable stone circles. Grahame will explain its astronomical alignments and the significance of its siting.

After lunch on the shore of the beautiful Loch Tay, we head off to explore an ancient well site perched high above the valley floor, this is a fairly long steep walk, but the atmosphere at the well is incredible, a truly beautiful and tranquil place. The place is entwined in folklore as a wishing well, but also the haunt of dragons! There are striking cup and ring mark stones nearby, your guide Grahame will explain the geomantic nature of this ancient place. We will allow for some tranquil time by the well. 

Evening at your leisure.

Day 4

Morning visit to a specialist rare and native breed farm for a wonderful tour of their land, accompanied by one of their Shetland ponies to provide delicious refreshments. You will get a fascinating insight into how the land was cultivated and used in ancient times with outstanding views of the Tay valley and up to the enigmatic “fairy mountain” – Shiehallion, one of Scotland’s best known Munros.

Then time to explore the pretty town of Aberfeldy and its independent shops including a superb bookshop, a specialist tweed shop and art galleries.

To end this wonderful journey we visit an award winning artisan chocolatiers for a sample of their delicious hand crafted chocolates, there is a small interesting museum relating the history of their single origin chocolate which comes from a South Atlantic Island.

Then homeward wend to Edinburgh and say farewell to your new found travelling friends. 

From £675 per adult


Departure days

  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Friday
  • Saturday
  • Sunday

April — November

Contact details

Celtic Compass

Celtic Compass Tours
28 Barony Street
Edinburgh
Scotland
EH3 6NY

Tour information

Starting

  • Edinburgh

Length

4 Days

Transport

  • Driver guide
  • Minibus
  • Walking

Type

  • Bespoke
  • Private
  • Small Group (1-16)

Themes

  • Adventure
  • Archaeology
  • Castles
  • Food and drink
  • Gin
  • History
  • Landscapes
  • Walking
  • Whisky

Tour prices


From £675 Per Adult

Book now

Prices are subject to change depending on season

Tour Stops

Celtic Compass

Tour company information

Celtic Compass

A specialist company providing unique small-group tours to help people get a greater sense of the places they travel to; the remote, hidden, sacred and ancient sites of Scotland. The country is explored through storytelling, folklore, poetry, geology, history, art, archeoastronomy and of course its food and drink! The guides are experts in their specialist fields, passionate about their subjects with many years experience guiding. Celtic Compass prides itself on designing itineraries to give a really immersive experience and create life-long lasting memories of this majestic country.

Opening times

Office opening times: Monday - Friday - 9am - 5:30pm.

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