A perfect 7-night guided itinerary combining both highland and lowland culinary and cultural experiences awaits your arrival. Hands-on cookery classes with top chefs in iconic venues including a 5-star castle, visits to specialty food producers and a whisky distillery where you will blend your own unique Scotch whisky are sure to be highlights.
There’s time to relax in luxury with 5-star overnight stays as well as the chance to truly immerse yourself in Scotland and its traditions with visits to must see historic castles and locations.
A supplementary 2 or 3 night stay on the Isle of Skye, the 4th best island in the World as voted by the National Geographic magazine, is also available to complement your once in a lifetime gourmet and cultural vacation.
Itinerary:
DAY 1 RELAX LIKE ROYALTY • you’ll be met on your arrival in Glasgow (transfers from Edinburgh/other locations can be arranged upon request) • Depending on your arrival time your itinerary will be individually tailored to suit you • Dinner & overnight 5 star accommodation in the Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow; Scotland’s friendliest city (Night 1 of 2)
DAY 2 YES CHEF! CULINARY MASTERCLASS! • Gluten Free Scottish breakfast • enjoy cooking up naturally gluten-free premium quality, iconic Scottish ingredients in an entertaining and relaxed hands-on culinary masterclass with a professional chef (lunch included). Theme: Scotland on a Plate • Evening at leisure. For Dinner, we’d suggest some Gluten Free Traditional Fish & Chips (known locally as a ‘Fish Supper’!) served with lemon and homemade Tartare Sauce at one of the city’s finest traditional fish supper restaurants or a relaxed and informal Gluten Free Dinner in Brown’s Brasserie (a Coeliac UK Gluten Free Accredited Restaurant) • overnight 5 star accommodation in the Blythswood Square Hotel Glasgow (Night 2 of 2)
DAY 3 STIRLING AND HIGHLAND WHISKY GALORE! • Gluten Free Scottish Breakfast • visit to Stirling Castle • production tour and tasting at the Glengoyne Highland Single Malt Whisky Distillery • join the Master Blender to learn the art of whisky blending and create your own whisky to take home • Gluten Free Dinner and overnight 5 star accommodation in the Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond (Night 1 of 1). (A 3rd night in Glasgow can also be arranged if you would prefer fewer hotel moves).
DAY 4 OBAN; SCOTLAND’S SEAFOOD CAPITAL, A SALMON SMOKEHOUSE & THE 5-STAR INVERLOCHY CASTLE HOTEL
• Gluten Free Scottish Breakfast • depart for a beautifully scenic journey which includes ‘The Rest & Be Thankful’ Mountain pass • a visit to a smoked salmon smokehouse for a production exhibition insight • a light and informal Naturally Gluten Free Lunch of premium Scottish Seafood before time to explore Oban; a quaint but bustling harbor town; complete with its own Malt Whisky Distillery • Dinner and overnight stay in the 5-star Inverlochy Castle, Fort William (Night 1 of 1)
DAY 5* YOUR SELECTION
OPTION 1:
COOKING IN A HIGHLAND CASTLE WITH A ROUX BROTHERS’ CHEF (Available for parties of 4 or less. For parties of more than 4 an alternative cooking experience can be arranged) •Gluten Free Scottish Breakfast • Gluten Free Cooking experience with a famous Roux brothers trained Chef at the 5-star Inverlochy Castle Hotel (followed by Lunch)
OPTION 2:
PREMIUM SHOPPING EMPORIUM, HIGHLAND MALT WHISKY & THE WORLD’S BEST CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES • Gluten Free Scottish Breakfast • A visit to the Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery for a tour and tasting • A visit to the House of Bruar quality clothing and food emporium; the perfect place for gifts/momentos of your trip • Connoisseur Chocolate Tasting: A visit to the multi award winning ‘Highland Chocolatier’ (Iain Burnett) where you will be given a personally guided insight into the world of artisan gourmet chocolate, its craftsmanship and subtleties. You will be taken on a journey through some of the finest couverture chocolates, visiting the Chocolate Exhibition next to Iain’s chocolate kitchens, and a tasting flight of the Velvet Truffles in Iain Burnett’s Chocolate Lounge.
• Gluten Free Dinner and overnight stay at the 5-star Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire (Night 1 of 1)
(*Or why not add 2 or 3 nights on the Isle of Skye after the cooking experience to create a magical 9 or 10 night itinerary).
The 3-night ‘Epicurean Skye’ experience is based at Kinloch Lodge, home of Lady Claire MacDonald (acclaimed international Scottish chef and cookery book author) and includes Gluten Free cooking experiences with her Michelin Star Chef, Marcello Tully as well as visits to the island’s best artisan producers and the Talisker Malt Whisky distillery. Kinloch Lodge is voted in the Conde Naste Top 25 Hotels in the World. (3 nights in the 5-Star Kinloch Lodge, followed by Option 2 of Day 5).
The 2-night ‘Gastro Skye’ experience is based in the north-west of the island and includes dinner in the world-renowned ‘Three Chimneys’ restaurant, where a seat at ‘The Chef’s Table for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this famous kitchen in action and their 8-course Skye, Land & Sea Tasting Menu is available. This restaurant has won the prestigious Good Food Guide’s ‘UK Restaurant of the Year 2018’. Other experiences include visits to the island’s best artisan producers and the Talisker Malt Whisky distillery. (2 nights in the House-Over-By at The Three Chimneys, followed by Option 2 of Day 5).
DAY 6 or 8/9* HISTORIC ST ANDREWS • Gluten Free Scottish Breakfast • a day at leisure to explore the historic and iconic St Andrews, including a visit to one of the picturesque heritage fishing villages and a tasting at a premium artisan cheese maker • Late afternoon journey to Edinburgh • 3-course Gluten Free Dinner in a 1 Michelin Star restaurant • overnight 5 star accommodation in 21212; 5-star restaurant with rooms, Edinburgh. (Or the Balmoral Hotel) (Night 1 of 2)
DAY 7 or 9/10* EXPLORING EDINBURGH • Gluten Free Breakfast • Visit to Edinburgh Castle • Time at leisure to explore one of the most wonderful cities in the world • Dinner, at leisure. Gluten Free Restaurants/pubs/Cafes will be recommended. Overnight 5 star accommodation in 21212; 5-star restaurant with rooms, Edinburgh. (Or The Balmoral Hotel). (Night 2 of 2)
DAY 8 or 10/11* ‘FAREWELL’ • Gluten Free Breakfast • transportation to airport/train station/your next accommodation location (Edinburgh). Other locations can be arranged upon request.
Price for private tour is from $6000 per person based on 2 people sharing a Standard double/twin room in Scotland’s top 5-star hotels.
We always request rooms with a view on your behalf. Please let us know if you wish a price including the Skye 2-night or 3-night experience.
Included:
• Executive chauffeur driven transportation (Day 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6)
• Airport Arrival Transfer from Glasgow airport
• Airport Departure Transfer to Edinburgh airport
• 7 nights luxury 5 star hotels accommodation
• 7 Scottish Traditional Breakfasts
• 2 Lunches (Day 4 & 5)
• 5 Dinners (including a 1 Michelin Star restaurant)
• 1 hands-on cooking masterclass with a highly respected chef
• Option selected on Day 5 (Cooking masterclass in a 5-star castle OR visit & tasting at the Dalwhinnie Malt Whisky Distillery & the Connoisseur Chocolate Tasting Experience
• 1 Master Whisky Blending Experience
• All visit fees associated with the planned itinerary to award winning food/whisky producers for behind-the-scenes insights, tours and tastings: Glengoyne Whisky Distillery, Artisan Cheesemaker.
• All entrance fees associated with planned itinerary: Stirling Castle / Edinburgh Castle (excludes any visits undertaken during time at leisure)
• Arrival and onward transfer (local airport/train station)
• ‘Round-the-clock’ Guardian Angel. 24/7 telephone based assistance during your vacation from your Tasting Scotland contact
• Full arrangement and booking service for all elements of the itinerary
Please note this itinerary is suitable for those who require a Gluten Free diet or not. Where GF is indicated there is a full selection for Non-Coeliac’s.
What’s not included: Airfare or personal expenses, including personal travel insurance, gratuities and drinks are not included, except those which form part of a tasting. Additional meals and any activities not specifically listed on the itinerary are payable by you at the time directly with the vendor (i.e paid locally). We can provide recommendations for where to eat, what to visit etc. but these are purely optional during time at leisure. A custom-designed itinerary on Day 1 may incur additional charges, depending on your requirements.
Alternative dining options: We include what we believe to be the best dining options for your itinerary. However, if you would prefer to reduce the number of pre-arranged lunches or dinners to allow time to explore the dining scene at your leisure that can be arranged.
This itinerary is customizable for each client.