See Scotland and discover its most stunning landmarks
Join us as we travel around Scotland under the guidance of renowned castle scholar, Paul Remfry to explore the great castles found across the Lowlands, Highlands, and islands. These remarkable monuments have fascinating stories to share—stories that truly bring Scotland’s history to life. While each is scarred with the wear sustained over centuries of struggle as this tiny nation forged its place in the world, all provide a unique glimpse into the past and reveal distinct chapters in the history of this land and its people.
The castles of Scotland tell a fascinating story which is unique from that of those found in its southern neighbor, England. In England, the need for fortified residences became less and less several centuries before the same could be said of Scotland. England was generally a flat and productive country which quickly became well ordered under a universal set of laws—English Common Law.
In Scotland, however, arguments between arbitrary rule by lords and princes and the rule of their king and his ministers was hotly disputed for centuries. Indeed, the Scotland we know today didn’t exist as a single kingdom until 1493 when the Scots finally annexed the northwestern isles. Even so, regional and inter-tribal warfare continued there until the Jacobite rebellions were finally crushed in the mid-eighteenth century, nearly fifty years after the kingdoms of England and Scotland had merged to form the United Kingdom.
When one considers the centuries of struggle, the bloody disputes between clans, the strife among princes, paupers and lords, all set against some of Europe’s most stunning scenery, it is not hard to understand why the castles of Scotland offer a tantalizing prism through which to explore this beautiful nation and its captivating history.
Our fascinating sojourn begins in the Lowlands and makes it way around the country—traveling north through the dramatic Highlands and atmospheric islands before heading east to the coast of the shimmering North Sea and finally concluding in Scotland’s heart: the ancient capital of Stirling. Along the way, we encounter 22 of the most stunning castles found in Scotland. Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey to explore these majestic structures both inside and out while discovering their hidden secrets and learning the stories they have left for posterity.
- Tour leader Paul Remfry is arguably one of the greatest castle scholars of our era who frequently appears as an expert on television documentaries exploring the history of castles
- Visit 22 of the most significant and stunning castles in Scotland
- Enjoy a private, guided walking tour of Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Spend on a night on the beautiful banks of Loch Lomond, gateway to the Highlands
- Experience the dramatic scenery of Glencoe and a night on the atmospheric Isle of Skye
- Experience a Highland ceilidh and traditional Scottish dancing at the Kildrummy Castle hotel
- Enjoy a private tour and champagne reception at Dunvegan Castle, the ancestral home of Clan MacLeod
- Take a cruise along celebrated Loch Ness to the celebrated ruins of iconic Urquhart Castle
- Enjoy a private, guided tour of Cawdor Castle led by the Dowager Countess Cawdor herself
- Take a private, guided walking tour of historic Stirling and its massive castle
Musselburgh
Paul Martin Remfry
Author & Historian
Your tour leader, Paul Remfry, is arguably one of the greatest castle scholars of our era. He is a meticulous researcher who has spent over 30 years studying medieval history, genealogy, and architecture. As an historian with a passion for telling the stories of castles and the people who once lived in them, Remfry lectures throughout the United Kingdom and also frequently appears as an expert on television documentaries exploring the history of castles. He has also written extensively about castles, abbeys, and battles and his list of published works now includes some 20 books and over fifty booklets and scholarly articles for academic and archaeological journals. His scholarship, particularly on the castles of Wales and the Marshes is widely praised as superlative and his research approach to the study of castles has garnered widespread acclaim from the academic community.
PAUL REMFRY ALSO LEADS THESE SOJOURNS:
GREAT CASTLES OF BRITAIN
GREAT CASTLES OF IRELAND
LOST CASTLES OF WALES
Travel Information
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION:
The meeting point for this sojourn is the Grassmarket in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Those making their own travel arrangements should plan to arrive here by 11:00 AM on Sunday, May 10th. You will be greeted by your Scholarly Sojourns Tour Director who will assist you boarding the tour coach. An optional shuttle will be offered from Edinburgh Airport for those arriving on flights earlier that morning.
OPTIONAL AIR PACKAGE FROM $1,199/PERSON
Our air packages are designed to make all your travel convenient and seamless. They include round-trip, airfare from select North American gateways to Edinburgh, airport transfers in Scotland, and 100% travel assurance.
Recommended Reading:
While no reading is required to fully enjoy this sojourn, the following books will provide you with an excellent foundation:
Understanding the Castle Ruins of England and Wales: How to Interpret the History and Meaning of Masonry and Earthworks.
Hull, Lise. McFarland. 2008.
Castles and Tower Houses of the Scottish Clans 1450-1650.
Reid, Stuart. Osprey Publishing, Oxford. 2006.
Tales and Traditions of Scottish Castles.
Tranter, Nigel. Neil Wilson Publishing, Castle Douglas. 2012.
The Scottish Castles Story.
Alexander, Marc. The History Press, Mount Pleasant, SC. 2014.
FAQs
Q: What kind of weather can I expect in Scotland in May?
Average daytime temperatures in May range from Low-40’s to mid-60’s, but it can get cooler in the late evenings and night. Rain can be frequent at this time so participants are encouraged to bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket or a small umbrella.
Q: Can I arrive before or remain after the sojourn?
Yes. If you would like to arrive at the start location in advance or remain at the end location after the sojourn has concluded, Scholarly Sojourns can help you arrange your hotel accommodation and is often able to secure attractive rates. Please indicate these preferences to us after you have registered for a particular sojourn.
Q: How much walking will be required on this sojourn?
This sojourn involves several tours of historic monuments and towns that require walking and climbing a considerable distance. Several of the castles ruins we visit have uneven floors and narrow, winding staircases. All participants should be comfortable walking up to a mile at a time and climbing up to three flights of stairs at a time. In a few instances, it is necessary to climb upwards of 85 stairs to see every part of a monument.
Q: I am a single traveler. Can you help me find a roommate?
Scholarly Sojourns will do all we can to match single travelers with a suitable roommate if they desire. But we cannot guarantee that roommates will be available. Therefore all single travelers should register as such and be prepared to pay the single traveler rate should a roommate not be identified.
Q: Is this sojourn appropriate for children?
This sojourn is not appropriate for children. Young adults, however, will find the program quite enjoyable, and they may find it gets them extra credit in their history class.
Great Castles of Scotland
DEPARTURE:
Land price per person (double occupancy): $---
Land price per person (single occupancy): $---
Optional air packages from: * $---
Special Offers:
This Sojourn Combines Nicely With:
Land price per person (double occupancy): $3,995
Land price per person (single occupancy): $4,545
Optional air packages from: * $1,299
Special Offers:
Combination Discount: Save $250/Person and receive a transfer between locations when you book consecutive tours.
This Sojourn Combines Nicely With:
Land price per person (double occupancy): $4,095
Land price per person (single occupancy): $4,645
Optional air packages from: * $1,295
Special Offers:
Early-Booking Savings: Save $250/Person when you register before 7/31/2023.
Combination Discount: Save $250/Person and receive a transfer between locations when you book consecutive tours.
This Sojourn Combines Nicely With:
*Optional air packages include: round-trip international airfare from select North American gateway, airport transfers at destination, and 100% travel assurance.
Price includes: Eight-day travel program of sightseeing, tours, and presentations led by Paul Remfry; 7 nights accommodation in distinctive, 4-star hotels; 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners, 2 receptions; the services of a dedicated Scholarly Sojourns Tour Director who accompanies the group; ground and water transportation; entrance fees; gratuities (except for hotel porters); all other activities described in the day-to-day summary.
Price does not include: Airfare; airport transfers; meals not indicated in this detailed itinerary; beverage options other than water, wine, beer, or soft drinks with group meals; local transportation by bus, taxi, metro or light rail; passport or visa fees and necessary photos; immunizations; travel insurance; excess baggage charges; airport taxes; medical, hospitalization, or evacuation costs; gratuities for hotel porters; laundry; other personal items, including incidental hotel charges; any other item not specifically indicated.
Payment and terms: A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is due within fourteen (14) days of a confirmed registration. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the starting date of the sojourn. For more information, please see our complete Terms & Conditions.
