Visit Hopetoun House, where a docent-led circuit reveals gilded state rooms, sweeping staircases and impeccably preserved salons that epitomise 18th-century architecture. Admire fine furniture, paintings and tapestries as you move through interiors crafted for ceremony and comfort in Scotland’s grandest country house setting.

Hear how Sir William Bruce’s original design was expanded by William Adam, creating a showcase of Georgian elegance with rich carving, gilding and plasterwork. This guided tour of what is widely regarded as Scotland’s finest stately home is included on your journey .

Step inside Abbotsford on a curator-led guided tour of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic retreat. Explore atmospheric rooms lined with historic relics and an extensive library, and stroll the formal gardens that inspired the Scottish Baronial style he helped popularise.

Gain rare perspective on Scott’s collecting passions and how his home shaped literary taste and national imagination. Expert commentary illuminates manuscripts, arms and curios that connect the novelist’s life to Scotland’s past. This special access experience is included in the tour program .

Explore Floors Castle, the grand seat of the Duke of Roxburghe, on a private guided tour. Marvel at French-influenced architecture overlooking the River Tweed and step through opulent chambers hung with fine tapestries, portraits and antiques that reflect centuries of custodianship in the largest inhabited castle in Scotland.

Savour an included lunch at the Terrace Café and enjoy time in the Victorian Walled Gardens, where glasshouses and herbaceous borders frame sweeping estate views. This enriched castle visit forms part of your included experiences .

Discover Thirlestane Castle, a rose-pink stronghold with fairytale turrets and 13th-century origins, on a private guided tour. Admire exquisite plasterwork ceilings in the Duke’s Bedroom, linger in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Room and browse evocative collections, from family portraits to historic toys.

Learn how the Maitlands, Earls and Duke of Lauderdale, shaped this defensive seat into a showpiece of early Baroque and 19th-century style, then enjoy an included light lunch within the estate. This castle experience is included on your tour .

Experience Traquair House with an exclusive greeting from Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair, followed by a guided tour of Scotland’s oldest inhabited house. Climb the turnpike staircase, trace priest-hideaways and pause in rooms that hosted 27 Scottish monarchs, including Mary Queen of Scots.

Absorb nearly a millennium of history in a former royal hunting lodge where each chamber tells a layered story of devotion, politics and domestic life in the Borders. This privileged owner-hosted visit is included in the tour .

Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers over a convivial welcome drink in the lounges of the Peebles Hydro Hotel. Share first impressions of the Borders as river-valley views and period interiors set a relaxed mood for the days of exploration ahead.

Enjoy a concise tour briefing with tips on making the most of the stately homes and castles featured on your holiday. This hosted reception is included in your stay at Peebles Hydro .

Discover Scotland’s capital as you join a guided walking tour through wynds and squares linking the Royal Mile with the gracious avenues of the New Town. Take in panoramic views toward Edinburgh Castle and the green sweep of Princes Street Gardens while hearing how the city’s character was shaped between medieval closes and elegant Georgian facades.

Gain an insider’s sense of place as stories of writers, reformers and royals bring the streetscape to life. This immersive city exploration is included as part of your tour .