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Sister Cities 10th Anniversary
Trip to Scotland

This is a preliminary itinerary. You'll be emailed the more detailed schedule 30 days before travel. However, we still leave space for unexpected finds and last minute treasures along the way.

Join us for this special 10th Anniversary adventure as we reconnect with friends, dive into Scottish culture, and enjoy performances from world-class musicians. This trip is co-sponsored by UNC Asheville and Asheville Sister Cities International, and it will commemorate the 10 years of international friendship between our communities.

Traceless Tours collaborates closely with local communities in Scotland and has a special relationship with Dunkeld and Birnam, making us true partners in tourism. Part of our commitment to community-led tourism involves spending at least three nights in each location, giving you, our guest, the opportunity to settle in and experience each place, while also providing greater support to local hotels and businesses. Our journey begins with coach pickup in Edinburgh city center for a short drive to Dunkeld & Birnam, for our 4-night stay. Next, we’ll travel to Inverness for three days filled with authentic Highland experiences. Finally, we will make our way south to the picturesque Scottish Borders for three nights, known for its rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Our journey will culminate with a final night in Edinburgh city center, featuring an overnight stay, a group dinner, and heartfelt farewells before heading home or your continued journey.

Itinerary 

August 27 - September 7, 2027


27 August: Upon your arrival in the enchanting city of Edinburgh, hop into a taxi bound for the vibrant Royal Mile. Feel free to leave your bags with the friendly staff at the Radisson Blu Hotel, giving you the perfect chance to wander the festive streets before we embark on our midday coach adventure. Keep in mind, it’s festival season, so be prepared to join the lively celebrations that fill the streets!


August 27-30: Our coach driver, Glenn, will greet us at 1:30PM in front of the Radisson Blu Hotel, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey toward Dunkeld. First, we’ll take a scenic detour to Rosslyn Chapel, an exquisite collegiate church dating back to the 15th century, more recently made famous by Dan Brown's *Da Vinci Code* who wrote of an association with the Holy Grail. After a visit and a brief history discussion, we'll enjoy a guided stroll through the picturesque Glen to explore the Castle site and iconic bridge.


Our time in Dunkeld and Birnam promises to be a delightful combination of attending the annual Highland Games, meeting locals involved in the Twinning cities initiative, enjoying scenic walks, and history talks. We'll have the pleasure of private concerts featuring local legends, enjoy a group dinner, and participate in a civic reception hosted by the Provost of Perth & Kinross. Some highlights of our visit will include trips to the Scottish Crannog Centre and Loch Tay, as well as exploring the nearby village of Kenmore, and the towns of Aberfeldy and Pitlochry. We will also ensure you have free time to explore on your own.


August 31-September 2: Our Highland journey continues as we board the coach heading to Inverness, with a scheduled stop for a sheepdog demonstration along the way. We'll savor lunch in Aviemore before heading to Clava Cairns, an exceptional Bronze Age site known for its ring cairns and passage graves. Inverness is a vibrant town filled with music and conveniently located near iconic landmarks. Some of the highlights of our trip will include a picturesque walk to Fairy Glen Falls, a visit to Prickly Thistle Mill to discover the intriguing and unexpected history of tartan, a scenic drive to Dunrobin Castle, lunch in charming villages, and some free time to explore Inverness. During our visit, we'll also host a group dinner and private concerts.


September 3-5: It’s time to bid farewell to the Highlands as we travel south to the historic beauty of the Scottish Borders. We’ll pause for lunch in picturesque Perth and have a chance to visit the award-winning museum that houses the Stone of Destiny, the ancient crowning seat for Scottish monarchs. Later, we’ll explore Abbotsford House and Gardens, the illustrious residence of Sir Walter Scott, before checking into our hotel.


During our three-day stay in the Borders, you'll have the opportunity to stroll along the lovely High Street of Peebles, just a short walk from our hotel. We'll also visit the Tapestry of Scotland Museum in Galashiels and spend a day exploring Melrose, where you can enjoy lunch and discover the area. You might choose to visit Melrose Abbey, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce's heart, relax in the tranquil Priorwood "secret" Gardens, or explore the fascinating Trimontium Museum, which showcases the region's Roman heritage. Our journey will feature group dinners, a private concert, several scenic stops, engaging stories, and time to reflect on the journey.


September 6: We’ll make our way back to Edinburgh, wrapping up our adventure with one last night on the Royal Mile. You'll have time on your own to enjoy museums and shops before our farewell dinner and the sharing of our favorite memories.


7 September: And with that, it’s time to catch flights back home or your onward journeys.


Did you know?

Our tours are different than most. We follow a model of Regenerative Tourism, meaning we strive to leave a place better than we found it. Tours are carefully curated to support Scottish communities and be mindful of areas that are overtouristed. You will be seeing Scotland with local guides and friends who show up to share music and stories. You will not be seeing this enchanting land through a coach window with quick stops. We take our time and a portion of every tour goes back to conservation efforts in the areas we visit. Thanks for supporting small businesses and community efforts around Scotland!



Total Price Per Person

5900.00

5900.00 which includes all gratuities to venues, guides and driver

Single supplement rate: $1,500 (We are limited on single rooms so please book early) Email info@tracelesstours.com for availability.

Deposit of $2000 per person holds your space.

2nd payment of $1950 per person is due 6 months before departure.

The remaining balance of $1950 per person is due 90 days before departure.


Included in Tour Price

Included in tour price:

11 nights accommodations at 4 star eco-friendly hotels when available

luggage porterage at each hotel

4 group dinners

breakfast each day

all site entrance fees we visit as a group

local guides

ground transportation by luxury coach

At leaast 3 Private concerts by world-class musicians

Gratuities for venues, guides, driver and group dinners


Note:  Many tour guests choose to come a day or two early to acclimate or stay a few days later to see parts of Scotland that may not be part of our tour. Due to the varying arrival and departure times, we will not provide airport shuttle. Taxis, uber or lyft are available and we can help you as needed.  For this reason, we also do not include airfare to and from Edinburgh, as it is most often less expensive for you to book on your own. 


We are happy to help with itineraries or drivers for your private plans before or after our ten day tour, at an extra cost. 


We highly encourage you purchase  the travel insurance of your choice in case of illness, injury or other unforeseens.

Please see FAQs for details.

© 2025 Traceless Tours

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