September 20 - 28, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Open

A collaboration with our partners at The Culture Concierge and hosted by Alexandra Messervy, this tour takes you through the lowlands and into the Scottish borders.

With rolling hills often regarded as the poor relations of the highland mountains, famous fishing rivers and burns and some spectacular coastal scenery including the Isle of Arran and the Mull of Galloway, this land is filled with history, castles and beautiful estates, as well as some glorious gardens with late summer colour abundant in September.

August 31 - September 9, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Open

This island sojourn is an adventure off the beaten track that explores port towns, prehistoric villages, Viking harbors, archaeological sites, and extraordinarily rich wildlife and scenery.

Jutting from the northern tip of Scotland into the North Sea, Orkney, and the Shetland Islands have a unique history of Nordic and Viking heritage. Beginning in Edinburgh we fly to Orkney where we will travel back in time to visit the World Heritage sites of Orkney’s Neolithic Heartland. From there, we will travel to Shetland Island where we’ll spot razorbills, guillemots, puffins, gannets, and abundant aquatic life.

Come join naturalists from around the world to experience for yourself the abundant island beauty in the North Sea.

August 25 - September 3, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Open

Well over a thousand years ago the Vikings sailed across the North Sea, first to raid and then to settle in the Hebrides and Western Scotland. They mingled with the native Gaelic people and brought a special gift – their mastery of the sea and their fast, flexible ships. Before long, a race of strong and independent leaders was born. The highest title, the Overlord, was claimed by the Norse King. Somerled, the earliest ancestor of Clan Donald, rebelled to lead a great revival of Gaeldom. The Norse were driven out of Western Scotland and the Isles, and Somerled crowned himself “King of the Isles.”

Join Discover Europe on this magical and historical journey through the Western Isles of Scotland as we explore both the landscape and culture of this powerful clan.

August 2 - 13, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 6 Participants | Availability: WAITLIST ONLY

The recently released second season of the wonderful TV series, All Creatures Great and Small, was a co-production between Channel 5 in the UK and America’s PBS and has been a huge success on both sides of the Atlantic. The title, of course, comes from the hymn by Mrs. Cecil Alexander, which begins “All things bright and beautiful, . . .” Here is your opportunity to visit some of the locations at which the series was filmed.

But there is so much more . . .We begin our adventure in Edinburgh in time to attend the opening of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which, in turn, heralds the beginning of the annual Edinburgh Festival of Arts.

This summer, join tour guide Thomas Randall and explore the north of England from Edinburgh, through the “border country” to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, immortalized in James Herriott’s novels.

June 17 - 26, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Open

The southwestern corner of Scotland comprises the counties of Ayrshire, Wigtownshire, Dumfriesshire, and Kirkcudbrightshire, located in the regions of Strathclyde and Dumfries & Galloway — we call it Burns’ Country.

The name derives from the region’s claim to fame as the home of Scotland’s “favorite son,” the “Bard of Ayrshire,” Robert (Robbie or Rabbie) Burns. His fame is now so widespread that Scots worldwide have founded Burns Clubs and celebrate his birthday every year on January 25th.

This part of Scotland is well off the usual tourist track, which heads up into the Highlands or down through the Borders into England. The gently rolling hills dotted with ruined castles, medieval abbeys, and megalithic stone circles will charm you with a beauty all their own.

June 1 - 11, 2023 | Maximum Group Size: 15 Participants | Availability: Late Registration*

Few visitors travel to Skye without leaving part of their heart in the Highlands. The breathtaking landscapes, the romance of the tales and legends, and the drama of noble and fiercely independent inhabitants all leave a lasting impression.

Starting in Edinburgh, “the Athens of the North,”; we will travel on to Inverness- “the capital of the Highlands” with a day trip excursion on Loch Ness; Skye — home of Dunvegan Castle and Talisker Whisky Distillery; Mull, where we will go to the holy island of Iona where Christianity in Scotland started; and Stirling — the gateway between the highlands and the lowlands. With plenty of time to enjoy a wee dram in a pub or two, join us this summer for this unforgettable northern journey into Scottish culture, history, and stunning scenery.

* Late registrations (received within 60 days of departure) may also incur extra fees as discounted rates for hotels and airfares may no longer be available so close to departure. Participants will be made aware of any such charges before their registration is accepted