Scotland: Kings, Queens & Castles

Tour Details

July 18 - 28, 2027

Our new Scotland itinerary takes us to Royal sites with stays in Scottish country estates and a private castle

Tour Overview

Join Explore Flower Tours for a new travel experience in Scotland!

Scotland has become one of our favorite destinations so we have created a new tour to see even more of this beautiful country. This time we focus on Royal and noble destinations, encompassing both Scottish history and the current King. Our accommodations are also part of this theme - we are staying at country houses and a private castle where we can experience the history of the estates and a more intimate atmosphere.

We begin the tour just outside of Edinburgh at Dalhousie Castle. Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle with connections to Kings and Queens, and owned by the noble Dalwolsey family, it is now a beautifully restored hotel and spa. We begin with a Welcome Dinner on July 18th. If you arrive early relax at the spa and enjoy afternoon tea.

Next, we move to Dumfries House in Ayrshire, which is part of the King’s Foundation. Dumfries House is a special place, where we will have the privilege of experiencing its history through private tours of the grand house, its exceptional Chippendale Furniture collection and its stunning garden. We will also learn about the King’s Foundation’s current philanthropic and educational mission. Our group will have our own private accommodations on the estate.

We will have a flower workshop with Pyrus Botanicals set in their Victorian walled garden, and another with Myrtle and Bracken Flowers on the grounds of Dumfries House. We will visit Culzean Castle, built in the 18th century by the 10th Earl of Cassillis, David Kennedy, who was part of one of Scotland’s oldest clans. Designed by Robert Adam, this opulent castle is set on the dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea.

Our next stay is in Perthshire at Murrayshall Country Estate. But, first we stop at Stirling Castle. Built high on volcanic rock, the site has been fortified since ancient times and was a key battleground in Scotland’s Wars of Independence. It was also home of multiple Scottish and English royals including Mary Queen of Scots, and Kings James IV, V and VI.

We head north to Morayshire to stay at Gordon Castle, where we have exclusive use of the castle, and owners Angus and Zara Gordon Lennox will be our hosts. From them, we will learn the history of the castle and wider estate. We will be treated to a private tour of the spectacular walled garden by the head gardener and Zara Gordon Lennox will lead our flower workshop. We have opportunities for gin making with botanicals from their garden, walking the estate and even fishing! Other Royal highlights from this part of Scotland may include Balmoral Castle, Blair Castle and more!

Tour Highlights

  • Stays on elegant, historic estates - Dalhousie Castle, Dumfries House, Murrayshall Country Estate and Gordon Castle.

  • Private tours of Dumfries House led by experts in each area, including the main house and estate, the prestigious Chippendale furniture collection, the walled garden and the King’s Foundation School of Traditional Craft.

  • Gordon Castle exclusive experiences include a floral design workshop with our hostess, Zara Gordon Lennox, a tour of the garden and grounds with the head gardener, an overview of the family history by our host, Angus Gordon Lennox, private dinner each night in the castle’s dining room.

  • Floral design workshop with PYRUS, a creative floral design studio in East Lothian. Owner Fiona Inglis leads her team in cultivating sustainable flowers from seed in their Victorian-era walled garden. We will cut flowers from the garden that will be used in our designs.

  • Floral Design workshop with Myrtle and Bracken Flowers set on the expansive grounds of Dumfries House. We will create a floral installation and small arrangements that will decorate our dining table that evening.

  • Culzean Castle guided tour through the opulent house where we will see the famous Robert Adam-designed oval staircase. We will have free time to wander the formal gardens, the walled garden and the Swan Pond.

  • Interior Tour of Balmoral Castle, the Highland home of the Royal Family. Purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852, Balmoral was beloved by Queen Elizabeth II and was where the family spent their summer holidays. We tour a portion of the interior and you will have time to stroll the gardens at your leisure. Lunch will be in town at the Michelin rated Fife Arms in the historic town of Braemar. (Please note - inclusion of Balmoral in our itinerary is dependent on us securing tickets. They do not go on sale until 2027 and they are extremely limited due to very high demand.)

  • Guided tour of Stirling Castle, which is steeped in Scottish Royal history from Mary Queen of Scots to the Stewart Kings. It also played an hugely important role in the Scottish Wars of Independence where William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, names familiar to us from the movie Braveheart, fought in the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

  • Glenfiddich Distillery Tour & Tasting - Glenfiddich is one of the most well known and respected Scotch Whisky brands in the world. We will be treated to a private experience where we will learn about their family legacy and whisky-making process, followed by a tasting of four signature whiskies.

  • The House of Bruar is one of our favorite stops in Scotland for shopping, eating and taking a break from touring. Browse beautifully crafted clothing, outdoor gear, art, jewelry and fine crafts. Shop for Scottish culinary items in their Food Shop and then relax with coffee and a fresh pastry in their cafe.

  • And more quintessential Royal Scottish experiences!

Registration

  • July 18 - 28, 2027

    Single Occupancy: $13,500

    Double Occupancy: Please contact info@exploreflowertours.com‍ if you are interested in double occupancy. Due to the nature of staying in estate houses and private castles only shared beds are available, but are very limited.

    DEPOSIT: In order to register for this tour a $3,000 non-refundable deposit is required. After registration you will be sent an installment schedule to pay for the remainder.

    • 10 nights in Scotland

    • Fully developed itineraries for each day - you don’t have to think about planning at all!

    • Hotel stays

    • Breakfast everyday and multiple lunches and dinners

    • Most ground transportation, including driver tip

    • Entrance and group tour fees

    • Porterage

    • Tour Guide Book

    • Airfare

    • Cost of airport transfers

    • Travel insurance (very strongly recommended)

    • Additional, specified beverages

    • Please see Terms & Conditions for the full list of exclusions

  • Arrival

    • The recommended arrival airport is Edinburgh

    Departure

    • You may chose to depart from either Inverness or Edinburgh

    Please note that airfare of all kinds is NOT included in the tour price. Therefore, it is your responsibility to reserve and pay for your flights.

  • July 16th & 17th

    You may choose to arrive early in Scotland. We may have hotel rooms available at Dalhousie House for the nights of July 16 & 17, 2027. You may choose one or both nights.

    These rooms are self-pay and are NOT included in the tour cost. Explore Flower Tours will make these reservations for you, but you will pay the hotel directly for these nights.

  • Click Here for our Terms & Conditions for this tour

Register