Scotland

Like the tartan hand-made by generations, warmth is woven into the fabric of this enigmatic country. Whether it’s sipping single malt with the Keepers of the Quaich, each dram distilling centuries of whisky craft, or stepping into a tucked-away bagpipe workshop where the scent of freshly carved wood tells of artisans shaping musical history. Working with kilt-makers to create a new family heirloom, or listening to tales of the Fairy Pools and Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye, as minke whales crest the waters. In the company of our guides, who know its people, passions and lesser-taken paths, Scotland extends a welcoming hand.

From Edinburgh and Stirling Castle to Holyrood and Balmoral, exclusive-to-NoteWorthy guides bring out the long-forgotten lore of these iconic sites. Out-of-hours entrance promises an uninterrupted view of the sceptre and sword of state, a chance to pause on the dawn-lit deck of the Royal Yacht Britannia, or to glimpse where Mary Queen of Scots held court. Little compares to taking lunch with the Countess of Scone Palace, before accompanying her Head Gardener to the exact spot where Robert the Bruce was crowned. While teeing off on the world’s oldest golf course in St Andrews is a ‘pinch yourself’ moment. Our connections unveil the people behind the palaces, and the moments that made history here.

Raw, rugged and flowing with Celtic legend, Scotland’s epic landscapes are best explored with someone who knows each nook and cranny, crag and glen. Driver guides could sweep you across the Cairngorms, keeping pace with racing reindeer in the Caledonian pine forest and following Royal Land Rover tracks to Balmoral. Others recite the poetry of Sir Walter Scott on board the steamship that crisscrosses Loch Katrine. Local seafarers pair sailing with storytelling on journeys across the Hebridean Islands, while photographers can see the Trossachs’ best side, and Loch Lomond at its most serene. For those with family ties, genealogy journeys invite you to uncover your own roots across land and sea.

A city of two halves, Edinburgh has an old soul and a contemporary spirit. Walking tours embrace both sides, swapping lists of dates and facts for a thoughtfully mapped journey across this spellbinding capital. Pause at Leith’s vertical whisky distillery for a fresh perspective on Scottish pours, or invite a local chef to spill the secrets of shortbread and cranachan with a private masterclass. Tracing family clans is at its most meaningful when standing where ancestors once lived, aided by our expert genealogists. Meanwhile, a curated guide to must-see Festival events puts the modern side of the city centre stage.