Your Scottish Food Trail begins as you arrive in Edinburgh, check in to your accommodation and choose from our list of handpicked eateries. A stylish city centre restaurant, or perhaps a unique, rustic dining experience in a converted gardener’s cottage?

Your accommodation: A stylish, family-run Victorian guest house just a stone’s throw from the city centre.

Take time today to experience the narrow cobbled alleyways, underground vaults and world-famous castle of Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town; before venturing over to discover the elegant Georgian architecture and shopping of the New Town. Tonight you can choose to sample another of our recommendations from among the fine eateries on the city’s vibrant restaurant scene.

Today you’ll travel on to rural Fife passing over the Queensferry Crossing, the third and newest bridge over the Firth of Forth with views to the adjacent iconic Forth Road and Rail Bridges. Falkland Palace, the royal country residence beloved by Mary Queen of Scots; the picturesque red-roofed fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife; or the charming, medieval university town of St Andrews are just some of the many places you may like to visit before you arrive at your accommodation and enjoy an unforgettable dining experience.

Your accommodation: A fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms in rural Fife.

Journey north to the gentle beauty of Highland Perthshire with its rolling hills, sparkling lochs and pretty villages. You may like to stop off at Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish Kings which housed the stone of destiny; and Dunkeld, a picturesque little town on the banks of the River Tay, is steeped in history with a cathedral, many restored 17th & 18th century houses and a number of charming little shops and cafés. Enjoy canapés and apéritifs by the crackling log fire before being ushered to the dining room for a delightful dinner.

Your accommodation: A welcoming 4-star country house hotel with contemporary décor and a 2 AA rosette restaurant.

Continue north today to the Highland capital, Inverness. The imposing Blair Castle, Dalwhinnie Distillery, the Highland Folk Museum or shopping at the exclusive House of Bruar are just a few of the attractions which may entice you to break your journey today. You can then expect a warm Highland welcome to this charming property with its traditional drawing room where you can take your coffee and pètits fours as you mull over the fine meal you’ve just enjoyed.

Your accommodation: A luxury 5-star hotel with fine-dining restaurant on the banks of the River Ness.

Take advantage of this central Highland base to explore in any direction. You might like to visit the nearby Culloden Battlefield with its interactive visitor centre, or visit the charming 15th century Cawdor Castle. A cruise on the mysterious waters of Loch Ness is also on your doorstep; or venture a little further north to the picturesque town of Dornoch with its world-famous Royal Dornoch Golf Course and delightful shops and cafés. Then return to the grandeur of your Inverness country residence for another memorable dining experience.

Today you’ll drive along the shores of Loch Ness as you make your way to the Isle of Skye and the award-winning hotel which will be your base for the next two days. You may be interested to stop off at the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre which tells the story of the geology, history and legend of this world-famous area. The atmospheric ruins of Urquhart Castle and the much-photographed Eilean Donan Castle are also en route and well worth a pause on your journey.

Your accommodation: An award-winning, family-run 4–star hotel in a wonderful coastal location.

After a memorable breakfast, you can explore some of the many attractions of this magical island including the Old Man of Storr rock pinnacle and other dramatic geological landscapes at the north, the attractive main town of Portree with its colourful houses round the harbour, and perhaps take a tour of Talisker Distillery. You’re likely to want to hurry back to the luxurious comfort and exquisite cuisine of your hotel; or if you prefer something different this evening we can point you in the direction of some other wonderful options on the island.

Taking the ferry off the island, you’ll sail over the sea from Skye to the mainland and your next stop at a delightful former ferry inn offering wonderful food, service and ambience. Your journey will take you along a beautiful coastline of craggy coves and sandy beaches before passing by historic Glenfinnan where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied his Jacobite clansmen, and then on past Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain.

Your accommodation: A delightful former ferry inn, now a 4-red star, luxury hotel with a 3AA rosette restaurant.

Discover the area today at a leisurely pace. You could head to the atmospheric  Glencoe, a beautiful nature reserve with dramatic mountains where the infamous massacre of the MacDonald clan took place in 1692. Or you may prefer to explore the bustling port of Oban and take a tour of the local distillery. Alternatively, take the short ferry ride to visit the lovely Isle of Lismore – the boat leaves from within walking distance of your hotel. The promise of another glorious dining experience will draw you back to your charming lodgings.

As your Scottish Food Tour wraps up today you return to Edinburgh passing through the Trossachs, the heart of Rob Roy MacGregor country. If your plans allow you can call in at Stirling and visit the famous Stirling Castle, childhood home and crowning place of Mary Queen of Scots, before continuing your journey home.

We highly recommend adding a couple of extra nights to take in the charming coastal towns of Dornoch on the east and Ullapool on the west, to discover outstanding fine dining with luxury lodgings.