Hot Tam! Tour of Scotland
9 day tour from Edinburgh to Glasgow
Personally escorted by Shawnda McAlester, September 3-13, 2025
Hot Tam was such a huge hit we are making it available to you again in September 2025.
Shawnda McAlester will be personally escorting this incredible Choice tour of Scotland that includes an amazing collection of castles, landscapes, must-see attractions and so much more.
Edinburgh Castle. St. Andrews, Culloden, Stirling Castle, Blair Castle, Menzies Castle, Cawdor Castle, I can go on and on. Golf, yes it's included at Pitlochry and is a terrific challenge. Loch Ness? Yes, you might even spot Nessy!
As always we built in one pre-tour "free" night and day just to be sure you're over the jet lag and ready to dive into the full fun of Edinburgh, the Capital of Scotland, at the start of our tour.
Travel dates are September 3-13, 2025. Our group price point includes your pre-night in Edinburgh, as well as your 9 day fully escorted Choice tour (along with those added Choice inclusions). Total price is $3769 per person based on double occupancy.
Take a look at the day to day details below, then call Shawnda at 918-429-3267 or email Shawnda@thejoyoftravel.net to investigate further and reserve your spot.
We are already down to 20 seats on this amazing adventure. Please don't delay. Call Shawnda today!
*Price includes your fully escorted tour and pre-night hotel in Edinburgh. Flights from the U.S. are not included. Travel insurance is highly recommended at an additional cost and we are also able to provide round trip transfers.
Lacey W reflects back on Hot Tam:
I LOVED Scotland and the Hot Tam Tour. Having taken so many different tours with Globus the choice tours are by far a favorite. Through out the tour you can tailor your adventures to match your interests, whether it's exploring historic castles, savoring local cuisine, or taking in the stunning natural landscapes. The personalized approach ensures that every moment of your trip is meaningful and memorable. This provides an excellent value by allowing you to choose your interests and get more bang for the buck. I wouldn’t hesitate to book another choice tour of Scotland.
Cindy H loved the tour and offered this feedback:
Hot Tam is a wonderful trip with lots of included excursions! Edinburgh Castle, Blair Castle, St.Andrews, Pitlochry (where a bunch of our group played a round of golf), Culloden, etc. All are wonderful! The Atholl Palace Hotel was top notch! Scotland is beautiful and this tour is excellent!
Donnie C had this to say:
When my wife approached me about going to Scotland with The Joy Of Travel, I was skeptical. We travel with Joy two or three times a year. My thoughts were, why Scotland? I thought I would rather go on another European river cruise. I really like France, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, and on and on. I finally said we would go. One of the best decisions I have ever made. Scotland blew me away. I was a history major in college and had heard of some of the places and things we visited. The scenery is breath taking. Edinburgh is a really cool city. We enjoyed our time in St. Andrews. Not only the well-known golf course, but the small coffee shop where Prince William me Kate and the University. Seeing all the castles was also very interesting. I will end by saying that for the money, Scotland would be at the top of my list. If we have the opportunity, we will go back.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: Arrive in Edinburgh. (D)
At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
DAY 2: Edinburgh. (B, D)
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Tow, the Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:
GAZE: A Scottish Stroll
Soak in the origins of traditional Georgian architecture on a walking tour of Edinburgh's New Town with a Local Guide through the largest Georgian planned town in the world. Stroll by the ordered symmetrical grid of Neoclassical houses and private gardens. Experience the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment as you admire elegant ironwork of the New Town streets and squares including Charlotte Square regarded as an architectural masterpiece. Conclude your tour with a 3-course dinner with wine at a local restaurant.
DELVE: Fit for a Crown
For nearly half a century, the Royal Yacht Britannia carried Britain's royal family across the seas, logging more than a million nautical miles. Today, this last ship in the line of 83 royal yachts is retired, and permanently docked at Edinburgh's port of Leith. Explore this incredible floating palace, including the State Apartments and Drawing Room, Queen's Bedroom, Sun Lounge, and the crew's quarters. Afterward, enjoy a delicious dinner with wine and coffee at a local restaurant.
DAY 3: Edinburgh-St. Andrews-Dundee-Pitlochery. (B, D)
ST. ANDREWS See the home of golf and famous university town. DUNDEE Visit Discovery Point and Royal Research Ship Discovery. PITLOCHRY Walk through the Victorian mountain resort.
DAY 4: Pitlochry. (B)
PITLOCHRY YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:
CHILL: Pampered in Pitlochry
Relax and rejuvenate in the restorative waters of the Pitlochry Spa. Take in the spectacular views of the Scottish landscape while luxuriating in the natural spring water flowing from Ben Vrackie Mountain above. Relax with some traditional afternoon tea, scones with cream, and a selection of delicious sandwiches and cakes.
GAZE: Castle Stones & Tea with Scones
Visit a small market town located in Highland Perthshire made famous by the Robert Burns' poem, The Birks Of Aberfeldy. Join a private tour and explore the spectacular 16th century castle Menzies, a splendid example of medieval Scottish fortresses. Enjoy a traditional Scottish afternoon tea with scones and a selection of delicious sandwiches and cakes.
PLAY: Tee Time in Tummel Valley
Enjoy a round of golf on one of Scotland's finest inland courses, complete with sweeping views and state-of-the-art clubhouse. Work on your putting game on Pitlochry Golf Club's perfectly groomed greens in this golfer's heaven.
DAY 5: Pitlochry-Blair Altholl-Culloden-Inverness. (B)
BLAIR ATHOLL Visit Blair Castle. Scenic drive through the Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park. CULLODEN Visit the Culloden battlefield site and visitor center.
DAY 6: Inverness. (B)
INVERNESS YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice:
GAZE: Macbeth's Ghost & Grand Gardens
Bxplore Cawdor Castle with a Local Guide to hear all about this legendary home of a noble Scottish family and how it is forever associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth. Admire beautiful antique furniture and fine portraits by famous painters such as Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir Thomas Lawrence in a 600-year-old collection of intriguing artifacts and ornate tapestries. Spend free time wandering the castle's three unique gardens.
STROLL: Out and About in Inverness
Set out for a walking tour in the Scottish Highlands capital to discover the local history and beautiful coastal scenery and architecture. Hear the romantic tales which have shaped Inverness into the thriving city of today. Explore the quintessential sites, including the River Ness for which Inverness was named. Enjoy a leisurely walk alongside the river and learn about the history of Inverness' Town House, a Victorian baronial house; Inverness Castle; The Victorian Market, and its quaint little shops; breathtaking St Andrew's Cathedral; and the Old High Church and Graveyard, featured in the Outlander books.
PEDAL: Inverness on Two Wheels
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Highlands capital on easy-to-ride cruiser bikes. Pedal at a leisurely pace with your Local Guide to explore the scenic areas of Inverness. Follow the canal with views out to the Beauly Firth (estuary inlet) and ride through the Merkinch Nature Reserve out to the Moray Firth, while keeping watch for local dolphins. Head back to the city, once again along the River Ness.
DAY 7: Inverness-Loch Ness-Fort William-Glasgow
LOCH NESS Drive the length of the legendary lake. FORT WILLIAM See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. GLASGOW Orientation drive to see the 12th-century cathedral, university buildings, and Georgian squares.
Day 8: Glasgow. (B, D)
YourChoice Excursions include one of the following activities of your choice. Free time this afternoon. Farewell dinner this evening.
GAZE: Bravehearts, Kings & Queens
"They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" Visit Stirling Castle, a great symbol of Scottish national pride and the place Mel Gibson fought for in Braveheart. Through the centuries it was used as a royal residence for Scotland's Kings and Queens, a fortress, and a battlefield for independence. Now a museum, Stirling is one of the best-preserved, ornately decorated and furnished Renaissance castles in the UK.
PLAY: Blown Away in Glasgow
This is a unique opportunity to learn, play and have fun with the bagpipes, the iconic Scottish instrument. You will be welcomed by a Scottish bagpiper, given a tour of The Museum of Piping, have a full demonstration of the bagpipes from the Bagpiper Host, and get a chance to play the instrument yourself.
PEDAL: Bikes and Beer
Set off from the Drygate, one of Glasgow's best micro-breweries, ride your bike down to the People's Palace on Glasgow Green and towards the Clyde Waterfront, surrounded by stunning Victorian sandstone buildings and post-industrial architecture. Then, make your way to Glasgow's elegant West End, via Kelvingrove Park to see Glasgow University and Glasgow Cathedral before heading back for your craft beer tasting.
Day 9: Glasgow. (B)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(B) - Breakfast
(D) - Dinner
All payments are made directly to wholesale suppliers and any cancellations or changes are subject to their fee schedule and policies. Please be aware that deposits are non-refundable. If insurance has been purchased you may be entitled to a credit up to the full amount paid, minus the cost of the insurance. Exceptions may be made for medical reasons, but it is at the sole discretion of the insurance company. The Joy of Travel, LLC does not have any control over insurance claims or payments.