What could be more fascinating than following the adventures of a big screen heroine through incredible highland scenery? In Adventures By Disney®’s first vacation themed around one of their animated movies, Brave, the focus is on family bonding. Over eight nights explore Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Ness, the Isle of Lewis, and the Isle of Skye, some of the most beautiful places on the planet, overnighting at the historic Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, the Cullin Hills Hotel on the Isle of Skye, and The Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness.
Begin with a private tour of historic Glamis Castle where archery lessons are on tap, then on to Dunnottar overlooking the North Sea, the actual castle that was the inspiration for the movie. That evening adults enjoy a whiskey tasting while Junior Adventurers are busy with the guides.
Take a boat (or a canoe if you’re brave—pun intended) out on the loch in search of the infamous Loch Ness monster, then tour the eerie Urquhart Castle back on shore. Each day is progressively more exiting: ride through the moors on Highland ponies, just like Merida but hopefully at a slower pace; visit a tapestry maker where guests can try their own hand at weaving; and end the vacation with a private evening at Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels and enjoy a candlelit meal in the Queen Anne room. There’s even a traditional Scottish dinner, including haggis (again, only for the brave) accompanied by a bagpiper and topped off by single malt whiskey tasting.
Cara Goldsbury is the author of The Luxury Guide to Disney Vacations and President/Founder at Glass Slipper Concierge®, an Earmarked Platinum travel agency specializing in selling luxury Disney vacations. She has been cited numerous times in such notable publications as the New York Times, AFAR, New York Post, Travel Weekly, and Forbes Traveler, as an expert on Disney Destinations, and has appeared on two Travel Channel specials, Disney Splurge! and Disney Royalty. Cara also serves as a continuing member on the Disney EarMarked Travel Advisory Council, made of 25 travel agency owners at the Platinum and Diamond Level representing the voice of Authorized Disney Vacation Planners.
My family and I are on the Scotland ABD tour in June 2017 and we are so looking forward to it! In 2012 we took the ABD Ireland tour and absolutely loved it.
Any Scotland suggestions would be appreciated.
Lucky you! While I haven’t been on the Adventures By Disney to Scotland, I’ve been there four times and love it more and more. Super nice people and a wonderful sense of security and safety. You are in good hands, as you know, with ABD.
Are you aware of any other sites that ABD travelers might link up before actual tours begin?
Hi Victor. Specific ABD groups do occasionally pop up on Facebook, so I would search for Adventures By Disney Scotland. Also check the DisBoards here https://www.disboards.com. Good luck, and a have a great time!