12-Day Budget-Friendly Scotland Adventure with Detailed Costs

Day 1: Arrival & Explore

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 1, 2025

12:00pm

Arrival at Edinburgh Airport

Take a taxi (£25) or Airlink bus (£8) to Staycity Aparthotels West End. Stay overnight with breakfast included (~£70).
£70 (accommodation) + £8 (bus), 1h

2:00pm

Explore Edinburgh City Centre

Walk the Royal Mile and Princes Street Gardens – free attractions.
Free, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Hendersons Salad Table

Enjoy a budget-friendly, healthy meal with fresh salads and vegetarian options, costing around £18 for two people, perfect to start the trip light but tasty.
£18, 1h
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Day 2: Books & Workshop

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 2, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Staycity Aparthotels

Included breakfast featuring continental and cooked options.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Book Lovers Bookshop Visit

Explore charming independent bookshops such as Armchair Books or Golden Hare Books; free to browse.
Free, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Urban Angel

Wholesome lunch using local ingredients, approximately £15 for two.
£15, 1h

2:00pm

Islander Workshop Experience

Hands-on Scottish island crafts workshop in Edinburgh, booking essential, £40 for two.
£40, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Mosque Kitchen

Return for affordable, hearty meals, roughly £20 for two.
£20, 1h
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Day 3: Kelpies & Countryside

Falkirk & Callander, Scotland on September 3, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

Included breakfast at Staycity Aparthotels before travel.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Travel to The Kelpies

Train or drive to Falkirk (£15 train tickets for two). Visit outdoor sculpture (free) or guided tour (£16 for two).
£15 (transport) + £16 (tours), 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Froghall Inn

Traditional pub lunch in Falkirk around £20 for two.
£20, 1h

1:30pm

Swanson Farm Visit

Farm visit near Callander, pre-booked for £20 for two.
£20, 2h

4:00pm

Check-in at Callander B&B

Budget B&B with breakfast included, approx £70 per night.
£70, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at The Crown Hotel & Restaurant

Affordable Scottish dishes, costing about £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 4: To Inverness

Inverness, Scotland on September 4, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Callander B&B

Included hearty breakfast.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Travel to Inverness

Train journey costing approx £35 for two, approx 2.5 hours.
£35, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at The Castle Tavern

Affordable Scottish pub lunch around £25 for two.
£25, 1h

2:30pm

Waterstones Bookstore

Browse local and international books at Waterstones in Inverness; free to browse.
Free, 1h

4:00pm

Check-in Glen Mhor Hotel

Comfortable B&B with breakfast included, approx £75 per night.
£75, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Hootananny Inverness

Lively pub with budget-friendly Scottish cuisine, around £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 5: Loch Ness Day

Loch Ness, Scotland on September 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Glen Mhor Hotel

Included Scottish breakfast.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Loch Ness Boat Tour

Group boat tour costing £60 for two, approx 2 hours cruise.
£60, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at The Loch Ness Inn

Affordable Scottish pub fare for £20 for two.
£20, 1h

2:00pm

Urquhart Castle Visit

Entry tickets £20 for two, open till 6pm.
£20, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Inverness

Bus or car return, included in prior travel cost.
Included, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at The Castle Tavern

Casual dinner with Scottish specials, £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 6: Explore Inverness

Inverness, Scotland on September 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Glen Mhor Hotel

Included standard breakfast option.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Inverness Castle Grounds & River Walk

Free scenic walk and photo opportunities outside the castle.
Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Greenfields Restaurant

Fresh Scottish seasonal dishes approx £25 for two.
£25, 1h

2:00pm

Local Markets and Shopping

Casual browsing; free activity possibly buying souvenirs.
Free to browse, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Mix Restaurant

Budget Italian and Scottish fusion for £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 7: Aberdeen Visit

Aberdeen, Scotland on September 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

Breakfast included before train journey east.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Aberdeen

Scenic 2.5-hour train ride costing £40 for two.
£40, 2h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Moonfish Café

Affordable fresh seafood meal, £25 for two.
£25, 1h

1:30pm

Aberdeen Beach & Walk

Relax with free coastal walk and beach views.
Free, 2h

4:00pm

Check-in Lost Guest House

Budget B&B with breakfast included, approx £70 per night.
£70, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at The Silver Darling

Budget-friendly seafood with sea views, £28 for two.
£28, 1h
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Day 8: Travel to Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland on September 8, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

Included breakfast before train to Glasgow.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Glasgow

Approx 3-hour journey costing £40 for two.
£40, 3h

12:30pm

Lunch at The 78

Affordable vegetarian-friendly café meal, £20 for two.
£20, 1h

2:00pm

Kelvingrove Park & West End Walk

Free park and vibrant area exploration.
Free, 2h

4:30pm

Check-in easyHotel Glasgow

Budget hotel, ~£70 per night with breakfast nearby options.
£70, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Paesano Pizza

Famous affordable pizza, about £20 for two.
£20, 1h
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Day 9: Glasgow Culture

Glasgow, Scotland on September 9, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Hotel or Singl-end

Included breakfast or local café at £20 for two.
£20, 1h

10:00am

Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis

Free entrance to historic sites and views.
Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at The Willow Tea Rooms

Budget-friendly Scottish-style lunch, £15 for two.
£15, 1h

2:00pm

Riverside Museum & Tall Ship

Free transport museum open until 5pm.
Free, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Mother India’s Café

Delicious Indian tapas, budget-friendly at £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 10: Return to Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 10, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

Included breakfast before train back to Edinburgh.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Train to Edinburgh

Around £30 for two, approx 1-hour journey.
£30, 1h

11:00am

Check-in Staycity Aparthotels West End

Budget hotel with breakfast included, £70 per night.
£70, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Hendersons Vegan

Budget-friendly vegan fare, £20 for two.
£20, 1h

2:00pm

Edinburgh Castle Grounds

Explore exterior free, optional entry £40 for two.
Free or £40, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at The Piemaker

Affordable Scottish pies and comfort food, around £20 for two.
£20, 1h
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Day 11: Leisure Day Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 11, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Hotel

Included hotel breakfast.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Shopping & Princes Street

Explore shops and Waterstones; free to browse.
Free, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Oink

Scottish hog roast sandwiches, budget-friendly, £15 for two.
£15, 1h

3:00pm

Arthur’s Seat Hike

Free moderate hike with panoramic views, approx 2.5 hours.
Free, 2h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Bross Bagels

Casual and affordable bagels, £15 for two.
£15, 1h
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Day 12: Departure Day

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 12, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & Pack

Included breakfast and checkout.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Travel to Edinburgh Airport

Airlink bus or taxi to airport, approx £10 for two.
£10, 30m

11:00am

Return Flight to Johannesburg

End of trip; flight cost excluded.
N/A, N/A
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