12-Day Budget-Friendly Scotland Adventure Including The Kelpies and Loch Ness

Day 1: Arrival & Explore

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 1, 2025

12:00pm

Arrival at Edinburgh Airport

Take the Airlink bus (£8) or taxi (£25) to Staycity Aparthotels West End. Accommodation cost ~£70 including breakfast.
£70 (accommodation) + £8 (bus), 1h

2:00pm

Explore Edinburgh City Centre

Walk the Royal Mile and Princes Street Gardens to enjoy historic architecture and scenic views—all free.
Free, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at Dishoom Edinburgh

Enjoy authentic and affordable Indian cuisine inspired by Bombay cafes, with a budget-friendly meal for two estimated at £25.
£25, 1h
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Day 2: Books & Workshop

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 2, 2025

8:30am

Breakfast at Staycity Aparthotels

Included continental and cooked breakfast.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Book Lovers Bookshop Visit

Visit independent bookshops such as Armchair Books and Golden Hare Books for a cozy browsing experience; entry is free.
Free, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at Urban Angel

Enjoy fresh, healthy food made from locally sourced ingredients. Approximately £15 for two people.
£15, 1h

2:00pm

Islander Workshop Experience

Participate in hands-on Scottish island crafts, a unique cultural experience, costing £40 for two. Booking is required.
£40, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Bonnie & Wild Scottish Marketplace

Savor a wide range of Scottish meats, cheeses, and other marketplace delights in a casual setting, estimated cost about £30 for two.
£30, 1h
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Day 3: The Kelpies & Swanson Farm

Falkirk & Callander, Scotland on September 3, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

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

9:30am

Travel to The Kelpies Sculpture

Take train or drive to Falkirk (£15 for two), explore the remarkable Kelpies sculptures. Guided tours cost £16 for two.
£15 (transport) + £16 (tours), 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Froghall Inn

Enjoy traditional pub fare in Falkirk for about £20 for two.
£20, 1h

1:30pm

Swanson Farm Visit

Pre-book a visit to the farm near Callander for £20 for two, enjoy the countryside and farm activities.
£20, 2h

4:00pm

Check-in at Callander B&B

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

7:00pm

Dinner at The Crown Hotel & Restaurant

Tasty and affordable Scottish dishes for approximately £25 for two people.
£25, 1h
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Day 4: Travel to Inverness

Inverness, Scotland on September 4, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Callander B&B

Included hearty breakfast before checking out.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Train to Inverness

Scenic train journey costing around £35 for two people, approximately 2.5 hours.
£35, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at The Castle Tavern

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

2:30pm

Waterstones Bookstore Visit

Relax and browse a wide selection in Waterstones bookstore, free to enter.
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

A lively pub offering affordable Scottish cuisine priced about £25 for two people.
£25, 1h
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Day 5: Loch Ness Tour

Loch Ness, Scotland on September 5, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Glen Mhor Hotel

Included fulfilling Scottish breakfast.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Loch Ness Boat Tour

2-hour boat tour (£60 for two) exploring the famous Loch Ness and beautiful surroundings.
£60, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at The Loch Ness Inn

Enjoy affordable Scottish pub classics around £20 for two.
£20, 1h

2:00pm

Urquhart Castle Visit

Explore the historic ruins with tickets priced at £20 for two; the site is open until 6pm.
£20, 1h30m

5:00pm

Return to Inverness

Travel back by bus or car; included in earlier travel costs.
Included, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at The Castle Tavern

Enjoy another evening of traditional pub food for about £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 6: Inverness Day

Inverness, Scotland on September 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Glen Mhor Hotel

Included breakfast.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Inverness Castle Grounds & Riverside Walk

Free leisure activity exploring the castle grounds and scenic river walks.
Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Greenfields Restaurant

Enjoy locally sourced Scottish fare for roughly £25 for two.
£25, 1h

2:00pm

Local Market Shopping

Browse the local markets and pick up souvenirs; free to browse.
Free, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Mix Restaurant

Affordable fusion cuisine combining Italian and Scottish elements, approximately £25 for two.
£25, 1h
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Day 7: Aberdeen Visit

Aberdeen, Scotland on September 7, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

Included breakfast before boarding the train to Aberdeen.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Aberdeen

Approximate 2.5-hour scenic ride costing £40 for two people.
£40, 2h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Moonfish Café

Enjoy fresh seafood dishes at budget-conscious prices, about £25 for two.
£25, 1h

1:30pm

Aberdeen Beach Walk

Free relaxing walk along Aberdeen’s beach and coastline.
Free, 2h

4:00pm

Check-in Lost Guest House

Comfortable and affordable B&B with breakfast, approx £70 per night.
£70, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at The Silver Darling

Budget-friendly seafood restaurant with sea views, dinner roughly £28 for two.
£28, 1h
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Day 8: To Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland on September 8, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & Check-out

Enjoy included breakfast before departure.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Glasgow

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

12:30pm

Lunch at The 78

A budget-friendly and vegetarian-friendly café offering meals around £20 for two.
£20, 1h

2:00pm

Kelvingrove Park & West End Walk

Enjoy the park and vibrant West End area on a free afternoon stroll.
Free, 2h

4:30pm

Check-in easyHotel Glasgow

Budget hotel for approx £70 per night; breakfast available nearby at modest costs.
£70, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Paesano Pizza

Affordable, highly-rated pizza spot. Expect to spend 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 Local Cafe

Enjoy included hotel breakfast or a local café like Singl-end for approximately £20 for two.
£20, 1h

10:00am

Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis

Explore historic and architectural highlights for free, including stunning views from the Necropolis.
Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Willow Tea Rooms

Experience affordable Scottish-inspired cuisine, costing about £15 for two.
£15, 1h

2:00pm

Riverside Museum & Tall Ship

Free to enter transport museum with fascinating exhibits open until 5pm.
Free, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at Mother India’s Café

Enjoy budget-friendly Indian tapas-style dishes, costing roughly £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 followed by train journey back to Edinburgh.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Train to Edinburgh

Approximate 1-hour train costing £30 for two people.
£30, 1h

11:00am

Check-in Staycity Aparthotels West End

Comfortable budget hotel with breakfast included (£70 per night).
£70, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Henderson's Vegan

Affordable and healthy meal options; expect around £20 for two.
£20, 1h

2:00pm

Edinburgh Castle Grounds

Explore the castle’s exterior and surroundings for free or pay £40 for two to enter inside.
Free or £40, 2h

6:00pm

Dinner at The Piemaker

Enjoy traditional savory pies and comfort food at budget prices (~£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 breakfast for energy to explore the city.
Included, 1h

10:00am

Shopping & Princes Street

Enjoy free window shopping and visiting Waterstones bookstore; no cost unless you purchase books.
Free, 3h

1:00pm

Lunch at Oink

Enjoy Scottish hog roast sandwiches at reasonable prices, approximately £15 for two.
£15, 1h

3:00pm

Arthur’s Seat Hike

Scenic free hike offering panoramic views of Edinburgh, lasting about 2.5 hours.
Free, 2h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Bross Bagels

Casual, budget-friendly bagel spot, costing about £15 for two.
£15, 1h
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Day 12: Departure

Edinburgh, Scotland on September 12, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & Pack

Included breakfast and morning packing preparations.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Travel to Edinburgh Airport

Take Airlink bus or taxi, cost approximately £10 for two.
£10, 30m

11:00am

Flight to Johannesburg

End of Scotland itinerary; flight cost excluded.
N/A, N/A
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