Discovering the Best of Scotland on Arcadia’s Highlands Weekend Trip

One of the highlights of studying abroad with Arcadia Scotland is the opportunity to take part in their excursions across Scotland. While I wasn’t able to attend every trip due to class and schedule conflicts, each one offers a unique way to experience Scotland beyond Edinburgh. If you have the time, I would truly recommend taking as many excursions as possible. For me, the Highlands Weekend Trip was my favorite. 

This three-day trip covered a wide geographic area and offered exposure to multiple aspects of Scottish culture, history, and landscape within a single weekend. The itinerary is full but well-structured, allowing us to see a significant portion of the Highlands without feeling disorganized or rushed. 

The trip began with an early morning departure from the Arcadia Edinburgh Center. Traveling by coach allowed us to see the gorgeous views of the countryside as the landscape gradually shifted from urban to rural. Our first scheduled stop was a distillery tour in Blair Atholl, where we learned about the whisky production process and its historical importance to Scotland. The tour was informative and provided context for the role distilling plays in Highland communities. 

We then stopped in Pitlochry, a Victorian-era town, for lunch and independent time to explore. My friends and I went to this super cute cafe after we ate. In the afternoon, we visited a working sheepdog farm, where we observed trained dogs herding sheep across open fields. This was AMAZING!!!! My personal favorite part of the day. There were also baby dogs who were going to be trained. Later, we stopped at a viewpoint overlooking Loch Morlich, located within Glenmore Forest Park. The combination of forest, loch, and mountain scenery made this one of the most visually striking stops of the trip. 

That evening, we arrived at the Inverness Youth Hostel, where we stayed in shared rooms exclusively with other Arcadia participants. We also had breakfast here the next morning… if you’re a picky eater (like me) I would recommend buying some breakfast bars and snacks to get you through until lunch! 

The next day focused primarily on Scotland’s history and nationally significant landmarks. After breakfast at the hostel, we visited Culloden Battlefield, where we had time to walk the site and visit the interpretive center. This stop provided historical grounding and added depth to the rest of the trip. 

Next, we traveled to Urquhart Castle, located on the banks of Loch Ness. The castle ruins and surrounding views allowed students to explore both medieval history and one of Scotland’s most well-known natural landmarks in the same location. After lunch in Fort Augustus, the itinerary continued south toward the Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint. Students had the option to take a steeper walk to the main viewpoint or follow a flatter route, making this stop accessible to varying ability levels. 

In the evening, we arrived in Oban, a coastal town known for its seafood and harbor views. The night in Oban provided a change in setting from the Highlands interior to the western coast, further emphasizing the geographic diversity of the trip. Accommodation for the night was at the Oban Youth Hostel, located along the waterfront.

The final day began with a visit to the Falls of Dochart in the village of Killin. The waterfall runs directly through the town, making it a convenient and visually distinctive stop. From there, we traveled to Blair Drummond Safari Park, where we completed a drive-through safari followed by free time for lunch and walking around the park. This stop added an unexpected but engaging element to the trip and served as a relaxed conclusion after two full days of sightseeing. 

The coach returned to Edinburgh in the late afternoon, with an optional drop-off at Stirling Station for students based outside the city. What makes the Highlands Weekend Trip particularly effective is the range of experiences included within a short timeframe. In three days, the itinerary covers distilleries, agricultural sites, historical battlefields, castles, lochs, coastal towns, waterfalls, and wildlife attractions. The variety ensures that no single day feels repetitive and that students are exposed to multiple aspects of Scotland’s geography and culture. 

Additionally, traveling as a group over several days naturally allowed us to connect with others in the Arcadia program. Shared transportation, accommodations, and meals create consistent opportunities to meet people outside of academic settings. For students considering Arcadia excursions, the Highlands Weekend Trip offers the most extensive overview of Scotland within one weekend and provides strong value for the cost. It is a well-organized, information-rich experience that complements the academic portion of the program and is worth prioritizing if time allows.