Edinburgh’s Grassmarket

The Grassmarket is a must see for anyone visiting Edinburgh. Steeped in dramatic history, amazing shopping, eclectic bars and full of literary greats, there is something for everyone. Visit Edinburgh’s Grassmarket on your next self-drive tour of Scotland with Celtic Tours. Going Potter in Scotland, is a great self-drive vacation where you discover some of the filming locations from the popular Harry Potter movies.

The Grassmarket boasts a wonderfully eclectic range of shops. A paradise of Scottish designers, artisans and independent merchants selling everything from gourmet food and drink and luxurious knitwear to cutting edge fashions, antique books and unique gifts. Most shops are owner operated; adding to the feeling that your shopping experience is truly special.

From Willie Wordsworth and Robert Burns to J K Rowling, visitors will find themselves immersed in Edinburgh’s rich literary scene. Many of the cafés in the area provided JK Rowling with the perfect atmosphere to write her first Harry Potter book, stop in for a rest in between shopping and sightseeing in Scotland’s capital city. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, travelers will enjoy stunning views of Edinburgh Castle, well preserved cobble stone streets and medieval architecture. Try to take some time to investigate the historic Grassmarket, one of the most vibrant, picturesque and convivial areas of the city.

Historically, the Grassmarket was a site for hangings and revelry. A popular story in Edinburgh is that of Maggie Dickson, a fishwife from Musselburgh who was hanged in the Grassmarket in 1728 for murdering her own baby. After the hanging, her body was taken back to Musselburgh in a coffin. However, on the way there she awoke. Under Scots Law she had served her punishment. Only later were the words "until dead" added to the sentence of hanging. It was also to some extent seen as divine intervention, and so she was allowed to go free. In later life (and legend) she was thereafter referred to as Half-Hangit Maggie. There is now a pub named after Maggie situated on the Grassmarket.

Try visiting Edinburgh’s Grassmarket on Celtic Tours Going Potter in Scotland self-drive tour. On this tour you will discover the filming locations from the famous Harry Potter movies, ride on the Jacobite Steam Train and dive into the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Going Potter in Scotland - Self-Drive Vacation

Join this fabulous Harry Potter themed tour and get much more than a day in a crowded theme park or an abbreviated mini-tour! This fantastic exploration of Scotland is perfect for the budget-minded traveler.

Your Going Potter in Scotland Tour Includes:

* 6 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Jacobite Steam Train return ticket between Fort William and Mallaig (subject to availability at time of booking)
* Going Potter in Scotland Road Book with full itinerary and additional Scotland/sightseeing information
* Car Rental: Group C Standard Shift Car*
* Carbon offsetting contribution donated to the National Trust for Scotland

Learn more about this fantastic Harry Potter Vacation in Scotland

Discover the Tale Behind Edinburgh's Famous Wizard

Around Edinburgh, especially its Old Town, a lot of mysterious stories are to be found. For example Major Weir, a wizard who lived near the Grassmarket. He used to send his walking stick on errands! Some say he was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Discover the story and mystery behind the famous wizard on your Tales and Mysteries Tour of Scotland with Celtic Tours.

Weir was a Scottish Covenanter who professed a particularly strict form of Presbyterianism, and whose spoken prayers were popular and attracted visitors to his home in Edinburgh. He lived on West Bow with his sister Jean, who is also known as Grizel. There are many stories on how his secret life of witchcraft and sorcery got out. One story is that he took ill and spilled the story on his sick bed. He was convicted in a hugely talked-about trial in April of 1670, and sentenced to be strangled then burned at the stake. Weir was burned to death at Gallowlee. He was the last man to be burned for witchcraft in Scotland.

Weir's staff was said to have a life of its own, carrying out Weir's evil orders as well as his errands. Made of black thornwood and carved with satyr heads, Weir's staff was said to be the source of his powers.


Discover the story and mystery behind the famous wizard on your Tales and Mysteries Tour of Scotland with Celtic Tours.

Scotland's Tales and Mysteries Tour

Scotland is renowned for its ghostly sightings and for its history - steeped in unexplained happenings. Here there is a wealth of wonderfully mysterious castles for you to explore. This tour starts in Edinburgh where you can learn of the wizard, Major Weir; travel on to Glamis Castle reputed to be the most haunted castle in Scotland; and visit the famed Loch Ness.

Your Scotland's Tales and Mysteries Tour Includes:

* 9 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Ferry one way from Armadale to Mallaig for car and 2 passengers
* Scotland's Tales and Mysteries Tour road book with full itinerary and additional Scotland/sightseeing information
* Car Rental: Group C Standard Shift Car*
* Carbon offsetting contribution donated to the National Trust for Scotland



*Upgrades to automatic and larger cars available for a supplement

Discover the Tales and Mysteries of Scotland on this unique self-drive vacation.

Scone Palace

Immortalized in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, once the capital of the Pictish kingdom, today Scone Palace attracts visitors from all over the world. There is so much to see and enjoy at Scone Palace, the history, the art and antiques, the superb landscape and architecture, fun for the children, shopping and exploring that one visit is never enough. Scone Palace is an optional visit on Celtic Tours self-drive tour of Scotland, Glimpse of Scotland.

Built of red sandstone, Scone Palace is a classic example of late Georgian Gothic style lending way to its colorful and exciting history. Once the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, Scone Palace occupies a unique position in the history of Scotland. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone - also known as the Stone of Destiny. Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in the crown of Scotland.

Poised over the River Tay with the Grampian Mountains as a backdrop, the Scone Palace beckons with an amazing scenic location. A visit to Scone Palace would be incomplete without enjoying the Palace grounds. They are as splendid as the Palace itself.

Whatever your age or interests Scone Palace is waiting for you to uncover its riches. Visit Scone Palace on your Glimpse of Scotland, self-drive vacation of Scotland.

Glimpse of Scotland Tour

Glimpse of Scotland

Experience the Highlights of Scotland on this leisurely 5-day tour, which includes a comfortable stay by the banks of Loch Ness, a woodland walk, time to explore awe-inspiring Glen Coe.

Your Glimpse of Scotland Tour Includes:

* 4 Nights Accommodations
* Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
* Glimpse of Scotland Tour Road Book with full itinerary and additional Scotland/sightseeing information
* Car Rental: Group C Standard Shift Car*
* Carbon offsetting contribution donated to the National Trust for Scotland

Visit Scotland with Celtic Tours on this wonderful self-drive tour. 

Tour Ancient Ireland with Celtic Tours

New Budget Escorted Motorcoach Tour - updated itinerary and lower prices!

For those with limited time to spend in Ireland, we bring you the 6-day/4-Night Ancient Ireland Tour. A breathtaking shorter tour that brings you the best of scenic and Ancient Ireland! This is a great tour to combined a self-drive tour to extend your stay and make it a vacation of a lifetime.

Your New Ancient Ireland tour includes:

* First Class and Superior First Class hotels throughout.
* Full Irish breakfast daily, except day of arrival.
* Dinner daily.
* Full sightseeing by Deluxe Touring Motorcoach.
* Professional Irish driver/guide to escort you throughout.
* Visit to Killybegs and the Irish tweed areas of Ardara and Glenties, Achill Island, Cong and Gaelic speaking Connemara.
* Porterage of one (1) suitcase per person.
* Tips and taxes in Ireland. Gratuities to the driver/guide not included.
* Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.

Join Celtic Tours for this once in a lifetime Irish Vacation. Tour Ancient Ireland on this spectacular 6 Day itinerary.