This absorbing 4-night and 5-day tour takes us from Edinburgh to Scone, to Dunsinane and Birnam Wood, mighty Dunnottar Castle, on to the fatal field of Lumphanan, and from Cawdor and Inverness, the highland capital. Traversing some of the most spectacular landscapes that Scotland has to offer, and visiting parts often overlooked in order to trace the life and times of the real king Macbeth (r. 1040-57), immortalised by William Shakepeare in his play Macbeth, and a major player in the roiling historical events of his time. Dissecting fact from fiction the tour weaves archaeology, history and drama together, with plenty of contemporary weapons and fighting styles to create a unique and memorable experience.

‘By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes’.

Everybody has heard of Macbeth, Shakespeare’s blood-soaked tyrant, regicide and murderer driven on by his ‘fiend like’ queen. It is one of the Bard’s most dramatic tragedies and the one we probably all learnt at school. Shakespeare relied heavily on Holinshed’s Chronicles (1577) and his version, however enduring, is very far from historical reality.

‘Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be what thou art promised’.
The real Macbeth (d. 1057) was originally Mormaer or Earl of Moray in northeast Scotland, a title he won after defeating and killing his predecessor who’s lands and widow he appropriated. Lady Macbeth, Gruoch (c. 1015 – c. 1060) was a powerful character in her own right but no psychotic murderess.

‘I am in blood / Stepped in so far, that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o'er’.

He ruled Scotland for 17 years after killing King Duncan I in battle, Duncan being the Aggressor until, after an initial invasion led by Siward of Northumbria, he finally also fell in battle at Lumphanan but was still allowed burial on Iona.

‘At least we’ll die with harness on our backs’.

Day 1: Arrival and Regality – Assemble midday outside Edinburgh Waverley station where our coach will be waiting. Travel from Edinburgh to Scone Palace, coronation site of Scottish kings, and for centuries the focal point of Scottish regal power. Here the real Macbeth was crowned and Malcolm planned his own coronation after defeating him. We enjoy lunch here among the resident peacocks before visiting Perth Museum where we view the Stone of Destiny, upon which Scottish and later English kings were crowned. Hotel in Perth – 1 night. (D).

Day 2: Battle - From Perth we drive to the site of Birnham Wood which plays a pivotal role in the king’s downfall in Macbeth. Then on through the stunning Perthshire countryside to Dunsinane Hill, traditional site of Macbeth’s castle, and where he was defeated by Siward, Earl of Northumbria, and Malcolm Canmore in 1054. Our journey takes us into Aberdeenshire and the stunning Dunnottar Castle which, perched in its dramatic setting above the crashing sea below, captures the true spirit of medieval Scotland. Hotel in Aberdeen – 1 night. (B, D).

Day 3: Lordship - We drive the short distance from Aberdeen to Lumphanan where in 1057 Macbeth met Malcolm in battle, later dying of his wounds. A large stone is said to mark the site where Macbeth was wounded. We drive through the stunning Aberdeenshire scenery into Moray, where Macbeth had been ruler, and to Elgin. Here we visit Spynie Castle, seat of Moray’s bishops for 500 years, and near which Macbeth defeated King Duncan I in battle in 1040. We complete the day at Elgin, to which Duncan’s body was carried after the battle, and visit the inspiring thirteenth century Cathedral, known as ‘the lantern of the north’. Hotel in Elgin – 1 night. (B, D).

Day 4: Witches – Today we visit sites closely connected with Shakespeare’s play Macbeth but nevertheless reflecting the convulsive times during which Macbeth ruled. As we drive westwards through Moray our first stop is the intriguing Sueno’s Stone, the largest surviving Pictish cross-slab stone in Scotland, and dating to the ninth century AD. This is traditionally held as the site where Macbeth met the three witches. We move to Cawdor Castle, the seat of Macbeth’s protagonist the Thane of Cawdor, and promised to Macbeth by the witches. Although its origins are some 300 years after Macbeth the castle features beautiful gardens and sumptuous interiors. We proceed to the evocative Clava Cairns, a 4000-year old burial site which is another contender for the location of Macbeth’s encounter with the witches. Our day concludes at Inverness Museum, at the murder site of King Duncan in the play, and near to Macbeth’s stronghold at The Crown. Hotel in Inverness – 1 night. (B, D).

Day 5: Departure – We return to Edinburgh through the majestic Drumochter Pass enjoying spectacular Highland scenery. After lunch we visit the National Museum of Scotland, home to a startling collection of medieval artefacts, where we learn about the world in which Macbeth lived. Return to Edinburgh Waverley Station not before 16.30 where the tour ends. (B).