Highlights Include: The Trossachs, Stirling Castle, Dunblane Cathedral, Doune Castle, Lion and Unicorn Pub Outing, Queen's View & Tearoom, Castle Menzies, Blair Castle, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Culloden Battlefield, Dallas Dhu Distillery, Huntly Castle, Glennfiddich Distillery, Kingdom of Fife, St. Andrews, Kind Kyttock's Tearoom, Falkland Palace, Dunfermline Palace and Abbey, Linlithgow Palace, Edinburgh Castle, Open Top Bus Tour Of Edinburgh, Shopping on the Royal Mile and Princes Street in Edinburgh, Scottish Evening Dinner & Show and more! A small intimate tour of Edinburgh, The Trossachs, Stirlingshire, Pitlochry, Inverness-shire, Cairngorms, Castle Trail, Whisky Trail, Kingdom of Fife, St. Andrews, The Highlands and Countryside. Each tour is designed to accommodate only 8 - 10 people for a more personal experience and to allow you to get the most of your Scottish holiday. You may find yourself staying in a delightful city guesthouse, a small country house hotel, a comfortable farmhouse and an old coaching Inn all in the same visit. You will not be rushed from venue to venue and we spend as little time on the bus as possible. Tour includes all accommodation in 4 star Scottish Tourist Board Approved accommodations. Full Scottish breakfast each morning. All lunches and dinners as listed in itinerary. Porterage of one suitcase per person. Minibus travel including tour guide. Knowledgeable guide for all tourist venues. All sightseeing as indicated in itinerary including any entrance fees. All taxes and service charges. $3795US per person double occupancy. $695US single occupant supplement. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour. 20% off Sale on Now! Edinburgh Military Tattoo - August 25th. We will arrange a night in Edinburgh at the Tattoo for those who would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Dinner, Tattoo and Accommodation. |
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Day 1 - August 25th, 2009 - Depart for Edinburgh, Scotland's capitol city.
Day 2 - Arrive Edinburgh but our journey takes us out of the city and into the Scottish Countryside. First things first, so
we stop for Afternoon Tea. We will spend the next 2 days in The Trossachs, a beautiful region of craggy hills and
sparkling lochs and the meeting place of the Lowlands and Highlands. Our first destination is Callander with its many
shops and woollen mill outlets. This area was made famous by Rob Roy MacGregor and there is a Rob Roy Visitors
Centre as well. This afternoon we'll get settled into our accommodation and adjust to the time change if necessary. Out to a
Welcoming Pub Dinner this Evening at The Lion & Unicorn, a 400 year old Country House Hotel and Pub which
is ranked in the top ten pubs to eat at in the UK. Overnight in a lovely 19th century Stone Lodge in Callander.
(L,D)
Day 3 - After a good Scots breakfast this morning we are off to Stirling and Stirling Castle. Stirling is a Fairy Tale Castle
with the star features being The Palace and the Chapel Royal. The castle dates from the 12th century. This afternoon
we Stop for Tea at the Tearoom in Stirling before a visit to Doune Castle, a 14th century stronghold which offers a
unique view into the life of the medieval royal household. Before dinner we visit Dunblane and Dunblane Cathedral,
one of the few surviving medieval churches in Scotland and always worth the visit! Dinner River House in Stirling.
Overnight Callander. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - This morning we are off to Pitlochry, one of the most delightful Highland villages in Scotland. We will stop in
Crieff and visit the Stuart and Waterford Crystal outlet as well as the Caithness Glass Factory and outlet. Caithness
Glass is known throughout the world for high quality paperweights and artglass. Afternoon Free in Pitlochry to visit the
many shops that line Main Street. You will want to take in the Heather Gems Factory and possibly Blair Atholl
Distillery, home to Bells Blended Whisky. This evening's highlight will be Dinner and then a Performance at the
Pitlochry Festival Theatre! Overnight in a beautiful Victorian Country House in Pitlochry. (B,D)
Day 5 - Today following breakfast our first stop is The Queen's View named after Robert The Bruce's wife Isabel but
made popular by Queen Victoria. This is one of the most breathtaking sights in Scotland and will become a favorite of
yours. You can't stop here without Visiting the Tearoom and having a piece of millionaires shortbread! Next we visit
Edradour Distillery, which is Scotland's smallest distillery. After a Tour of the Distillery we return to Pitlochry for
Afternoon Tea at Atholl Palace Hotel. This afternoon we visit Castle Menzies, a spectacular sixteenth century
castle, seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years and importantly situated, it was involved in the turbulent
history of the Highlands and here Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746. Dinner on your own
in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L)
Day 6 - This morning we head far north to just outside of Inverness. We will first stop in Blair and visit Blair Castle.
Bonnie Prince Charlie spent 2 days here in this 700 year old rambling, turreted castle with over 32 rooms open to the
public. Next stop is Dalwhinnie Distillery for an opportunity to sample the 'Gentle Spirit' of the glen at one of the
highest distilleries in the land. Further north we stop for Lunch at the Clootie Dumpling Cafe and Speyside
Heather Centre. We also visit Ruthven Barracks, ruins of a barracks built to house troops to police the Highlands after
the Jacobite uprisings. Before continuing our journey to Inverness we will stop along the shores of Loch Ness for a
possible Nessie sighting. Dinner and Overnight in a grand 16th century Palladian Country House near
Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - This morning Culloden Battlefield is our first stop. A desolate stretch of moorland, Culloden looks much as it did
on 16 April 1746, the date of the last battle to be fought on British soil. Here Bonnie Prince Charlie made his last stand
for the Stewart cause. Then on to Forres where we find Afternoon Tea at Chimes Tearoom before we continue on to
Elgin for a visit to Elgin Cathedral, the superb ruin of what was perhaps the most beautiful cathedral in Scotland. While
in Elgin you can either visit Johnston's Cashmere making beautiful knitware since 1797 or you can visit Longmorn
Distillery founded in 1894 by John Duff. Pub Dinner at Skerry Brae overlooking the Morey Firth. Overnight
Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - This morning we visit Huntly Castle, a magnificent ruin of a castle, from the 12th century motte to the palace
block erected in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Gordon family. The architectural details and heraldic enrichments are
particularly impressive. And we can't pass up a tour to Glenfiddich Distillery. William Grant & Sons Ltd is one of the
very few Scotch whisky companies to remain in the hands of the family who founded it. Glenfiddich is the only Highland
single malt to be distilled, matured and bottled at its own distillery. This afternoon we visit the Sunhoney Stone Circle.
This 4,000 year old recumbent stone circle stands on the shoulder of a hill, surrounded by a ring of aging trees. We then
continue on to our accommodation near Aberdeen. Dinner and Overnight near Aberdeen. (B,D)
Day 9 - We make our way south today with a first stop at Fettercairn and Fettercairn Distillery. The Distillery is
snugly tucked away at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains from which it takes spring water supplies. Established in
1824, it is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. We then make our way to the small village of Forfar where we will have
to sample some Forfar Bridies from one of the Local Tearooms. Then it is on to Glamis and Glamis Castle, the
childhood home of The Queen Mother and the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. We continue on to the
Kingdom of Fife and to a lovely fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. Dinner on your own. Overnight in an
imposing Stone Built Victorian home built by a sea captain and located in Anstruther. (B,L)
Day 10 -Today we'll enjoy a day of sightseeing in and around St. Andrews. Sightseeing will include St. Andrews Castle
and Cathedral. The Castle was the former Bishops' Palace, the residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews. The
Cathedral itself dates from around 1160, and was consecrated in the presence of Robert the Bruce in July 1318. From here
we journey to Falkland and will take Afternoon Tea at Kind Kyttock's Tearoom before a visit to Falkland Palace.
The Royal Palace of Falkland was the country residence of Stuart Kings and Queens when they hunted deer and wild
boar in the Fife forest. Mary Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her tragic life here. Dinner and
Overnight Anstruther. (B,L.D)
Day 11 - This mornings journey will take us south toward Edinburgh but not before stopping in Dunfermline and
visiting Dunfermline Palace and Abbey. Dunfermline Abbey was founded about 1070 by Queen Margaret, wife of
Malcolm Canmore. Margaret was made a saint, and she and Malcolm were buried here. Robert the Bruce's body (apart
from his heart, which is at Melrose) is buried here as well. This afternoon will find us stopping in Linlithgow to visit
Linlithgow Palace birth place of Mary Queen of Scots. We will Lunch at The Four Mary's Pub before our journey
to Edinburgh. The rest of the afternoon and evening free for shopping on Princes Street and the Royal Mile.
Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L)
Day 12 - After breakfast you will take in the sights of Scotland's Capitol City aboard an Open Top Tour Bus where on
your way about the city you will see Holyrood Palace, Grey Friar's Bobby and Deacon Brodie' along with
Edinburgh Castle. Get on and off at your own pace. After an afternoon of taking in Princes Street we will gather for a
Farewell Dinner and Scottish Evening for our last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,D)
Day 13 - After a hearty Scots breakfast we will take one final look at this beautiful city before our journey to Edinburgh
International for your journey home. (B)
Day 2 - Arrive Edinburgh but our journey takes us out of the city and into the Scottish Countryside. First things first, so
we stop for Afternoon Tea. We will spend the next 2 days in The Trossachs, a beautiful region of craggy hills and
sparkling lochs and the meeting place of the Lowlands and Highlands. Our first destination is Callander with its many
shops and woollen mill outlets. This area was made famous by Rob Roy MacGregor and there is a Rob Roy Visitors
Centre as well. This afternoon we'll get settled into our accommodation and adjust to the time change if necessary. Out to a
Welcoming Pub Dinner this Evening at The Lion & Unicorn, a 400 year old Country House Hotel and Pub which
is ranked in the top ten pubs to eat at in the UK. Overnight in a lovely 19th century Stone Lodge in Callander.
(L,D)
Day 3 - After a good Scots breakfast this morning we are off to Stirling and Stirling Castle. Stirling is a Fairy Tale Castle
with the star features being The Palace and the Chapel Royal. The castle dates from the 12th century. This afternoon
we Stop for Tea at the Tearoom in Stirling before a visit to Doune Castle, a 14th century stronghold which offers a
unique view into the life of the medieval royal household. Before dinner we visit Dunblane and Dunblane Cathedral,
one of the few surviving medieval churches in Scotland and always worth the visit! Dinner River House in Stirling.
Overnight Callander. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - This morning we are off to Pitlochry, one of the most delightful Highland villages in Scotland. We will stop in
Crieff and visit the Stuart and Waterford Crystal outlet as well as the Caithness Glass Factory and outlet. Caithness
Glass is known throughout the world for high quality paperweights and artglass. Afternoon Free in Pitlochry to visit the
many shops that line Main Street. You will want to take in the Heather Gems Factory and possibly Blair Atholl
Distillery, home to Bells Blended Whisky. This evening's highlight will be Dinner and then a Performance at the
Pitlochry Festival Theatre! Overnight in a beautiful Victorian Country House in Pitlochry. (B,D)
Day 5 - Today following breakfast our first stop is The Queen's View named after Robert The Bruce's wife Isabel but
made popular by Queen Victoria. This is one of the most breathtaking sights in Scotland and will become a favorite of
yours. You can't stop here without Visiting the Tearoom and having a piece of millionaires shortbread! Next we visit
Edradour Distillery, which is Scotland's smallest distillery. After a Tour of the Distillery we return to Pitlochry for
Afternoon Tea at Atholl Palace Hotel. This afternoon we visit Castle Menzies, a spectacular sixteenth century
castle, seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years and importantly situated, it was involved in the turbulent
history of the Highlands and here Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746. Dinner on your own
in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L)
Day 6 - This morning we head far north to just outside of Inverness. We will first stop in Blair and visit Blair Castle.
Bonnie Prince Charlie spent 2 days here in this 700 year old rambling, turreted castle with over 32 rooms open to the
public. Next stop is Dalwhinnie Distillery for an opportunity to sample the 'Gentle Spirit' of the glen at one of the
highest distilleries in the land. Further north we stop for Lunch at the Clootie Dumpling Cafe and Speyside
Heather Centre. We also visit Ruthven Barracks, ruins of a barracks built to house troops to police the Highlands after
the Jacobite uprisings. Before continuing our journey to Inverness we will stop along the shores of Loch Ness for a
possible Nessie sighting. Dinner and Overnight in a grand 16th century Palladian Country House near
Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - This morning Culloden Battlefield is our first stop. A desolate stretch of moorland, Culloden looks much as it did
on 16 April 1746, the date of the last battle to be fought on British soil. Here Bonnie Prince Charlie made his last stand
for the Stewart cause. Then on to Forres where we find Afternoon Tea at Chimes Tearoom before we continue on to
Elgin for a visit to Elgin Cathedral, the superb ruin of what was perhaps the most beautiful cathedral in Scotland. While
in Elgin you can either visit Johnston's Cashmere making beautiful knitware since 1797 or you can visit Longmorn
Distillery founded in 1894 by John Duff. Pub Dinner at Skerry Brae overlooking the Morey Firth. Overnight
Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - This morning we visit Huntly Castle, a magnificent ruin of a castle, from the 12th century motte to the palace
block erected in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Gordon family. The architectural details and heraldic enrichments are
particularly impressive. And we can't pass up a tour to Glenfiddich Distillery. William Grant & Sons Ltd is one of the
very few Scotch whisky companies to remain in the hands of the family who founded it. Glenfiddich is the only Highland
single malt to be distilled, matured and bottled at its own distillery. This afternoon we visit the Sunhoney Stone Circle.
This 4,000 year old recumbent stone circle stands on the shoulder of a hill, surrounded by a ring of aging trees. We then
continue on to our accommodation near Aberdeen. Dinner and Overnight near Aberdeen. (B,D)
Day 9 - We make our way south today with a first stop at Fettercairn and Fettercairn Distillery. The Distillery is
snugly tucked away at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains from which it takes spring water supplies. Established in
1824, it is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. We then make our way to the small village of Forfar where we will have
to sample some Forfar Bridies from one of the Local Tearooms. Then it is on to Glamis and Glamis Castle, the
childhood home of The Queen Mother and the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. We continue on to the
Kingdom of Fife and to a lovely fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. Dinner on your own. Overnight in an
imposing Stone Built Victorian home built by a sea captain and located in Anstruther. (B,L)
Day 10 -Today we'll enjoy a day of sightseeing in and around St. Andrews. Sightseeing will include St. Andrews Castle
and Cathedral. The Castle was the former Bishops' Palace, the residence of the Archbishops of St Andrews. The
Cathedral itself dates from around 1160, and was consecrated in the presence of Robert the Bruce in July 1318. From here
we journey to Falkland and will take Afternoon Tea at Kind Kyttock's Tearoom before a visit to Falkland Palace.
The Royal Palace of Falkland was the country residence of Stuart Kings and Queens when they hunted deer and wild
boar in the Fife forest. Mary Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her tragic life here. Dinner and
Overnight Anstruther. (B,L.D)
Day 11 - This mornings journey will take us south toward Edinburgh but not before stopping in Dunfermline and
visiting Dunfermline Palace and Abbey. Dunfermline Abbey was founded about 1070 by Queen Margaret, wife of
Malcolm Canmore. Margaret was made a saint, and she and Malcolm were buried here. Robert the Bruce's body (apart
from his heart, which is at Melrose) is buried here as well. This afternoon will find us stopping in Linlithgow to visit
Linlithgow Palace birth place of Mary Queen of Scots. We will Lunch at The Four Mary's Pub before our journey
to Edinburgh. The rest of the afternoon and evening free for shopping on Princes Street and the Royal Mile.
Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L)
Day 12 - After breakfast you will take in the sights of Scotland's Capitol City aboard an Open Top Tour Bus where on
your way about the city you will see Holyrood Palace, Grey Friar's Bobby and Deacon Brodie' along with
Edinburgh Castle. Get on and off at your own pace. After an afternoon of taking in Princes Street we will gather for a
Farewell Dinner and Scottish Evening for our last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,D)
Day 13 - After a hearty Scots breakfast we will take one final look at this beautiful city before our journey to Edinburgh
International for your journey home. (B)