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Day 1 - August 28th, 2010 - 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. On our way 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
The Trossachs. (L,D)
Day 2 - 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. 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 at the Lade Inn at Kilmahog. Overnight The
Trossachs. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - 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 Tea at Ballathie
House Hotel near Perth. Afternoon Free in Pitlochry to visit the many shops that line Main Street. You will want to
take in the Heather Gems Factory and possible Blair Atholl Distillery, home to Bells Blended Whisky. This
evening's highlight will be Dinner and a Performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre! Overnight Pitlochry.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 - 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. 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 5 - 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 we stop at 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 at the Speyside Heather Centre before a visit to the ruins of
Ruthven Barracks. The barracks were built to house troops to police the Highlands after the Jacobite uprisings. Before
continuing our journey to Inverness. Before Dinner at Oakwood Restaurant and Antiques we will stop along the
shores of Loch Ness for a possible Nessie sighting. Overnight near Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - 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 Johnstons 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 Near Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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. Afternoon Tea at the Kildrummy Castle Hotel.
We also 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. Dinner and Overnight Aberdeen. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - 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 continue 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 at the 500 year old Dreel Tavern.
Overnight Fife. (B,L,D)
Day 9 -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 Fife. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - 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 11 - 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 12 - After a hearty Scots breakfast we will take one final look at this beautiful city before our journey to Edinburgh
International Airport for your journey home. (B)
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. On our way 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
The Trossachs. (L,D)
Day 2 - 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. 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 at the Lade Inn at Kilmahog. Overnight The
Trossachs. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - 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 Tea at Ballathie
House Hotel near Perth. Afternoon Free in Pitlochry to visit the many shops that line Main Street. You will want to
take in the Heather Gems Factory and possible Blair Atholl Distillery, home to Bells Blended Whisky. This
evening's highlight will be Dinner and a Performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre! Overnight Pitlochry.
(B,L,D)
Day 4 - 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. 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 5 - 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 we stop at 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 at the Speyside Heather Centre before a visit to the ruins of
Ruthven Barracks. The barracks were built to house troops to police the Highlands after the Jacobite uprisings. Before
continuing our journey to Inverness. Before Dinner at Oakwood Restaurant and Antiques we will stop along the
shores of Loch Ness for a possible Nessie sighting. Overnight near Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - 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 Johnstons 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 Near Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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. Afternoon Tea at the Kildrummy Castle Hotel.
We also 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. Dinner and Overnight Aberdeen. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - 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 continue 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 at the 500 year old Dreel Tavern.
Overnight Fife. (B,L,D)
Day 9 -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 Fife. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - 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 11 - 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 12 - After a hearty Scots breakfast we will take one final look at this beautiful city before our journey to Edinburgh
International Airport for your journey home. (B)
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| Scottish Dream Tours Presents Castles, Pubs, Whisky and Tearooms of Scotland August 28th - Sept 8th, 2010 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 3 or 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. $3895US per person double occupancy. $695US single occupant supplement. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour. 2 Spots just opened up! Edinburgh Military Tattoo - August 27th. We will arrange a night in Edinburgh at the Tattoo for those who would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Dinner, Tattoo and Overnight. |