| Scottish Dream Tours Presents Castles, Pubs, Whisky and Tearooms of Scotland August 26th - Sept 7th, 2011 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 guest house, 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. $4395US per person double occupancy. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour. Edinburgh Military Tattoo - August 25th. We will arrange a night in Edinburgh at the Tattoo for those who are interested. Click Here for route map |
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Day 1 - August 26th, 2011 - 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 Dinner this evening at our
accommodation, Creagan House, 300 Year Old Farm House. Dinner and 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. We are very excited as this summer for the first time in few years, you will be able to
step back into the sumptuous world of Stirling Castle’s Royal Court. An ongoing project has returned the six ground floor apartments
in the castle’s Renaissance palace to how they may have looked in the mid 16th 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 at the 400 year old Lion and Unicorn in Thornhill. Overnight The Trossachs. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - This morning we are off to Pitlochry, one of the most delightful Highland villages in Scotland. Our drive will take us along
beautiful Loch Earn through St. Fillan, Comrie and then to Crieff. After some time to enjoy this lovely village we will 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. We take another lovely drive
through the Tay River Valley and upon reaching Pitlochry you will have the 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. Dinner on your own this evening to sample from the many eateries to be found in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry at
the Claymore Hotel, a lovely Victorian Stone House. (B,L)
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
and then a performance of "My Fair Lady" at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. This is their season's musical and every one I have
seen has been amazing! Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)
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 Inverness in
Trafford Bank, a 5 Star Guest House that was a former Bishop's Home. (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. The
battlefield itself is now restored to as close as possible that two side marched on that fateful day. We will find out why this battle that lasted
only one hour changed the way of life of the Highlands and Islands forever. Then on to Forres where we find Lunch at Simply Red
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. We then drive a bit further up the road to Lossiemouth on the Moray Firth. This is a lovely seaside village where we can
find some great ice cream before a stroll on the beach. Dinner on your own and Overnight Inverness. (B,L)
Day 7 - This morning we visit the lovely wee town of Grantown-on-Spey on our way to 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 near Aberdeen at Old Meldrum Country House, in 350 acres of mature woodland and peaceful
rolling parkland with history dating back to the 13th century! (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. The castle is still home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and is a wonderful fairy tale creation
dating back over 700 years. 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 in Anstruther in The Spindrift, an imposing stone built Victorian built by a Tea
Clipper Captain called John Smith in the 1800's. (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. The grounds host the Oldest Tennis
Court in the world. Mary Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her tragic life here. Dinner at our accommodation where
Christine will be preparing a gourmet 3 course meal for us! Dinner and Overnight Anstruther. (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 in at 23 Mayfield, a luxury boutique 19th century
Victorian guest house. (B,L)
Day 11 - Today we journey to The Borders with our first stop will be the lovely market town of Peebles where we will enjoy some free
time before we visit Traquair House, Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited house with history stretching over 900 years. Dating back
to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic Priests in times of
terror the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite Cause without counting the cost.We will visit the
Tearoom for Lunch before taking a tour of the house. We next visit one of my favorite places, Abbotsford House, home to Sir
Walter Scott. Abbotsford house's many of Scott's collection including items of Rob Roy MacGregor who he immortalized in
word. Pub Dinner in Melrose before returning to Edinburgh. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L,D)
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 at
Prestonfield Stables with their World Famous "Taste of Scotland" show for our last night in Scotland. Get ready for an unmissable
evening of Scottish music, costume, bagpipes, fiddles and dance in the magically historic setting of Prestonfield House. 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
Airport for your journey home. (B)
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 Dinner this evening at our
accommodation, Creagan House, 300 Year Old Farm House. Dinner and 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. We are very excited as this summer for the first time in few years, you will be able to
step back into the sumptuous world of Stirling Castle’s Royal Court. An ongoing project has returned the six ground floor apartments
in the castle’s Renaissance palace to how they may have looked in the mid 16th 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 at the 400 year old Lion and Unicorn in Thornhill. Overnight The Trossachs. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - This morning we are off to Pitlochry, one of the most delightful Highland villages in Scotland. Our drive will take us along
beautiful Loch Earn through St. Fillan, Comrie and then to Crieff. After some time to enjoy this lovely village we will 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. We take another lovely drive
through the Tay River Valley and upon reaching Pitlochry you will have the 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. Dinner on your own this evening to sample from the many eateries to be found in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry at
the Claymore Hotel, a lovely Victorian Stone House. (B,L)
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
and then a performance of "My Fair Lady" at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. This is their season's musical and every one I have
seen has been amazing! Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)
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 Inverness in
Trafford Bank, a 5 Star Guest House that was a former Bishop's Home. (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. The
battlefield itself is now restored to as close as possible that two side marched on that fateful day. We will find out why this battle that lasted
only one hour changed the way of life of the Highlands and Islands forever. Then on to Forres where we find Lunch at Simply Red
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. We then drive a bit further up the road to Lossiemouth on the Moray Firth. This is a lovely seaside village where we can
find some great ice cream before a stroll on the beach. Dinner on your own and Overnight Inverness. (B,L)
Day 7 - This morning we visit the lovely wee town of Grantown-on-Spey on our way to 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 near Aberdeen at Old Meldrum Country House, in 350 acres of mature woodland and peaceful
rolling parkland with history dating back to the 13th century! (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. The castle is still home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and is a wonderful fairy tale creation
dating back over 700 years. 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 in Anstruther in The Spindrift, an imposing stone built Victorian built by a Tea
Clipper Captain called John Smith in the 1800's. (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. The grounds host the Oldest Tennis
Court in the world. Mary Queen of Scots spent some of the happiest days of her tragic life here. Dinner at our accommodation where
Christine will be preparing a gourmet 3 course meal for us! Dinner and Overnight Anstruther. (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 in at 23 Mayfield, a luxury boutique 19th century
Victorian guest house. (B,L)
Day 11 - Today we journey to The Borders with our first stop will be the lovely market town of Peebles where we will enjoy some free
time before we visit Traquair House, Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited house with history stretching over 900 years. Dating back
to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland. Later a refuge for Catholic Priests in times of
terror the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite Cause without counting the cost.We will visit the
Tearoom for Lunch before taking a tour of the house. We next visit one of my favorite places, Abbotsford House, home to Sir
Walter Scott. Abbotsford house's many of Scott's collection including items of Rob Roy MacGregor who he immortalized in
word. Pub Dinner in Melrose before returning to Edinburgh. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L,D)
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 at
Prestonfield Stables with their World Famous "Taste of Scotland" show for our last night in Scotland. Get ready for an unmissable
evening of Scottish music, costume, bagpipes, fiddles and dance in the magically historic setting of Prestonfield House. 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
Airport for your journey home. (B)
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Hey Shannon & Mario,
Just wanted to thank you both again for the most wonderful trip! Especially for stopping at Dunnottar
Castle, I still get teary eyed just thinking about it. I am still pinching myself! Your vast knowledge of
the history of Scotland and the places we visited was amazing and great to hear about each day.
Words could never really express how much fun we had with our group, the sights that we saw and the
places we stayed. We sure had some memorable moments we will not forget!!! ( I may never ask for
ice again!) Mario, the pictures you have posted on Facebook are great. We hope to tour with you
again sometime in the future.
Until then, safe travels
Sandy & Lyle DeJong - Albuquerque, NM
Just wanted to thank you both again for the most wonderful trip! Especially for stopping at Dunnottar
Castle, I still get teary eyed just thinking about it. I am still pinching myself! Your vast knowledge of
the history of Scotland and the places we visited was amazing and great to hear about each day.
Words could never really express how much fun we had with our group, the sights that we saw and the
places we stayed. We sure had some memorable moments we will not forget!!! ( I may never ask for
ice again!) Mario, the pictures you have posted on Facebook are great. We hope to tour with you
again sometime in the future.
Until then, safe travels
Sandy & Lyle DeJong - Albuquerque, NM
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