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Route Map and Accommodation Listing
Day 1 - August 22nd, 2012 - Arrive Edinburgh but our journey takes us out of the city and into the Scottish
Countryside. First things first, so we stop for Lunch at a local Tearoom. 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. 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. We are very excited as 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 Forth Inn at
Aberfoyle. 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
Huntingtower Hotel near Perth following a visit to Huntingtower Castle. Once known as The House of
Ruthven, Huntingtower Castle comprises two fine and complete tower houses and the eastern tower has a fine painted
ceiling. Afternoon Free in Pitlochry to visit the many shops that line Main Street. You will want to take in the
Heather Gems Factory and the many shops that line main street. Dinner on your own this evening to sample
from the many eateries to be found in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry. (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
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. Then we return to Pitlochry for Lunch before a visit to Blair Athol Distillery,
which is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. Dinner and then and evening production at the Pitlochry Festival
Theatre. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - This morning our first stop is Blair and Blair Castle. Blair Castle Horse Trials and the Bruader
Country Fair are going on at this time and we will partake of the merriment as we can. The castle is owned by the 11th
Duke of Atholl and Bonnie Prince Charlie spent 2 days here in this 700 year old rambling, turreted castle with over
32 rooms open to the public. Afternoon Tea at Hetties Tearoom in Pitlochry before we visit Perth and Scone
Palace, the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Once the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings, Scone Palace occupies a
unique position in Scotland's history. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the rightful home of the
celebrated Stone of Scone, Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in
Scotland's crown. We then return to Pitlochry for dinner on your own. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L)
Day 6 - This morning Dalwhinnie Distillery is our first stop. We will have a tour of the distillery and 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 Center for lunch. This afternoon will find us at Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre. 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 we will take some time to
investigate Inverness, the Capitol of the Highlands. We then will get settled into our accommodation before we are
out for dinner at Oakwood Restaurant near Loch Ness. After dinner Nessie Hunt on Loch Ness before returning
home. Overnight Inverness. (B,D)
Day 7 - This morning we visit the lovely seaside town of Nairn on our way to Elgin and Elgin Cathedral. This superb
ruin, of what was perhaps the most beautiful cathedral in Scotland, is Scotland's second largest cathedral behind St.
Andrews and was known as 'The Lantern of the North'. If suffered many mishaps and then was rebuilt only to see the
Reformation in the 1500's. Even in ruins, it is still one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Scotland. Next we are off to
Dufftown and 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 you will want 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. This is a true fairytale
castle and still home to the Earl of Stathmore and Kinghorn. We continue on to the Kingdom of Fife and to a
lovely fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Fife. (B,L)
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 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 - 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. 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 for our last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh.(B,D)
Day 13 - September 3rd - 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)
Day 1 - August 22nd, 2012 - Arrive Edinburgh but our journey takes us out of the city and into the Scottish
Countryside. First things first, so we stop for Lunch at a local Tearoom. 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. 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. We are very excited as 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 Forth Inn at
Aberfoyle. 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
Huntingtower Hotel near Perth following a visit to Huntingtower Castle. Once known as The House of
Ruthven, Huntingtower Castle comprises two fine and complete tower houses and the eastern tower has a fine painted
ceiling. Afternoon Free in Pitlochry to visit the many shops that line Main Street. You will want to take in the
Heather Gems Factory and the many shops that line main street. Dinner on your own this evening to sample
from the many eateries to be found in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry. (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
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. Then we return to Pitlochry for Lunch before a visit to Blair Athol Distillery,
which is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. Dinner and then and evening production at the Pitlochry Festival
Theatre. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - This morning our first stop is Blair and Blair Castle. Blair Castle Horse Trials and the Bruader
Country Fair are going on at this time and we will partake of the merriment as we can. The castle is owned by the 11th
Duke of Atholl and Bonnie Prince Charlie spent 2 days here in this 700 year old rambling, turreted castle with over
32 rooms open to the public. Afternoon Tea at Hetties Tearoom in Pitlochry before we visit Perth and Scone
Palace, the home of the Earls of Mansfield. Once the Crowning Place of Scottish Kings, Scone Palace occupies a
unique position in Scotland's history. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the rightful home of the
celebrated Stone of Scone, Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in
Scotland's crown. We then return to Pitlochry for dinner on your own. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L)
Day 6 - This morning Dalwhinnie Distillery is our first stop. We will have a tour of the distillery and 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 Center for lunch. This afternoon will find us at Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre. 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 we will take some time to
investigate Inverness, the Capitol of the Highlands. We then will get settled into our accommodation before we are
out for dinner at Oakwood Restaurant near Loch Ness. After dinner Nessie Hunt on Loch Ness before returning
home. Overnight Inverness. (B,D)
Day 7 - This morning we visit the lovely seaside town of Nairn on our way to Elgin and Elgin Cathedral. This superb
ruin, of what was perhaps the most beautiful cathedral in Scotland, is Scotland's second largest cathedral behind St.
Andrews and was known as 'The Lantern of the North'. If suffered many mishaps and then was rebuilt only to see the
Reformation in the 1500's. Even in ruins, it is still one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Scotland. Next we are off to
Dufftown and 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 you will want 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. This is a true fairytale
castle and still home to the Earl of Stathmore and Kinghorn. We continue on to the Kingdom of Fife and to a
lovely fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight Fife. (B,L)
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 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 - 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. 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 for our last night in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh.(B,D)
Day 13 - September 3rd - 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)
| Scottish Dream Tours Presents Castles, Pubs, Whisky and Tearooms of Scotland August 22nd - Sept 3rd, 2012 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 12 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, 4 or 5 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. $4695US per person double occupancy. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour. Click here to make your deposit. Only 2 spots available! Edinburgh Military Tattoo - August 21st. We will arrange a night in Edinburgh at the Tattoo for those who would like to take advantage of this opportunity. Tattoo and Overnight for $295 per person |
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