Day 1 - September 22nd - Arrive Edinburgh International but our journey starts in the Borders Region of Scotland. Our first
visit will be to Traquair House. Dating back to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland
and later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror. The Stuarts of Traquair were strong supporters of Mary Queen of Scots and
the Jacobite Cause without counting the cost. We will Lunch at the 1745 Cafe before departing Traquair. After lunch we visit
Bowhill House and Country Estate. For more than seven centuries the Scotts of Buccleuch have been part of Scottish Borders
history and their principal house, Bowhill is today home to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry and a part of the
internationally renowned Buccleuch art collection. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight Scottish Borders. (L,D)
Day 2 - Our first stop this morning is Thirlestane Castle, home to the Maitland Family, one of the most able and famous in Scotland.
The history of Thirlestane dates back to at least the 13th century, when a large Border fort was built on the site to defend the approach to
Edinburgh from the south. The central part of the present Castle was completed in 1590, remodelled in the 1670s, and then again in the
1840s. Afternoon Tea at the Buccleuch Arms in St. Boswells. Following tea we will visit Mellerstain House, one of Scotland's
grandest Georgian houses designed and built by William and Robert Adam. It continues to be the residence of the Earl and Countess
of Haddington. The interior decoration is opulent in a way that only the Georgians knew how to do. The rooms retain their period colour
schemes, with ornate ceilings, marble busts, lots of original furniture and a large collection of paintings by Van Dyck, Ramsay,
Gainsborough and many more. Dinner on your own this evening. Overnight Scottish Borders. (B,L)
Day 3 - On our way to Dumfries today we will stop at the Moffat Woollen Mills, famous for the very best in Scottish Knitwear.
After visiting the Mill we will spend a bit of time exploring this delightful Borders town. Our next stop will be Shambellie House,
National Museum of Costume just outside of Dumfries. Housed in a splendid country house set in beautiful wooded grounds, the
Museum presents a fascinating look at fashion and social etiquette from the 1850s to the 1950s. Wonderful room settings with accessories,
furniture and paintings complete a graceful Victorian and Edwardian environment of well-to-do living. We will Lunch at the Abbey
Cottage Tearoom in New Abbey before departing for Dumfries. Dumfries is known as The Queen of the South and this historic
market town, famed for its connections with Scotland’s famous poet, Robert Burns is a lovely place to visit. Dinner and Overnight
near Dumfries. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - We head north toward Glasgow this morning with a first stop at Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate. Drumlanrig is the
ancient Douglas stronghold and Dumfriesshire home of the Duke & Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Set on the
spectacular 90,000 acre Queensberry Estate complete with Country Park and Victorian Gardens, Drumlanrig Castle is brimming with
centuries-old heritage and culture, period furnishings, fine art and antiques. After a tour of the castle we will Lunch in the Castle
Tearoom. This afternoon we visit Dumfries House, one of the United Kingdom’s most beautiful stately homes and best kept heritage
secrets. With its sumptuous interiors and magnificent furnishings the house will delight and enchant. Built between 1754 and 1759 for the
5th Earl of Dumfries, and with a unique collection of Chippendale furniture, the House has been described as an 18th century time-
capsule since the principal rooms and their contents have remained virtually unchanged for 250 years. We then continue on to our
accommodation just outside of Glasgow city centre. Dinner and Overnight Glasgow. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - This morning we will visit Pollock House, the ancestral home of the Maxwell Family. The present house dates from around
1750 and contains one of the finest collections of Spanish art in the United Kingdom together with furniture and furnishings appropriate to
an Edwardian country house. Following our visit we journey into Glasgow for a Tour of the City aboard an Open Top Tour Bus
complete with tour guide. Highlights of the tour will be Glasgow's amazing architecture, University of Glasgow, George Square
and The River Clyde. Following the tour of the city, we will stop for Lunch at Bradfords tearoom before some free time in the city.
This afternoon you may want to visit Glasgow's City Chambers Building. The City Chambers is truly and architectural delight built in
the grandest Victorian Style and the tour is not to be missed. You will also want to visit Glasgow Cathedral. The Cathedral is one of the
few to escape destruction during the Scottish Reformation and dates to the 13th century. Dinner on your own in the city this
evening. Overnight Glasgow. (B,L)
Day 6 - 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. We will stop in Perth for Afternoon Tea at the Huntingtower Castle Hotel before a
visit to Scone Palace. Scone is 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. From
here we journey to my favorite Highland Village of Pitlochry. Dinner on your own tonight at one of the many lovely eateries to be
found on the high street of the town. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L)
Day 7 - 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 Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes and
Earls of Atholl. The castle enjoys one of Scotland’s finest settings in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Bonnie Prince Charlie spent 2
days here in this 700 year old rambling, turreted castle with over 32 rooms open to the public. Then we return to Pitlochry for Lunch
before a visit to Blair Athol Distillery, which is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries. We will have a Tour of the Distillery followed by
a wee dram of the good stuff. Dinner and then a night at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - This morning we begin our long journey northward through the Cairngorms National Park on the way to Braemar and
Royal Deeside. While here we will visit Braemar Castle, home of the Chiefs of Clan Farquharson since the middle of the 18th
century. Although built principally as a hunting lodge, the castle also has defensive grilles and a curtain wall. The castle is furnished with the
furniture, memorabilia and personal belongings of the Farquharson family. Lunch at the Station Restaurant in Ballater. In the heart
of Ballater is a beautiful wooden building that was formerly the Royal Railway Station. Recently restored, it now houses an exhibition,
the Tourist Information Centre, a restaurant and shops. This afternoon we visit Royal Lochnagar Distillery at Crathie. Situated on
the south of the River Dee close to Balmoral Castle, old traditions and craftsmanship produces one of Scotland's most exclusive
whiskies, a malt whisky worthy of the "Royal" prefix to it's name. Dinner and Overnight Ballater. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Our first visit this morning is Craigievar Castle, a fairytale castle and a fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture. It seems
to have grown naturally out of the rolling hills with the great tower standing just as it did when completed in 1626. The castle is home to a
fine collection of family portraits and original plaster ceilings. There is also much original Jacobean woodwork and some beautiful furniture,
including the 'Craigievar table'. Afternoon Tea at the Kildrummy Castle Hotel near Alford. Just beside the hotel is the ruins of
Kildrummy Castle. The great castle of Kildrummy was the stronghold of the Earls of Mar. Although ruined, it remains a fine example of
a 13th century castle with its curtain wall, four round towers, hall and chapel. This afternoon we will wander through the Grampian
Highlands in search of Stone Circles, Standing Stones and Chambered Cairns as this area has an abundance of them. Dinner on
your own in Ballater. Overnight Ballater. (B,L)
Day 10 - This morning we visit Drum Castle near Banchory, home to the Irvines of Drum from 1323 to 1975. The combination of a
13th-century square tower, a Jacobean mansion house and the additions of the Victorian lairds make Drum Castle unique among Scottish
castles. Inside, enjoy superb furniture, fine paintings and magnificent views from the battlements of the Forest of Drum and the
countryside beyond. We then continue to the small village of Forfar where you will want to sample some Forfar Bridies from one of
the Local Tearooms. After taking in the sights of Forfar we are off to Glamis and Glamis Castle, the childhood home of The Queen
Mother and the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. Ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore for over 600 years, Glamis
is a living, breathing monument to Scottish hospitality; a place of enjoyment, reflection, laughter and wonder for all. From here we journey
to the Kingdom of Fife where we find dinner waiting. Dinner and Overnight Fife. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - Today we journey to St. Andrews, the home of golf. We will take some time to visit the Old Course before we continue on to
Falkland to visit 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. Before leaving
Falkland we will Lunch at Kind Kyttocks Tearoom. On our way to Edinburgh we will stop at Hopetoun House, Scotland's finest
stately house. Hopetoun House is an exceptional ancestral home due to the splendour of its architecture, heritage, historic contents and
natural environment. The atmosphere of warmth and vitality within the house reflects its status as the home of the Hope Family from its
building in 1699 to this day. The magnificent interiors which have remained virtually unchanged for three centuries reflect the elegance of
the Georgian era and are decorated with the best period furniture, paintings, tapestries and clocks, with beautifully crafted finishes of
carving, gilding and plasterwork. Pub Dinner and 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. You will have a ticket for Edinburgh Castle and also for the Palace of the Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh Castle sited on
top of an extinct volcano, gaining stunning views across City of Edinburgh, the castle has witnessed many of the defining events of Scottish
history. A key attraction within the castle is the Scottish Crown Jewels. The crown, sword and sceptre are amongst the oldest regalia in
Europe and are displayed with the Stone of Destiny, the coronation seat of Scottish Kings. Founded as a monastery in 1128, the Palace
of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh is The Queen's official residence in Scotland. The Palace of is closely associated with Scotland's
turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here between 1561 and 1567. Dinner on your own and Overnight
Edinburgh. (B,L)
Day 13 - This morning we journey outside of Edinburgh to the Berwickshire Coast. This coast is an area of great natural beauty,
magnificent birdlife, and a magnificent stretch of coastline. There are sandstone cliffs reaching nearly 500 feet high in places as well as
many small coves and natural harbours. Our journey will eventually lead us to Manderston House, a supreme country house of
Edwardian Scotland. A house on which no expense was spared with opulent staterooms, the only silver-staircase in the world and
extensive "downstairs" domestic quarters. It stands in 56 acres of formal gardens, with magnificent stables and stunning marble dairy. This
afternoon we visit Paxton House, a hidden gem situated on the banks of the River Tweed. Built by the Adam brothers in 1758 for the
young Patrick Home it is perhaps the finest example of 18th century Palladian Country Houses in the United Kingdom. Following our
visit, we return to Edinburgh. Farewell Dinner and Overnight Edinburgh. (B,D)
Day 14 - October 5th - Return to Edinburgh International Airport for the journey home.
Scottish Dream Tours Presents Stately Homes, Palaces and Castles of Scotland September 22nd - October 5th, 2012
Featuring - Traquair House, Bowhill House and Country Estate, Thirlestane Castle, Mellerstain House, Melrose and the Borders, Dumfries, Shambellie National Museum of Costume, Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries House, Glasgow and Pollock House, Stirling and Stirling Castle, Perth and Scone Palace, Blair Castle, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Blair Atholl Distillery, Braemar Castle, Royal Lochnagar Distillery, royal Deeside and Craigievar Castle, Glamis Castle, St. Andrews, Falkland Palace, Hopetoun House, Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle and much more!
A lovely tour through the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Strathclyde, Perthshire, Grampian National Park, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Kingdom of Fife and Edinburgh and the Lothians. Grand and stately homes, castles and palaces, country house hotels and the beautiful scenery of the Lowlands, Highlands and eastern coastal route of Scotland. 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 4 and 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.
$4795US per person double occupancy. $500 per person deposit to reserve your spot on the tour.
Click here to make your deposit.
Accommodation listing and route map.
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