16th Annual Scotland Tours
August 10-20, 2011
Day 1
After being greeted by Alex and introduced to your coach driver, our adventure begins with a short drive to Ayrshire, situated on the beautiful Clyde Coast. Rich, fertile farmland, Ayrshire is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world, ancient castles and the birthplace of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. We'll visit Burns Cottage, The Tam O'Shanter Experience and Brig O'Doon. After lunch a visit to the romantic and magnificent 18th century Culzean Castle before returning to Glasgow.
Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.
After being greeted by Alex and introduced to your coach driver, our adventure begins with a short drive to Ayrshire, situated on the beautiful Clyde Coast. Rich, fertile farmland, Ayrshire is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world, ancient castles and the birthplace of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. We'll visit Burns Cottage, The Tam O'Shanter Experience and Brig O'Doon. After lunch a visit to the romantic and magnificent 18th century Culzean Castle before returning to Glasgow.Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.
Day 2
Once one of the most strategically important castles in Scotland, history will come alive for you at Stirling Castle on it's landmark crag. Its Renaissance Palace and Great Hall recall the grandeur of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland. Nearby are the famous landmarks of the National Wallace Monument and Bannockburn, site of King Robert the Bruce's great victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In the afternoon we'll visit the remarkably well-preserved 14th century Doune Castle.
Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.
Once one of the most strategically important castles in Scotland, history will come alive for you at Stirling Castle on it's landmark crag. Its Renaissance Palace and Great Hall recall the grandeur of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland. Nearby are the famous landmarks of the National Wallace Monument and Bannockburn, site of King Robert the Bruce's great victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. In the afternoon we'll visit the remarkably well-preserved 14th century Doune Castle.
Dinner and overnight in Glasgow.
Day 3
A full day is in store as we leave Glasgow this morning and head north to Inverness, the capital of the Highalnds. The day begins with a relaxing drive along the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond, then across desolate Rannoch Moor to the sad, majestic beauty of Glencoe. At the National Trust Visitor Centre, we will learn the story of the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds in February of 1692. We continue our journey north passing through Fort William, Glenfinnan (if time permits) and then on to Fort Augustus, which sits at the southern end of the famous Loch Ness. We'll travel along the western shore, passing on its banks, Urquhart Castle, and enjoy the scenic views of this delightful body of water and who knows, maybe a rare sighting!
Dinner and overnight in Inverness.
Click for hotel info >>Day 4
After a hearty breakfast we'll set off to explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. It was recently voted the 4th best island in the word by National Geographic. As we travel the road via Achnasheen and Loch Carron to the Skye Bridge, we'll experience some of the most magnificent scenery in Scotland. While on the island, we'll visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle in South Skye and on our return to the mainland, we'll stop at one of the most iconic images in Scotland, the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle.
Dinner and overnight in Inverness.
After a hearty breakfast we'll set off to explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. It was recently voted the 4th best island in the word by National Geographic. As we travel the road via Achnasheen and Loch Carron to the Skye Bridge, we'll experience some of the most magnificent scenery in Scotland. While on the island, we'll visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle in South Skye and on our return to the mainland, we'll stop at one of the most iconic images in Scotland, the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle.Dinner and overnight in Inverness.
Day 5
Today we'll explore the East Highland coast: a day of marine wildlife, beautiful seascapes and a fairytale coastal castle. From Inverness, we'll take the A9 north to North Kessock, turning off for the Tourist Information Centre and Seal and Dolphin Centre to find out about the Moray Firth`s wildlife, including seals, porpoises and a resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Continue north over the Cromarty Bridge where, at low tide, colonies of seals can often be seen sunning themselves on the rocks. Next to the historic burgh of Dornoch, where flocks of wading birds can often be seen on the sweeping sandy beach. Take time to explore Dornoch`s charming cathedral and watch golfers playing on the championship Royal Dornoch Golf Course. Then continue on to Dunrobin Castle, the glorious castle home of the Clan Sutherland, with its stunning coastal setting, superb collections of furniture, tapestries, paintings, silver and family memorabilia, magnificent formal gardens and fascinating museum collections of carved Pictish stones, natural history and geology artefacts. Dunrobin - a magnificent castle in a magnificent setting.
Dinner and overnight in Inverness.
Today we'll explore the East Highland coast: a day of marine wildlife, beautiful seascapes and a fairytale coastal castle. From Inverness, we'll take the A9 north to North Kessock, turning off for the Tourist Information Centre and Seal and Dolphin Centre to find out about the Moray Firth`s wildlife, including seals, porpoises and a resident population of bottlenose dolphins. Continue north over the Cromarty Bridge where, at low tide, colonies of seals can often be seen sunning themselves on the rocks. Next to the historic burgh of Dornoch, where flocks of wading birds can often be seen on the sweeping sandy beach. Take time to explore Dornoch`s charming cathedral and watch golfers playing on the championship Royal Dornoch Golf Course. Then continue on to Dunrobin Castle, the glorious castle home of the Clan Sutherland, with its stunning coastal setting, superb collections of furniture, tapestries, paintings, silver and family memorabilia, magnificent formal gardens and fascinating museum collections of carved Pictish stones, natural history and geology artefacts. Dunrobin - a magnificent castle in a magnificent setting.
Dinner and overnight in Inverness.
Day 6
Five miles east of Inverness, we'll visit the Culloden Battlefield, the
site where the Jacobite Highland army was defeated by the government
forces in 1746. Following our visit to Culloden, we'll stop by a beech
grove on the banks of the River Nairn, where we will explore the
standing stones of Clava Cairns. We then continue our drive to the lovely Spey Valley. This is
Whisky Country and home to more than half of Scotland's distilleries.
A stop is planned at a Speyside Distillery for a guided tour and a
taste of the single malt. After lunch, a drive over the Grampian
Mountains and the Castle Trail, will take us to Royal Deeside and to
our hotel, which sits on the banks of the River Dee.
Five miles east of Inverness, we'll visit the Culloden Battlefield, the
site where the Jacobite Highland army was defeated by the government
forces in 1746. Following our visit to Culloden, we'll stop by a beech
grove on the banks of the River Nairn, where we will explore the
standing stones of Clava Cairns. We then continue our drive to the lovely Spey Valley. This is
Whisky Country and home to more than half of Scotland's distilleries.
A stop is planned at a Speyside Distillery for a guided tour and a
taste of the single malt. After lunch, a drive over the Grampian
Mountains and the Castle Trail, will take us to Royal Deeside and to
our hotel, which sits on the banks of the River Dee.Dinner and overnight in Banchory.
Click for hotel info >>
Day 7
This morning, a short drive takes us to the splendid Crathes Castle, a 16th-century granite tower house adorned with flourishes such as overhanging turrets, gargoyles and conical roofs. The grounds include an impressive walled garden complete with yew hedges clipped in various shapes. We then drive along the banks of the river Dee to the town of Ballater and its connection to Queen Victoria. After a visit to Crathie Kirk, where the royal family worships while at Balmoral Castle, we return along Deeside to our hotel. After dinner we'll have some songs from Alex.
Dinner and overnight in Banchory.
Day 7
This morning, a short drive takes us to the splendid Crathes Castle, a 16th-century granite tower house adorned with flourishes such as overhanging turrets, gargoyles and conical roofs. The grounds include an impressive walled garden complete with yew hedges clipped in various shapes. We then drive along the banks of the river Dee to the town of Ballater and its connection to Queen Victoria. After a visit to Crathie Kirk, where the royal family worships while at Balmoral Castle, we return along Deeside to our hotel. After dinner we'll have some songs from Alex.
Dinner and overnight in Banchory.
Day 8
A full day's journey is ahead of us as we leave the north and travel the main Aberdeen-Angus road south to the Kingdom of Fife and the attractive fishing harbour of Anstruther. After our lunch of fish and chips, we'll stop at St. Andrews, Scotland's oldest university (founded in 1410) town and a pilgrimage centre for golfers from all over the world. There you will have free time to visit this medieval town with its magnificent ruined Cathedral and Castle, the British Golf Museum, the famous Royal and Ancient clubhouse and the 'Old Course.' We continue on south and then cross the Forth Road Bridge and into the city of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital.
A full day's journey is ahead of us as we leave the north and travel the main Aberdeen-Angus road south to the Kingdom of Fife and the attractive fishing harbour of Anstruther. After our lunch of fish and chips, we'll stop at St. Andrews, Scotland's oldest university (founded in 1410) town and a pilgrimage centre for golfers from all over the world. There you will have free time to visit this medieval town with its magnificent ruined Cathedral and Castle, the British Golf Museum, the famous Royal and Ancient clubhouse and the 'Old Course.' We continue on south and then cross the Forth Road Bridge and into the city of Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh
Click for hotel info >>
Day 9
This morning we start with a tour of the New Town, built in the late 1700's. We head for the River Forth to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia at the Port of Leith. For over forty years the Britannia served the Royal family, traveling over a million miles to all reaches of the globe. We continue with our sightseeing of Edinburgh with our next stop at Edinburgh Castle, which stands majestically on a hillside overlooking the city and is Scotland's most visited attraction. This castle is home to the Scottish crown jewels known as the "Three Honours", as well as the Stone of Destiny on which the Kings of Scotland were crowned. You're free to explore the Castle and the Old Town in the afternoon. After an early dinner, we return at night to the Castle to enjoy the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Day 9
This morning we start with a tour of the New Town, built in the late 1700's. We head for the River Forth to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia at the Port of Leith. For over forty years the Britannia served the Royal family, traveling over a million miles to all reaches of the globe. We continue with our sightseeing of Edinburgh with our next stop at Edinburgh Castle, which stands majestically on a hillside overlooking the city and is Scotland's most visited attraction. This castle is home to the Scottish crown jewels known as the "Three Honours", as well as the Stone of Destiny on which the Kings of Scotland were crowned. You're free to explore the Castle and the Old Town in the afternoon. After an early dinner, we return at night to the Castle to enjoy the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh
Click for hotel info >>
Day 10
For our final full day, a scenic adventure is planned, as we explore the Scottish Borders. In the morning, we are off to Abbotsford, the house built and lived in by Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist, and author of timeless classics such as Waverley, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake. Next we'll visit Melrose, and a visit to Melrose Abbey, a ruined 12th century Abbey and at one time probably the richest in Scotland. The Abbey is the burial place of the casket believed to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce. We'll return to Edinburgh for some last minute souvenir and gift shopping.
Day 10
For our final full day, a scenic adventure is planned, as we explore the Scottish Borders. In the morning, we are off to Abbotsford, the house built and lived in by Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist, and author of timeless classics such as Waverley, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and The Lady of the Lake. Next we'll visit Melrose, and a visit to Melrose Abbey, a ruined 12th century Abbey and at one time probably the richest in Scotland. The Abbey is the burial place of the casket believed to contain the heart of Robert the Bruce. We'll return to Edinburgh for some last minute souvenir and gift shopping. Dinner and overnight in Edinburgh
Our tour of Scotland with Alex has come to an end. Today we prepare to be transferred back to Glasgow or Edinburgh airport for our flight home. Safe journey home and haste ye back!
