Day 1:
Depart for Edinburgh, Scotland's capitol city.
Day 2:
Arrive in Edinburgh but the journey travels out of the city and into the Scottish countryside. First things first, so a stop is made for afternoon tea. The next two days will be spent in the Trossachs, a beautiful region of craggy hills and sparkling lochs and the meeting place of the Lowlands and Highlands. The 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 you'll get settled into your accommodation and adjust to the time change if necessary. Next, enjoy a welcoming pub dinner this evening at The Lion & Unicorn, a 400-year-old country house hotel and pub that is ranked in the top ten pubs to eat at in the UK. Overnight The Trossachs. (L,D) Day 3:
After a good Scots breakfast this morning you'll head off to Stirling and Stirling Castle. Stirling is a fairytale castle with the star features being the Palace and the Chapel Royal. This afternoon you'll stop for tea at the tearoom in Stirling before paying a visit to Doune Castle, a 14th century stronghold which offers a unique view into the life of the medieval royal household. Before dinner you'll visit Dunblane and Dunblane Cathedral, one of the few surviving medieval churches in Scotland and always worth the visit! Dinner is at River House in Stirling. Overnight in Trossachs. (B,L,D)
Day 4:
This morning, travel to Pitlochry, one of the most delightful Highland villages in Scotland. 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 is held at Ballathie House Hotel near Perth. Then you 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 the Blair Atholl Distillery, home to Bells Blended Whisky. This evening's highlight will be dinner and a performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre! Overnight in Pitlochry. (B,L,D) Day 5:
Today, following breakfast, the first stop is The Queen's View. This was named after Robert The Bruce's wife, Isabel, but made popular by Queen Victoria. It 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 is a visit to Edradour Distillery, which is Scotland's smallest distillery. After a tour of the distillery you'll return to Pitlochry for afternoon tea at Atholl Palace. This afternoon you'll visit Castle Menzies, a spectacular 16th century castle. The 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 it was here that Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746. Dinner is on your own in Pitlochry. Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L) Day 6:
This morning the itinerary heads far north to just outside of Inverness. You will first stop in Blair and visit Blair Castle. Bonnie Prince Charlie spent two days here in this 700-year-old rambling, turreted castle with over 32 rooms open to the public. Next stop is Dalwhinnie Distillery for an opportunity to sample the 'Gentle Spirit' of the glen at one of the highest distilleries in the land. Further north, stop for lunch at the Clootie Dumpling Cafe and Speyside Heather Centre. You will also visit Ruthven Barracks, ruins of a barracks built to house troops to police the Highlands after the Jacobite uprisings. Before continuing your journey to Inverness a stop is made along the shores of Loch Ness. Old North Inn Pub dinner and overnight near Inverness. (B,L,D)
Day 7:
This morning Culloden Battlefield is the 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. Next you'll travel on to Forres where you'll have afternoon tea at Chimes Tearoom before continuing 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, which was founded in 1894 by John Duff. Pub dinner at Skerry Brae overlooking the Morey Firth. Overnight near Inverness. (B,L,D) Day 8:
This morning you'll visit Huntly Castle, a magnificent ruin of a castle, from its 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 you 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. Enjoy afternoon tea at the Kildrummy Castle Hotel. You'll 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. Then continue on to Aberdeen for dinner and overnight in Aberdeen. (B,L,D) Day 9:
Travel 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. Next, head to the small village of Forfar where you 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. Continue on to the Kingdom of Fife and to a lovely fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife. Dinner is at the 500-year-old Dreel Tavern.
Overnight Fife. (B,L,D)
Day 10:
Today you'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 you'll journey to Falkland and take afternoon tea at Kind Kyttock's Tearoom before visiting the 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 in Fife. (B,L,D) Day 11:
This morning's journey travels 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 includes a stop in Linlithgow to visit Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Lunch at The Four Mary's Pub before your journey to Edinburgh. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for shopping on Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L) Day 12:
After breakfast you will take in the sights of Scotland's capitol city aboard an open-top tour bus. 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 it is time to gather for a farewell dinner and Scottish evening for your last night in Scotland. Overnight in Edinburgh.(B,D) Day 13:
After a hearty Scots breakfast, take one final look at this beautiful city before heading to Edinburgh International for your journey home. (B) |
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