Day 1:
Depart for Edinburgh, Scotland. From North America this is an overnight flight. Day 2:
Arrive in Edinburgh with enough time for some shopping and sightseeing on Princes Street or the Royal Mile. This evening the group will gather for a welcoming dinner. Overnight in Edinburgh. (D) Day 3:
After a leisurely full Scottish breakfast you will tour the city aboard an open-top tour bus complete with tour guide. The tour has 24-hour hop-off and on service for you to enjoy the city at your own pace and leisure. You will have a ticket for a stop at Edinburgh Castle, which stands on the basalt core of an extinct volcano. On display are the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. You will also have a ticket to visit to The Palace of the Holyrood House, which is the official residence of the Royal Family when in Scotland. The afternoon is free to explore Edinburgh with the evening free to take in one of the many wonderful eateries to be found in Edinburgh. Overnight in Edinburgh. (B) Day 4:
Leave the city today and stop to visit Dunfermline Palace and Abbey. King Malcolm III married Queen Margaret here in 1070 and Charles I was born here in 1600. The tour's next stop is Falkland and Kind Kyttock's Tearoom for afternoon tea before visiting Falkland Palace, which was the country residence of the Stewart Kings and Queens and a particular favorite of Mary Queen of Scots. The gardens contain the oldest tennis court in Britain, having been built in 1539. The journey then takes you to the wee fishing village of Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife. Dinner and overnight in Anstruther. (B,L,D) Day 5:
Enjoy some sightseeing in St. Andrews today. Visits 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. The journey then takes you north to Highland Village of Pitlochry where you will spend the next two nights. Pitlochry is one of the most delightful highland villages in Scotland. On the way a stop is made in Dunkeld and for a pub lunch at the Taybank, followed by a visit to Beatrix Potter Garden and Visitors Centre and then Dunkeld Cathedral. The cathedral sets peacefully beside the River Tay and was begun in 1260. This evening you are out to a live performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Dinner and overnight in Pitlochry. (B,L,D) Day 6:
After breakfast a drive brings you to 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 it will become a favorite of yours. You can't stop here without visiting the tearoom and having a piece of Millionaires Shortbread! Next, visit Cluny House and Gardens, a Himalayan and North American woodland garden overlooking the scenic Strathtay Valley. Then, stop for tea at Moon and Sixpence in Aberfeldy before you visit Blair Atholl and Blair Castle and Gardens. Bonnie Prince Charlie spent two days here in this 700-year-old rambling, turreted castle with over 32 rooms open to the public. You can also visit the lovely walled Hercules Garden. This evening you are on your own to sample one of the many eateries to be found in Pitlochry. Overnight in Pitlochry. (B,L,D) Day 7:
On the way north today you will stop near Kingussie and observe a Highland shepherd work his Border Collies. You may even get the opportunity to try your hand at sheep shearing! Further north, stop for lunch at the Clootie Dumpling Cafe and Speyside Heather Centre. You'll also visit Ruthven Barracks, ruins of a barracks built to house troops to police the Highlands after the Jacobite uprisings. The journey then finds you in the Highland capitol of Inverness. Inverness sits on the banks of the River Ness and retains parts of its medieval street network. Dinner and overnight in Inverness. (B,L,D) Day 8:
Enjoy some free time in Inverness before continuing the journey down the coast of Loch Ness and to the lovely village of Drumnadrochit. Here you can take an excursion on the Loch for a possible "Nessie Sighting." The next stop will be the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle. Parts of the castle date back to the 13th century, but even in ruins it holds a commanding presence overlooking Loch Ness. Stop in Fort Augustus for lunch at the 200-year-old Bothy Bar on the Caledonian Canal. The Caledonian Canal is a system of five lochs running from Fort Augustus down to Loch Ness. The Lochs were built by Thomas Telford just about 200 years ago. The next stop is the Spean Bridge Woollen Mill for a bit of shopping. A stop is also made at the WWII Commando Memorial, which provides an excellent view of Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest peak. Dinner is on your own in Fort William. Overnight in Fort William. (B,L) Day 9:
This morning, board the Jacobite Steam Train also known as the "Hogwart's Express." Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this 84-mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. It starts near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis; visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway station at Arisaig; passes the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar; and finally arrives next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis. After crossing the world famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, which has been used in the Harry Potter movies, the train stops at the station, giving you time to stretch your legs. Dinner and overnight in Fort William. (B,D) Day 10:
Leaving Fort William behind, the first stop of the day is Glencoe - which was the site of the 1692 Massacre of the McDonalds. Against a backdrop of craggy peaks and the tumbling River Coe, the Glen offers some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. Then travel on to the world famous Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum. This family owned business has been offering Highland hospitality for three generations, offering a wide variety of whisky, gifts, and food. Lunch at the 300-year-old Drover's Inn and then you are off to the lovely Trossachs village of Callander where you will have the afternoon and evening free in this delightful village full of Woollen Mill outlets, tearooms, shops, and the Rob Roy MacGregor Visitors Centre. Overnight in Callander. (B,L) Day 11:
After a full Scots breakfast you will visit Doune and Doune Castle, a magnificent late 14th century courtyard castle and famous for Monty Python's The Holy Grail. Next it is on to Dunblane and Dunblane Cathedral. The first church was established here by St. Blane in the year 600 and the current cathedral dates from the 12th century. After tea at The Tearoom in Stirling you'll visit Stirling Castle, one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here and the Great Hall and Chapel Royal are wonderful highlights. This evening the group heads out for a farewell dinner at the 400-year-old Lion and Unicorn Pub! Overnight in Callander. (B,L,D) Day 12:
Back to Edinburgh International for the return flight home. | 
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