Day 1:
Depart for Edinburgh, Scotland's capitol city. Day 2:
Arrive in Edinburgh where for lunch you'll enjoy tea at Bentley's Juniper Green Tearoom before some free time for shopping and sightseeing on Princes Street or the Royal Mile. This evening the group will gather for a welcoming einner. Overnight in Edinburgh in a small contemporary city boutique guest house. (L,D) Day 3:
This morning, board an open-top bus for a tour of the city. The tour has 24-hour hop-off and on service for you to enjoy the city at your own pace and leisure. Your ticket includes a stop at Edinburgh Castle, standing on the basalt core of an extinct volcano. On display are the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Enjoy afternoon tea at the Balmoral on Princes Street. This afternoon you may also want to visit 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 until this evening when the group will gather for a Highland evening with song, dance, and the ceremony of the Haggis. Overnight in Edinburgh. (B,L,D) Day 4:
Travel out of the city today with a first stop at Dunfermline Palace and Abbey. King Malcolm III married Queen Margaret here in 1070 and Charles I was born here in 1600. The next stop is Falkland and Kind Kyttock's Tearoom for afternoon tea before visiting Falkland Palace and Gardens, 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. Then journey then travels to just outside of St. Andrews, to the wee fishing village of Anstruther. Dinner and overnight in Anstruther in an imposing Victorian stone built home. (B,L,D) Day 5:
Before departing St. Andrews you will visit the castle and cathedral in this bustling college town. A quick stop will also be made to get a look at the Old Course which is the oldest golf course in the world! Next, cross the Firth of Tay as you travel to Glamis and Glamis Castle. On the way, stop in Kirriemuir for tea before visiting the castle. Malcolm II was said to have died here in 1034 and Duncan's Hall was the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth. The castle is most well known for being the childhood home of the Queen Mother and birthplace of Princess Margaret. The journey next takes you far north through the Cairngorm Mountains to Ballater for dinner. Overnight in Royal Deeside in an early 19th century Manse. (B,L,D) Day 6:
This morning the journey takes you into the Grampian Highlands and the Highlands Castle Trail. The first stop is Crathes Castle. King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Leys to the Burnett family in 1323 and the castle remains a splendid example of a Scottish Tower House. Today's second stop is Craigievar Castle, Grampian's fairy-tale castle which exemplifies the best of Scottish baronial architecture. Following that, enjoy afternoon tea at Kildrummy Castle Hotel and Gardens. Before returning to Ballater, you will take an excursion on the Alford Valley Railway, Scotland's first two-foot narrow gauge passenger railway. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight in Royal Deeside. (B,L) Day 7:
Before leaving the area behind you will visit Balmoral Castle. Purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1848, this has been the Scottish family home of the British Royal Family ever since. Traveling northward, today's journey takes you to Speyside and through the Scottish Whisky Trail. Visit the Glenlivet Distillery established in 1824 by George Smith, and the home of this world famous Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The next stop is at Ballindalloch Castle, family home of the MacPherson-Grants since 1546. Ballindalloch is one of the most beautiful and renowned castles in Scotland and is known as the "Pearl of the North." Dinner and overnight in Craigellachie in an imposing Highland hotel. (B,D) Day 8:
This morning, a drive north brings you to Elgin for a visit to Elgin Cathedral, which is known as the "Lantern of the North." Prior to its destruction is was the second largest cathedral in Scotland. It's picturesque ruins are well worth seeing. While in Elgin you will also visit Johnstons Cashmere established in 1797. From Elgin it is just a short drive to Lossiemouth, with miles of excellent beaches and beautiful surrounding countryside. While in Lossiemouth you will lunch at Harbour Antiques and Tea Room. Later this afternoon, you will visit Huntly Castle in Huntly. Although in ruins, this well-preserved five-story tower with an adjoining great hall and supporting buildings boasts a splendid original ornate facade and interior stonework. Experience a pub dinner at Archiestown Hotel. Overnight in Craigellachie. (B,L,D) Day 9:
The first stop this morning as you head south through some spectacular Highland Scenery is the Speyside Heather Centre. The centre has an antique shop, gift shop, art gallery, and heather trail. The you are off to Kincraig to see working sheepdog demonstrations at a Highland farm. Today's next stop is Kingussie where you will have a pub lunch at the Tipsy Laird after visiting the Highland Folk Museum, an open air museum with special exhibits on costume, musical instruments, and Highland furniture. Then you are off to Pitlochry, which Queen Victoria called one of the loveliest spa towns in all of Europe! Upon arrival, you'll visit Edradour Distillery, the smallest distillery in Scotland where whisky has been made in the traditional way since 1825. Dinner is at the Old Armoury Tearoom. Overnight in Pitlochry in a lovely Victorian Country House. (B,L,D) Day 10:
This morning some time has been allotted to enjoy Scottish Dream Tours' favorite Highland village. Of interest in town is the Heather Gems Factory where you can watch the production of this jewelry, which is unique to Scotland. Then you are off to afternoon tea at Atholl Palace Hotel in Pitlochry before taking in The Queen's View, one of the most spectacular sites in all of Scotland. No visit to the area is complete without visiting Blair Atholl and Blair Castle. Blair Castle exhibits over 700 years of history and over 32 rooms open to the public. Enjoy dinner in Pitlochry before taking in a performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Overnight in Pitlochry. (B,L,D) Day 11:
This morning's journey travels to Dunkeld and the 12th century Dunkeld Cathedral, beautifully situated on the banks of the River Tay. A stop is also made in Birnum at the Beatrix Potter Garden and Visitors Centre. Afternoon tea will be at the Ballathie Country House Hotel on the River Tay before your arrival at Scone to visit Scone Palace and Moot Hill, the site of the famous Coronation Stone of Scone. The Stone of Scone or "Stone of Destiny" was brought here in the 9th century by Kenneth MacAlpine. Dinner is on your own tonight in Perth. Overnight in Perth in a historic Perthshire hotel. (B,L) Day 12:
This morning you'll visit Balhousie Castle, which houses the Museum of the Black Watch commemorating the first ever Highland Regiment. You will also visit Church of St John, founded in 1126. It was here that preacher John Knox delivered the fiery sermons which led to the destruction of many local monasteries. Next you'll experience Afternoon Tea at Royal George Hotel before visiting Branklyn Garden, described as an oasis of peace and color in the finest two acres of private garden in the country. It contains an impressive collection of many rare and unusual plants – among the most breathtaking are the Himalayan Poppies. This afternoon is free to enjoy the lovely downtown area of Perth for sightseeing and shopping. The group will meet up this evening for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Perth. (B,L,D) Day 13:
Travel to Edinburgh International for your return journey home. |
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