Scottish customs and castles - 29 Jul 2021

Check in for your flight to Edinburgh 3 hours before departure. 

Change planes in Dubai and continue on your journey to Edinburgh. Upon arrival meet with your guide and continue into Edinburgh for a city sightseeing tour passing famous sights such as the Palace of Holyrood, Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle. Afterwards, check-into your hotel for a two night stay. Time to rest or for own sightseeing before dinner in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Depart for a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, taking in the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, St Margaret's Chapel (Edinburgh's oldest building built around 1130) and Mons Meg.
Rest of the day free in Edinburgh for further sightseeing. Maybe visit The Palace of Holyrood House, the Queen's official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish Royal History. Lunch at own expense.
In the evening depart from the hotel by coach to enjoy a special Scottish evening including dinner with a traditional Scottish menu and a show of Scottish music and dance. Return to hotel for overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out, load luggage and drive the short distance to Lennoxlove House, seat of the present Duke of Hamilton, dating from the 14th century and comprising a 15th century tower originally known as Lethington Castle. It houses the Hamilton Palace collection of paintings and furniture, as well as Mary Queen of Scots memorabilia. Enjoy a guided tour. Head south into the Scottish Borders, stopping at Scott's View to admire the stunning view of the River Tweed and Eildon Hills. The lookout was reputed to be one of Sir Walter Scott's favourite places. Continue on to the picturesque town of Melrose, birthplace of Rugby Sevens, with time for lunch at one of the many delightful cafes at own expense, before visiting Melrose Abbey. Melrose Abbey is a magnificent ruin on a grand scale with lavishly decorated masonry, probably the most famous ruin in Scotland. Founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, it was largely destroyed by Richard II's English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century, and are of an elegance unsurpassed in Scotland. The exterior of this magnificent ruin is decorated by unusual sculptures, including hobgoblins, cooks with ladles and a bagpipe playing pig. The abbey is also thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart.
Continue on to your hotel in Moffat for dinner and overnight

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out and load luggage. Take a leisurely drive to the beautiful village of Alloway on the Ayrshire coast to visit Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Robert Burns is Scotland’s National Bard, and his poetry and songs are known and loved the world over. Visit the humble cottage where Robert Burns was born and spent the first years of his life. Explore the museum which houses more than 5,000 Burns artefacts including his handwritten manuscripts. Follow in Tam o’ Shanter’s footsteps to atmospheric Alloway Auld Kirk and over the Brig o’ Doon. Visit the Monument where Burns tourism began back in 1823 and the landscaped gardens. In the afternoon visit Culzean Castle, Robert Adam's spectacular cliff top masterpiece designed in the late 18th century, filled to the turrets with treasures that tell the stories of the people who lived here. Marvel at the interior, from the imposing entrance hall, which boasts one of the largest collections of British military flintlock pistols in the world, to the elegant rooms and bustling kitchen, all filled with the artefacts of Culzean Castle’s history. Discover Robert Adam’s masterful centrepiece, the sweeping Oval Staircase with its soaring colonnades and grand oil paintings, as well as the unique Round Drawing Room, which has panoramic views over the Firth of Clyde. Culzean Castle was built for the Kennedy family, one of the oldest clans in Scotland, whose ancestry that can be traced back to Robert the Bruce. Continue to your hotel for the next 2 nights and check in. Dinner in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Depart for a full day on the Isle of Arran, taking the ferry across the Firth of Clyde from Ardrossan to Brodick. Known as 'Scotland in Miniature' because of the mountainous north and rolling hills and farmland of the south. On arrival, head 15 miles to the north of the island to visit picturesque Lochranza, with the striking ruins of Lochranza Castle and home to some wonderful wildlife. Red Deer can often been seen wandering along the shoreline and common and grey seals are regularly seen (Lochranza means 'Loch of the Seals'), Golden Eagles can be a little more difficult to spot but do also frequent this area. Visit the Isle of Arran Whisky Distillery in Lochranza, one of Scotland's newest single malt whisky distillers and one of the few remaining independent distillers in Scotland. Enjoy a guided tour and tasting. Return to Brodick via the Isle of Arran Heritage Centre. Visit Brodick Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and containing a fabulous collection of valuable artefacts. In 1474, James Hamilton married Princess Mary, daughter of King James II and was made Lord Hamilton and their son, who was in line of succession to the throne, was made Earl of Arran. The family built Brodick Castle as a Highland home. Time permitting visit the Arran Cheese Shop in Brodick, which now sits on the footprint of what was the original dairy for the Home Farm which supplied the Dukes and Duchesses of Brodick Castle for several centuries. Take the ferry back to the mainland and return to your hotel for overnight. Dinner own arrangements.

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out, load luggage and head north, visiting a bagpipe maker on the outskirts of Glasgow, before driving along the scenic shores of beautiful Loch Lomond with the opportunity for photo stops and a coffee break. Continue through the exhilarating scenery of the Trossachs National Park and onto Inverary, overlooking the still waters of Loch Fyne for lunch (at own expense) and a visit to the jail and courthouse, now an award-winning museum that graphically recounts prison conditions from medieval times up until the 19th century. Continue on to the picturesque coastal town of Oban. Check in to your hotel for the next 2 nights. Dinner in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Depart for a full day on the beautiful Isle of Mull. Travel across by ferry from Oban and enjoy a visit to Duart Castle, the ancient home of Clan Maclean. Sited on a high crag at the end of a peninsular jutting into the Sound of Mull, the castle has dominated the view to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe for over 700 years. It was completely refurbished around the oldest part in 1911, before which it was a ruin from the 18th century. See the magnificent Great Hall and the State Bedroom and Dressing Room furnished for the wartime honeymoon of Lord Maclean and his bride. Travel through the Ben More Mountains to the Ross of Mull peninsular fringed with amazing rock formations and silver-sand beaches and rare wildlife. At the very tip is Fionnphort where you will board the foot ferry for the short journey to the tiny island of Iona to visit Iona Abbey and Nunnery one of Scotland's most historic sights and the oldest and most sacred religious places in Western Europe. Founded by St Columba and his Irish followers in AD 563. As a celebrated focus for Christian pilgrimage, Iona retains its spiritual atmosphere and remains an enduring symbol of worship. Return to Craignure taking in the wonderful scenery and take the ferry back to Oban and your hotel for overnight. Dinner own arrangements. A chance to sample one of the local restaurants and the delicious seafood on offer.

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out, load luggage and then head further north to Glencoe, located within the awe-inspiring Lochaber Geopark in the Highlands, the deep valley and towering mountains of Glen Coe were carved out millions of years ago by icy glaciers and volcanic explosions. Stop at the eco-friendly Visitor Centre, marvel at the panoramic mountain views, discover the tragedy of the Glencoe Massacre back in 1692 and maybe enjoy a walk in this beautiful area. Continue on to Fort William taking in the views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, from Corpach on Loch Lihnne.
Check in to your hotel for 2 nights. Dinner in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel. Head to the station in Fort William to join the wonderful Jacobite Steam Train, one of the World's most scenic railway journeys. The 84 mile round trip takes you through stunning scenery and across the Glenfinnan Viaduct (made famous in the Harry Potter films) to the busy fishing port of Mallaig where you will have time to take in the atmosphere and enjoy a fish and chip lunch (at own expense) before the return journey to Fort William.
Return to your hotel for overnight. Dinner own arrangements.

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out, load luggage. Travel north through Spean Bridge for a stop at the Woollen Mill with weaving demonstrations and Clan Tartan shop, as well as gifts, clothing and a coffee shop. Continue onto Invergarry before reaching the scenic hamlet of Fort Augustus at the southern tip of Loch Ness, then driving along the shores of Loch Ness keeping a look out for the legendary monster, before arriving at Urquhart Castle. Built in the 13th Century and guarding the route along Loch Ness, the castle commands the views up and down the Loch and changed hands numerous times throughout 1000 years of history. Enjoy some warm Scottish hospitality with lunch in Drumnadrochit. Continue towards Inverness and visit Culloden where the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 ended the famous battle between the Jacobite forces of Bonny Prince Charlie and the government led forces of the Duke of Cumberland. Visit the site and the centre and re-live the battle that ended the hopes of Jacobite victory. Walk the atmospheric battlefield and visit the memorial to the fallen soldiers. Check in to your hotel for overnight, the beautiful Craigellachie of Speyside. Enjoy a bite to eat in the hotel's wonderful pub 'The Cooper Dog' (at own expense) and maybe a wee dram or a whisky based cocktail in the Quaich Bar, the world's leading whisky bar, with over 900 single malt whisky's from around the globe.

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out, load luggage. Visit Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age burial site. The cairns featured in the Outlander series. Time to explore this well preserved bronze age cemetery with its complex of passage graves, ring cairns and standing stones in a beautiful setting. Head to Grantown-on-Spey then down through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, stopping at the Whisky Castle, established in 1904 and stocking in excess of 600 malts, The Whisky Castle has been selling whisky for over 100 years. Enjoy a special tasting. Continue south along the snow roads scenic route passing through Ballater and Braemar then onto the Spittal of Glenshee, a beautiful highland Glen with lunch en route. Stop at Queen's View on Loch Tummel, visited by Queen Victoria and named for Queen Isabella, wife of Robert the Bruce. The views here are outstanding. Continue on to the charming Victorian town of Pitlochry for the next 2 nights and check in to your B&B accommodation in the town. Dinner own arrangements. (Westlands of Pitlochry - lovely B&B accommodation centrally located in Pitlochry. Note: As this is a B&B it doesn't have its own bar or restaurant)

Breakfast in the hotel. Depart for Glamis Castle for a visit. The family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, Glamis Castle is the legendary setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. As soon as you enter the Queen Mother Gates at Glamis and see the Castle's turrets and towers nestled at the end of the mile-long drive, you can't fail to be impressed by its majesty. Enjoy the beautiful castle and grounds. Return to Pitlochry and visit the famous Fish Ladder, built to enable the salmon to scale Pitlochry dam and swim up river to their spawning grounds. Inside chambers give views of the fish from below the surface. Remainder of the day free in Pitlochry. The Blair Atholl Distillery, one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland, is very close by. Dinner own arrangements.

Breakfast in the hotel. Check out, load luggage. Head south and visit Falkland Palace & Garden, one of Scotland’s finest Renaissance palaces, a place adored by Mary, Queen of Scots. Explore this treasure trove of fascinating 17th-century artefacts, see the magnificent Chapel Royal, and walk in the colourful and diverse grounds, home to the world’s oldest surviving real tennis court.
Farewell lunch before checking in to your hotel. Transfer into Edinburgh to enjoy the world famous spectacle, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the evening. Set amidst the backdrop of the imposing Edinburgh Castle, the iconic performance celebrates the skills and talents of military bands and display teams from the British Armed Forces, the Commonwealth and military teams throughout the world. Transfer back to your hotel for overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel. Enjoy a day of leisure before your transfer to Edinburgh airport, check in for your flight back to Australia via Dubai.

Change planes in Dubai

Arrive Melbourne early this morning.