BONNIE SCOTLAND 8 DAYS FROM $1,549 US Details below or
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Breathtaking Highland scenery awaits in beautiful Scotland. After a welcome dinner and overnight in Glasgow, follow the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond and take the ferry for an overnight on the romantic Isle of Mull. Next, travel across the remote Highlands, taking in the breathtaking scenery and watching out for the mysterious Loch Ness monster as you make your way to Inverness. Stop at the Culloden battlefield, enjoy a sheepdog display, and visit a whisky distillery. Visit the mountain resort of Pitlochry and continue on to St. Andrews. At Scone Palace in Perth, enjoy coffee and shortbread as you hear about the crowning of Scottish kings. Then spend two nights in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh with a visit to its castle. Return to Glasgow via the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.
Day 1 Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax in Scotland’s largest city. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 2 Glasgow–Oban–Isle of Mull
Your tour of Scotland starts in earnest with a day full of spectacular scenery. Cross the Highland Line and stop for photos of the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond, before ascending the mountain pass known as “Rest and be thankful.” Pause at Inveraray, seat of the Clan Campbell and situated on the shores of Loch Fyne, then follow the Pass of Brander to the pretty fishing port of Oban, where you board the FERRY to the beautiful Isle of Mull. Enjoy the drive up to Tobermory for a visit to the quaint island capital. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3 Isle of Mull–Fort William–Culloden–Inverness
A short FERRY crossing back to the Scottish mainland and then a fantastic drive on narrow winding roads and along lovely Loch Linnhe to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, are on this morning’s agenda. Then, follow the shores of Loch Lochy and Loch Ness, keeping a lookout for the mysterious monster. At CULLODEN VISITOR CENTRE the scene is set of the crushing Hanoverian victory over Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Scottish clans. Spend the night in Inverness, the Highland capital. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 Inverness–Pitlochry–Dundee
Start the day with a unique treat: admire a champion shepherd as he manipulates his flock with up to 10 border collies in a SHEEPDOG DISPLAY. Then, enjoy more spectacular Highland scenery as you drive through Cairngorms National Park and Glen Garry to the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. This afternoon, visit a WHISKY DISTILLERY, where your guide explains the ancient art of converting barley, water, and yeast into a heart-warming liquor. Stay the night in the city of Dundee, overlooking the picturesque Firth of Tay. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5 Dundee–St. Andrews–Edinburgh
A leisurely start to the day with a drive across the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, has given us the rules of golfing. A fun inclusion is the opportunity to hit a few balls at the ST. ANDREWS GOLF PRACTICE CENTRE. Continue on to Perth and a special visit to SCONE PALACE, the stately home of the Earl and Countess of Mansfield. During your welcome over coffee and shortbread, hear about the crowning of Scottish kings here, then join your guide on a private tour of the Murray family home. Plenty of time later to explore the palace grounds. Cross the mighty Forth Road Bridge to Edinburgh and tonight, don’t miss our optional Scottish evening with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and the Ceremony of the Haggis. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Edinburgh
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town” and famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” drive up the narrow Royal Mile to EDINBURGH CASTLE to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The afternoon is free to enjoy the Scottish capital at your own pace. Later, a unique optional experience: board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, once the perfect royal residence for the Queen’s glittering state visits and family holidays. Tour five decks and see how the Royal Family and crew of 240 lived and worked on board. Dinner rounds off this optional evening. For August 1, August 8, and August 15 departures, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned MILITARY TATTOO, a vast spectacle of massed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Edinburgh–Stirling–Glasgow
First stop this morning is at BANNOCKBURN HERITAGE CENTRE for a visit of the battle site where Robert the Bruce defeated the English in 1314. Then, see the Wallace Monument, testimony to William Wallace’s victory over Edward I of England’s troops at The Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, as re-enacted in the film Braveheart. Leaving bloodied history behind, follow the route through Callander to the Lake of Menteith and Aberfoyle in the picturesque forested region known as The Trossachs. Back in vibrant Glasgow a final orientation drive takes in the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares built by the wealthy tobacco barons. Time for last-minute shopping before enjoying a farewell dinner at your hotel. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8 Glasgow
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Bannockburn
Visit the heritage center commemorating Robert the Bruce’s victory
Stirling
Take pictures of the Wallace Monument
Note:
Edinburgh Military Tattoo ticket included for departures August 1, August 8, August 15
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full Scottish breakfast; 5 three-course dinners with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner in Glasgow
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
GLASGOW Novotel (F), ISLE OF MULL Isle of Mull Hotel (F) at Craignure, INVERNESS Columba (F), DUNDEE Hilton (F), EDINBURGH Mercure Edinburgh Princess Street (F), GLASGOW Thistle (F)
Optional Excursions
Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Edinburgh
Scottish Evening April 1 - October 31
No visit to Scotland's capital city would be complete without joining a Scottish evening with dinner, wine and a show featuring singers, dancers, bagpipers and the Ceremony of the Haggis.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Rosslyn Chapel
Take a short trip from Edinburgh to visit Rosslyn Chapel, featured in the best selling novel The Da Vinci Code.
Approximate value: GBP £19 per person
Royal Yacht Britannia and Dinner
A visit on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, now moored at Leith docks, is followed by dinner with wine and coffee at a local restaurant.
Approximate value: GBP £49 per person
CITY: Isle of Skye
Eilean Donan Castle and Pub Visit
Enjoy a visit to spectacular Eilean Donan Castle followed by a drink of your choice at a local inn.
Approximate value: GBP £20 per person
DEPARTURE DATES April - October
PRICES From approx $1,549 US per person based on double occupancy
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