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Scotland Once More (August 15-28)
Scroll down for itinerary, pricing, hotel information (and a special booking offer).
More than enough adventure for everyone when you join us in Scotland for 2010.
Stay in a 16th century hotel on the banks of the Tay - Scotlands oldest inn - and see a wee poem that Burns scribbled on the wall in the lounge. Check out the 5,000 year old Yew tree (Europe’s oldest still living vegetation) at Fortingall where, according to legend, Pontius Pilate was born. Visit sub tropical gardens high in the North West at Inverewe.
Highland Sunset
Journey into remote ancient clan lands deep in the highlands. Wander the ruins of Finlarig Castle and stand at the edge of the beheading pit. Discover the magic of the Speyside distilleries and the castle country of the GrampiansStand beside pre-historic stone circles on Arran, the Hebridean Island known as Scotland in Miniature. In Edinburgh enjoy wandering the decks of the Royal Yacht Britannia at the harbor in Leith.
Thrill to the sights and sounds of massed pipes & Drums at the 60th anniversary of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Then too there’s the ‘pagan’ wishing well still being used near Inverness - Culloden Moor - Loch Tay - Highland Scenery - the Edinburgh Festival - the World’s Largest Book Fair in Edinburgh - remote villages - stunning scenery - and more, more, more.
And all in the tiny, proud, hauntingly magic Scotland.
Hotels: Early night & last night Holiday Inn Airport Hotel, Glasgow; Kenmore Hotel (2 nights); Craigmonie, Inverness (3 nights); Ardoe House, nr Aberdeen (2 nights); Irvine Hotel, Irvine (2 nights); Channings, Edinburgh (3 nights).
Begin & end at Glasgow airport, Holiday Inn Hotel.
Prices: $4,895 Cdn per person sharing. Single Supplement: $975
$4,595 US per person sharing. Single Supplement: $925
Book now and receive an early night (August 14) at our airport hotel (approx value $250-$350), as well as a reduction of $100 per person from the cost of the tour.
To book a $500 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking with the balance due 60 days prior to the departure of the tour. (June 16, 2010)
Payment by cheque, mastercard or Visa.
Please read our details and fine print page regarding cancellation penalties which apply. We strongly suggest you protect your investment and take out insurance at the time of booking.
ITINERARY
Tour begins and ends at Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport.
August 14 - (Early Night) Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport - Step across the road from the terminal and you’re in the hotel with time to unwind and relax following your transatlantic flight. Dinner is on your own tonight either in the dinning room, the lounge, or a light snack over at the airport.
August 15 - 16 - Kenmore Hotel, Kenmore - Following a leisurely buffet breakfast we head up beside Loch Lomond with a stop at luss on the Loch, then at The Drover’s Inn where Rob Roy Macgregor hung out. From there up to the top end of the famous Trossachs then along to our hotel. We’ll visit the ruins of Finlarig Castle, Fortingall, the legendary birthplace of Pontius Pilate, the village of Killin and Balquihidder where the infamous Rob Roy is buried. Dinner both nights at the hotel.
August 17-18-19 - Craigmonie Hotel, Inverness - We head off to Inverness today by backroads through some of the most remarkable highland scenery. During our time in the Capital of the Highlands we’ll journey north west to the remarkable sub tropical gardens at Inverewe where palms and tropical plants grow in profusion. We will also visit Culloden Moor where the dreams of the highlanders came to grief. Also visits to an ancient wishing well and the remarkable 4,000 year old burial chambers and standing stones at Clava. And a free day to explore Inverness. Dinner in our Hotel on the 17th and 18th and a free night to dine on the 19th.
August 20-21, Ardoe House, nr. Aberdeen - The Baronial Splendour of Ardoe House is home for the next two nights. We journey from Inverness through Nairn, Forres where we’ll see remarkable local gardens as well as the 23 foot Pictish Sweno’s Stone. We also visit the reuins of Elgin Cathedral before arriving at our hotel. During our time here we will also investigate the haunting cliffside ruins of Dunnottar Castle and the historic fishing village of Stonehaven. Dinner both nights in our hotel.
August 22-23 Menzies Irvine Hotel, Irvine - After a lovely drive down the east coast and through Dundee and Perth we eventually end up in the town of Irvine on the West Coast. Next morning it’s off to Arran for the day discovering the richness of its past including Brodick Castle, Highland Hills and ancient burial sites and standing stones. The island is also famous for its cheeses, brewery, distillery, perfume manufacturer and many crafts. At the end of the day we sail back to Irvine and our modern hotel.
August 24-25-26 - Channings Hotel, Edinburgh. Before heading over to Edinburgh we make a stop at the new Burns Centre in Alloway at the cottage where Scotland’s famous poet was born. Then on to Edinburgh’s Capital for three nights with time to discover the great train and road bridge, have a city tour then take in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo the night of the 25th. A Free day to explore all the city and the festival has to offer on the 26th. We dine in the delightful Channings (which was once the home of Arctic explorer Earnest Shackleton) for the three nights.
August 27 - Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport. It may be our last day but it sure isn’t our least. After a leisurely departure from Channings, we head over to the Port of Leith for a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Enjoy wandering about the famous ship and seeing the lounges, dining rooms and bedrooms of the Royal Family. And after, we’ll have lunch before heading over to Glasgow and our last evening and dinner together.
August 28 - Departure Day. It’s just a stroll across the road to the terminal. And if the timing works out, check in with your luggage, then come back to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast.
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