Departures ex Edinburgh
Schedule:
Every Friday (15/05/20-25/09/20)
Feel like a lord or lady as you wander through castles and manor houses. Stride ancient battlefields like a sword-wielding Highlander. And relive Scotland’s history defining moments of conceit and treachery as you listen to your driver-guide’s epic tales.
On this tour, you’ll join the ranks of esteemed history lovers while you travel over sea, loch, and glen. You visit Scotland’s most impressive castles, tower forts, and palaces. And you even get a chance to take a boat trip and visit Scotland’s highest whisky distillery.
This tour is your ticket into Scotland’s medieval past and royal history.
Take a self guided tour of the majestic Falkland Palace
Walk the cobbled streets of the ‘home of golf’, St Andrews
You depart from Edinburgh, travel north, and cross the Queens ferry Crossing into the ancient Kingdom of Fife. Your first visit of the day is Falkland Palace. This palace was built in the 16th century and is set in the medieval village of Falkland, which features in the television show, Outlander.
You continue to St Andrews where you have a chance to get lunch and explore the cobbled lanes and ancient university buildings.
Travelling north towards Aberdeen, you have a chance to admire the House of Dun, a beautiful Georgian mansion located within a woodland estate.
In the afternoon, you visit Dunnottar castle. This ruined cliff top fortress is one of Scotland’s megastars and adorns the front covers of travel magazines everywhere. So, it’s a great spot to take in the view and test your photo skills.
Wander through the beautiful gardens of Castle Fraser
Relive the mysterious tales of Crathes Castle
Today is spent in the Royal Deeside area, famous for its many castles.
Your first visit is Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. You can round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th century walled garden. Later on, you can have an opportunity to visit Banchory where you might be able to see salmon jumping at the Falls of Feugh.
Lunch is at Ballater, before continuing with your afternoon programme. Crathes Castle provides the highlight for the afternoon. Turrets, gargoyles, and the ancient Horn of Leys are just a few of the features of this historic castle.
You’re free to explore the house and stunning gardens at your own pace. Wandering through the outstanding, world-renowned June Borders, beautiful vistas of the castle can be seen through the fusion of colourful flowers.
You return back to Aberdeen for another overnight.
Admire the ancient tapestries at Fyvie Castle
Learn about Britain’s last land fought battle at Culloden
Your tour heads further north and starts the day with a visit to Fyvie Castle. Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and has a fine collection of arms and armour as well as 17th century tapestries.
You continue, travelling through beautiful scenery and on to Nairn, where lunch will be taken at nearby Brodie Castle. You have time to explore this imposing castle’s unusual plasterwork and art collection.
In the afternoon, you can take the Clan Walk at the Culloden Visitor Centre. The Clan Stone Walkway is designed to commemorate the Scottish Clans and their clansmen who fought at the battle of Culloden.
After the visit, you continue to Forres for your overnight stay.
Sample whisky in the area it’s casked at the Dalwhinnie Distillery
Travel by boat to visit the imposing Lochleven Castle
You travel south through some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.
You pass Kingussie where you may have an opportunity for a quick photo stop at the Ruthven Barracks. From here, you continue to Dalwhinnie Distillery where you have the chance to taste the ‘Water of Life’. Dalwhinnie is the highest Distillery in Scotland and takes its waters right from the source of the River Spey.
After a lunch stop in Pitlochry, you head to Loch Leven. In the middle of the Loch you find Lochleven Castle, a late 14th-century tower, which was the setting for the most traumatic year in the life of Mary Queen of Scots.
You can enjoy a boat ride over to the island and explore at your own leisure before we return back over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh.
Inclusion
All rates are inclusive of Breakfast unless stated otherwise.
Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
Air conditioning as standard
The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Exclusion
Entry fees to visitor attractions
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Note
Departures ex Edinburgh
Departure every Friday
Departs - Check-in closes at 08.30 (tour departs at 08.45) - Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Returns - 18.30 approx
Hotel Accommodation can be upgraded to 3 Star on request
Child supplement applies only to up to 01 child aged 5-15 years old, sharing the same room with 02 adults,
No children under 5 years old are permitted, except with special permission
Restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person
Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
