Scotland

Programme Overview

• Duration: 9 days

  A 9-day itinerary featuring the highlights of Scotland, arriving to and departing from Edinburgh

  Highlights: Edinburgh, the Borders of Scotland, Perth, Fort William, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Loch Lomond, Gleneagles, Glamis, St. Andrews

• Day 1

  Arrive Edinburgh

  Upon arrival at Edinburgh airport you will be met in the arrivals hall by your local representative and privately transferred to your hotel. Your representative will assist you with check-in procedures.

  Overnight: Balmoral Hotel

• Day 2

  Edinburgh

  This morning, you will meet an expert local guide for a full day sightseeing tour of Scotland's capital city by private vehicle. You will first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', the Scottish Crown Jewels, and obtain stunning views of the city. You will then continue down the Royal Mile, past St. Giles High Kirk, to Holyrood Palace, the Queen's official residence in Scotland. You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time.

  This afternoon, start by visiting the National Gallery of Scotland where a curator will take you on a tour of the highlights. Later you will drive down to the city docks at Leith, where you will board the former Royal Yacht Britannia, now permanently moored here, for a semi-private early evening tour. Built in Scotland, this ship was used by the Royal Family for many official voyages during her working life.

  Overnight: Balmoral Hotel Meal Plan: B

• Day 3

  The Borders of Scotland

  You will meet your driver-guide who will take you on a full day excursion into the Scottish Borders in a vintage Rolls Royce or Daimler vehicle. The River Tweed, one of the finest salmon rivers in Britain, runs through this area of pleasant hills and rolling agricultural land. This is Walter Scott Country, and you will visit his house at Abbotsford. Still owned by his descendants, you can see where the novelist worked and look at some of his memorabilia. You will also visit the nearby woollen mill town of Melrose, site of one of the region's many ruined abbey churches.

  Later, you will visit Traquair House, the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. Known for its gates that will remain shut until a member of the Stuart family sits again on the British throne, this house boasts its own brewery. On your return to Edinburgh you may also visit Rosslyn Chapel, this small but very ornately carved church has achieved fame recently as a location featured in 'The Da Vinci Code'.

  Overnight: Balmoral Hotel
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 4

  Edinburgh - Perth - Fort William

  Your driver-guide will take you on a full day journey by private vehicle into the Highlands of Scotland. You will make your first stop in Perth, where you will be able to visit Scone Palace, a mansion built on the site of the coronation of the medieval kings of Scotland. Continue north into the Scottish Highlands, and stop to visit the Edradour Scotch whisky distillery, the smallest in Scotland, where you will be treated to a tasting of various malts of different ages. Afterwards you will continue to your hotel in Fort William, one of the main towns in the region. You will be confirmed for 3 nights at Inverlochy Castle, the finest country house hotel in Scotland.

  Overnight: Inverlochy Castle
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 5

  Loch Ness and the Great Glen

  Today you will see some of Scotland's best-known places on a full day journey to Fort William with your driver-guide and private vehicle. Drive along the River Ness until you reach Loch Ness, home of the fabled monster. You can visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle that dominate the deepest part of the lake. If you prefer, why not take a privately-chartered cruise on a boat which has sonar equipment on board to scan for mysterious objects in the water.

  Continue to Inverness, where you will cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor, scene of the battle where Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated in 1746 by government troops. On the return journey to Fort William, you may like to take the gondola up the Aonach Mor slope of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.

  Overnight: Inverlochy Castle Meal Plan: B

• Day 6

  The Isle of Skye

  Your driver-guide will lead you on a full day excursion to the Isle of Skye. The route starts by heading northwest over the mountains to Glen Shiel, the valley that will lead you to the West Coast. In Loch Duich, you will visit the romantic Eilean Donan Castle, pictured on many postcards from Scotland.

  You will then drive over the bridge to the Isle of Skye, where you will still see road signs in the Gaelic language. Weather permitting you will obtain fine views of the Cuillin Hills in the centre of the island. Pause to obtain a flavour of the Gaelic heritage at the Clan Donald Centre. Lunch may be taken at Kinloch Lodge, the restaurant owned by Lady Claire MacDonald, one of Scotland's leading cookery writers.

  Return to the mainland by the ferry to Mallaig, and drive along the 'Road to the Isles' that leads to Fort William. En route, you will pass the Glenfinnan monument, where Bonnie Price Charlie raised his standard in 1745.

  Overnight: Inverlochy Castle Meal Plan: B

• Day 7

  Fort William - Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - Gleneagles

  You will leave your hotel this morning for a full day of touring with your driver-guide in a private vehicle. Drive along Glencoe, scene of the Campbell atrocity against the McDonalds, crossing the windswept Rannoch Moor, and following the road down to Crianlarich.

  You will then drive south until you reach Loch Lomond, the largest body of inland water in Great Britain. Continue along the shore of the lake before turning east to drive through the area of hills and woods known as the Trossachs. This is the land of Rob Roy. You will reach your resort hotel, where the evening is yours to spend at leisure.

  You will be confirmed for 2 nights at the Gleneagles Hotel, the world-famous resort that has three 18-hole golf courses.

  Overnight: Gleneagles Meal Plan: B

• Day 8

  Glamis and St. Andrews

  Your driver-guide will take you on a full day excursion eastwards. You will drive into the soft fruit-growing region called Strathmore. Here you will take a privately guided tour of the turreted Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the Queen Mother, and still home to the Bowes-Lyon family.

  You will then head south over the Sidlaw Hills, and cross the Tay Bridge over to Fife and head over to St. Andrews on the North Sea coast. Known throughout the world as the home of golf, St. Andrews was originally the ecclesiastical and educational capital of Scotland. You will visit the ruins of the cathedral, destroyed during the Reformation. You may also wish to visit the British Golf Museum, located next to the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse.

  You will return to your hotel from St. Andrews, where the evening is yours to spend at leisure.

  Overnight: Gleneagles Meal Plan: B

• Day 9

  Depart Edinburgh

  Today you will be privately transferred to Edinburgh airport for your departure flight.

  Meal Plan: B

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A Scottish Whisky Experience

Programme Overview

• Duration: 12 days

  A 12-day itinerary immersed in the traditions of Scottish Whisky and also taking advantage of the highlights of London.

  Highlights:London, Edinburgh, Inverness, Dunrobin Castle, Lothian

• Day 1

  Arrive London

  Upon arrival at Heathrow airport you will be welcomed to England by your local Guardian Angel as you exit customs into the arrivals hall, and transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in procedures.The remainder of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

  You will be confirmed for 4 nights at the Goring Hotel, inclusive of English Breakfast.

  Overnight: The Goring Hotel

• Day 2

  London

  You have a full day to relax in London following to enjoy the sights and stores of London independently.

  Overnight: The Goring Hotel
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 3

  London

  An expert local guide and your chauffeur will be waiting to meet you for a full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) of the City of London and Westminster. You will visit the Tower of London, where the Beefeaters guard the dazzling Crown Jewels, and where you will gain excellent views of Tower Bridge from the Medieval Palace. Proceed afterwards to St. Paul's Cathedral, rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London in 1666. This afternoon you will tour Westminster. Enjoy a flight on the London Eye, from the top of which you will gain spectacular views of the city. Continue on to Trafalgar Square, where the National Gallery of Art is overshadowed by Nelson's Column. See some of the masterpieces in the gallery that include Holbein's 'Ambassadors' and Constable's 'Hay Wain'. You will then head down Whitehall and past Downing Street, to the Houses of Parliament. You will also pass Westminster Abbey, the National Church of England. Finally return to your hotel past Buckingham Palace, the Queen's official residence in London.

  Overnight: The Goring Hotel
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 4

  London

  You have a further full day in London following to enjoy the sights and stores of London independently.

  Overnight: The Goring Hotel
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 5

  London - Edinburgh - Inverness

  This morning you will be transferred to Heathrow Airport for your flight to Edinburgh.

  Upon arrival at Edinburgh airport you will be welcomed to Scotland by your local Guardian Angel as you exit customs into the arrivals hall, and introduced to your driver-guide who will be with you for your tour to the Highlands of Scotland.

  Your driver-guide will transfer you on the north into the Highlands of Scotland. You will follow the main road through the Grampian Mountains as you head to Inverness. Your hotel is located in the centre of Inverness, the city known as the 'Capital of the Highlands'.

  This evening, your driver-guide will transfer you to the Cardhu Distillery of malt whisky, where this evening the Festival Opening Dinner for this year's Spirit of Speyside Festival will take place. Over 300 people will gather in the atmospheric venue. On arrival you will be welcomed with a Spirit of Speyside Malt Cocktail. There will be some lively traditional music from local musicians at the start and end of the dinner. During the evening the winners of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Awards will be announced, as well as the overall winner of the photographic competition. The dinner will have a Scottish theme throughout the meal. The food is all locally sourced and will be accompanied by a complimentary shot of whisky to match each dish (please note this event applied to a specific date and is therefore featured only as an illustration of the type of inclusion/activity we can offer).

  You will be confirmed for 4 nights at the Glenmoriston Town House, inclusive of Scottish Breakfast.

  Overnight: Glenmoriston Town House
  Meal Plan: B,D

• Day 6

  Inverness

  Your driver-guide will take you on an excursion to the north of Inverness, home of some of the Highland malt whisky distilleries. You will follow the coast of the Moray Firth to Tain where you will stop to visit the Glenmorangie Distillery. Here, one of the highest regarded of all single malt whiskies is produced. You will also visit the Clynelish Distillery in Brora, one of the most northerly of all the distilleries on the Scottish mainland.

  Continue to Dunrobin Castle, the fairytale home of the Earls of Sutherland. Built to look like a French chateau, this castle is one of the most impressive examples of Scottish Baronial architecture. Return to Inverness from here.

  Overnight: Glenmoriston Town House
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 7

  Inverness

  Your driver-guide will be available for a full-day excursion into Speyside, the area to the east of Inverness that is home to half of all the whisky distilleries in Scotland. The pure water of the streams and the superior quality of the mountain peat has given rise to the term 'Speyside Malt' to the whiskies produced here.

  Your route will take in part of the fabled Whisky Trail that runs around many of the best-known distilleries in the region. You will stop at the discrete Macallan distillery for a tour of the installations. You will also see the Glenfiddich Distillery, where arguably the best known of all single malts is produced, and which is unusual in having its own bottling plant on site.

  Other well-known brands produced here include Glenlivet and Strathisla; the latter produces much of the spirit for the well-known Chivas Regal blend.

  Overnight: Glenmoriston Town House
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 8

  Inverness

  For your final day in the Highlands, your driver-guide will take you to visit some of the other sites for which the region is famous. You will drive southwest of the city to visit Loch Ness, one of the largest lakes in Great Britain and reputedly home to the celebrated monster! You will stop to visit the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle that dominates the part of the lake where the majority of monster sightings are said to have taken place.

  This afternoon you will head to the east of Inverness. You will visit the Battlefield of Culloden Moor, site of the last battle ever fought on British soil; here the Jacobite armies of Bonnie Prince Charlie were routed by government forces after the attempt to seize the throne had failed. You will also visit Cawdor Castle, a fine example of a medieval tower house that is owned by the Campbell family.

  Overnight: Glenmoriston Town House
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 9

  Inverness - Edinburgh

  Your driver-guide will take you on a full day journey by private vehicle from the Highlands to Edinburgh. Your first stop will be at the House of Bruar, one of the finest shopping outlets in Scotland where you can purchase a wide range of Scottish products.

  You will then stop to visit the Edradour Scotch whisky distillery, the smallest in Scotland, and stop in the picturesque town of Pitlochry. You will drive past Perth where you can stop to visit stately Scone Palace, the home of the Earl of Mansfield that is built on the site of the ancient coronation place of the Kings of Scotland. Finally cross the Firth of Forth by the Forth Bridge and continue to your hotel in Edinburgh.

  You will be confirmed for 2 nights at The Balmoral, inclusive of Scottish Breakfast.

  Overnight: The Balmoral
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 10

  Edinburgh

  This morning, you will meet an expert local guide for a full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) of Scotland's capital city by private vehicle. You will first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and obtain stunning views of the city. You will then continue down the Royal Mile, past St. Giles High Kirk, to Holyrood Palace, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland. (You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time.

  This afternoon, you will drive into the countryside of the Lothian Region that surrounds Edinburgh. In the village of Pencaitland you will visit the Glenkinchie Distillery, where one of the few examples of a Lowland malt whisky is distilled. Return to Edinburgh from here.

  Overnight: The Balmoral
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 11

  Edinburgh - London

  Today you will be met at your hotel and privately transferred with your Guardian Angel to Edinburgh Waverley railway station to begin your Concierge Rail journey. Here you will be shown to your pre-reserved 1st class seating and your luggage will be handled onboard for you. Upon arrival at London King's Cross railway station you will be met and your luggage will be handled for you. You will then be privately transferred to your hotel where you will be assisted with check-in.

  You will be confirmed for 1 night at the Goring Hotel, inclusive of English Breakfast.

  Overnight: The Goring Hotel
  Meal Plan: B

• Day 12

  Depart London

  Meal Plan: B

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