Stay in a Scottish Castle
Contents |
Stay in a Scottish Castle - 8 Day Tour
Edinburgh – Royal Deeside – Highlands – West Coast – Edinburgh
This beautiful individual 8 day car tour provides visitors with a unique experience to remember for a long time to come
Map of the Tour
Itinerary
Itinerary Summary
| Day | Itinerary | Hotel | Location | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival Edinburgh | Melville Castle | near Edinburgh | 4 star |
| Day 2 | Edinburgh | Melville Castle | ||
| Day 3 | Royal Deeside | Kildrummy Castle | Kildrummy | 4 star |
| Day 4 | Highlands | Tulloch Castle | Dingwall | 4 star |
| Day 5 | Highlands | Tulloch Castle | ||
| Day 6 | West Coast | Ballachulish Hotel | near Fort William | 3 star superior |
| Day 7 | Edinburgh | Melville Castle | near Edinburgh | 4 star |
| Day 8 | Departure Edinburgh |
Day 1 Arrival
Arrive at Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport and pick up your self-drive car. Head for your splendid Hotel, in the Edinburgh area. Enjoy the grandeur of this Hotel tonight or travel into Edinburgh.
Day 2 Edinburgh – Royal Deeside
You will depart Edinburgh in the direction of Aberdeen. You will visit Scone Palace, the home of the Earl of Mansfield. Scone is a castellated palace, enlarged and embellished in 1803, incorporating the 16th century and earlier palaces. The Moot Hill at Scone, known in the 8th century and earlier, was the site of the famous Coronation Stone of Scone (The Stone of Destiny), brought there in the 9th century by Kenneth MacAlpine, King of Scots. In 1296, the Stone was seized by the English and taken to Westminster Abbey. In 1997 the Stone was returned to Scotland and is now in Edinburgh Castle. You will continue through Royal Deeside to Kildrummy. Outside Aberdeen, visit Crathes Castle which has royal historic associations dating from 1323 when the Land of Leys were granted to the Burnett family by Robert the Bruce. The castle features some remarkable late 16th century painted ceilings. There is a large walled garden and the great yew hedges date from 1702, fascinating examples of topiary.
Day 3 Royal Deeside - Highlands
Travel northwards towards Inverness. In the morning follow the Whisky Trail and visit one of the many famous distilleries in the area. You can visit Glenfiddich, McCallums, Grants, Cardhu and many more. Each gives an audio-visual show and then a guided tour of the distillery to learn of the processes and for many the highlight is a tasting at the end of the tour. The choice of what to see and do in the Speyside area is huge – there are castles – Brodie, Cawdor (made famous by the Shakespeare’s Macbeth), and Ballindalloch. Visit Culloden Moor, site of the last land battle on British soil, wander around Inverness, capital of the Highlands, take the Strathspey Railway from Boat of Garten to Aviemore, watch the Ospreys at Loch Garten. Accommodation in Dingwall.
Day 4 Highlands (Inverewe Gardens)
Enjoy a day visiting the West Coast of Scotland. Journey across to Ullapool, a quaint fishing village. Then travel down past the dramatic Corrieshalloch Gorge to the Inverewe Gardens, run by the National Trust for Scotland. These magnificent gardens have a famous rhododendron collection and who would expect to find palm trees in Scotland? Return through the magnificent scenery of the Torridon area and past Loch Maree. Return to Dingwall.
Day 5 Highlands (Sutherland)
Today begins with a visit to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness before heading for a day trip into the northern highlands. Head for the Kessock Bridge and the Black Isle, in reality a peninsula decked out in a thousand shades of green. A maze of quiet country roads and forest tracks, the area is a delight to explore. It is a naturalist paradise with attractions such as the bird reserves and Munlochy and Udale Bay and the famous dolphins that can be best viewed on cruises from Cromarty. Continue north visiting Dunrobin Castle and Gardens bringing to life the lives through the centuries of the Earls of Sutherland. Here you can enjoy a display of the ancient sport of falconry in the gardens of the castle. Return to Dingwall.
Day 6 Highlands – West Coast
Today travel south via Loch Ness. Loch Ness forms part of the Caledonian Canal - a feat of some great engineering by Thomas Telford linking East Scotland with West by using a series of lochs linked by a canal system. Make a stop at Urquhart Castle, a very scenic spot and also the place where the most sightings of «Nessie» have been. Continue towards Fort William, which nestles beneath the highest mountain in Great Britain – Ben Nevis. If time allows, why not take a ride up in a gondola at Anoch Mor that on a good day will offer stunning views over the west coast. From Fort William, continue south to Ballachulish.
Day 7 West Coast - Edinburgh
You will drive through Glen Coe, the dramatic and historic glen (valley), and scene of the 1692 massacre of part of the MacDonald clan by soldiers of King William. Its steep sided mountains offer superb walking and climbing. Red deer, wildcat, golden eagle and rare arctic plants can be seen among the breathtaking peaks and spectacular waterfalls. Travel onto Stirling and visit Stirling Castle, magnificent both in its situation on a commanding rocky outcrop and in its architecture. Of outstanding interest are the Great Hall and the Gatehouse of James IV, the marvellous palace of James V; the Chapel Royal remodelled by James VI, and the artillery fortifications of the 16th and 18th centuries. The castle was a favourite royal residence and the birthplace of James II in 1430. From Stirling continue to Edinburgh, for a last night at Melville Castle.
Day 8 Departure Edinburgh
Sadly, it's time to return your hire car and return to the airport for your flight home.
Tour Highlights
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Tour Tour starts at Waverley Bridge (opposite main railway station). Departures every 10 minutes from 09.05 hrs–17.15 hrs (19.55 hrs during summer). Tour lasts approximately 1 hour, but ticket is valid for 24hrs. Hop on and off the bus to visit Edinburgh’s attractions. Tour with taped commentary in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German & Dutch.
Mercat Ghost & Ghouls Walking Tour, Edinburgh This wonderful, dramatic tour combines the best story telling, the creepiest underground vaults and the most gruesome history to be found anywhere in Scotland! Spend a memorable evening in the company of Edinburgh's grisly past and entertaining hosts!
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Edinburgh The mystery of whisky making revealed! Meet our resident ghost and take a barrel ride through whisky history. Complimentary dram of blended whisky and discount voucher for the gift shop for adults, and soft drink and balloon for children. Whisky bar with over 200 different whiskies, and Bistro serving traditional Scottish fayre. Gift and whisky shop for souvenirs and gifts.
Edinburgh Castle The Royal Mile is the backbone of the old quarter, running from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. You will visit the Castle which dominates the city from its 400 foot rock where you will see the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, now back in Scotland where it belongs. You can also visit the private apartments of Mary Stuart and St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in the city that dates back to the 11th century.
Prices
| Months | Twin or Double | Single |
|---|---|---|
| April | £659.00 | £889.00 |
| May & June | £689.00 | £919.00 |
| July | £699.00 | £939.00 |
| August | £709.00 | £959.00 |
| September | £689.00 | £939.00 |
| October | £639.00 | £869.00 |
| November 07 to March 2008 | £539.00 | £789.00 |
** Please note this tour is not available over the Christmas and New Year period **
Child Policy
Based on sharing a room with 2 adults (one child only):
- 0-12 years from April to October 07: £110, paying all meals direct.
- 0-12 years from November 07 to March 08: £78, paying all meals direct.
- Children having their own room would be classed as adults.
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Price includes
- 7 nights accommodation in the stated accommodation sharing a twin/double room with facilities inclusive of Scottish breakfast.
- 7-day Historic Scotland Explorer Pass (valid over 14 days). Pass allows entrance to over 200 historic visitor attractions in Scotland including Edinburgh Castle, Urquhart Castle (Loch Ness/Highlands) and Stirling Castle.
- Mercat Ghost & Ghouls Walking Tour in Edinburgh (approx. 90 minutes).
- Entrance to the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh including guided tour and taste of blended whisky (approx. 1 hour).
- City Sightseeing Edinburgh Tour (approx. 1 hour, hop on/hop off, ticket valid for 24 hours).
- Welcome Pack
- Service & VAT
Price does not include
- Car Hire
- Evening meals, lunches and drinks
- Personal Expenses