OVERVIEW

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights

Highlights:

 

Overview

The Skirl of the Pipes, The Mist on the Mountains, The Romance of the Highlands

Summary Accomodation

Day 1: Hotel du Vin One Devonshire or Blysthwood Square in Glasgow

Day 2 : Isle of Eriska

Day 3 : Torridon in Wester Ross

Day 4 & 5 : Culloden House Hotel in Inverness

Day 6 & 7 : St Andrews Old Course Hotel in St Andrews

Day 8, 9 & 10 : The Balmoral in Edinburgh

ITINERARY

Day 1

Arrive Glasgow. Today take a city tour and visit Glasgow Cathedral, famous for its stunning interiors with a history that dates back to roughly the 5th century.

Spend the night in Hotel du Vin One Devonshire Gardens a luxury boutique hotel set in a tree-lined Victorian terrace in the fashionable West End of Glasgow and described by one journalist as "hotels with substance and wit", or in Blysthswood Square a new five star luxury hotel set in a glorious Georgian club; its bar has been named "The Rally Bar" after the Monte Carlo Rally which once started from the hotel.

Overnight at Hotel du Vin One Devonshire Gardens or Blythswood Square

Day 2

This morning stop at Glasgow's own distillery - Auchentonshan Distillery's position as a long cherished landmark on the Glasgow horizon dates back to the time it was granted its distillery licence in 1823.

Then head to Glengoyne distillery. This distillery is in the valley of a small river that eventually flows into the loch. Here you can create your very own blended whisky! Guests are welcomed with a dram of 10 year old Single Highland Malt before enjoying a guided tour of the distillery including a visit to the bonded warehouses.  After the tour guests are invited in to the new state-of the-art whisky 'Sample Room' where they can taste 'Langs Select' blended whisky and award winning Glengoyne 17 year old Single Highland Malt whilst learning about the art of the Master Blender. Guests will then have the opportunity to create their own blend which will be bottled in a 100ml sample bottle for them to take home, along with a certificate.

Explore the "Bonny Banks & Braes" of Loch Lomond, 23 miles long, Scotland's largest lake, and through the sharp peaks of the Trossachs to Oban, visit a pub and taste the Oban whisky. Finally head to Isleof Eriska, 300 acre privately owned island, a 5 AA Red Star 25 bedroom hotel with world renowned 3 AA Rosette Restauran.

Overnight to Isle of Eriska 

Day 3

By way of Glencoe and Fort William to Mallaig and the Ferry to Skye and taste some of the local whiskey. The cross the Kyle of Lockcash to on to Torridon for the night. Set on a lake at the foot of a mountain, this Victorian beauty dating to 1887 is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and recognized by the Hideaway Report as one of Scotland's best hotels.

Overnight at Torridon

Day  4

By way of Drumnadricohit on Louch Ness and Urquhart Castle, jutting out on a strategic point into the Loch, which was blown up in 1692 to prevent Jacobite occupation. Drive through Inverness, the Highland capital on the River Ness to Culloden Moor which saw the last battle fought on Scottish soil in 1746, where the Duke of Cumberland defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie. Today the Battlefield is restored to its 1746 appearance.

Culloden is a handsome Palladian country house which stands in nearly 40 acres where guests are free to wander about the elegant lawns and parkland to enjoy the exceptional peace, tranquility and majesty of the grounds. The interior features a wonderfully comfortable drawing-room with magnificent Adamesque plasterwork, many fine antiques and a large open fire.

Overnight Culloden House Hotel

Day 5

Explore the Golden East Coast Cawdor Castle, Nairn, where steep red-sandstone cliffs sweep down to sheltered sandy coves and rocky outcrops, where thousands of sea birds flock together. Scattered farmsteads and fishing villages border the fertile land by Moray Firth, known as the "Granary of the North". The Spey's soft, peaty waters supply a host of malt whisky distilleries (there are over 60 distilleries in this area), and its rocky pools are alive with salmon and brown trout. Visit two of the greatest distilleries Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. Return to Culloden for the night.

Overnight Culloden House Hotel  

Day 6

By way of Blair Atholl, Eradour Distillery Pitlochry, and Perth to St Andrews. Queen Victoria called Pitlochry the loveliest spa village in all of Europe and is always a favorite with visitors. Once in Pitlochry we will stop for lunch before visiting the Edradour Distillery which is the smallest distillery in all of Scotland. Established in 1825 very little about the day to day running of the distillery has changed, and you'll sample a wee dram here.

Overnight in St Andrews Old Course Hotel

Day 7- Leisure day to explore St Andrews

St Andrews holds a special place in Scotland's history. It takes its name from the Apostle whose relics, legend tells us, were brought to this place in antiquity by St Rule. Scotland later adopted St Andrew as her patron saint and took his saltire cross for her flag. Before the Reformation, the town was the centre of religious life in medieval Scotland. St Andrews is also famous as a place of learning. The university, founded in 1410-11, is the third oldest in Britain. St Andrews is a town meant for exploring. The medieval layout of the town centre remains intact, with the main shopping areas concentrated in Market Street and South Street, with Bell Street and Church Street connecting the two principal streets.  St Andrews is also the home of golf, the sport having been played here for some 600 years. The Old Course is arguably the most famous golf course in the world, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club is still the ruling body for the rules of golf.  Private visit to the Countess of Dundee for tea at Birkhill Castle.

Overnight in St Andrews Old Course Hotel   

Day 8 - By way of Stirling to Edinburgh.

Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles, 250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano.

Overnight in The Balmoral

Day 9 - Explore Edinburgh

Stop at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of "Her Majesty the Queen" and was once home to Mary Queen of Scots, stroll in The Royal Mile, the famous cobbled street linking the Castle with The Palace of Holyroodhouse and passing St. Giles High Kirk, John Knox House, The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Camera Obscura and many other museums and historic buildings of interest. Divert via The Grassmarket which retains the feel of a medieval market square.

Then stroll round the cobbled streets with spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland 's top visitor attraction which stands high upon an extinct volcano. See the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny in the Castle's Royal Apartments. Birthplace of James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, he became the first Stuart King of England after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Look for the tiny St. Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh 's oldest building. Listen for the One O'clock Gun, fired daily from Mills Mount Battery.

Tonight enjoy a traditional Scottish Dinner at Prestonfield (if travelling in August Dinner at Prestonfield is replaced by visiting the Military Tattoo). As the indulgent owner of historic Prestonfield, James Thompson has invested heavily in making the Taste of Scotland not just Scotland's longest-running and most famous Scottish show, but Scotland's best show by far! With an international reputation for creating some of Scotland's most magical and famous restaurants, he hopes that your evening here, in the romantic setting of Prestonfield, will encourage you to discover more of Scotland's diverse and wonderful culture, food, landscape and history.

Overnight at The Balmoral

Day 10

Day at leisure. Final evening at Scotch Whisky Club 

Overnight at The Balmoral

Day 11

Depart

Please Note that this sample itinerary can be customized to suit all your particular requirements.

PRICE

 

This Tour Includes:

·    10 nights accommodation with full Irish Breakfast
·    11 days with a self drive car or one of our top professional driver guide
·    All Service charges and taxes
·    Personalised Itinerary, Co-ordination & Support
·    Prepaid Vouchers
·    24 hours Assistance during your trip
·    All admissions when taken with a driver guide

This Tour Excludes:

·    Entrance fees
·    Porterage
·    Gratuities
·    Quotations are subject to availability and no rooms can be guaranteed till a deposit has been received
·    Personal & Travel Insurance

 

Prices:

The price for this tour is as low as £1500 per person sharing with a self drive car, or as low as £3849 with a professional driver guide. Prices are subject to number of guest travelling, whether with a self drive car or with a private driver guide and to accommodation category used.        

Please note that this sample itinerary can be customized to suit all your particular requirements.

ENQUIRY