Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Monday, April 20th:
Arrive at Glasgow airport and you are met by tour director and coach/driver. We head south towards Ayr for a visit to the beautiful Culzean Castle, home of the Kennedy family, sitting out on the edge of the coastline overlooking Ailsa Craig. Afterwards we head to Alloway for an afternoon at The Robert Burns Heritage Center, on this 250th Anniversary year of his birth where you can explore the home he was born in and the museum and learn about his life. We then head to Ardrossan where we get the late afternoon ferry to the Isle of Arran. Overnight Isle of Arran. Our first Gourmet Dinner in one of the many wonderful restaurants this small quaint island has to offer. Includes: (D).
Day 2, Tuesday, April 21st:
After breakfast we depart of a fun day exploring the 52 miles around the island, inc. a stop at the local cheese shop to sample some of the best cheese made, Arran Aromatics where locally made soaps and bath products are now shipped around the world from this small factory, and Arran Brewery where you can sample local beer. We will also visit a local chocolatier who makes some of the best chocolate too! We will have lunch at a local restaurant know for its fabulous locally sourced seafood then the afternoon is spent with a visit to Arran Whisky Distillery and Brodick Castle, this beautiful castle steeped in history. Overnight Arran. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 3, Wednesday April 22nd:
Morning walk to the Machrie Moor (1 ½ miles to the Standing Stones) where we soak in the atmosphere of this historical and ancient stone circle, then we visit the ruins of Lochranza Castle before we catch late morning small Lochranza to Claonaig Ferry. We Continue on to the town of Inveraray where we have some time to visit this quaint town which has the Best Whisky shop in the world, Loch Fyne Whiskys, where you can find collector bottles and just about any hard to find whisky. If they don't have it, they can probably get it for you. Free time for lunch, visit the Old Jail on your own or Inveraray Castle. (not inc.) or the Tall Ship in town. We continue on to Loch Awe, near Oban to our hotel for the evening. Overnight Taychreggan Country House Hotel, a 4* Country House Hotel with a 2 rosette Dining Room. 4 Course Gourmet Dinner of fine local specialties is included. Includes: (D).
Day 4, Thursday, April 23rd:
Day trip to south to the historical hill fort of Dunadd, where the adventurous can climb to the top of the hill and stand in a very special place where the Kingdom of Scotland began, then we pass some of the standing stones of the haunted valley of Kilmartin Glen, with a visit to the museum to hear the history of the area. We then continue north to Oban where we have an afternoon tour the local Single Malt Distillery, Oban Distillery and you learn about how "Uisge Beatha" the water of life, aka Whisky is made in small distilleries around Scotland, inc. the one at Oban. Some free time to shop, explore or take a short boat ride to Seal Island (not inc). We have an early dinner in the town at a wonderful Local Restaurant, known for its fresh seafood from local waters, EE-usk, Gaelic for Fish. (Restaurant subject to availability) Return to Taychreggan, for another night, where they have plenty of more single malts you can try in the bar (for a price of course)! Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5, Friday April 24th:
After breakfast we head North to Castle Stalker view, where we stop at a quaint shop which has commanding views over Castle Stalker, sitting out on an islet on its own small island. Then we continue on past Glencoe, followed by a short stop at Neptune’s staircase. We continue on through the beautiful scenery to the small fishing village of Mallaig. We have time for lunch, (not inc) in one of the great little restaurants or pubs in town. Mallaig is known for local seafood and fish and chips, so you have plenty of places to choose from! We then take the mid afternoon ferry to The Isle of Skye. When we get to the Isle of Skye, we stop for a visit to Clan Donald center, the home of the MacDonalds who rules the southern half of Skye for hundreds of years, before we head north to Portree the main town on the island. Gourmet 3 course dinner Inc. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6, Saturday April 25th:
Day tour of Skye with local guide, visit the Highland Life Museum, Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan McLeod’s and site of the Fairy Flag. We stop for lunch at one of the top restaurants in the world, Three Chimneys in the village of Corbost and enjoy the wonderful view, great atmosphere of the old highland crofters cottage and dine on the fabulous gourmet food they have been renouned for, for years. After lunch we take a drive to the Talisker Distillery which we tour and have a tasting at, time permitting we can stop at quaint artisan shops along the way, with some free time to shop in Portree (time permitting), while our guide tells us the story of the island and its Bonnie Prince Charlie connections. Return to hotel. Tonight you can have dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant or bistro. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 7, Sunday April 26th:
After breakfast we will say goodbye to our new friends on Skye we head south and head off the Island by way of the New Bridge, built in 1996 it was the first bridge to link Skye to the mainland of Scotland. We continue on to Eilean Donan castle where we stop for a visit to this well known castle that was used in the filming of the Highlander series and the James Bond Movie, The World is Not Enough! After our tour, we have time for lunch (not inc) in the quaint tea room/gift shop at the castle, before we continue on our way towards Loch Ness. We stop at what was once Scotland's largest castle, Urquhart, where we tour the castle and hear the bloody history attached to it. We head north up the side of the Loch to the city of Inverness to our hotel for the next few nights, Culloden House Hotel. Tonight we have a 4 course gourmet dinner in the 4 star, 2 rosette restaurant. Their Chef was Hotel Chef of the year, 2005/2006. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8, Monday April 27th:
Day tour around Inverness, starting with a visit to Clava Cairns, the standing stones and burial cairns made famous in the Outlander Series of books by Diana Gabaldon, a visit to Culloden Battlefield, where Bonnie Prince Charlie led the last land battle on British soil and was defeated in 1746. Follow this with a visit to a Kiltmakers in Inverness. Some free time in the afternoon to explore the town. Overnight Culloden House. Tonight we have dinner in a local restaurant that has wonderful views, and specializes in modern Scottish cooking. The Mustard Seed sitting on the River Ness. Return to Culloden House Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9, Tuesday April 28th:
After our good Scottish Breakfast for which Culloden House has had many food awards, we head east to the Whisky country of Speyside where we tour Strathisla distillery and then have a visit to Speyside Cooperage. We have some time to stop at Huntly Castle before we continue on to our Hotel for the evening, Craigellachie, renouned for its Whisky Bar with over 500 types to sample. Overnight Craigellachie. Dinner on own. Includes: (B).
Day 10, Wednesday April 29th:
After breakfast we continue south and stop at the smallest distillery in Scotland, Edradour where only 3 people work, for a tour of this very fascinating distillery. We have some free time in Pitlochry where you can have lunch in one of the many pubs or restaurants in town. We then continue south to Edinburgh, where we arrive early afternoon and check into our hotel for the evening. Tonight we will have dinner at the famous restaurant, The Witchery by the Castle with its unique location and atmosphere lit by church candles. Gourmet dinner Inc. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11, Thursday April 30th:
After breakfast you have a free morning to explore the city, visit Edinburgh castle, Holyrood Palace or the new Parliament buildings, take an underground haunted tour of Mary Kings Close, or do some shopping on Princes Street or George Street, or visit the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Center. All museums in the city are free. Late afternoon we depart for the short hour ride to Glasgow where we check into our wonderful Boutique City hotel for the evening, Hotel du Vin a One Devonshire Gardens. Dinner on own.
Day 12, Friday May 1st:
After a morning visit to Auchentoshan Distillery, a triple distilled lowland favorite, we have an afternoon in Glasgow to explore all that the city has to offer, inc. Glasgow Cathedral, Provands Lordship (The oldest house in Glasgow) and the Glasgow Piping Center. Return to Hotel for some free time to get ready for your flight in the morning or walk over on your own to Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens, Overnight Hotel du Vin. Final night dinner Inc. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 13: Saturday May 2nd:
After breakfast, we escort you back to Glasgow airport for your flights home.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Scotland
Food & Wine
Cultural Journey
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