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Glorious Scotland; Castles, Gardens and Heritage
2010 |
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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- Arrive Edinburgh Airport 1.30 pm from where we will be taken directly to the Channing Hotel. We will be guests here for the next three nights.
- After a light lunch we will take a leisurely stroll to the Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh. These world famous gardens and their beautiful greenhouses offer a relaxing afternoon as we acclimatize to our new surroundings.
- Early dinner and welcome bed.
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Thursday
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- Walking tour of Edinburgh. It is a treat to walk up the Royal Mile to visit the Castle and to see St Giles Cathedral from where John Knox led the Scots in their Reformation movement.
- In the afternoon an optional visit to fascinating Rosslyn Chapel (the De Vinci Code) 40 minutes outside of Edinburgh. This is a beautiful and unusual gem of a church with intricate carvings.
- Alternatively remain in Edinburgh to enjoy the art galleries and the festival activities on your own. This evening we will dine at a famous Restaurant on the Royal Mile before attending the Edinburgh Tattoo. Return to the Channing Hotel.
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Friday
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- Leave Edinburgh and drive to the stunning Palace of Falkland and its lovely gardens. Time permitting we continue on to Scone Castle, the home of the stone of Scone
- This evening we will arrive at Kinloch House, Blairgowrie, where we will stay for the next 4 nights. The Allen family has a well earned reputation for their warm hospitality and their outstanding hotel.
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Saturday
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- Drive to Blair Atholl where the International Horse Trials and Country Fair will be in full swing. In early morning we will walk the Cross Country course with one of the riders, a great way to learn more about this sport. There is plenty of action here all day; shopping for hand-crafts at the Fair, trying tasty morsels of Scots fare, plus an opportunity to visit the fairytale Blair Castle. For those who would like more, an afternoon at the House of Bruar, known as the Harrods of the North and a shoppers’ dream.
- No tour of Scotland would be complete without a visit to the whisky distillery. We will stop at Eddradour, Scotlands smallest distillery on our return drive to the hotel.
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Sunday
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- A late start today will give those who want the time to explore their beautiful surroundings, or the time to take advantage of the hotel spa.
- Visit the private walled gardens of the House of Pitmuies this afternoon.
- Early evening we will visit Glamis Castle, home to the late Queen Mother. This is a very special evening as we dine in the old castle.
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Monday
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- Drummond Castle has long been famous for its gardens.
This will be a peaceful day as we enjoy them too.
- Return to Kinloch House for afternoon tea with Philip Campbell, an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker, who will explain the history of how Scotland came to be joined with England
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Tuesday
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- Today we leave Kinloch House and cross the mountains to the West Coast of Scotland by way of Loch Tay
- We will stop to see the ancient Fortingale Yew and the 2000 year old Crannog dwelling at Kenmore
- Crarae Gardens on Loch Fyne (home of the best smoked salmon and kippers!) are famous for their rare and beautiful plants. The views are fabulous from here.
- Then on to the picturesque Creggans Inn where we will stay for one night.
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Wednesday
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- Our path today leads us to the Turnberry resort with a stop to see the fabulous trees and plants at Benmore Botanic Gardens
- The Ferry will take us from Dunoon to the mainland and the charming little museum of Largs, with its beautifully decorated chapel nearby.
- On to Mauchline for a special afternoon enjoying the Robbie Burns Museum and learning about Scotland’s favourite poet. There is even more to learn in this town about the fascinating Mauchline Ware as you will discover!
- Stay this evening at Turnberry, luxury hotel of Golfing fame!
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Thursday
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- This is your chance for a round of golf on the 2009 British Open Course or even a golf lesson with the Pro.
Not your style, then you may choose to take a boat ride around dramatic Ailsa Craig isle or perhaps you would prefer to stay at the hotel and learn about falconry
- We will meet for lunch at Culzean Castle. The castle offers a stunning example of Robert Adams’ architectural skill, while the gardens reflect its Georgian elegance. Its imposing site on a high cliff overlooking the sea is magnificent. This was a castle the grateful Scottish nation gave to our General Eisenhower who said “This is a place I can relax.”
- Sadly we have only an afternoon to visit and then we must return to Glasgow Airport and an evening flight to Heathrow. We will spend this night at the airport hotel ready for morning flight back to Dallas.
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Friday
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Edinburgh has always been one of my favourite cities. It is clean, safe, has friendly people and a colourful history. Add to this that August is the time of the Edinburgh Festival and there is so much going on in the arts including plenty of fun craft markets, theater and ‘the Fringe’ celebrations. I have found a wonderful hotel complete with a real British butler! I would strongly encourage anyone who has the time to arrive early and enjoy extra days to relax and be charmed by this city. There is so much to see and do here: Holyrood Palace, the Queens retired Royal Yacht Britannia or even to simply sit in one of the many cafes and watch the “Pipers!”
Turnberry would be a great place to meet up with golfing friends or simply to stay on at the hotel for a day or two
and enjoy the many pleasures of this famous resort. This can be arranged.
Prices include all lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner, except where noted.
Per Person, Double Occupancy $5499
Single Supplement $2000
Reservation Form |
