2011 SCOTTISH DREAM TOUR, 8 Day

 
 
PRICES FROM £880 GBP
 
Highlights:
 

 
Your Hotels:
 

Stay at the following (or similar):
Menzies Hotel, Glasgow (1 night)
Ballachulish or Isles of Glencoe, Ballachulish (1 night)
Columba Hotel, Inverness (2 nights)
Ardoe House Hotel, Blairs (1 night)
Roxburghe Hotel, Edinburgh (2 nights)
 
 
  

Tour Includes:
  

Group transfers on arrival and departure
Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Services of a professional tour director
Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 7 nights
Full Scottish breakfast daily (B)
6 dinners (D) including
- Dinner at Prezzo Italian Restaurant in Leith, near Edinburgh
- 5 table d'hote dinners
Welcome get-together drink
Sightseeing tours of Glasgow and Edinburgh
Scenic cruise of Loch Lomond
Ferry to the Isle of Skye
Sheepdog trials at Leault Farm
Ceilidh in Inverness hotel with singers, piper and dancers
Whisky tasting and tour at Glenfiddich Distillery
Scottish afternoon tea and scones at Falls of Feugh
Twilight tour of Edinburgh
Reserved seats for Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 30 to August 20 departures
Visits and admissions to Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Inveraray Castle, Glamis Castle, Clan Donald Centre, Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Kiltmaker Visitor Centre, St. Andrews and Edinburgh Castle
Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
 
 

8 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Sun: Glasgow City Tour
Arrive in Glasgow Airport where your CIE Tours tour director or representative will greet you. Complimentary group transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. Your hotel is centrally located within easy reach of major attractions and the shops of Buchanan Street. At 2:30 pm take a coach tour to see the main attractions of Glasgow including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, Glasgow Cathedral and the River Clyde, once famous for shipbuilding. Visit extensive collections in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, originally opened in 1901 and recently refurbished. Chat with your tour director and fellow travellers over a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 2 - Mon: Loch Lomond Cruise & Inveraray Castle
Depart Glasgow and drive north along the banks of Loch Lomond with views of Ben Lomond and other Highland peaks. At Tarbet embark on a short cruise to appreciate the beauty and peacefulness of this famous loch and admire panoramic views. Then travel across the mountain pass of “Rest and Be Thankful” to visit Inveraray Castle. This imposing Campbell family home with four conical spires was built between 1746 and 1789. A guided tour will reveal the history of the family and region as you view the magnificent Armoury Hall and many fine rooms with tapestries, porcelains and portraits. Browse around the nearby town, planned by the Campbell family. Then journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by the Campbells' massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692 to Ballachulish on the coast. (B, D)

Day 3 - Tue: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre
This morning head north via Fort William and take the “Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland's loveliest scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. At Mallaig cross by ferry to the Isle of Skye, sometimes called the Misty Isle. Visit the Clan Donald Centre to discover the history of the Clan Donald, Lords of the Isles and the most powerful clan of the Isle of Skye. Drive through part of the island and return to the mainland by bridge, stopping for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Then drive along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness, famous for its monster. Pause to view the huge ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to your hotel in the centre of Inverness. (B, D)

Day 4 - Wed: Sheepdog Trials & Culloden Battlefield
Enjoy a leisurely day of discovery in the lovely countryside and majestic Highland scenery. Just south of Aviemore visit Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Learn how each dog responds to individual whistles and see seasonal activities with collie puppies, newborn lambs or sheep-shearing. Drive to Culloden Moor to tour the Visitor Centre. Walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. Return to Inverness to visit a kiltmaker and learn about the traditions of Scottish attire. After dinner enjoy a special ceilidh, traditional Scottish entertainment with singers, a piper and Highland dancers in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery & Royal Deeside
Drive through pleasant farming country into the gentle rolling hills of the Speyside region, where many of Scotland's famous distilleries are located. Tour the Glenfiddich Distillery to see how barley and water are combined to create the “Water of Life” and enjoy a tasting. Travel through the lovely scenery of Aberdeenshire with gentle hills and farms into Royal Deeside, an area that came into favour with Queen Victoria during the 19th century. Near the village of Banchory stop at the Falls of Feugh, a charming tea shop, which is popular with local people. Sample afternoon tea with delicious freshly-baked scones and enjoy a talk on bagpipes, fishing or other aspects of Highland life. Continue to Blairs to your elegant 19th century mansion in time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: Glamis Castle & St. Andrews
Travel south through the lush countryside of Aberdeenshire to visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of "Macbeth" and childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Drive across the modern Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, the "Home of Golf." See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course and enjoy free time to visit the British Golf Museum or browse through the medieval town with its cathedral and castle. Drive south into Edinburgh, Scotland's capital. In the evening take a tour of Edinburgh's hidden gems before sitting down to some wholesome Italian food at a waterside restaurant in Leith. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
This morning explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Finish your tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle where you can see historic buildings and enjoy splendid views of Edinburgh. The balance of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping and dining. On July 31 to August 21 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 8 - Sun: Depart Edinburgh Airport
If you are on an 8-day tour, your vacation ends with a group transfer to arrive at Edinburgh Airport by 6:30 am or 9:00 am. This will allow you plenty of time for check-in procedures and duty-free shopping before boarding the aircraft for your return flight.
A transfer to Glasgow Airport will be provided on request at a cost of €50 per person.

B = Breakfast, D = Dinner