Small group luxury tour of Scotland, one departure only, experience the new fabulous gourmet food of Scotland, the famous whiskeys and explore the historical castles this country is known for!
Tour Itinerary:
Tuesday June 23rd: Arrive at Glasgow airport and you are met by tour director and coach/driver. Head north from Glasgow to Balloch where we visit Loch Lomond Shores, where we have a chance to watch a video of the history behind the song Loch Lomond and see some beautiful views over the area. We continue on to Luss where we have lunch at a Taste of Scotland Member Coffee Shop & Tea Room which is famous for its wonderful homemade soups. You have some time to explore the historical church in the town. We then head over the back roads towards the Rest and Be Thankful, where we stop of a photo opportunity. Continue on to the town of Inveraray where we have some time to visit this quaint town which has the Best Whiskey shop in the world, Loch Fyne Whiskeys, where you can find collector bottles and just about any hard to find whiskey. If they don't have it, they can probably get it for you. 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. Our first 4 Course Gourmet Dinner of fine local specialties is included. (LD)
Wednesday June 24th: 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 Whiskey is made in small distilleries around Scotland, inc. the one at Oban. Ssome 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)! (BD)
Thursday June 25th, 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 McDonald who rules the southern half of Skye for hundreds of years, before we head north to Portree the main town on the island, then to the northern peninsula of Trotternish to our hotel for the next two evenings. Gourmet 3 course dinner Inc. (BD)
Friday June 26th: 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 one the fabulous gourmet food they have been renowned 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 the quaint and fun bar and hang out with the locals and some lively music. (BL)
Saturday June 27th: After breakfast we will say goodbye to our new friends on Skye we head south past the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, a Balsic Rock formation on the coast that looks like a Kilt, 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 castles, Urquhart where we tour the castle and hear the history of the castle. 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. (BD)
Sunday June 28th: Day tour around Inverness, starting with a visit to Clava Cairns, the standing stones and burial carins 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. Return to Culloden House Hotel. (BD)
Monday June 29th: After our good Scottish Breakfast for which Culloden House has had many food awards, we drive down south down the A9 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, before we head towards St Andrews, You will have a pass to get into the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and Castle and there are many quaint shops in the seaside town. We then head to our hotel for the evening that has a gourmet restaurant, in fact it is classed a *Restaurant with Rooms*, 3 course dinner inc. Overnight St Andrews area. (BD)
Tuesday June 30th: After breakfast we head to the Old Course Practice range (subject to availability) and have fun hitting balls at the range, with the views of the Old Course 18th Hole in the distance. We then continue south to Edinburgh, where we arrive early afternoon and check into our hotel for the next two nights. Many pubs and restaurants to sample along the Royal Mile. Tonight you have a free night to explore and enjoy one of the many places to dine in this exciting capital city. We have plenty of suggestions for you. Dinner on own. (B)
Wednesday July 1st: After breakfast you have a free day 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 Whiskey Center. (No coach available today). You will have a pass that gets you into Edinburgh Castle and a ticket for Holyrood Palace. Other entry fees not inc. All museums in the city are free. We will have dinner at the famous The Witchery by the Castle tonight (subject to availability) with its unique location and atmosphere lit by church candles. Gourmet dinner Inc. Overnight 4 star hotel in Edinburgh Old Town. (BD)
Thursday July 2nd: Morning drive south to visit the Glenkinchie Distillery, another distillery in the same group as Oban and Talisker, for a tour and tasting then we continue on south to Rosslyn Chapel were we tour this beautiful historical chapel made even more famous by the book The Da Vinci Code, We have lunch in a quaint pub in the village of Roslin (not inc) before we continue west to Glasgow where we check into our hotel early afternoon and have some time to rest or explore the local area, or take a train the few short miles to the city center for shopping. Final night Gourmet dinner at a Well Known Glasgow restaurant and overnight Glasgow. (BD)
Friday July 3rd: 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.
Price Includes:
- All hotels are 4 & 5 star luxury, upgrades to suites are available at maximum price.
- 10 nights accommodation, 8 gourmet dinners, 2 lunches and Full Scottish breakfast daily.
- Entry into all sites as listed.
- Fully escorted small group tour.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Scotland
Food & Wine
Archeology/History
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