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This itinerary provides a chance to experience the best of the Highlands and
includes a visit to Speyside, Scotland's famous whisky producing area. Day
1: Arrival - Perthshire
Arrive at Edinburgh/Glasgow Airport and pick up your self-drive car. Depart for
the north of Scotland crossing the Forth Road Bridge if coming from Edinburgh
and continue up the M90 to Perth.
Overnight in Perthshire area.
Day 2: Perthshire - Aberdeen
After you Full Scottish Breakfast visit Scone Palace, the family home of the
Earl of Mansfield and also the site of the famous coronation Stone of Scone,
brought there in the 9th century by Kenneth MacAlpine, King of Scots. Continue
to Pitlochry, a small Highland town. Stop at the Salmon Ladder where you may be
lucky enough to see salmon leaping! From Pitlochry, travel towards Braemar. You
will take the very scenic & dramatic road over the Spittal of Glenshee one of
the highest points in Scotland and also site of one of Scotland’s ski resorts.
Descend into Braemar which sits in the heart of Royal Deeside, the favoured
holiday area for the Royal Family in Scotland. If time allows, visit Balmoral
Castle (open May – July only), home of Royal Family. Continue towards Aberdeen
for overnight in the area.
Day 3: Aberdeen – Royal Deeside
Take a trip into Aberdeen, Old Aberdeen is lovely and is where the university
is based. See Kings College, a chapel famous for its rich woodwork dates from
the 16th century. Nearby is St Machar’s Cathedral, mainly 15th century it is a
granite structure of simple austere grandeur. Two notable features are the West
Front with its twin castellated towers and the painted wooden Heraldic Ceiling
in the nave, dated 1520. Visit Duthie Park and Winter Gardens – a beautifully
laid out 50 acre park with floral displays in all seasons including a “rose
mountain”. There are two boating ponds and many interesting sculptures and
mountains. The Winter Gardens feature exotic plants, flowers, birds, fish and
turtles. Outside Aberdeen, visit Crathes Castle which has royal historic
associations dating from 1323 when the Land of Leys were granted to the Burnett
family by Robert the Bruce. The castle features some remarkable late 16th
century painted ceilings. There is a large walled garden and the great yew
hedges date from 1702, fascinating examples of topiary. Return to your
accommodation overnight.
Day 4: Aberdeen - Inverness
Travel northwards towards Inverness. In the morning follow the Whisky Trail &
visit one of the many famous distilleries in the area. You can visit
Glenfiddich, McCallan, Grants, Cardhu and many more. Each gives an audio-visual
show and then a guided tour of the distillery to learn of the processes and for
many the highlight is a tasting at the end of the tour. The choice of what to
see and do in the Speyside area is huge – there are castles – Brodie, Cawdor
(made famous by the Shakespeare’s Macbeth), and Ballindalloch. Visit Culloden
Moor, site of the last land battle on British soil, wander around Inverness,
capital of the Highlands, take the Strathspey Railway from Boat of Garten to
Aviemore, watch the Ospreys at Loch Garten. Accommodation in Inverness area.
Day 5: Inverness – Inverewe Gardens - Inverness
Enjoy a day visiting the West Coast of Scotland. Journey across to Ullapool, a
quaint fishing village. Then travel down past the dramatic Corrieshalloch Gorge
to the Inverewe Gardens, run by the National Trust. These magnificent gardens
have a famous rhododendron collection and who would expect to find palm trees
in Scotland. Return through the magnificent scenery of the Torridon area and
past Loch Maree. Return to the Inverness area for overnight.
Day 6: Inverness –Loch Ness – Glencoe -
Edinburgh
Today travel south again going via Loch Ness. Loch Ness forms part of the
Caledonian Canal a feat of some great engineering by Thomas Telford linking
East Scotland with West by using a series of lochs linked by a canal system.
Make a stop at Urquhart Castle, a very scenic spot and also the place where the
most sightings of “Nessie” have been. Continue towards Fort William, which
nestles beneath the highest mountain in Great Britain – Ben Nevis. If time
allows, why not take a ride up in a gondola at Anoch Mor which on a good day
will offer stunning views over the west coast. From Fort William, start
travelling south. Travel through the beautiful and mysterious Glencoe, which is
great for walking and climbing and full of nature. You then travel over Rannoch
Moor and into the heart of the Trossachs, known as the “gateway to the
Highlands”. Stop at Stirling Castle which has played such an important role in
much of Scotland’s vibrant history. The Great Hall has just been refurbished
and the Visitor Centre has a very good audio-visual exhibition explaining much
of the history.
Return towards Edinburgh area where you will overnight.
Day 7: Edinburgh
Enjoy a full day in Edinburgh. In the morning, go up the Royal Mile to
Edinburgh Castle, which dominates the Edinburgh skyline. The Castle is site of
the oldest building in Edinburgh – St Margaret’s Chapel and the Crown Jewels of
Scotland. Continue down the Royal Mile – take time to explore the many “closes”
which run off this street and which hold so many secrets. There are many
restaurants, pubs & souvenir shops on the Royal Mile for a lunch stop. In the
afternoon at the foot of the Royal Mile, visit Holyrood Palace, the official
residence of the Queen whilst she is in Scotland. The Palace has a wonderful
ballroom and staterooms to visit. To end the day, go into the New Town to
admire the Georgian architecture and the well-laid out streets that are in
complete contrast to those of the Old Town. Return to your accommodation
overnight.
Day 8: Departure
Unfortunately it is time to leave Scotland. Return to the airport and leave
your car.
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