EALASAID's SCOTTISH TOURS LTD.

July 30 – August 12, 2006 Vacation Itinerary Summary

Day 1

As this is a "Land Only" tour, I will meet you at Glasgow International Airport. We’ll travel along the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond on our way to Tomintoul, the Highest Village in the Highlands, for a welcoming cocktail reception and a traditional Highland dinner. We'll have an early night in preparation for our further adventures...

Day 2

We're off to see some favourite Highland Castles: Balmoral (the Queen’s Sporting Estate in Scotland), Fyvie and Ballindalloch.

Day 3

We'll spend the morning boating down Loch Ness  (keep a keen eye!), to the famous ruins of Urquhart Castle, then it’s off to historic Culloden Moor, and Cawdor Castle of Macbeth fame.

Day 4

Choices! You can Golf the Highlands, go Salmon fishing in the world famous River Spey, or Pony Trekking in the Grampians.  If you prefer something less strenuous maybe you would like to take the Old Steam Railway from Glenbogle to Aviemore and do some shopping!  Later, we'll all join in a traditional Scottish High Tea, followed by a private Highland Whisky Nosing.

Day 5

A day of Whisky Distillery tours, to help ease any aches and pains from yesterday.  We’ll have a fairly easy day today, followed by dinner at the hotel.

Day 6

We are out and about to explore the North Eastern coastline, with stops at Elgin Cathedral, Johnstone of Elgin's marvellous woollen mill, the Banff Springs Hotel and Duff House in Banff.   Finally, into the hills to visit The Old Monastery for a fine dinner. The Monastery is regarded by the local Highlanders as one of the finest restaurants in the area and has the added charm of actually having been, in days past,  a monastery.

Day 7

We are off to Aberlour Highland Games today.  On our return there’s a special Ceilidh planned. By now you'll likely have met many of the local folk and we'll have a grand time together.

Day 8

Just in case you have a bit of a sore head today we’ll take it easy and travel over Aberdeen, the Granite City.  If it’s a nice day, maybe we can have their famous fish and chips outside (wrapped in paper, of course).   We’ll work our way back to Tomintoul, stopping at Crathes Castle and Gardens on the way, for our farewell dinner before we set off for Pitlochry tomorrow.

Those on the 8-Day Tour will be provided with transportation back to Glasgow after saying goodbye to their new found friends.

 

Day 9

We are off to Pitlochry today.  We’ll leave Tomintoul with a tear in our eye and head over the Lecht and Gairnsheil to Balmoral Castle (which we have already visited).  We will visit Crathie Kirk though, where the Royal Family attend services and then it’s off to Braemar and Glenshee (lots of winding and hilly roads) seeing some spectacular scenery on the way.  Pitlochry is a very picturesque village and I know we’ll have a lovely time here.  After we get settled at the lovely Atholl Palace Hotel, you can wander around this fabulous Perthshire village.

 Time for those on the 9-day tour to say goodbye.

Day 10

We are off to see the west coast today travelling over the Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe on the way.  Then well head through Ballachulish on the banks of Loch Linnhe into Fort William, with Ben Nevis (Scotland’s highest mountain) towering over us.  It’s just a short trip from here to historic Glenfinnan on the Mallaig road.  We’d best start heading back through Spean Bridge and along Loch Laggan, so we can get back in time for dinner.

Day 11

We’ve spent a lot of time on the bus for the last few days, so let’s go visit some of the local sights and give the bus a wee rest.

Day 12

We are heading south today and on our way we’ll visit Bannockburn, where Robert The Bruce freed Scotland, mighty Stirling Castle, cross Stirling Bridge where Sir William Wallace's most famous victory was won, to the monument in his honour. If you can reach the top of this impressive spire, you may deserve the title brave heart yourself.   Don’t tire yourselves out too much though, as after we check in at the Dalkeith County Hotel and have dinner, we are off into the town centre for the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Day 13

We’ll head back into Edinburgh today and tour Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile and see Holyrood, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland.  Hopefully you’ll find time for some shopping along Princes Street as well, if you can make your way through all the street acting happening for the Fringe, before we head back over to Dalkeith for our final evening together. 

Day 14

Sadly, I say goodbye to the last of my guests as we transfer to the Glasgow International Airport. I always miss all of my new friends as we go our separate ways, but we'll have fond memories, some wonderful pictures to show and stories to tell, and as always, our parting wish will be, Haste Ye Back!

 

The Fine Print

 

All prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Singles pay a "single supplement" comprised of hotel supplement costs only. All posted pricing is based upon exchange rates as at December 12, 2005.  See "Terms and Conditions", available from your Travel/Sales Agent regarding exchange rates, booking deadlines and other information.

Prices include all accommodations, activity and event fees, castle and historic sight entry fees,  most meals, cocktail parties, all ground transportation, portages, tips and gratuities and associated Scottish "VAT" (retail) taxes (17.5%), all as described in the detailed itinerary for each tour.

Tour Pricing

 

 

Please Contact me for Pricing. Romancing the Highlands tour prices include all accommodations, activity and event fees, castle and historic sight entry fees,  most meals , cocktail parties, all ground transportation while on the tour, and associated Scottish "VAT" (retail) taxes, tips, portage and appropriate gratuities, all as described in the detailed itinerary.

 

For more information on "saving" space or making a reservation, please visit the reservations page.

 

If you have any unanswered questions about my tours, you can check the Frequently Asked Questions page, the itinerary above, the more detailed pages that make up my site or, of course, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

As always,

Haste Ye Back!