10 Day Itinerary Including Airfare from
USA
Day 1 - Sat: Overnight Flight to Glasgow
Depart your North American gateway city and travel through the
night to Glasgow. Land only tour starts on day 2.
Day 2 - 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 3:00 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 travelers over a welcome drink before dinner. (D)
Day 3 - Mon: Loch Lomond Cruise & Loch
Ness
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 journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through
Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by the Campbells' massacre of the Clan
Macdonald in 1692. Travel beside Loch Ness and pause for photos at the huge
ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to your hotel in the center of
Inverness. After dinner enjoy a special ceilidh, traditional Scottish
entertainment with singers, a piper and Highland dancers in your hotel. (B,
D)
Day 4 - Tue: 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 to see a team of dogs herd sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Learn
how each dog responds to individual whistles and meet collie puppies,
bottle-feed orphan lambs and see 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 mid-afternoon to relax or browse around on your own
before dinner. (B, D)
Day 5 - Wed:
Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery & Shortbread
Drive along the
coastal route through Nairn and Elgin and head south into Speyside, the region
where many of Scotland's famous distilleries are located. Stop in Craigellachie
to visit the family-owned Speyside Cooperage which produces fine casks from
American oak using traditional methods and tools. Although shipped around the
world, most of the casks supply a vital component to Scotland's whisky-making
process. A few miles further on tour the Glenfiddich Distillery and enjoy a "wee
dram." In Huntly visit Dean's to watch staff make Scottish shortbread and learn
about its history. Continue to Blairs to your elegant 19th century mansion in
time for dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 -
Thu: Crathes Castle & Royal Deeside
Visit Crathes Castle, a
fairytale Renaissance castle completed in 1594 with a wealth of fine
furnishings. Take time to walk through the wonderful gardens. Drive along the
charming River Dee Valley, called "Royal Deeside" as it was first favored by
Queen Victoria. Stop in Braemar, where the Royal Family attends Highland games
that are held each summer. Return through Royal Deeside passing Balmoral Castle
where the Royal Family vacations during August and visit their lovely Crathie
Church. 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 Highland life. Return to Blairs for
some free time to relax before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
Day 7 - Fri: St. Andrews & Coast of
Fife
Travel south through the lush countryside of Aberdeenshire
and cross 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. Take the coastal route south through the picturesque "East
Neuk" fishing villages. While fishing is no longer the main industry, the towns
retain an old-world charm. Stop for a walk around the cobbled streets of
Anstruther, a rabbit-warren of alleyways and wynds. Continue south into
Edinburgh and check in to your hotel in the New Town. In the evening head to the
cozy Beehive Inn for an informal pub dinner and then join a local guide for a
fun walking tour to discover the haunts of Edinburgh's many colorful characters.
(B, D)
Day 8 - 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 a
splendid view of Edinburgh. In the afternoon take an open-top hop-on hop-off
independent bus tour to see more of this great city. On July 31 to August 21
departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)
Day 9 - Sun: Extend your Stay
in Edinburgh
Spend an additional day in Edinburgh on your own.
As your open-top bus tour pass is valid for 24 hours, you may continue to use it
in the morning or just use it for this entire day. There is no shortage of
interesting things to see and do in this fun city. (B)
Day 10
- Mon: Depart Edinburgh Airport
Take a shuttle bus transfer to
Edinburgh Airport and allow plenty of time for check-in procedures. You may like
to do some duty-free shopping before boarding the aircraft for your return to
the United States. A transfer to Glasgow Airport will be provided on request at
a cost of $75 per person.