Iconic Scotland

Please make sure you have provided us with your flight details if you require a transfer from Edinburgh Airport to the hotel today.

Your Big Journey Company tour director will meet you in the hotel reception at 1pm. This afternoon, join us on our visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, Her Majesty The Queen’s former floating palace for over 40 years. Follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences. Explore Britannia’s five decks with your included self-audio guide, from the elegant State Apartments to the gleaming Engine Room. See where Prince William and Prince Harry spent their summer holidays. Discover where kings and queens, world leaders and celebrities were wined and dined; from Frank Sinatra and Liz Taylor to Nelson Mandela and Sir Winston Churchill.

With music performed by massed pipes & drums and military band and cultural troupes, singers and the poignant refrain of the Lone Piper, tonight we enjoy a night of spectacular precision display at Edinburgh's Military tattoo. We also enjoy dinner together, to hear more about the upcoming tour and arrangements from your Tour Director and meet the rest of your tour group.

Today begins with a visit and guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, perched on an extinct volcano overlooking the city and part of the Old and New Towns' World Heritage Site. It was the scene of some of Scotland's most intriguing history and houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland. From here we will head down the Royal Mile for a visit and tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Monarchy in Scotland. We will explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. There will be some free time before we depart Edinburgh and drive into Perthshire which will be our base for the next 2 nights. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

This morning we depart for the beautiful seaside town of St. Andrews, in the Kingdom of Fife. St. Andrews is renowned as the place that gave the world the game of golf. We will have a guided tour of the town itself, which is steeped in history. Sights include the Cathedral, Martyrs Monument and Blackfriars Chapel to name but a few. St. Andrews is also home to the oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1413. On a headland near to the University are the ruins of St. Andrews Castle, with its medieval bottle dungeon. From here we will go to the Ancient Clubhouse and famous Old Course for a visit and tour.
This afternoon there is the option of either playing a round of golf or free time in town for further sightseeing or shopping at leisure. Our coach will take us back to the hotel where we will have dinner together this evening.

(Note: Round of golf is subject to availability and not included in the price - please ask for details at the time of booking. https://www.standrews.com/Play/Courses/New-Course)

Our first stop today will be Scone Palace. This was the crowning place of Scottish kings where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II were once crowned. See where the Stone of Scone, known as the Stone of Destiny, once stood and which now resides in Edinburgh Castle. Admire the needlework skills of Mary Queen of Scots bedhangings that she worked on while in prison on Loch Leven. The Palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and woodlands.

From here we will stop for a 'wee dram' at the Famous Grouse Experience, Scotland's oldest working whisky distillery established in 1775. Here we will see how this single malt is produced followed by a tasting. There will be an opportunity to make any purchases in their on-site shop or have a spot of lunch.  

In the afternoon we will drive north through the Cairngorms to another royal residence, Balmoral Castle, one of two personal and private residences owned by The Royal Family and still used by the current Royal Family today.  After and visit and tour we will enjoy an Afternoon Tea in their cafe before heading to Inverness on the coast for the next 2 nights. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.

Today we will visit the location of one of Scotland's most famous battles at Drumossie Moor, site of the Battle of Culloden.  On this spot a half-hour battle changed the course of Scotland's history and we will discover the true story of the 1745 Rising from both sides.  We will be shown key areas of action on the site of the battlefield and visit the memorial cairn around which lie the graves of 1500 fallen soldiers.  From here we will drive the short distance for a guided tour of Speyside Cooperage, a centre for traditional barrelmakers with a coopering exhibition and live demonstration.  There is a cafe and shop on site.

In the afternoon we will head back to Aviemore where the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure. Then it will be time to freshen up for this evening before travelling to Bogbain Farm for a Scottish themed dinner menu together includng Scottish entertainment.

An early start this morning as we leave Aviemore and drive south along the shores of Loch Ness (look out for Nessie!), threading our way between lochs and mountains to reach Eilean Donan Castle which is one of the most iconic images of Scotland, recognised all around the world.  Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet and surrounded by majestic scenery, it is little wonder that the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish Highlands.  After a visit and tour we will head 'over the sea to Skye' via the famouse Skye Bridge for a brief panoramic tour before boarding a local ferry for the short crossing to Mallaig.
We will have time for a spot of lunch and a browse around this fishing port before rejoining the coach which will take us to Fort William.  We will be driving along the route made famous in the Harry Potter films and make stops at the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, the Jacobite Monument and Neptune's Staircase, ideal for great photo opportunities.  Dinner will be included at the hotel this evening.

Our first stop this morning will be Inveraray Castle, located on the shores of Loch Fyne, where we will have a visit and tour of the castle and gardens.  It is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll and features include the Armoury Hall, State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room. The castle was also featured in a Christmas episode of the TV series Downton Abbey and known as 'Duneagle Castle' in the series.  

Next, we will travel to the 'Seafood Capital of Scotland' - Oban. Its name derives from the Gaelic language and means 'little bay'. Nestled on the west coast and surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and beautiful countryside, this seaside town is a great place for a visit. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants, small galleries and independent stores to browse through, as well as the centrally-located local distillery, chocolate shop and museum. Or you can wander along the seafront to the ruined Dunollie Castle.  From here we will drive back to our hotel in Fort William. Dinner will be enjoyed together this evening in the hotel.

On our journey to Glasgow we will drive through the majestic scenery of Glencoe "The Great Glen" and over Rannoch Moor before dropping down into the Trossachs National Park and the "Bonnie, Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond".  Here we will embark on a short, relaxing cruise to fully appreciate the natural beauty of this famous loch. Tea or coffee and a teacake will be served during the cruise.

We will then head south towards Glasgow but before we check-in to our hotel a visit will be made to New Lanark Mills, a unique 18th-century mill village sitting alongside the picturesque River Clyde.  We will see recreated millworkers’ houses, historic working machinery and the nearby ‘Falls of Clyde’ waterfalls. Under the enlightened management of social pioneer, Robert Owen, he provided decent homes, fair wages, free health care, a new education system for villagers and the first workplace nursery school in the world! Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Lanark has been beautifully restored as a living community. There’s a Mill Shop selling locally made textiles and the welcoming Mill Café.  Dinner is included in the hotel this evening.

Glasgow, a port city on the Clyde, is famed for its Victorian and art nouveau architecture and home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland and many other acclaimed museums.  Our guided tour will include Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis Cemetery, Tolbooth Steeple and Mackintosh Queens Cross Church amongst others.  During the tour we may well come across some huge pieces of art adorning some of the city's buildings which are part of the Mural Trail.  The afternoon will be at leisure to explore the city further or do some last minute souvenir shopping.

This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner together at one of the most well known restaurants in Scotland - prepare to experience a real Glaswegian institution!

After a hearty Scottish breakfast at the hotel, today we say goodbye to Scotland. You will be transferred to Glasgow Airport to meet flights for the onward travel you have arranged.