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GAELIC EXPERIENCE: Scotland Highlights
Mini-Tour - Four days / Three nights
Far too many visitors to Bonnie Scotland fail to get beyond
Edinburgh, or if they do it's a whistle stop return trip to Inverness to see the
Loch Ness monster! And too often, a visitor's time in these islands is too short
to take an extended tour. It's a great shame because in between Edinburgh and
Inverness there's a real bonnie Scotland to discover.
This four-day tour departs on each Saturday throughout August.
It's designed to be combined with spending time at the Edinburgh Festival.
DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2003:
Saturday to Tuesday: 02Aug, 23Aug, 30Aug
Price: $649 per person in a twin: Single
Supplement: $145
Includes: four days touring, three night’s accommodation with full breakfasts
and three course dinners, all entrance fees and services of a
driver/guide/companion.
Day One- Saturday
Departing Edinburgh we take the high road north to Inverness. En route we'll
stop at Pitlochry. This town, right in the center of Scotland is famed for its
salmon 'ladder'. Depending on the time of year, we'll see the incredible sight
of salmon leaping up a waterfall!! Continuing our journey north, the highland
scenery will become ever more startling. Just outside of Inverness, we'll stop
at Culloden, site of one of the most famous battles in Scottish history. The
visitor center tells the story of the great battle of 1746 when the forces of
King George II defeated the Jacobite rebels of Bonnie Prince Charlie. From here
it is but a short drive to Inverness, the capital of the North.
Day Two - Sunday
Today we go monster hunting! Not just any monster either but the most famous
wee beastie in the whole world! Loch Ness is a long, deep, dark and mysterious
body of water. Keep your eyes peeled as we follow Loch Ness south down the Great
Glen. We'll stop at Urquart Castle, a ruin that has become a favorite place for
Nessie spotting. In Drumnadrochit there's a chance to take in the documented
evidence in one of the Loch Ness monster exhibitions. As we continue southwards,
we'll pass the imposing Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. Further on is the
busy highland town of Fort William. The mountains around Fort William include
Britain's highest peak, Ben Nevis. There'll be time to stretch your legs &
explore this interesting town before we move on. This time it's to another site
famous in Scottish history. A visit to the Glencoe visitors’ centre gives us a
chance to discover the real truth behind the tragic massacre of the MacDonalds.
More spectacular scenery awaits us as we make our way to the beautiful Trossachs
where we'll visit the burial place of Rob Roy before finally coming to rest
ourselves at our nightstop in Callander.
Day Three - Monday
Another full day, but first a chance to explore and shop in the pretty town
of Callander. Then it's on to the royal city of Stirling. From the esplanade of
Stirling Castle we can admire the surrounding countryside. For centuries this
has been the gateway to the Highlands. Nearby the Battle of Bannockburn was
fought in 1314, a most significant victory in Scottish history. To mark the
site, Her Majesty the Queen unveiled the equestrian statue of Robert the Bruce
in 1964. Loch Lomond is next on today's itinerary - maybe there'll be time for a
cruise on the Loch before returning to Callander through more fabulous scenery.
Day Four - Tuesday
The Royal Kingdom of Fife is our destination today. We'll visit the Royal
Palace of Falkland, which contains the oldest Royal Tennis Court in Britain.
Then we head on to St. Andrews, home of golf. This is a fascinating seaside town
and you'll have time to explore the cathedral ruins, the castle, the town itself
and perhaps even a visit to the golf museum. Later this afternoon we'll explore
the tiny fishing villages, which hug the North Sea coast. In one village we'll
find the story of the original Robinson Crusoe. Finally, crossing the Forth Road
Bridge, we return to Edinburgh.
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