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 nights 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.

five star hotel in DusseldorfDay 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.