Durstling Scottish Winter Explorations - V2
2 Pax, with 3rd Pax joining for last 3 nights
Wednesday 20th March – Thursday 28th March 2024
Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Wednesday 20th March – Thursday 28th March 2024
On arrival at the airport you will be met by your private guide (who will also act as your driver for your time together). Head to your city centre hotel to drop your bags and choose if you wish to head out for some leisurely afternoon explorations with your guide or take some time to yourselves. Late afternoon your guide will take you to discover another side of Edinburgh as you adventure down underneath Edinburgh on a private underground tour of a warren of tiny fascinating streets dating from the 17th century.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: 1 x Twin Deluxe CastleView
Meals Included: None
Together with your guide you head north to the stunning scenery of Glencoe today. These dramatic mountains and ridges have featured as the backdrop in many films and once you are looking up at these summits it is easy to see why! Today you will explore this famous valley with your guide, there are plenty of options to suit every level of energy and challenge. After your explorations settle down with a celebratory beverage in a traditional climbers pub and listen to local legends and fascinating tales of the dark past of Glencoe told by a local storyteller.
Note; a visit to Stirling Castle would also be an option for a visit on route today.
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Two Bedroom Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Keep your eyes open for views of Castle Stalker as you head towards the bustling harbour town of Oban today. Take a small ferry to explore the isle of Kerrera on foot and finish the day with a visit to the distillery, which they will be proud to tell you is older than the town itself!
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: Two Bedroom Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Transfer East into the heart of the Cairngorms National Park today. There are plenty of options for explorations along the way, depending on how you feel. We highly recommend that you take time to sample some delectable chocolates at a local award-winning specialist before you carry on too. Your home for the next couple of nights is the unique 5* Fife Arms Hotel, created by acclaimed gallery owners Hauser & Wurth and full of unique artworks and antiques all around the opulent hotel.
Note: Castle Menzies is closed for the winter, not reopening until 1st April. However you will be able to admire the outside as you pass IF you wish.
Overnight: Cairngorms National Park - Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Twin Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
You head out to explore the surrounding mountain glens on foot this morning and together with your guide you will decide on an option which suits your energy levels, and the weather! Enjoy an atmospheric exploration of forest trails and keep your eyes open for the winter wildlife out and about. No matter what you pick, your guide will make the landscape come alive with stories and local insights.
This afternoon is free so that you can relax and indulge yourselves at the spa. If the skies are clear tonight take the chance to head out with your guide to admire the incredible frozen skies, and just maybe catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights if you are really lucky.
Overnight: Cairngorms National Park - Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: Twin Scottish Culture
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning it is time to head over the ‘snow roads’ and depart the Cairngorms National Park as you head south. Stop to explore Glamis Castle, known as the setting for Shakespeare’s haunting play ‘Macbeth’, before you continue to St Andrews. Here Alex will join you and together you will explore this characterful university town, full of history, stories and some special bookshops. More recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge famously met during their studies here, however St Andrews is also known for being the ‘birthplace of golf’ and is full of all kinds of golfing tales.
Overnight: St Andrews | The Old Course Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Old Course Twin Room & 1 x Old Course King Room (for solo occ) - Interconnecting
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Return to Edinburgh this morning. Your guide will drop you at your hotel so that you can drop your bags, and will introduce you to an expert city guide who will share some of the hidden gems of Edinburgh with you today. Your main guide will depart at this point, leaving you to head out together on a private walking tour with the local guide.
Immerse yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of the historic Old Town of Edinburgh. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city as you explore the ‘Royal Mile’, the hidden corners coming off it, and the layers of literary history which are ingrained into the character of this city. Discover some unique independent bookshops, each with their quirky character, and dip into the past with a visit to the Writer’s Museum. Take a stroll on charming streets which have inspired eloquent words in times gone by and in the modern day and hear about the characters created there.
This day is completely flexible and your guide will personalise your explorations to your interests sharing some bookshop gems and leaving you to enjoy free time if you wish.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: 1 x Twin Deluxe Castle View & 1 x Deluxe Castle View for Solo Occ - interconnecting
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning a private transfer will take you to the Scottish Genealogy Society to meet an expert researcher. Enjoy a happy couple of hours delving into the research which they have prepared on your family history for you, maybe discovering new locations of interest, facets to your ancestors characters or branches to your family tree.
Then delve into a different type of history as you wonder at the varied exhibits in Surgeon’s Hall. These halls are full of the largest historical pathology collection in the UK, with all the dark and intriguing tales behind the unique objects. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish; relax, continue exploring or hunt for souvenirs.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: 1 x Twin Deluxe Castle View & 1 x Deluxe Castle View for Solo Occ - interconnecting
Meals Included: Breakfast
A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Weather – March in Scotland can be a very wide range of weather, and very changeable. Suitable clothing and footwear is essential, as well as a flexible attitude. Plans may have to be changed to accommodate Mother Nature, and your guide will have back-up plans that they will discuss with you if required.
Room Upgrades are available in some locations, subject to availability. Pricing on request.
The NET price for this itinerary, based on 2 pax for the first 5 nights, & 3 pax for the final 3 nights, is;
Conservation Contribution
This voluntary donation of £12 per person goes towards conservation projects in the locations we operate. If you would like to opt out just let your trip designer know.
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Please see our booking terms here.
Wednesday 20th March – Thursday 28th March 2024