Final Information - V3 - Garruto Scottish Family Adventure

Day 1 - Tuesday 28^th May - Arrive in Edinburgh

Your private driver will meet you at Edinburgh airport and transfer you to your welcoming hotel. Due to your early arrival time you have almost a full free day to play with. Check in at your hotel is from 14:30, so drop off your bags and head out to start exploring. This afternoon maybe take some time to relax and settle in, enjoying an oasis of calm as the city’s characterful streets buzz and bustle beyond the window.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Apex Grassmarket
Room Type: 2 x City Double (one for solo occ) & 1 x Family Room (which has 2 x Queen Bed)
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Wednesday 29^th May - Exploring Edinburgh

This morning immerse yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh as you enjoy a private walking tour with an expert local guide. Discover the highlights of this unique capital city from the Palace of Holyroodhouse all the way up the ‘Royal Mile’ to the mighty ancient fortress which is Edinburgh Castle itself.

Walk the ramparts atop castle rock and hear the tales of the One O’Clock gun and the stories of locals of times past. Your guide will leave you here so that you can spend as much time in the castle as you wish. You then have a free afternoon to continue your explorations at your own pace, pick up souvenirs or relax as you prefer.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Apex Grassmarket
Room Type: 2 x City Double (one for solo occ) & 1 x Family Room (which has 2 x Queen Bed)
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Thursday 30^th May - Meet Your Guide & Transfer North to The Cairngorm National Park

Today you head away from the bustling city to the tranquility of the Highlands. Your private guide, who will also act as your driver for your time together, will meet you at your hotel this morning and together you will head north. As you travel into the rugged mountains of the Cairngorm National Park, you will stop for an artisan tasting experience in the Highland Chocolatier, trying some of their delectable award-winning truffles.

As you near your destination, stop off to explore the huge open air site of the Highland Folk Museum and relive history in its painstakingly recreated buildings. This fascinating 80 acre site has over 30 dwellings “frozen in time” from the early 1700s to the mid 1900s so that you can experience the details of Highland life as it was back then. Don’t miss the old fashioned sweetie shop, it’s our favourite! 

Note: An alternative longer route for today could take you to visit Stirling Castle instead if you prefer.

Overnight: Aviemore | Cairngorm Guesthouse
Room Type: 1 x Family Room (for the 3 children) & 2 x King Room (one for solo occ)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Friday 31^st May - The Unique Cairngorms & Reindeer Herd

This morning you head up into the mountains for a very special experience, meeting the local reindeer herd!  Walk to their summer grazing grounds, where you are right in walking amongst the herd and can even hand feed them.  Spend the afternoon exploring this unique area with your knowledgeable guide.  The Cairngorm National Park is full of incredible hikes, from low level hidden lochs and gentle forest strolls to more challenging summits. Discuss the best choices to suit your energy levels, the weather and your preferred level of challenge.  Enjoy a relaxed evening reminiscing of a wonderful day with great family memories made.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Aviemore | Cairngorm Guesthouse
Room Type: 1 x Family Room (for the 3 children) & 2 x King Room (one for solo occ)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Saturday 1^st June - Loch Ness & Eilean Donan Castle on the Way To Skye

Enjoy some fabulous scenery as you head to Skye with your guide today, passing the deep waters of Loch Ness and through steep sided mountain glens on the way.  On arrival at Loch Ness set out onto the deep secretive waters and enjoy a scenic cruise, keeping your eyes open for ‘Nessie’. Stop to explore the elegant Eilean Donan castle, set out on the water on a private island and surrounded by majestic scenery. You will then continue onwards, passing over the graceful arc of the Skye Bridge onto ‘the misty isle’ itself and carrying on to your welcoming hotel in the harbour town of Portree.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Room Type: 1 x Premier Double for solo occ, 1 x Superior Double (for 2 older children) & 'Mrs Beaton's Cottage (for 2 parents in Queen & youngest child in single bed) (NOTE that the cottage is over the road from the main hotel)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Sunday 2^nd June - Exploring Skye

Today you have a full day to explore some of the special corners of this magical island with your guide. You will be spoilt for choice with fascinating history and dramatic landscape on offer, with unique hiking routes through stark and unusual rock formations and sweeping coast and mountain views to enjoy in almost every direction. This ‘misty isle’ is also home to so many curious stories and legends of fairies and islander culture, your guide will share some of the best hidden gems and personalise the day to your interests.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Portree | The Bosville
Room Type: 1 x Premier Double for solo occ, 1 x Superior Double (for 2 older children) & 'Mrs Beaton's Cottage (for 2 parents in Queen & youngest child in single bed) (NOTE that the cottage is over the road from the main hotel)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Monday 3^rd June - Ferry to the Mainland and Explore the Road To The Isles

After taking the short ferry back to the mainland you’ll travel along the stunning Road to the Isles, this is frequently listed as one of the most beautiful drives in the world and it is easy to see why. Your guide will share some of the fascinating local history as you explore. This takes you past the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which you may well recognise from the Harry Potter films. Stop to hear the tales of the Glenfinnan Monument and see if you can spot the Jacobite Steam Train puffing its way along the tracks. Depending on your inclination you can stop for a short hike on the beautiful silver sands of Arisaig and admire the views back to Skye and out to the small isles. Then continue onwards to Fort William.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Fort William | The Garrison Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Garrison Suite (1 for Parents & 1 for kids), 1 x triple (for solo occ)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Tuesday 4^th June - Glencoe & South To Glasgow

Before bidding the Highlands farewell today, stop to explore the atmospheric valley of Glencoe.  Formed of sharp ridges and peaks which were shaped by volcanoes, Glencoe has a turbulent and troubled past with layers of history to discover.  There are plenty of options here to stop and stretch your legs, your guide will help you take advantage of the views of this incredible place, sharing stories of its fascinating history before you continue onwards to Glasgow.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Glasgow | Apex City Of Glasgow
Room Type: 2 x Superior Double (one for solo occ) & 1 x Superior Twin with Sofabed for 3 pax
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Wednesday 5^th June - Robert Burns Country & Meet Family

Your guide will collect you from your hotel this morning and together you head south into the heart of ‘Robert Burns country’. Discover beautiful romantic countryside which inspired Scotland’s most famous poet and discuss with your guide what you would like to explore around catching up with your local relatives. Depending on your meet-up location you could walk in the footsteps of the Bard, visiting his birthplace museum and the inspiration of Tam O’Shanter. Your guide will take you back to your hotel and depart, leaving you to enjoy the next couple of days exploring Glasgow.

Your guide will arrange a meeting time with you the night before.

Overnight: Glasgow | Apex City Of Glasgow
Room Type: 2 x Superior Double (one for solo occ) & 1 x Superior Twin with Sofabed for 3 pax
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Thursday 6^th June - Exploring Glasgow

Enjoy the bustling city centre with an expert local city guide today. They will lead you on a fascinating private walking tour of some of the key highlights of ‘Scotland’s friendliest city’, exploring the varied architecture of streets that have been home to all kinds of creatives over the years. Discover the historical influences of Charles Rennie MackIntosh or set out to find the popular contemporary graffiti murals tucked into unexpected corners all over the city.

Once your local guide departs at lunchtime you have a free afternoon to continue your explorations at your own pace. Maybe spend a relaxed few hours exploring the magnificent halls and collections of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Whatever you choose, you are sure to be inspired.

Overnight: Glasgow | Apex City Of Glasgow
Room Type: 2 x Superior Double (one for solo occ) & 1 x Superior Twin with Sofabed for 3 pax
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Friday 7^th June - Free Day in Glasgow

Today you have a full free day to continue your explorations at your own pace. Your private guide yesterday will have given you tips and suggestions but there is plenty to keep you discovering. Maybe head to the Burrell Collection, visit the Modern Art Gallery or find a local pub with live music sessions. The choice is yours!

Overnight: Glasgow | Apex City Of Glasgow
Room Type: 2 x Superior Double (one for solo occ) & 1 x Superior Twin with Sofabed for 3 pax
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Saturday 8^th June - Depart Glasgow - Farewell Scotland

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before your private transfer takes you to Edinburgh Airport to catch your flight home, taking with you special memories of a wonderful family adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast