Final Information - Calverley Scottish Adventure

Day 1 - Tuesday 20^th August - Welcome to Scotland

On arrival at Edinburgh Airport you will be met by your private transfer driver and taken to your city centre hotel.  The rest of the day is free for you to start exploring the city, immerse yourself in the fringe festival or simply relax at your hotel.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King

Day 2 - Wednesday 21^st August - Walking Tour & The Military Tattoo

Today you will be joined by your private local city guide guide who will show you the many wonders of this historic city. At this time of the year, Edinburgh is full of street artists and entertainers so you can spend the day soaking up the atmosphere of the wonderful fringe festival.  There are lots of shows that you can take in as well in various locations around the city.  Tonight you will enjoy pre-show dining and a performance of the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the esplanade of the Castle ending in an incredible firework display, a truly unique experience.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Thursday 22^nd August - St Giles Cathedral & Exploring Edinburgh

Today is your day to explore the city without a guide. Wander up the Royal Mile at your own pace, stopping to visit the architecturally stunning St Giles Cathedral for a 12 noon service. Afterwards, pick up a coffee and a pastry from one of the wee artisan shops, dipping into local galleries, cheesemongers and bookshops. The National Museum of Scotland is an excellent way to spend an afternoon, or if you fancy some history with a twist, head to the Surgeons’ Hall Museums, which holds one of the largest collections of surgical pathology in the world. This evening enjoy dinner under the twinkling lights of the city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Friday 23^rd August - Journey to the Valley of Glencoe

After a relaxing morning your private guide, who will also be your driver for the next part of your adventure, will collect you from your hotel and you will start your journey north west.  Your first stop will be at Stirling Castle where you will enjoy lunch in the cafe here and a tour of the castle and gardens.  Imagine what it was like for the Royalty living here back in the 1500s and see where the former Kings and Queens of Scotland were crowned. Continuing on through awe-inspiring scenery to the valley of Glencoe and your luxurious castle accommodation.

Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Saturday 24^th August - The Peaks of Glencoe

Heading south this morning you will enjoy exploring some of the historical sites of Glencoe with your guide.  First you will stop at the visitor centre to learn more about the history of this dramatic landscape before enjoying a hike that takes in some of the famous landmarks.  You could hike into the lost valley where the MacDonalds used to hide their rustled cattle or perhaps a gentler hike to Signal Rock, where legend has it the signal was given to start the Glencoe Massacre in 1692.  After lunch, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy some downtime at your hotel, reflecting on your adventure so far.

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

Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Sunday 25^th August - Jacobite Steam Train & Journey South

Enjoy a gentle hike this morning in the wonderful Nevis Range of mountains.  One option is to enjoy a walk to Steal Falls, the third highest falls in Scotland.  This wonderful walk offers views of the valleys and mountains as you journey into the heart of the glen to see the water cascading 105 metres down the rock face.  After lunch back in Fort William, your guide will drop you off at the train station and you will embark on an afternoon travelling along the famous West Coast Railway to the port of Mallaig. Your guide will meet you there and you will return to Fort William along the ‘Road to the Isles’, a beautiful scenic road journey, retracing your train journey and taking in the views from a whole new perspective. After a leg stretch, continue on to Argyll and check in to your shoreline hotel for the evening.

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

You will be provided with a packed lunch to enjoy on the train journey.

Overnight: By Oban | Loch Melfort Hotel
Room Type: Seaview Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Monday 26^th August - Kilmartin Glen and Dunadd Fort

This morning you take a short journey to Kilmartin Glen, which is home to the largest collection of Neolithic artefacts in Europe and Dunadd Fort where the King of the Picts were crowned the first Kings of Scotland.  Enjoy the day exploring the museum and the glen with all the wonderful artefacts with your guide, learning more about the history of Scotland and admiring the incredible views from the top of the Fort where the early kings reigned from.

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

Overnight: By Oban | Loch Melfort Hotel
Room Type: Seaview Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Tuesday 27^th August - Travel to the Isle of Arran

Arran is known as Scotland in miniature as the island is divided into highland and lowland areas by the Highland Boundary Fault.  Catch the ferry to this wonderful little island and spend the afternoon either relaxing at your hotel or exploring the town of Brodick with it’s castle, heritage museum and the stunning coastline.

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

Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Room Type: Hotel Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Wednesday 28^th August - Exploring Arran

Your destination today is Goat Fell, the tallest mountain on Arran.  Hike through woodland and heather moorland before ascending through some boulders to the summit where you will be rewarded with spectacular views.  A harder day but well worth it.

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

Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Room Type: Hotel Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Thursday 29^th August - The Stone Circles

After a strenuous day yesterday you can enjoy a relaxing morning at your hotel, perhaps taking advantage of their wonderful spa and leisure facilities.  This afternoon, your guide will take you out to visit the Machrie Standing Stones.  Enjoy time exploring the moorland for the signs of other ancient dwellings and the cast number of other prehistoric remains, including burial cairns and cists, that cover the landscape.  An enjoyable afternoon journeying back in time through Arran’s history.

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

Overnight: Isle of Arran | Auchrannie Resort
Room Type: Hotel Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Friday 30^th August - Journey to Perthshire

It is time to leave the west coast inland to Perthshire. Taking the lunchtime ferry, enjoy a beautiful drive to Perthshire with a chance to stretch your legs along the way. On arrival, take the afternoon to rest and explore the local area.

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

Overnight: Pitlochry | Fonab Castle Hotel
Room Type: Castle Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Saturday 31^st August - Birnam Highland Games

Today you will attend the Birnam Highland Games, a traditional Scottish Highland Games held amidst stunning Perthshire scenery. The games have been held since 1864, and are now held annually on the last Saturday in August. Enjoy a day full of highland dancers, heavy events like toss the caber and throw the hammer and even a haggis eating competition! Chat to the locals and soak in the atmosphere of this truly unique event.

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

Overnight: Pitlochry | Fonab Castle Hotel
Room Type: Castle Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Sunday 1^st September - Back to the City

It is time to leave the east coast and head back to the city.  A private transfer will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Glasgow. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to relax or start exploring this vibrant city. Enjoy seeing the different architecture that is dotted around the city as well as the cool murals hidden down small alleyways. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city and perhaps do some souvenir shopping. Finish your holiday with a delicious meal in one of Glasgows many wonderful restaurants, showcasing Scotlands best cuisine.

Overnight: Glasgow | Hotel Du Vin, Glasgow
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 14 - Monday 2^nd September - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell to Scotland for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast