Highlights & History Of Scotland

Day 1 - Thursday 11^th September - Welcome To Scotland!

On arrival in Inverness Airport a private driver will transfer you to your unique hotel, Inverlochy Castle.

Please note that the drive time is approx 2 hours.

A transfer from Glasgow Airport is also possible, but this would be approx 3 hours drive time and would incur a supplemental cost.

Overnight: Inverlochy Castle Hotel - Self Arranged
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Friday 12^th September - The 'Road To The Isles' & Arisaig

This morning your private guide (who will also act as your driver for your time together) will meet you at your hotel, and you head out to start your explorations. Today you will enjoy superb views as you drive west 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 the tales of the local area as you go, making the landscape come alive with characters and history. See the historic Glenfinnan Monument, built as a tribute to the Highlanders who fought in the Jacobite rebellion, complete with a lone Highlander statue at the top.

If you are lucky then you may be able to time your visit to spot the famous ‘Harry Potter Train’ puffing its way over the graceful arches of the viaduct. This afternoon take a stroll on the white sand beaches of Arisaig and soak in the views of the Small Isles. The turquoise waters here look like they could belong in the tropics, and keep your eyes peeled for the local seal population can often be spotted relaxing in the area.

Overnight: Inverlochy Castle Hotel - Self Arranged
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 3 - Saturday 13^th September - Atmospheric Glencoe

Today you transfer south with time to admire the stunning scenery of Glencoe on the way. 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 if you are up for a short hike or stroll. Afterwards settle down with a 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. 

Then drive onwards south over Rannoch Moor and into the Loch Loomond & Trossachs National Park, where your luxurious hotel sits on the lochshore. This afternoon is a great time for 2 of your party to head to the local whisky distillery for a tour and tasting. The rest of the party can choose to relax in the hotel bar, or enjoy a short scenic drive with the guide until the tour completes. This evening a special treat awaits, a short cruise on Loch Lomond for a unique perspective on the islands and surrounding scenery.

Overnight: Loch Lomond | Cameron House
Room Type: Loch View Double x 2
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 4 - Sunday 14^th September - Transfer to Dumfries & Galloway via Glasgow & Family History

Today you head into Glasgow to meet a genealogist to discuss their findings about your family history, based on the information you sent them previously. Hear about the links with your ancestors and the locations which were important to them. After lunch in the city centre continue south. You can choose if you would like to stop on the way to your unique accommodation, set in its own private bay on the seashore. Maybe visiting a fascinating land art installation or one of the elegant residences of the Duke of Buccleuch & Queensberry, such as Drumlanrig Castle, on route.

• NOTE; Private Meeting with Genealogist includes prior research
  Please note that this requires some specific information from the client well in advance; Useful information from the clients would be any known specific locations and dates for Marriages, Births, Deaths, any documentation such as certificates for those events, and any Military and educational records. We would need at least a few pieces of info at least 2 months prior to travel to allow us to delve into this for them.

Overnight: Wigtownshire | Knockinaam Lodge
Room Type: Glen & East Double Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 15^th September - Highlights of Dumfries & Galloway

Today explore the highlights of the local area. Take your time perusing the stores in fascinating Wigtown, Scotlands quirky ‘book-town’ which boasts all kinds of bookstores and enthusiastic readers. Then head to Kirkcudbright to walk in the footsteps of the history of ‘The Glasgow Boys’ (& Girls). Visit Broughton House and Garden which was the home and studio of E.A. Hornel, credited as founder of this artist’s group. Here you can see a large collection of paintings from this era which rebelled against the current norms and created fresh depictions of everyday people and rural life.

As you explore the cobbled alleyways with your guide you will discover why this quaint town is still a favourite seaside location for modern artists to visit for inspiration. The light over the charming harbour always claims at least one photograph, and you may also want to pop into some of the local galleries, admire the Maclellan’s Castle and visit the Stewarty Museum full of local history. Your guide will allow you to follow your curiosity and share the stories of the area as you explore together.

Overnight: Wigtownshire | Knockinaam Lodge
Room Type: Glen & East Double Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Tuesday 16^th September - Your Family History in Dumfries & Galloway

Today is flexible to allow you to visit the locations which have been identified as important to your family ancestry in the local area. So you can walk in the footsteps of your descendants. Your guide will discuss the routes and locations which will work best with a maximum of 4 hours total driving time, allowing you to soak in the feel of these places and enjoy your time there.

Overnight: Wigtownshire | Knockinaam Lodge
Room Type: Glen & East Double Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Wednesday 17^th September - Transfer To Edinburgh via Rosslyn Chapel

Today you head to Edinburgh, stopping to visit the enigma that is Rosslyn Chapel, made even more famous by the book ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Dan Brown called this chapel “the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth” and there are certainly lots of unanswered questions about this unique building. Originally founded in 1446, the chapel features intricate carvings and decorations which have prompted many different theories connected with the Knights Templar and the Freemasons amongst others.

Your guide will then take you to settle into your historic hotel in the city centre, an elegant presence in the Edinburgh skyline.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Room x 2
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Thursday 18^th September - St Andrews & The Kingdom of Fife

Today with your guide you explore the Kingdom of Fife, admiring the iconic red Rail Bridge as you head over the Firth of Forth. The characterful university town of St Andrews is full of history and stories. More recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge famously met during their studies here but St Andrews is much better known for being the ‘birthplace of golf’ and you will find references to ‘the great game’ around every corner. Here a short 9 hole round of golf awaits 2 of your party at the Balgove Course, part of world famous St Andrews Links.

While they play the rest of the party can explore St Andrews with your guide. Then after lunch discover beautiful coastal views over the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh from the charming and picturesque fishing villages. These harbour houses are now popular with artists and writers but the sea still has a heavy influence on everyday life for most people in the local communities. Don’t miss out on trying the award-winning local ‘fish & chips’ before you head back to Edinburgh. Once seeing you safely to your hotel your guide will depart, leaving you to enjoy the rest of your time in Edinburgh.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Room x 2
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Friday 19^th September - Historic 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 as you wander 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 city 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 Balmoral Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Room x 2
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Saturday 20^th September - Depart

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