Friday 20th September – Thursday 3rd October 2024
Arriving into Edinburgh you will be met by a Private Driver and transferred into the centre of this unique capital city. After dropping your baggage at your charming hotel you will head out to meet a expert Genealogist. Enjoy an hour or two delving into the research which they have prepared for you, maybe discovering new facets to your ancestors characters or branches to your family tree. Later, return to your luxurious hotel to settle in and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite
Meals Included: None
Spend today exploring the wonderful city of Edinburgh with your guide. Meet your expert local guide at your hotel this morning and be led on an insightful walking tour. Visit some of the famous historic attractions, wonder at the stories of the streets and discover the true character of the Old Town. Discover the labyrinth of cobbled alleyways contrasted with Georgian townhouses and more modern architecture on this private tour. The rest of the day is free to spend at your leisure.
Overnight: Edinburgh | The Bonham
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you meet your main driver/guide and head north towards the Cairngorms National Park. On route step back in time and discover a Royal palace beloved by Mary Queen Of Scots with fabulous tapestries and artworks that are hundreds of years old. See the oldest surviving real Tennis Court, walk in the beautiful grounds and explore the basement Apothecary where you will find a wonderfully recreated room full of ingredients for ancient remedies. You may even recognise this room from a popular TV series. After lunch continue the scenic route to the highland village of Braemar and your luxury accommodation.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: x1 Victoriana Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy time hiking and exploring the mountains and rivers of beautiful Deeside area with your expert guide, who will tailor the day to your preference. You may choose to hike up into the atmospheric crags and corries of Lochnagar mountain which Lord Byron immortalised in verse, including the line “I sigh for the valley of dark Lochnagar”. This afternoon enjoy a tour and tasting at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, which was issued a Royal Warrant by Queen Victoria in 1848. You may also have a chance to stop and see Crathie Kirk, which is a tiny church that is the regular place of worship for the Royal family when they are in residence at Balmoral Castle.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: x1 Victoriana Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Leaving the mountains of the Cairngorms behind travel north to Inverness and the Battlefield of Culloden, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite rising in 1746. Here you will take a tour of the battlefield and the visitor centre before heading to the site of three Bronze Age burial chambers and standing stones known as Clava Cairns. This site is exceptionally well preserved and a great example of prehistoric history in Scotland dating back over 4,000 years.
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: x1 Rowan Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning join a wildlife tour on board a RIB (zodiac) and travel out onto the sheltered waters of the Moray Firth. Admire the mountain vistas and sea cliffs which are home to a wide variety of seabirds and other wildlife. Look out for sea eagles, dolphins and seals as you travel along the coastline. This afternoon perhaps visit the beautiful fishing villages along the Moray Coast, or enjoy a short hike with your guide.
Overnight: Inverness | Ness Walk
Room Type: x1 Rowan Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning journey south to visit the iconic ruins of Urquhart Castle. Perched on the shores of Loch Ness, the castle offers a glimpse into a bygone era of conflict, clans and legends. As you explore the ramparts and peer through the weathered windows, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views over Loch Ness, its serene waters shrouded in legendary tales. Have the option to enjoy a short hike before continuing to your Castle retreat for the next two nights.
Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
The dark and dramatic mountains and glens that surround your hotel provide incredible hiking as well as a tragic history. Your guide will discuss the options with you today. You may decide to summit the iconic Pap of Glencoe or you might like to head to the Lost Valley, where the MacDonald clan used to hide their rustled cattle.
Overnight: Near Fort William | Inverlochy Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Admire the variety of beautiful scenery as you travel through the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park today. Arriving in Stirling, visit the Castle, located on a prominent volcanic outcrop overlooking the city. This castle is a great symbol of Scottish independence and national pride. Find yourself surrounded by the impressive architecture and craftsmanship of the ages as you walk the corridors. Later, take a journey through time with a visit to the site of The Battle Of Bannockburn and experience the award-winning visitor centre.
This evening, upon arrival at your Glasgow hotel your driver guide will bid you farewell, leaving you to make the most of your final evening of your Scottish travels.
Overnight: Glasgow | Kimpton Blythswood Square
Room Type: x1 King Premium Garden View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today board your train to London. A private transfer will be awaiting your arrival at the station to take you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time head out to explore your surroundings, or simply relax and settle in. This UK capital is an unmissable destination for travellers, an international melting pot that brims with culture, history and iconic landmarks. With a well-known reputation for an eclectic and globally diverse food scene, your dinner this evening is sure to be a thoroughly enjoyable affair. Later, draw the curtains on the twinkling lights of the city to enjoy a good night’s sleep ahead of an exciting day of exploring tomorrow.
Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: x1 Deluxe King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, meet your expert city guide to explore the city. As red buses and black cabs trundle around corners, wind your way through the heart of the city, learning about its turbulent history that stretches back over 2000 years. Enjoy a delicious gastro lunch at a cosy, characterful pub, sitting back and watching the city hustle and bustle beyond the window. Afterwards, perhaps take a relaxing walk through the deep greens of Hampstead Heath or thread your way through a vintage market full of hidden treasures – from velvet hats to crystal pendants. Return to the tranquillity of your hotel this evening to relax before dinner.
Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: x1 Deluxe King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Embarking on a visit to the Churchill War Rooms, meet your guide and immerse yourselves in the heart of World War II history, exploring the underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his wartime cabinet made critical decisions. With interactive exhibits and authentic wartime artefacts, enjoy an educational and thrilling experience. Walking through the cramped corridors and command center, gain a profound appreciation for the resilience and leadership that shaped the course of history. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure.
Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: x1 Deluxe King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, meet your guide and embark on a captivating journey through time at the British Museum. Wander through halls adorned with marble statues, intricate pottery, priceless artefacts that offer a glimpse into art, culture and history. The British Museum promises to be a fascinating exploration of classical antiquity that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for times gone by. With your guide continue on a walking tour of the South Bank, past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, you’ll be mesmerised by the grandeur of these iconic landmarks, steeped in centuries of history and political significance.
Continuing your South Bank adventure, board a capsule on the London Eye, ascending high above the city’s skyline. From the panoramic views stretching across the River Thames to the bustling streets below, every moment in the pod will fill you with awe and wonder, offering a unique perspective of London’s beauty and charm as you rise a toast to your travels and enjoy your final night in the city.
Overnight: London | The Marylebone
Room Type: x1 Deluxe King Room
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.
Please see our booking terms here.
Friday 20th September – Thursday 3rd October 2024