Freedman, Langhorne & James Travel Associates
tel: North American
Scotland Adventures
The Weeden Group
Friday 21st June – Sunday 7th July 2024
Friday 21st June – Sunday 7th July 2024
Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights
Immerse yourself in the beauty Scotland has to offer. Experience the magic and wonder of the beautiful isles, visiting local people and hearing tales of days gone by, as well as enjoying some coastal walks with incredible vistas and local wildlife. Hear the stories of the landscape as you soak in the wild freedom of these natural treasures with your private guide. In between your explorations, your luxurious hotel surroundings will ensure that you feel completely relaxed and pampered by the end of your trip.
Your private transfer will meet you in the arrivals hall at Edinburgh Airport, before making your way to your splendid city center hotel. Settle in and simply relax, or you may wish to stroll outside and explore the local area.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Gleneagles Townhouse
Room Type: 2 x Town Double Rooms, for Single Occupancy
This morning meet an expert city guide to provide you insight into the tales and history of this charming city. Perhaps discover the true character of the Old Town and some of the lesser known sites and tour the labyrinth of cobbled alleyways contrasted with Georgian townhouses, with the more modern architecture of this captivating city. Have the option to travel out of the city to the enigma that is Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by The Da Vinci Code. 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.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Gleneagles Townhouse
Room Type: 2 x Town Double Rooms, for Single Occupancy
Have a morning at leisure, perhaps make use of the hotel facilities or indulge in a little light shopping at the nearby stores. This afternoon a transfer will collect you from your hotel to travel to Fingal’s Yacht to delight in a splendid Afternoon Tea. Take the short walk along the harbor to the Royal Yacht Britannia, to explore the late Queen’s former floating palace. This yacht has served many purposes, including being a hospital ship in times of War and alternatively a honeymoon venue for royal family members. Decommissioned in 1997 the Royal Yacht is now berthed in the waters of Leith. Experience an audio tour of the ship to discover at your own pace before a transfer collects you, transferring you back to your hotel for your husband’s arrival.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Gleneagles Townhouse
Room Type: 2 x Town Double Rooms, for Single Occupancy
Have the day at leisure as you all meet in Edinburgh. This evening it is time to venture underground on a private tour, taking you back in time. Uncover the history of what life was like for the locals and learn of the ancient practices behind the creation of Scottish Whisky, before having a dram or two yourself.
Overnight: Edinburgh | Gleneagles Townhouse
Room Type: 2 x Double House Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your driver guide will meet you at your hotel this morning to travel north to the countryside of Angus. Delve into the area’s historic past. Visit the beautiful Glamis Castle and Gardens, for a private tour of the corridors and discover the haunted tales of the past. Stroll around the impressive Castle Gardens, taking in the array of scents, sights and sounds of the nature that surrounds you. Continue traveling north to the highland village of Braemar and your stylish retreat.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 2 x Double Nature & Poetry
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning, head out with your guide for a stunning hike on one of the beautiful nearby trails. Walk through the ancient Caledonian pine forests, listening for the white-water rush of a river and the bright sing-song call of a blackbird. Whether you fancy a mellow circular walk or a more demanding hike, your guide will be able to suggest the perfect option for you. After lunch, enjoy a private tour and tasting at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, which was issued with a royal warrant by Queen Victoria in 1848. Learn about the history of Scotland’s most famous tipple while also having the chance to indulge in a tasting.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 2 x Double Nature & Poetry
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Visit the beautiful Balmoral Estate. A Highland residence of the Royal Family since it was bought for Queen Victoria in 1852. Experience a private tour of the Castle and the bountiful grounds. Have time to relax at your hotel this afternoon or perhaps enjoy a round of golf at one of the local courses.
Overnight: Braemar | The Fife Arms
Room Type: 2 x Double Nature & Poetry
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today, head to the hills near the Glenlivet Estate to join esteemed chef and food writer Ghillie Basan. Ghillie will welcome you to her remote stone cottage, nestled into the hillside with views across the valley. Here spend the afternoon enjoying a relaxed ‘Spirit and Spice’ sensory food experience where Ghillie combines her Middle Eastern influences with the flavours and fresh produce of the Scottish Highlands, all paired with local malt whiskies. After this treat for the tastebuds, travel onwards to your luxury accommodation in the Capital of the Highlands.
Overnight: Inverness | Rocpool Reserve
Room Type: 2 x Decadant Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
After a relaxed breakfast, you will make your way to Loch Ness, the largest freshwater loch in the UK and also home to the legend that is, the Loch Ness Monster. Hop on board your private charter to tour this scenic loch, keeping a close look out for any signs of the monster. This afternoon you have the option to visit Culloden Battlefield, the site of the final bloody defeat of the Jacobite Army, to meet a local expert. Or the nearby Clava Cairns, stone structures that are thought to be burial chambers date back to Neolithic times.
Overnight: Isle of Harris | Kirklea Suites
Room Type: 2 x Suites
Transfer with your guide to Ullapool to board the ferry to one of the wildest and most beautiful islands in Europe. Arriving on Lewis enjoy some lunch and perhaps a wander around the town before traveling south to the Isle of Harris and check into your hotel. Should you wish, you could take a stroll to breathe in the fresh sea air as you pass by the fishing boats in the harbour before settling into your beautiful suite for the evening.
Overnight: Isle of Harris | Kirklea Suites
Room Type: 2 x Suites
This morning travel to the west, where long sandy beaches dominate the coastline as the Atlantic sweeps in around wild offshore islands. Here you will find some of the most amazing beaches in the whole of the Outer Hebrides. Take a walk along the beach and feel your soul being cleansed by the sea breeze. Returning towards Tarbert on the Golden Road – so named as it was the most expensive road ever to be built on the islands – experience the true essence of Harris, meeting local experts of the island produce. Firstly, spend time with a local weaver, and discover how the famous Harris Tweed is made. Learn the stories behind the creation of this Scottish textile and how life on the island used to revolve around it. Back in the village you will end the day with a private tour of the local distillery who’s gin that they made while they were waiting for their whisky to mature has become a worldwide phenomenon!
Overnight: Isle of Harris | Kirklea Suites
Room Type: 2 x Suites
For your last day on the islands, visit the most famous attraction in the Outer Hebrides, the 5,000 year-old standing stones at Callanish, which are even older than Stonehenge. This cross formation around a central circle is set on a hilltop with views that stretch for miles. This is an incredibly atmospheric and photogenic site, and a moving experience for many people. After this you can experience the heritage of crofting life on the islands within a restored village of traditional ‘blackhouses’, so called because they were stained black by the smoke of their central fireplaces. Have time to visit Carloway to find its well preserved and imposing Iron Age fortress, or “broch”, steeped in history, before returning to your hotel for one final night on these incredible islands.
Overnight: Isle of Harris | Kirklea Suites
Room Type: 2 x Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today you will board the ferry over the waters to the magical Isle of Skye. Watch out for basking sharks, dolphins and maybe even Orca’s on the journey as you glide along towards the ‘Misty Isle’ Depending on arrival time there are several options to stop off and explore or simply journey to the harbour town of Portree and your family owned hotel with incredible views across the pretty harbour.
Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Premium Rooms, with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Your guide will be on hand to take you to visit the many wonders of Skye, and there is much here to choose from. Your guide will be able to discuss options to suit you, whether you would prefer to hike the dramatic and geologically varied landscapes, or perhaps explore Skye’s cultural heritage, discovering hidden traces that remain from its rich and turbulent past. Whatever you chose, your guide will make sure you get away from the hustle and bustle and off the beaten path so you can experience Skye at it’s best.
Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Premium Rooms, with Sea View
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Board the morning ferry to Mallaig, then step on board the Jacobite Steam Train to take you on a scenic adventure through the valleys and over the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Travel onwards to the highland village of Fort William, where your guide will be awaiting your arrival to take you to your luxury accommodation in the heart of Glencoe.
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: 2 x Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Hop on two wheels today to discover the local area. Journey with your guide on a trail to suit your group. The trails range from the mountainous climbs to the more leisurely rides along the Caledonian Canal. Along with your guide you can discuss the perfect route for the day. For those who perhaps do not wish to ride you can take the Gondola up Anoch Mor that offers far stretching views across the west coast – perhaps even spotting a glimpse of the summit of The Ben if she peaks her head out from behind the clouds. After the day’s activities unwind with a wee dram as a local storyteller shares the tales of the valley and its rich and turbulent past. A fantastic way to spend your final night in Scotland.
Overnight: Glencoe | Glencoe House
Room Type: 2 x Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Your Guide will transfer you to the airport in time for your departing flight, taking with you a part of Scotland in your heart and a longing to return.
The price of this trip is £3,295 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.
Please see our booking terms here.
