Few places in Britain provide finer and purer light than Scotland, with utter clarity it illuminates a stunning landscape of forest, hills and lochs, peppered with fascinating heritage sites and historic towns.  The peaceful by-ways of the Scottish Borders are so often passed by in the rush to reach the Highlands, but these dramatic landscapes are a hidden gem not to be missed.  Our tour includes a visit to Edinburgh’s famous Military Tattoo – a spectacle of music, light and precision movement performed by the massed pipes and drums of Scottish Regiments and units from around the World.  When subtle lighting picks out the lone piper playing a lament on the castle ramparts, few in the audience fail to be moved by the atmosphere.

THE ABINGTON HOTEL, Abington by Biggar

Situated in the very centre of the Scottish Borders this friendly, family run hotel offers a tranquil and picturesque location with traditional and basic yet comfortable accommodation.  All bedrooms are ground or first floor and have private bathroom facilities, television, phone and tea tray.  The restaurant maintains an excellent reputation for fine food and there is an entertainment programme during the evenings.  A substantial full cooked Scottish breakfast and delicious 3 course evening dinner are included, much as they were in 1839 where Napoleon III stayed here – you’ll still find his chair in the hotel!

ITINERARY

MONDAY – Morning departure from Dorset, driving northwards through the Midlands and past the Lakes to Abington in the Borders where dinner awaits.

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING EXCURSIONS –

• Travel back in time - a day tour to the Robert Burns National Heritage Park at Alloway. Experience the rich heritage that inspired the mans imagination through a mixture of modern technology and unique authentic locations and artefacts.  An unmatched opportunity to experience Scotland’s National Poet.

• Morning at leisure to stroll around Abington.  Afternoon to Edinburgh, with time for sightseeing or shopping.  Maybe visit the Castle, Gardens or Royal Yacht Britannia. This evening take your seats for the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Return to hotel late that night.

• A visit to the New Lanark World Heritage Site – a beautifully restored 18^th century cotton mill village, close to the Falls of Clyde.  Highlights include an audio-visual theatre show where to ghost of a mill girl appears on stage and the New Millennium Experience ride.  Wander around the village and discover how people lived and worked back in the 1800s – fascinating!  Later we shall call at the nearby Carmichael Visitor Centre – Scotland’s story told by the former Edinburgh Wax Model Collection, coupled with the Carmichael Clan family history of a thousand years.

FRIDAY – Reluctantly leaving this beautiful corner of Britain to drive homewards, arriving back in Dorset that evening.

TOUR PRICE : £350.00 per person

Travel Insurance Premium : £11.00   per person

Price Includes : All coach travel, 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast and evening dinner (EXCEPT : no dinner provided on night of Tattoo), Show ticket for Tattoo, Entry to Burns Heritage Park, Entry to Lanark Heritage Site, Entry to Carmichael Centre,

Financial protection insurance and VAT.