A region of great history and landscapes, often just a blur as visitors whizz through on their way to the Highlands - Big Mistake!
A region of great history and landscapes, often just a blur as visitors whizz through on their way to the Highlands - Big Mistake!
Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Lothian do not have the highest tourist profiles and are often just a blur as visitors whizz through on their way to the Highlands - Big Mistake! You would miss out on a huge swathe of Scotland that is in many ways the very heart of the country. Over the centuries its inhabitants bore the brunt of long, brutal wars with the English. Its farms have fed Scotlands cities since industrialisation, and two of the countrys greatest literary icons, Sir Walter Scott and Robbie Burns lived and died here. Dominated by the Southern Uplands, a chain of bulging round-topped hills, it is a region of great history and landscapes where you can find plenty of breathing room and peaceful corners.
ITINERARY
Monday - Early morning departure from Dorset driving northwards with refreshment stops as appropriate to arrive at our stunning hotel in Melrose. Porterage is included.
Tuesday - After a Scottish breakfast drive into Lothian and out onto the banks of the Forth Estuary for a journey on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway. Your vintage train meanders beside the water, through woods, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct on a 10 mile round trip recreating the romance of a golden age. There will be time to view the railway museum after. Continue to South Queensferry situated between the awesome Forth Bridges. Here we shall board a sightseeing cruise on the Firth of Forth - enjoy unrivalled views of the three bridges, Blackness Castle and have your camera ready to capture the marine wildlife.
Wednesday - Near Melrose we visit Abbotsford, the extraordinary home of 19th century novelist Sir Walter Scott - a rambling, whimsical and picturesque home he created over many years and packed full of treasures he collected. The surrounding gardens are a rare example of Regency layout and the wider estate offers relaxing walks through woodlands and riverside. Later this afternoon we call at Melrose Abbey dating from 1136 - a magnificent ruin on a grand scale, lavishly ornate and elegant. It is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, now marked with a plaque.
Thursday - A scenic drive alongside the tumbling River Tweed westwards towards Peebles. First stop is at Kailzie Gardens a renowned botanic garden full of summer colour. It has historic glasshouses, a walled garden and arboretum all laid down by generations of passionate gardeners. Later continue to the New Lanark UNESCO Heritage Site - a beautifully restored 18th century cotton mill village, close to the Falls of Clyde. Discover how people lived and worked back in the 1800s - fascinating!
Friday - Homeward bound with stops as appropriate to arrive back in Dorset that evening.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Waverley Castle Hotel, Melrose
Set in an opulent building surrounded by five acres of parkland, trees and sculptures and affording superb views of the Eildon Hills and walks down to the River Tweed. This three star hotel provides 77 comfortable bedrooms each equipped with private bathroom, hairdryer, television, phone, tea tray and free wifi. The Eildon Restaurant serves classic British meals in stylish yet informal surroundings and the adjacent bar/lounge is the perfect place to socialise. Entertainment is sometimes hosted in the spacious ballroom and there is a games room with billiards and darts.
A lift serves all floors.
Tour Price: £590.00 Per Person
Single Room Supplement: £150.00
Price Includes; All coach travel, 4 nights hotel accommodation, Half board meals, Porterage, B&K railway journey, Firth of Forth Cruise, Admission to Abbotsford, Admission to Melrose Abbey, Admission to Kailzie Gardens, Admission to New Lanark.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Name | Address |
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Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
Other Points in Dorset | Phone us to discuss a convenient pick up. |
Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
St Nicholas Church | St Nicholas Church, Buxton Road, Weymouth |
Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites |
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