The Wild Scottish Highlands

ITINERARY

Sunday - Morning departure from Dorset with comfort stops as appropriate to arrive Preston Holiday Inn for 3 course dinner, overnight stay and breakfast.

Monday - Resume northwards across the Borders and stop at David Livingston Birthplace Museum near Blantyre which celebrates Scotland's greatest explorer. After time for lunch continue past Stirling, the scenery now of increasing grandeur, to arrive Pitlochry where dinner awaits.

Tuesday - Touring through beautiful Perthshire scenery via Aberfeldy and Crieff to Drummond Castle Gardens, renowned as Scotland's finest. Established in 1490 and modified through the ages they contain stunning formal plantings, topiary, a woodland walk, apple orchard, statuary and courtyard café. This afternoon drive past Perth, Scotland's original capital city, to the pretty town of Dunkeld. Here we visit the Atholl Palace Hotel, the epitome of Scottish Baronial splendour - enjoy a unique museum which charts the social history of the hotel with stories, anecdotes and historical insights. Spend time in the award winning hotel gardens and then enjoy a cream tea in the beautiful building surrounded by architectural splendour.

Wednesday - A relaxed morning - first stop is the Queens View visitor centre on Loch Tummel, the most famous and most popular view in the Highlands, named after Robert the Bruce's wife, Queen Isabella. Continue to Blair Castle, home to the Dukes of Athol for 19 generations/700 years, where family life is brought to life against a backdrop of fine 18th century interiors and Scottish Baronial architecture. Explore the castle, 9 acre walled garden, deer park and woodlands. Return to Pitlochry with some free time to explore the town this afternoon.

Thursday - Situated at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is a very special private estate called Rothiemurchus - now owned by the 18th generation of the Grant family. We are joined by one of the ranger guides who will escort the coach on an unforgettable safari drive of this magnificent Highland estate. With great photo opportunities, scenic views, wildlife, history and stories - there is no better way to fully appreciate this unique breathtaking environment. Later we shall call into the Highland Folk Museum at Newtonmore where 35 reconstructed historical buildings bring to life the traditions and stories of Highland life - fascinating.


Friday - After breakfast we bid a fond farewell to our hosts and head southbound, with a stop at The Kelpies near Falkirk - the world's largest equine statues set in extensive parklands. Continue across the Borders for dinner and overnight stay at Holiday Inn Preston.

Saturday - Homewards via motorways with stops as appropriate to return to Dorset late that afternoon.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner