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Edinburgh and Scottish Castle Experience Escorted Tour
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From $2049*
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PACKAGE | INCLUSIONS | ITINERARY | TRAVEL OPTIONS & TOURS | REVIEWS | DESTINATION NOTES |
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AIR AND LAND PRICE From $2049*
LAND PRICE From $2049*
After departure from Edinburgh visitors will be surprised by the tennis court at Falkland Palace, built in the early 16th century. Continue to St Andrews, long known as the birthplace of gold and more recently as the meeting place of William and Kate. Don’t be surprised by glimpses of students in their gowns, St Andrews is proud of its traditions. After leaving St Andrews, admire the details of some stunning manor houses before heading into the Royal Deeside area, known for its plethora of castles. Explore three castles with different pasts; each is unique for its portraits, gardens, turrets and family history. Arrive at Culloden where the famous battle took place between the Highland warriors and British regiment, resulting in the decimation of so many brave Scots. Taste the ‘water of life’ at the Dalwhinnie Distillery, where the secret to their whiskey is the cool waters of the River Spey. Make a final castle visit to Loch Leven Castle, famous as the place where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned and forced to abdicate, before returning to stately Edinburgh.
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Roundtrip air Edinburgh
3-night hotel accommodations in Edinburgh (2-pre, 1-post)
2-night accommodations the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen, Scotland during Escorted Tour
1-night accommodations at Mansfield Castle in Tain, Scotland during Escorted Tour
Escorted sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Breakfast as noted on itinerary
Dinner as noted on itinerary
Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions
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Itinerary | | Tour Highlights:
Explore Scotland’s ancient past from prehistoric to the medieval on this special Castle Experience Tour. Our royal residences will feature highly on this tour as well as the stories of epic battles, mystical legends and bravery. Enjoy the majestic sceneries, glens, lochs, rivers and waterfalls of Scotland, land of the brave and inspiration for Disney Pixar’s animation “Brave” – you will take home memories which last a lifetime!
Our Scottish Castle Experience Tour includes overnight in two castle style hotels, exclusive access to some of the most historically important houses and castles in Scotland and unusual insights given by the people who work passionately to keep ancient history alive.
Day 1: Depart USA Your trip begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Edinburgh. Relax and enjoy the in-flight meal service and onboard entertainment.
Day 2: Edinburgh Touch down at Edinburgh International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring, shopping, or take an optional afternoon tour (own account).
Accommodation: Premier Inn Lauriston Place or similar 3-star hotel (B).
Day 3: Edinburgh Spend the day exploring Edinburgh on your own.
Accommodation: Premier Inn Lauriston Place or similar 3-star hotel (B)
Day 4: Edinburgh – Fife - Aberdeen: Start Escorted Tour After breakfast make your way to the Rabbie`s Trailburner Offices at 207 High Street by 8:45am to start your escorted tour at 9:00am sharp. You will meet your driver/guide and will receive all necessary documents for your escorted tour.
Day 1 of your escorted tour we head north, crossing the Forth Road Bridge into the ancient Kingdom of Fife.
Our first visit of the day will be Falkland Palace, where during a private, guided tour we will be able to discover more of this pretty Royal Palace. Built between 1502 and 1541, it is set in the heart of the unique medieval village of Falkland and has been residence and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs. Highlight of the visit will be to see the Real Tennis court, built in 1539!
We continue to St Andrews and during a town walk the guide will tell you more about its past and more recent history. Its connection to the patron Saint of Scotland, birthplace of Golf, ancient University town and matchmaker to a Royal couple – there is a lot to see!
Our afternoon visit will be at the House of Dun near Montrose. This beautiful Georgian house, overlooking Montrose Basin, was built in 1730. It features superb plasterwork and now houses the Hutchison collection of Scottish colourists and the Stirling collection of furniture, ranging from the 18th century to the 1960s. On route to Aberdeen you will make a photo stop at Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress in a truly stunning setting. Dunnottar is where they filmed Hamlet’s Macbeth and provided inspiration for Disney Pixar’s movie “Brave”. From here you continue to Ardoe House Hotel, a lovely 19th century mansion house, where you will stay for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Ardoe House Hotel (B)
Day 5: Royal Deeside – Braemar – Crathes Castle Today will be spent in the Royal Deeside area, famous for its many castles.
Our first visit will be Castle Fraser, one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses. Begun in 1575, the present castle contains an evocative Great Hall, fine furniture and many Fraser family portraits. You can round the visit off with a walk through the beautiful 18th century walled garden. The tour continues to Banchory where you might be able to see salmon jumping at the Falls of Feugh. Maybe take short nature walk in Glen Tanar or the Burn o’ Vat. Lunch stop is at Ballater before continuing with your afternoon programme.
Crathes Castle provides the highlight for the afternoon. Turrets, gargoyles and the ancient Horn of Leys given in 1323 by Robert the Bruce are just a few of the features of this historic castle. You will be free to explore the house and the stunning gardens in at your own pace. The gardens stay green irrespective of the time of year, as with the ancient yew hedges that frame the upper parts of the gardens, particularly the fountain and rose gardens. Wandering through the outstanding, world-renowned June Borders, beautiful vistas of the castle can be seen through the fusion of colourful flowers.
We return back to Ardoe House later for another overnight.
Accommodation: Ardoe House Hotel (B)
Day 6: Kennethmont – Culloden – Newton House Hotel Our tour heads further north today and start the day with a visit at Leith Hall Garden & Estate, at Kennethmont near Huntley, which will open its doors especially for our party at 9.30.
Leith Hall was built over three centuries, starting in 1650, and remained the home of the Leith-Hay family until the mid-20th century. We then continue, travelling through beautiful scenery and on to Nairn where lunch will be taken at nearby Brodie Castle. Then we have time to explore the castle further. Dating from the 16th century, this imposing castle stands in rich Morayshire parkland. It has very unusual plasterwork and a major art collection and tells the fascinating story of the Brodie family.
In the afternoon you will be able to take the Clan Walk at the Culloden Visitor Centre. The Clan Stone Walkway is designed to commemorate the Scottish Clans and their clansmen who fought at the battle of Culloden with a special Insignia Stone. The Clans are represented with their individual Crest and personal inscription.
After our visit here we continue to Newton House Hotel. A private dinner for our group will be held tonight in one of the private rooms.
Accommodation: Newton House Hotel (B, D)
Day 7: Inverness – Pitlochry - Edinburgh Today sees us travelling south again through some of the most stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.
We are passing through Inverness and travel to Kingussie where we make a photo stop at the Ruthven Barracks. From here we continue to Dalwhinnie Distillery. Dalwhinnie is the highest Distillery in Scotland and takes its waters right from the source of the River Spey. A tour of the distillery is included in the tour, you will also have the chance to taste the ‘Water of Life’.
After a lunch stop at Pitlochry we head to Loch Leven by Kinross. In the middle of the Loch you find Loch Leven Castle, a late 14th century tower, which was the setting for the most traumatic year in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. It was in 1567 that she was imprisoned and forced to abdicate before her dramatic escape a year later.
We will make the boat ride over to the castle, following in the footsteps of Mary Queen of Scots. Then explore at your leisure the island and tower house.
Finally it is time to return back to Edinburgh, arriving around 6:30pm.
Accommodation: Premier Inn Lauriston Place or similar 3-star hotel(B)
Day 8: Edinburgh-USA Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport (own account) for your flight home.
Hotel accommodation include :
3-night hotel accommodations in Edinburgh (2-pre, 1-post)
2-night accommodations the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen, Scotland
1-night accommodations at Newton House Hotel in Nairn, Inverness, Scotland
Escorted Tour Details:
Escorted Tour Departs: Set departures
Departure time: 9:00am from 207 High St, Edinburgh
Return time: 6:30pm to Waverley Bridge opposite Waverley Train Station
Services includes:
Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes minicoach for a more personal experience.
Services of a professional Rabbie's driver/guide
Breakfast and dinner as noted in itinerary
Entrance fees as listed: Falkland Palace, House of Dun, Castle Fraser, Crathes Castle, Leith Hall, Brodie Castle, Culodden, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Loch Leven Castle
Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions
Tour does NOT include:
Lunch, dinner or beverages except for dinner last night at Newton House Hotel
Entrance fees not listed above
Incidentals or Expenses of a personal nature
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Travel Options
Check out our optional sightseeing. Save time and money by pre-booking your sightseeing tours before you travel.
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| Reviews |
| Destination Notes Please Note:
Hotels in itinerary might be replaced with similar hotels if original hotel is sold out on the dates of your requested tour.
Tour does NOT include:
Transfers not indicated on itinerary
Lunches, dinners or
beverages
Entrance fees
Incidentals or expenses of a personal nature |
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... Loading Hotels ... | | Edinburgh and Scottish Castle Experience Escorted Tour (View brief description)
| [UpgradePrice] | | |  | |  | The Premier Inn Lauriston Place is located in the Edinburgh city center. Just a short walk from the hotel you'll find the famous Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, The Grassmarket, Grey Friar's Bobby, The Royal Mile, plus many more of the key attractions this city has to offer. This hotel has everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room and an integrated restaurant serving a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes.
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| | | | The Premier Inn Lauriston Place is located in the Edinburgh city center. Just a short walk from the hotel you'll find the famous Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, The Grassmarket, Grey Friar's Bobby, The Royal Mile, plus many more of the key attractions this city has to offer. This hotel has everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room and an integrated restaurant serving a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes.
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| | |  | Ardoe House Hotel and Spa is a 19th-century mansion situated on 30 acres in the countryside, only three miles from Aberdeen's city center. The hotel features a spa (with treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool and a fitness room), a variety of drinking and dining venues and comfortable accommodations.
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| | | | Ardoe House Hotel and Spa is a 19th-century mansion situated on 30 acres in the countryside, only three miles from Aberdeen's city center. The hotel features a spa (with treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool and a fitness room), a variety of drinking and dining venues and comfortable accommodations.
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| | |  | The Newton Hotel stands in 21 acres of mature parkland and gardens in the Highland town of Nairn. Overlooking the Moray Firth and beyond to the Black Isle, the Newton Hotel is the ideal location for guests in search of peace and tranquility to relax and unwind.
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| | | | The Newton Hotel stands in 21 acres of mature parkland and gardens in the Highland town of Nairn. Overlooking the Moray Firth and beyond to the Black Isle, the Newton Hotel is the ideal location for guests in search of peace and tranquility to relax and unwind.
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| | | | The Premier Inn Lauriston Place is located in the Edinburgh city center. Just a short walk from the hotel you'll find the famous Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, The Grassmarket, Grey Friar's Bobby, The Royal Mile, plus many more of the key attractions this city has to offer. This hotel has everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room and an integrated restaurant serving a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes.
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| | | | The Premier Inn Lauriston Place is located in the Edinburgh city center. Just a short walk from the hotel you'll find the famous Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, The Grassmarket, Grey Friar's Bobby, The Royal Mile, plus many more of the key attractions this city has to offer. This hotel has everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room and an integrated restaurant serving a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes.
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NOTE: Upgrade prices are per person for the package.
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