Historic Scotland

On arrival meet with your professional tour guide for the short journey to central Edinburgh. A panoramic sightseeing tour will let you catch your first glimpses of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Princes Street. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

A full day in the city exploring the city from a historical perspective. Visit Edinburgh Castle to see The Scottish Crown Jewels and The Stone of Destiny and visit The National Museum of Scotland, home to many collections including those associated with Mary Queen of Scots, Robert Burns, Bonnie Prince Charlie and even Dolly the Sheep. In the afternoon a visit is arranged inside the Scottish Parliament. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

After breakfast cross the Firth of Forth into the ancient Kingdom of Fife, a visit is include to Dunfermline Abbey where Robert the Bruce was eventually crowned and then to St Andrews. This small city is the home of golf and it is where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge first met. Overnight stay in Perth.

Our day begins with a visit to Scone Palace. Once the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, Scone Palace occupies a unique position in the history of Scotland. A breathtakingly beautiful place of power and mystery and the original home of the celebrated Stone of Scone - also known as the Stone of Destiny. Our journey north into the Highlands now begins in earnest. Pause in the pleasant town of Pitlochry and then visit Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. We are now in The Grampian Mountain Range and will travel through the glens to the city of Inverness. Overnight stay in Inverness.

A full day excursion north and east of Inverness shows us some great Highland Scenery and more. Begin with the Culloden visitor centre and with the onsite guides discover more about this decisive and surprisingly short battle that ended the rebellion of 1745. Pause to explore the town of Nairn, recently in the top 5 best places in the world to visit according to Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet, do you agree? Experience it and have an opinion! Reaching the coast you can try a spot of dolphin spotting from the vantage point at Fort George on the Moray Firth. This fort was built after Culloden to subdue The Highlands and never saw a shot fired in anger. It is, however, one of the most outstanding artillery fortifications in Europe. Overnight stay in Inverness.

Crossing The Black Isle, pause for a guided tour of The Glenmorangie Whisky Distillery - who are the Men of Tain? Reaching the far north of Scotland a visit is planned to the remote Castle of Mey. The castle was built in the 16th century as a home for the Earls of Caithness but is more famous now as the old home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The cafe is also excellent and a great place to get snack before a short ferry ride across The Pentland Firth to the main island on Orkney, confusingly called Mainland. Overnight stay in Kirkwall.

An additional local guide joins us for the day to explore the heart of Neolithic (Also known as the Stone Age and is roughly older than 2700BC) Orkney and some more modern day history as well. Visits will be made to Skara Brae (Stone Age village), Maes Howe (Stone Age tomb) The Ring of Brodgar (Stone Age Circle). More modern history is discussed by learning about the scuttling of World War 1 ships at Scapa Flow, The Churchill Barriers and the wonderful Italian Chapel built by Italian prisoners of war. Overnight stay in Kirkwall.

An early breakfast this morning so the morning ferry back to mainland Scotland can be caught. Our route south takes us through Elgin where a visit will be made to a cashmere Wool manufacturer and designer, of course a whisky distillery tour and onwards to "The Granite City" of Aberdeen. Overnight stay in Aberdeen.

Following the coast, pause for a photo of the dramatic ruins of Dunnottar Castle and in the small busy town of Montrose. Staying with the coast arrive in Arbroath, home of the smokie (a smoked fish) which has to be tried but also a visit is planned to Arbroath Abbey. The Abbey was built in 1178 but it is best known now for what is known as The Declaration of Arbroath written on 6th April 1320. In effect this is the first declaration of independence of anywhere in the world and of course refers to Scotland but the words have a different meaning and implication for many. Overnight stay in Edinburgh.

Day at leisure in Edinburgh for shopping and sightseeing. Overnight stay in Edinburgh

An executive motor coach is provided for the transfer to Edinburgh Airport.