Royal Scotland

The highlands of Scotland have enjoyed a long connection with the Royal Family, so why not follow in their footsteps and enjoy this fascinating and relaxing holiday.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner and evening entertainment 2 nights
• Porterage and tea/coffee after dinner
• Overnight hotel for 2 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Included excursion to Crathie, Braemar & Balmoral Castle (May-Jul) or Crathes Castle (Aug-Oct)
• Included excursion to Scone Palace, Glamis Castle and St Andrews
• Included visits to Edinburgh & Loch Tummel (Queens View)DAY 1 Departure: A morning departure, stopping for lunch and refreshments en-route to our overnight hotel.

DAY 2 Travel to Blairgowrie via Loch Tummel: We continue northwards to the Scottish borders and on to our hotel, visiting en route Loch Tummel known as the ‘Queen’s View’, an image often used on Scottish products. This area provides an excellent vantage point looking down the loch across the hills to the peak of ‘Fairy Mountain’ whose mass was used in early experiments to judge the weight of the earth.

DAYS 3-5 At leisure in Blairgowrie with two included and one optional* excursion. The well-heeled town of Blairgowrie set amongst the raspberry fields on thesouthernmost tip of Glen Shee is an excellent base for touring the surrounding area.

Crathie, Balmoral Castle or Crathes Castle (date dependant) & Braemar: Today we head northwards along the valley of the famous River Dee, visiting places made popular by their association with the Royal Family, past and present. Our visits include Crathie and then for holidays between May & July we visit Balmoral Castle (admission included). For holidays between August & September, the Royal Family are in residence at Balmoral therefore we visit Crathes castle instead. This afternoon we return to Braemar, an award winning tourist village situated in the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains for free time before heading back to our hotel.

Scone Palace, Glamis Castle and St Andrews: Today we head southwards towards Perth and to Scone Palace. Scone Palace is a place that breathes history like nowhere else in Scotland and is currently the home of the Earl of Mansfield and

a major attraction to visitors from all over the world. It has housed the Stone of Destiny and been immortalised in Shakespeare`s Macbeth. From here we drive to Scotland`s oldest university town St Andrews. A pilgrimage centre for golfers from far and wide is on a wide bay on the North eastern coast of Fife and is often referred to as the Oxford or

Cambridge of the North. Enjoy free time here for lunch and shopping before we head across the Tay Road Bridge onto our final visit today Glamis Castle which has a fascinating history. It has been the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and hasclose connections with the Royal Family.

DAY 6 & LAST DAY Edinburgh, travel to overnight hotel & travel home: After breakfast we depart the hotel and visit Edinburgh. Take free time to explore the city or join our optional* city tour.We rejoin the coach and head south towards our overnight hotel. Next morning we continue our journey home, arriving during the evening.Angus Hotel, Blairgowrie

This traditionally styled Scottish hotel is located in the centre of this delightful Highland town and is a perfect base from which to explore the Highlands. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and good leisure facilities including an excellent indoor swimming pool. Each of the 81 bedrooms is tastefully decorated and comes readily equipped including tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer and satellite TV. There is also a lift to all floors, however there are steps to some rooms and throughout the hotel. Tea/coffee after dinner and porterage are included.