Treasures of North East Scotland

This brand-new Scottish tour takes a deep dive into the wonderful North East. Embrace the charm of early summer in Aberdeenshire, Inverness-shire and the Capital for a refreshing escape, full of unforgettable experiences and visits. Discover iconic castles surrounded by vibrant landscapes, beautiful coastlines, gigantic sea cliffs, fascinating wildlife and centuries of epic history of brutal battles, legendary cities and a royal yacht. This is an ideal tour to let the coach take the strain whilst you sit back and relax, soaking up the region's history, culture and sweeping scenery.\n\nNB: This tour visits several historic properties and a reasonable degree of mobility/fitness is therefore recommended in order to enjoy the visits to the fullYour Holiday includes
- Various hotels for 8 nights with breakfast & dinner- Porterage throughout except in Strathpeffer- Tea /coffee after dinner- Excursions as described- 2-hour puffin & seabird cruise, Seahouses- Entrance to Bamburgh Castle- Entrance to Royal Yacht Britannia- Entrance to Dunnottar Castle- Entrance to Fort George- Entrance to Culloden Battefield- Entrance to Cawdor Castle- Visits to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St Andrew's & Stonehaven- En-route visit to Stirling (time permitting)

An ideal tour to let the coach take the strain
Day 1 - Heading North - After joining your holiday coach, travel north with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Your overnight stop is the excellent 4* Holiday Inn Newcastle Gosforth, located north of the city. DBB\n\nDay 2 - Northumberland's Coast - Head further north today by way of Seahouses, the colourful village with a long history of fishing, some gorgeous beaches, a bustling harbour and some of the best takeaway fish & chips in the region! Here you will embark on a 2-hour puffin & seabird cruise around the Farne Islands (non-landing) with plenty of opportunity to view the prolific bird life nesting on these magnificent islands during the breeding season from May till the end of July. Highlights include views of puffins, guillemots, shags, cormorants, kittiwakes and artic terns. Also see the Grey Seal Colony with an estimated 3 to 4 thousand grey seals, large numbers of which bask on the rocks, especially at low water. NB Access to the boat may be via steep stone steps and / or ramp depending on the tides. Strong footwear and warm clothing recommended\n\nOnwards to spellbinding Bamburgh, the royal capital of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria. Visit the awe-inspiring Bamburgh Castle which has stood guard above the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years. Spanning nine acres of land on its rocky plateau, Bamburgh is one of the largest inhabited castles in the country. Entrance is included and five of the castle rooms are fully accessible (but some steps through the rest of the castle). Continue across the border to check in for the next 2 nights at 3* Braid Hills Hotel on the outskirts of Edinburgh. DBB\n\nDay 3 - A Day in Edinburgh - Head to the truly delightful capital with its atmospheric cobbled streets of the old town to the attractive Georgian avenues of the new town. There is plenty to see and do - from iconic Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile to the impressive National Museum of Scotland (entrances not included). Your driver may be able to offer you an optional guided tour of this unbeatable city, steeped in history, culture, nature, architecture and constantly shifting northern light. Your coach will take you out to the historic port of Leith which has undergone a major renaissance and is home to the Royal Yacht Britannia, one of Scotland's top visitor attractions. Launched in 1953, this glamorous vessel was the Royal Family's floating residence for 44 years, travelling over one million miles to become the most famous ship in the world. Explore all five decks and discover what life was like during Royal service on board HM Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace. Tours are self-guided and include an audio tour available on a handset. There is a central lift to all five decks and there is also a tearoom\n\nDay 4 - St Andrew's - Enjoy a coast and country drive to the Kingdom of Fife - ancestral home of Scottish monarchs and world-famous for its golf, it has its own distinct identity, despite its small size - barely fifty miles at its widest point. Standing proudly on the east coast, St Andrew's, Scotland's oldest university town, is a big draw with its world-famous Royal & Ancient golf club, loads of old-fashioned appeal, medieval streets and gorgeous traditional buildings. Continue your journey on through Perthshire to reach your destination, the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen later today. Check in for the next 2 nights at 4* Aberdeen Altens Hotel, just 3 miles from the city centre. DBB.\n\nDay 5 - Dunnottar Castle & Stonehaven - Once seen, never forgotten... renowned Dunnottar Castle is an unforgettable experience, an impregnable fortress that holds many rich secrets of Scotland's colourful past. Perched atop a 160-foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, these dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins are steeped in history. There is a relatively flat path from the parking area (approx. 300m) and the view is well worth the walk - this romantic and haunting ruin, that looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel, is a photographer's paradise. Entrance to the castle is included for those that can manage the challenging 180 concrete steps down (and back up). Just a couple of miles away you will find the attractive town of Stonehaven with its sheltered working harbour busy with sailing yachts. There are plenty of eateries and an abundance of local produce to try, from delicious freshly caught seafood to locally produced ice cream.\n\nDay 6 - Aberdeen & Fort George - After checkout, spend a little free time this morning in the sparkling 'Granite City'. Aberdeen is a compact city with wide open spaces and unique architecture. Maybe catch a glimpse into the city's culture and history - from its seafaring heritage at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum (entrance FOC) to the exotic plants and tranquil ponds of Duthie Park. \n\nContinue your journey to just outside Inverness. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannons and a superb collection of arms - including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches - provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life. Fort George is an excellent place to see the Moray Dolphins as they have to travel past Fort George on their way to Chanonry Point. The long, high ramparts of the fort offer unrivalled views. Check into 3* Highland Hotel in Strathpeffer for the next 2 nights. DBB\n\nDay 7 - Culloden & Cawdor - A day of epic history awaits today, starting at Culloden Battlefield and a visit to the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising - the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. The richly researched Culloden Visitor Centre, which stands next to the battlefield, features artefacts from both sides of the battle and interactive displays that reveal the background to the conflict. The next stop is Cawdor Castle, the romantic Highland castle and the 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor. Famed for its literary connection to Shakespeare's Macbeth, according to legend, the castle is built around a thorn tree, which has since been identified as a holly dating from 1372, which visitors can still see today in the dungeon. There are also three very different gardens, each with their own unique history and appearance and displaying a wealth of flora and fauna. The landscaped gardens are fully accessible, with wide paths and benches throughout. Some areas of the castle can only be accessed by stairs\n\nDay 8 - To Gretna Green Your final day in Scotland sees you heading south to the border with a stop en-route in Stirling, a small city with a big history. Known for historic attractions, castle (entrance not included) and spectacular scenery, Stirling is a great place for a spot of shopping or something to eat or drink. Your final overnight stop is at 3* Gretna Hall Hotel in Gretna Green. DBB\n\nDay 9 - It's farewell to Scotland as you continue south as you head back to interchange with comfort stops en-route arriving home during the eveningYour Hotels
BRAID HILLS HOTEL, EDINBURGH - 2 nights\nThe 3* Braid Hills Hotel is a characterful Victorian building magnificently situated in its own grounds, with panoramic views right across the City of Edinburgh, to the Pentlands, the Firth of Forth and the Fife hills beyond. Great contemporary Scottish cuisine is served in 1886 Restaurant and there is also a bar & lounge. Guest bedrooms are individually designed with free WiFi, flat screen TV, hairdryer, ironing facilities and tea / coffee making facilities. There is no lift but some ground floor rooms. There is a frequent bus service into the city centre.\n\n\nABERDEEN ALTENS HOTEL - 2 nights\nThis large, modern 4* hotel is just three miles south of Aberdeen city centre. The health & leisure club is open to hotel guests and features an indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium, spa pool, sauna and steam room. Comfortable guestrooms offer all mod cons including WiFi, hairdryer and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a smart restaurant and a vibrant bar. There is a lift. The nearest bus stop is a 3-minute walk away\n\n\n\n\n\nHIGHLAND HOTEL, STRATHPEFFER - 2 nights\nThe 3* Highland Hotel is nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands in the quaint village of Strathpeffer. Built in 1882 in Scottish Baronial style, this Victorian-era landmark is reminiscent of a bygone era of elegance and grandeur. Guestrooms offer a good standard of amenities with TV, hairdryer and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a welcoming wood-panelled restaurant and cosy bar. There is a lift to all floors and some internal steps to some rooms. NB porterage is not available at this hotel