Scottish Whiskey & Wildlife at the Grant Arms

This exceptional Speyside tour is based at the 4-star Grant Arms Hotel in beautiful Grantown- on-Spey, a planned settlement of glorious 18th and 19th century highland buildings. While here we step back in time to Culloden, enjoy some wildlife spotting, discover the secrets of whisky making and visit one of the few remaining private castles in Scotland.Saturday: We depart the Travel Centre this morning and make our way north, making adequate comfort stops en route before reaching our overnight hotel, the Gretna Hall Hotel, where tea/coffee will be waiting.

Sunday: We say goodbye to Gretna this morning as we travel further north, making further stops en route, before arriving at our hotel, the Grant Arms, where we stay for the next 4 nights.

Monday: Today we begin our day with a visit to the Culloden Visitor Centre, which tells the story of the 1746 Battle of Culloden. The richly researched, stimulating and sensitive centre, which stands beside the battlefield, is both a monument and a guide. In the afternoon, we board the Dolphin Spirit Boat for a 75 minute wildlife cruise between the Beauly Firth and Inverness Firth. Our guide will provide commentary and we may see otters, seals, red kites, ospreys, herons and the resident bottlenose dolphins!

Tuesday: Our day begins with a visit to the Highland Wildlife Park, a 105 hectare safari park in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. There are both drive-through and walk-round areas to explore with over 200 animals to spot, including native Scottish species and rare and endangered animals from around the world. We keep our eyes peeled for Scottish wildcats, snow leopards, Amur tigers, Japanese macaques and Scotland’s only polar bears. We spend the rest of the day at leisure in Aviemore with free time to explore this popular Cairngorms resort, famous for its winter sports and hill-walking.

Wednesday: This morning we visit Ballindalloch Castle. The castle remains first and foremost a beloved family residence, and there are plenty of personal heirlooms and memorabilia belonging to the current occupants scattered amongst the general finery. Highlights include a fine collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings, one of the finest country house libraries in all of Scotland, the grand dining room with its magnificent fireplace, the vaulted hall and the delightful nursery with its antique toys. In the afternoon, we visit Glen Moray distillery for a guided tour and tasting. Well over a century old, the distillery nestles on the banks of the River Lossie in the city of Elgin, the capital of Speyside, and has gone from strength to strength, now producing 2 million litres each
year in a variety of casks, each producing its own unique flavour.

Thursday: After breakfast this morning, we leave behind the Highlands and travel down south, making stops en route, before arriving at our overnight hotel, the Gretna Hall Hotel.

Friday: Today we continue our journey south, making adequate comfort stops en route, before arriving back in Leicestershire, early evening.Gretna Hall Hotel
Built in 1710 and steeped in history, the hotel is located just a 10-minute walk from the Gretna Retail Outlet and Gretna town centre, and just 500 yards from the famous Blacksmiths visitor attraction.
All 97 bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities, television, and hair dryer. The modern restaurant is bright and stylish and there is a comfortable bar with cosy seating and an outside seating area.

Hotels
• Gretna Hall Hotel (Gretna Green) - View Information