Based at our four-star hotel ideally situated between Glasgow and Edinburgh, we explore the delights of the Heart of Scotland. We have a day in the wild and beautiful Trossachs National Park including a boat trip on Loch Katrine; explore the history of the area at New Lanark Mill, the Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Holyroodhouse Palace; take guided tours of Edinburgh and Glasgow and travel on the remarkable feat of engineering that is the Falkirk Wheel.

ITINERARY

Day 1 After our door to door taxi service has brought you to the coach, we make our way northwards and visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. This beautiful site was opened in 1997 and is home to 50,000 trees and over 200 memorials as a living tribute to the personal sacrifices made by the armed and civil services. We continue to our overnight hotel in the Lancashire area.

Day 2 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we continue north and cross into Scotland. We visit the World Heritage Site at New Lanark Mill, a beautifully restored 18th Century cotton mill village with a charming visitor centre. We then travel on to our hotel north west of Glasgow, arriving late afternoon.

Day 3 We spend the day in Rob Roy McGregor country - the Trossachs National Park. We travel past mysterious lochs and through increasingly dramatic countryside and visit the village of Aberfoyle. We then reach Loch Katrine, where we board the steamship ‘Sir Walter Scott’ for a one-hour leisurely cruise. We then travel up through the park to Lochearnhead and along Glen Ogle to Killin. Then along the beautiful Glen Dochart and Glen Falloch before returning to our hotel via the shores of Loch Lomond.

Day 4 This morning we travel to Stirling, with its impressive castle once home to Scottish kings, and a rich history interwoven with William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Scottish independence. The castle perches on a long extinct volcano and the cobbled streets of Stirling’s Old Town boast a number of pleasant shops. We then visit the Bannockburn Heritage Centre for more insight into the proud history of the area, before we transfer to the Falkirk Wheel to see this remarkable feat of engineering. We have a trip on the canal and will be lifted 115 feet by this giant wheel which replaces 11 locks, and is the pride of the Scottish Waterways.

Day 5 A full day in Edinburgh today beginning with a 2-hour guided coach tour of the city before some free time to stroll along Prince’s Street, Castle Hill or relax in the Prince’s Street Gardens below the castle. In the afternoon we visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of The Queen. Standing at the end of the Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur’s Seat, this fine baroque palace was once home to Mary, Queen of Scots, and was the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising. We visit the splendid Royal Apartments with their rich furnishings, Belgian tapestries and fine works of art, the Great Gallery and the beautiful gardens.

Day 6 A free morning to relax and enjoy the facilities and grounds of our hotel. After lunch we travel the short distance into Glasgow where we have a guided tour by coach seeing all the main sights including the university and the cathedral. This is followed by some free time for your own exploration.

Day 7 Departing our hotel, we make our way to the east coast and then travel through Northumberland with a stop in the pretty town of Alnwick. We continue south to our overnight hotel.

Day 8 Leaving our hotel after breakfast, we travel south making suitable refreshment stops along the way and arrive in the local area early evening. We then meet our taxis for the final part of the journey home.