ITINERARY

Day 1 A fairly early start is required today to make our way via Oxford and the motorways to our overnight hotel in the Carlisle area.

Day 2 After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we make our way over the border into Scotland and travel via Dumfries to Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate. Time will be given for you to visit both the house and gardens of this magical pink 300-year-old castle perched above the Nith Valley. We continue our journey through Dumfries and Galloway to Pitlochry.

Day 3 A free day to explore the busy town of Pitlochry, or just relax and enjoy your surroundings. Within walking distance you have Blair Athol distillery, the Scottish Hydro Electric Visitors Centre with its fish ladder on the River Tummel, the Scottish Plant Collectors Garden and much more.

Day 4 We travel west to Dundee and make our way to Discovery Point where you can see and explore Scott’s Antarctic Ship, The Discovery. There is an excellent presentation telling the tale of the most heroic voyage and exploration ever undertaken. After lunch we make our way to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After a guided tour of this majestic house you can enjoy the tranquil gardens before returning to the hotel.

Day 5 Today we drive via Loch Tummel to Queen’s View, then to Aberfeldy and on to Perth for lunch and sightseeing. We then visit Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish Kings. You will have ample time to discover this unique house and learn stories of Mary Queen of Scots and Marie Antoinette as well as Robert the Bruce and Charles II. Time will also allow you to visit the ornate gardens and Pinetum.

Day 6 A free day or a day of options. Your driver is available either to take you to Blair Castle, the House of Bruar (a shopping outlet), The Falls of Bruar (a 20 minute walk to a spectacular waterfall), or to visit the Edradour Brewery (entrances extra).

Day 7 We make our way north via Aviemore to Tomintoul where you can shop at the famous Whisky Castle. We carry on to Braemar where we will visit Balmoral Castle nestling within the stunning highlands and scenery of Royal Deeside, on the banks of the River Dee. You will have the pleasure of exploring what has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family for over 150 years.

Day 8 Travelling south, we reach Edinburgh, where there will be free time to enjoy the city. After lunch we travel south across the Pentland Hills and across the border into England to our overnight hotel in the Newcastle/Durham area.

Day 9 We make our way down the Great North Road making several stops for refreshments and cross the Thames at Dartford before returning to the south coast.