While travelling through delightful Scottish scenery, we visit some favourite sites of the royal family – Scone Palace, Glamis Castle and Balmoral, where you can explore the royal residences and discover their secrets. We also visit Drumlanrig Castle on the Scottish borders, Edinburgh, Discovery Point and still have time for you to explore Blair Castle, taste some whisky, or buy some souvenirs, all from our wonderful hotel in Pitlochry.

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 Lake District/Carlisle area.

Day 2 After 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 Scot’s Antartic Ship, The Discovery. This is an excellent presentation telling the tale of the most heroic voyage and exploration ever undertaken. We then make our way to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After free time for lunch, there is a guided tour of this majestic house and then time to 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 to either 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 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 and on the banks of the River Dee. You will have the pleasure of exploring what has been the home of the Royal Family for over 150 years, with an included audio tour of the grounds, gardens and exhibitions.

Day 8 Travelling south to Edinburgh, we drop you in the centre 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.