A Taste of Scotland – 5 Days / 4 Nights

The very word Scotland conjures up so may images - tartan, whisky, bagpipes and famous history.  Set against this is a land of breathtaking natural beauty with vast mountain regions, a complexity of lochs and heather clad moors.

Suggested Holiday Hotel:

The Winnock Hotel, Drymen - surrounds the picturesque village green which has long been a natural meeting place for routes leading to Loch Lomond.  The hotel, although fully modernised, retains all of its 17th Century charm.  Original log fires, beamed ceilings and a warm welcome awaits you.  Accommodation is reserved in rooms with private facilities, tea/coffee making facilities and colour TV.  Your stay is for 4 nights on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, plus an ‘Included Drinks’ package comprising of a pre-dinner drinks voucher each evening, a glass of house wine with dinner each evening and a free bar from 19.30 - 22.20 hrs each evening (conditions apply).

Suggested Tour Itinerary:

Day 1
Depart during the morning and travel north to Scotland, making appropriate comfort stops en-route, along with a visit to Gretna Green.  The coach will then continue to our hotel - The Winnock at Drymen, where 4 nights accommodation have been reserved.  

Days 2-4
During your stay the following excursions are included:

• A full day excursion takes us to Scotland’s capital city - Edinburgh.  Firstly we visit the former Royal Yacht Britannia at the Port of Leith where admission is included. Launched in 1953 Britannia has since sailed over one million miles serving as a royal residence and a setting for official functions held by Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family whilst overseas.  In 1997 the yacht was decommissioned and is now permanently berthed  at Leith offering a unique opportunity to glimpse life aboard. See inside the Queen’s romantic floating palace - special attractions include the State Dining Room and Drawing Room, The Bridge, Royal Bedrooms and the Engine Room. Please note: the tour is “self lead”.
  Afterwards there will be free time to explore one of Europe’s most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities - there is so much to see and do.  The Royal Mile, with its gift shops, museums and galleries,  runs between two of Edinburgh’s most important buildings, Edinburgh Castle, the scene of some of Scotland’s most intriguing history,  and at the other end Holyroodhouse, The Queen’s official residence in Scotland.  Other places of interest are St. Giles Cathedral, The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, The National Gallery of Scotland etc. etc.  For the shoppers amongst you there is of course the famous Princes Street, Jenners Department Store, Waverley and St. James Shopping Centre.
• An excursion including a 50 minute journey/cruise at the Falkirk Wheel - the world’s first and only rotating boat lift.  Boat trips begin in the basin outside The Falkirk Wheel Visitor Centre, by boarding one of a fleet of special boats.  The boat starts its journey by sailing into the bottom caisson of The Wheel, which then makes a graceful sweep, lifting the boat up to join the Union Canal 35m above.  The ascent takes approximately 15 minutes, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the stunning views of the spectacular surrounding scenery.
  Once lifted, the boat sails smoothly from The Wheel straight onto the Union Canal.  This passes along the aqueduct, through the 180 metre Roughcastle Tunnel and the historic Antonine Wall.  The boat will then return for an effortless descent that gently carries the boat down over the Visitor Centre, and back into the basin by the boardwalk.
  Afterwards we visit the city of Stirling with free time for shopping or sightseeing.
• An excursion around the shores of Loch Lomond, and a visit to the Glengoyne Distillery, including a 45 minute tour and a whisky tasting.  The distillery, which takes its name from “Glen Guin” or Glen of the Wild Geese, has been producing an exceptional single malt scotch whisky for nearly 200 years.  

Day 5
After breakfast it’s time to check out of the hotel and commence our return journey, stopping at the Lake District, before continuing our journey back to your local area, arriving during the late afternoon/early evening.