Itinerary
Day 1, Monday, May 9th – Toronto – Glasgow
Depart Canada for overnight flight to Glasgow, Scotland via Air Canada.
Day 2, Tuesday, May 10th - Glasgow
Upon arrive in Glasgow be met by our local tour guide for private motor coach transfer to our centrally located Glasgow hotel, our home for the next two nights.
Once the hub of Scotland's industrial heartland, Glasgow (from Glas-ghu, meaning 'dear, green place') is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe. The city has been reborn as a centre of style and vitality set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. Glasgow boasts world famous art collections, superb museums, the best shopping in the United Kingdom outside London, and the most vibrant nightlife in Scotland.
In the afternoon, join our guide for a panoramic tour of this great city, whose industrial heritage resulted in its claim to be the 'second city of empire'. Poet Laureate John Betjeman described the city as the 'greatest Victorian city in Europe, and many examples of its rich architectural legacy can be found in its commercial center to the west of George Square. To the north lies the oldest part of the city, centering on the medieval Cathedral, the only complete medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland.
Later stop at Glasgow University's Hunterian Art Gallery, a modern building which houses a fabulous art collection started from a bequest to the university by William Hunter, who studied in Glasgow in the 1730s. Attached to the gallery is the Mackintosh House, which is where our interest lies. This is a stunning reconstruction of the main interiors from 78 Southpark Avenue, the Glasgow home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret MacDonald, from 1906-1914. The lovingly reconstructed rooms, furnished with some 80 original pieces of his furniture, give the perfect example of just why this innovative designer and architect is so revered.
End the afternoon with high tea, a typically Scottish evening meal, before returning to our hotel. The remainder of the evening is at leisure, with an early night for those who wish it.
(Meals: High Tea)
Day 3, Wednesday, May 11th – Glasgow –Ayr - Glasgow
After breakfast, join your coach and guide for a morning tour of the world-renowned extensive Burrell Collection. Some 8500 art treasures, acquired by shipping magnate, Sir William Burrell, were donated to the city in 1944, along with a sum of money for the construction of a special gallery to house the collection, which includes Greek, Roman and Egyptian artefacts, oriental art pieces, numerous works of medieval and post-medieval European art, as well as an impressive array of paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Degas, Pissaro and Manet. The gallery, which opened to the public in 1983, is a stunning work of simplicity and thoughtful design, allowing the visitor to enjoy the vast collection to the full.
In the afternoon, travel south of Glasgow to Ayr for a visit to the National Trust for Scotland's newly refurbished Burns National Heritage, which celebrates the life and times of Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard. Later, enjoy a welcome cocktail, prior to our group dinner. After dinner, listen to a local story teller who will give a flavour of Scottish culture, history and humour through tales of his own.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 4, Thursday, May 12th – Loch Lomond – Glencoe - Ballachulish
After breakfast we say good-bye to Glasgow and head north towards Loch Lomond for a photo stop at the southern end of the loch. Loch Lomond, dotted with a myriad of tiny islets, is Britain's largest inland waterway and the 'bonnie, bonnie banks' are a magnet for visitors in the summer months.
Then turn east to head into the Trossachs, for a visit to the Scottish Wool Centre, located in the middle of Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park. Later, cross the forlorn Rannoch Moor, with its many lochans, to travel through the magnificent Glencoe. Now a major mountaineering and wildlife centre, the glen remains for the 1692 so-called Massacre, when members of the MacDonald clan were put to the sword by a company of English soldiers led by a Campbell officer.
The Visitor Centre at the western end of the Glen provides the history of the glen in times both past and present. Arrive at our hotel in the Ballachulish area for dinner and overnight.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 5, Friday, May 13th – Mallaig - Skye
Travel along the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William to take the steam train to Mallaig. This journey is considered one of the most scenic in Europe, with the most spectacular part crossing the Glenfinnan viaduct, with its views of the Monument and down Loch Shiel. The Monument at the head of the loch commemorates those who fell during the 1745 Rebellion, which started when Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at Glenfinnan and ended with his defeat at the battle of Culloden, near Inverness.
Cross over the sea to Skye, from Mallaig to Armadale by ferry, before an afternoon visit to Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle. The early 19th century castle is now, for the most part, a roofless ruin, but what were the servants' quarters now house an excellent visitor centre. Continue to our hotel for dinner and overnight in Skye.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 6, Saturday, May 14th - Inverness
After breakfast, travel to Kinloch Lodge on the Sleat Peninsula for a coffee stop and cooking demonstration given by Lady Claire MacDonald, a well-known chef and cookery writer. Return to the mainland via the Skye Bridge, followed by a photo stop at Eilean Donan Castle, perhaps most photographed of all Scottish castles. The castle lay in ruins after its destruction by King George in 1719, until it was restored by a member of the Macrae clan in the early 20th century. It enjoys a wonderfully picturesque location, on an islet, at the confluence of 3 lochs. Continue through Glen Shiel to Invergarry to drive through the Great Glen towards Inverness. The Caledonian Canal, constructed in the early part of the 19th century, remains a wonderful feat of engineering, as well as one of the most scenic waterways in Europe. Group dinner and overnight in the Inverness area.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 7, Sunday, May 15th - Inverness
After breakfast, set out to tour two sites local to Inverness. Whilst Glenfinnan saw the start of Bonnie Prince Charlie's ill-fated venture, Culloden near Inverness saw those hopes fatally dashed. Here we'll visit the Visitor Centre and the battlefield, which now looks much as it did on the fateful day in April 1746, when this battle, the last ever to be fought on British soil, changed Highland life and the clan system forever.
Continuing east, tour historic Brodie Castle, a fine 16th century tower house, surrounded by peaceful parkland, carpeted in spring with a unique collection of daffodils. It boasts superb French furniture, English, continental and Chinese porcelain and a major collection of paintings, including 17th century Dutch art, 19th century English watercolours and early 20th century works. The magnificent library contains over 6000 volumes. The castle was home to the Brodie family from the time of its construction till the late 20th century. Return to hotel for an afternoon at leisure in Inverness. Gather in the evening for a group dinner.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 8, Monday, May 16th - Pitlochry
After breakfast, board the coach for our journey south towards picturesque Perthshire. First a stop at Speyside Heather Centre near Dulnain Bridge. Other than the thistle, heather is the plant perhaps most traditionally associated with Scotland. The Centre has an exhibition, craft shop, gallery, boutique, garden centre and show garden, with heather, as one might expect, as a speciality.
Continue south to so-called Royal Deeside for a stop at Balmoral Castle. First built for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the castle remains popular with the Queen and other members of the Royal family who stay here every year during August and early September, enjoying various outdoors pursuits – walking, fishing, and horseback riding. We'll have time to stroll in the wooded grounds and gardens of the castle and visiting the exhibitions and paintings inside. From Balmoral we head south towards the bustling Highland resort of Pitlochry where we will have a group dinner and overnight.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 9, Tuesday, May 17th – Pitlochry
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before heading north to visit the spectacular Blair Castle. There is so much to enjoy and do at Blair Castle that many visitors return again and again, always discovering something new. In the grounds, Diana's Grove is a fine planting of tall trees, originally laid out in 1737. Hercules Garden was also designed in the mid 18th century forming a walled garden of some 9 acres, which has recently been restored. The historic ruins of St Bride's Kirk stand on raised ground beyond Diana's Grove. Extensive collections include pictures, furniture, porcelain, embroidery, Masonic regalia and family memorabilia.
Return to Pitlochry to visit Edradour, the smallest distillery in Scotland and virtually unchanged since Victorian times, to learn about the art of producing whisky, Scotland's national drink. An early group dinner is planned this evening to allow time for those who wish to take an optional excursion to the Repertory Theatre, which enjoys a lovely location on the banks of the Tay.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 10, Wednesday, May 18th – St. Andrews - Edinburgh
Today takes in a visit to the historic town of St Andrews, seat of Scotland's first university, founded in the early 15th century (and the third in the UK after Oxford and Cambridge). The historic Cathedral, once the largest cathedral in Scotland, is now in ruins. St Andrews is also renowned as the home of golf and a mecca for golfers from around the world, who come to the town to play the Old Course.
Written records on the course date back to the 15th century. Later, visit the Wemyss Ware Studio at Ceres, where potter Griselda Hill celebrated her silver anniversary year in 2010. Wemyss Ware originated in the Kirkcaldy area of Fife and was a thriving industry in the town until a change in taste saw the demise of the original potteries. Wemyss Ware is now extremely collectable. Griselda Hill revived the style in 1985 and now operates from a pottery in the Fife village of Ceres. Tonight we'll enjoy a traditional fish & chip supper en route to Edinburgh.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 11, Thursday, May 19th - Edinburgh
A final day in Scotland, with a chance to explore the small but beautiful city of Edinburgh, with its medieval Old Town and 18th century New Town, dominated by the Castle atop its ancient volcanic rock. After breakfast, join our guide for a morning walking tour of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, which runs through the heart of the Old Town from the Castle to Holyroodhouse.
The morning tour will include a visit to the ancient castle, where highlights include the tiny St Margaret's chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh), the Royal Apartments, where James IV (and I of England) was born to Mary Queen of Scots) and the Crown Room which displays the Scottish crown and other regalia, and finally, the Stone of Scone, now returned to Scotland from Westminster Abbey. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the city further or spend time shopping on Princes Street or George Street. Tonight we'll reminisce, with our BH travel buddies, about the memories of Scotland at our Scottish farewell dinner.
(Meals: B, D)
Day 12, Friday, May 20th – Edinburgh – Toronto
After breakfast we'll transfer to the Edinburgh airport to check in for our return flight to Toronto.
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. Broad Horizons reserves the right to change itinerary when deemed necessary, or desirable.
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Images © British Tourist Authority
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