2012September

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13 Th leave Canada

Home pick and transfer to Toronto International Airport for Air Transat overnight flight to Glasgow.

14 Fr arrive Glasgow

Morning arrival and transfer to the Malmaison Hotel. Balance of the day at leisure

15 Sa Glasgow

Enjoy a day touring Glasgow using your hop-on hop-off ticket for the double decker buses,. There are 24 stops allowing you to explore all of Glasgow from the great Kelvingrove Gallery to the medieval Cathedral.

Follow the shores of Loch Lomond, the UK’s largest freshwater lake, past Crianlarich and through Glencoe (you’ll hear the story of the Massacre. On to Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis. Follow the Road to the isles (once the route of Bonnie Prince Charlie) to Maillaig for the ferry to the Isle of Skye and its capital, Portree to stay at the Royal Hotel

This morning tour the island: Stop at Uig, the main ferry terminal foro the Hebrides; see the enchanting Faerie Glen seen in the film Stardust; Kilmuir, the site of Flora MacDonald's grave; Duntulm Castle, former stronghold of the MacDonalds; Kilt Rock and Lealt Falls as well as The Old Man of Storr, a pinnacle of rock 48m high standing below 182m cliffs.
The afternoon at leisure.

Drive via the Kyle of Lochalsh past the white-washed village of Plockton. And around Loch Carron across the peninsula to Applecross where, in 673, an Irish missionary , bringing Christianity to Scotland founded a monastery. Pass through Torridon set among some of Scotland’s most magnificent wild scenery. Continue to Gairloch; its parish is one of Scotland’s largest and includes 23 peaks more than 2000 ft high. Stay at the Old Inn. Enjoy great views of the Outer Hebrides.

This morning visit Inverewe Gardens - further north than Moscow sub-tropical plants thrive here thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. This afternoon a boat ride on Loch Gairloch.

This morning drive along Desolation Road, a reminder of the tragic Highland Clearances; stop at Corrieshalloch Gorge with its dramatic waterfalls before continuing to Inverness. The city stands at the head of the Great Glen and the start of the Caledonian Canal built in 1847 by Telford; See Inverness Castle, now a courthouse, and the odd St Andrew’s Cathedral with no spires the money ran out before they were built.  Continue hrough Elgin to Craigellachie and the Craigellachie Hotel.

Visit Cawdor Castle (shades of Macbeth) built in 1390 - still with a drawbridge and keep. Take a look at Sueno’s Stone. Follow the River Spey - a paradise for salmon fishermen - and try a “wee dram” of whisky at one of the famous distilleries in the area.

Visit a cooperage to see how barrels are restored for the whisky trade, explore the market town of Huntly and see the Auld Brig o’ Keith, a bridge that’s been around since 1609. Visit Johnstons Heritage Centre - cashmere, tweed and lambswool specialists for ober 200 years.

Southwards along Strath Avon Valley to Ballater on Royal Deeside. Drive to Balmoral, whose Castle was bought in 1853 by Queen Victoria and is still a royal residence.  Nearby Braemar is famous as the site of the Royal Highland Games complete with caber-tossing, hammer throw and tug of war. Continue south to The Spittal of Glenshee is the site of one of the oldest Inns in the U.K. situated where four glens meet. The road is the highest main road in Britain and was once one of the most notorious, with the feared Devil’s Elbow a series of hairpin bends. In the evening arrive in perth at the New County Hotel.

A Royal Burgh since 1219 Perth stands on the River Tay, Scotland’s longest river. Perth was capital intil the 1400s when James I of Scotland was murdered here and the court moved to Edinburgh. St John’s Kirk is all that remains of it medieval period - John Knox preached here.   Later visit the Palace of Scone, home of the Earl of Mansfield. Hear the story of the Stone of Scone, now in the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey.

Explore the Trossachs, once described as “the Highlands in Miniature” and Stirling with its connection William Wallace - the movie Braveheart was loosely based on his life.In tha early eveing arrive in Edinburgh at the George Hotel.

An unusual city, Edinburgh is set among hills - and boasts a turbulent history: Henry VIII tried to bully the Scots into marriage between his son and Mary Queen of Scots; It was torn by civil and religious strife and untrustworthy nobility. Your hop-on hop-off shows you all the highlights and a lot of the history and myth of the City.  To-night a farewell dinner

Transfer to Glasgow Airport for the return flight to Toronto. After clearing Customs you’ll be transferred back to you home.

September 13 to 27 including air and home pick upin GTA and East to Gananoque

Early Booking Bonus: pay deposit by February 9 2012: $200 per person will be deducted from your final invoice.