Scotland

Day 2 Arrive Glasgow, at lunch time. After lunch take a Glasgow tour and visit the Cathedral.

George Square is a spacious piazza dotted with trees and flower-beds and surrounded by wide streets, which was also the heart of Victorian Glasgow. At its centre is the 80ft (24m) high column and statue to Sir Walter Scott who, in truth, had little to do with the town. The column had been intended for a statue of George III but his failure to preserve the American Colonies along with Glasgow's lucrative tobacco trade, saw this favoured plinth given to someone else. Statues of Queen Victoria, Robert Burns and, the famous Scottish inventor, James Watt, surround Sir Walter, besides hundreds of pigeons. The influence of the great architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh is everywhere. Carry on to Glasgow Cathedral for stunning interiors with a history that dates back to roughly the 5th century. Dinner at hotel, Hotel du Vin One Devonshire Gardens or Blythswood Square, a new five star luxury hotel, in a glorious Georgian club, with 88 luxury bedrooms, restaurants, a bar and first class leisure club and spa. The Rally Bar is named after the Monte Carlo Rally which once started from Blythswood Square.
Described by one journalist as ‘hotels with substance and wit’, Hotel du Vin conjures up images of wonderful wines, great cocktails and cigars, serious showers, divine Egyptian linens and classic bistros with a twist. Set in a tree-lined Victorian terrace in the fashionable West End of Glasgow, One Devonshire Gardens is a luxury boutique hotel Dinner

Day 3 A stop at Glasgow's own distillery - Auchentonshan Distillery’s position as a long cherished landmark on the Glasgow horizon dates back to the time it was granted its distillery licence in 1823. Throughout its long history, the distillery, one of only a few remaining Lowland Malt Whisky Distilleries, has witnessed the development of Glasgow from its early industrial days, that saw its shipbuilding supremacy famed the world over, through to the modern and cosmopolitan Glasgow seen today. Ronnie Learmond has been at Auchentoshan for 23 years, and as he pours me a dram of his fine 21 year old his pride is obvious and understandable. He helped to make that spirit, it was his men who checked the casks over the years, and eventually despatched them for bottling. This is his passion, and he's been here through three ownership changes from Eadie Cairns to Morrison Bowmore which in turn was purchased by Suntory.

The next distillery is Glengoyne. The distillery is in the valley of a small river that eventually flows into the loch. Sheep graze on the hills behind and burns flow into a well-tended glen, forming a waterfall into the red sandstone hollow where ducks swim in the distillery's dam. It is said to have been established in 1833 and was earlier known as Burn Foot or Glen Guin. It is said that at one time the smoke from 13 stills could be seen in the area but now only Glengoyne remains. All distilleries have their tales and lore. Glengoyne is no exception and it is said that Rob Roy McGregor is reputed to have hid in an oak tree just a few hundred yards from the distillery. Here you can Create your very own blended whisky! Guests are welcomed with a dram of 10 year old Single Highland Malt before enjoying a guided tour of the distillery including a visit to the bonded warehouses. After the tour guests are invited in to our new state-of the-art whisky 'Sample Room' where they can taste 'Langs Select' blended whisky and award winning Glengoyne 17 year old Single Highland Malt whilst learning about the art of the Master Blender. Guests will then have the opportunity to create their own blend which will be bottled in a 100ml sample bottle for them to take home, along with a certificate.

Via the “Bonny Banks & Braes” of Loch Lomond, 23 miles long, Scotland’s largest lake, and through the sharp peaks of the Trossachs to Oban, on own to visit a pub and taste the Oban whisky Finally to the Isle of Eriska Hotel. 300 acre privately owned island, a 5 AA Red Star 25 bedroom hotel with world renowned 3 AA Rosette Restaurant Breakfast Dinner

Day 4 By way of Glencoe and Fort William to Mallaig and the Ferry to Skye and taste some of the local whiskey. The cross the Kyle of Lockcash to on to Torridon for the night. Set on a lake at the foot of a mountain, this Victorian beauty dating to 1887 is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and recognized by the Hideaway Report as one of Scotland's best hotels. Breakfast Dinner.

Day 5 By way of Drumnadricohit on Louch Ness and Urquhart Castle, jutting out on a strategic point into the Loch, which was blown up in 1692 to prevent Jacobite occupation. Drive through Inverness, the Highland capital on the River Ness to Culloden Moor which saw the last battle fought on Scottish soil in 1746, where the Duke of Cumberland defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie. Today the Battlefield is restored to its 1746 appearance. Overnight Culloden House Hotel Breakfast Dinner.

Culloden is a handsome Palladian country house which stands in nearly 40 acres where guests are free to wander about the elegant lawns and parkland to enjoy the exceptional peace, tranquility and majesty of the grounds. The interior features a wonderfully comfortable drawing-room with magnificent Adamesque plasterwork, many fine antiques and a large open fire.

Day 6 Explore the Golden East Coast – Cawdor Castle, Nairn, where steep red-sandstone cliffs sweep down to sheltered sandy coves and rocky outcrops, where thousands of sea birds flock together. Scattered farmsteads and fishing villages border the fertile land by Moray Firth, known as the “Granary of the North”. The Spey’s soft, peaty waters supply a host of malt whisky distilleries (there are over 60 distilleries in this area), and its rocky pools are alive with salmon and brown trout. Visit two of the greatest distilleries Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. Return to Culloden. Breakfast Dinner

Day 7 By way of Blair Atholl, Eradour Distillery Pitlochry, and Perth to St Andrews. Queen Victoria called Pitlochry the loveliest spa village in all of Europe and is always a favorite with visitors. Once in Pitlochry we will stop for lunch before visiting the Edradour Distillery which is the smallest distillery in all of Scotland. Established in 1825 very little about the day to day running of the distillery has changed, and you’ll sample a wee dram here. Overnight Rusacks Hotel, overlooking the 18th green. Breakfast

An historical, elegant and imposing building dating from the reign of Queen Victoria, Rusacks offers priceless views over the sea and St. Andrews Old Course, in particular the 1st and 18th holes. However ideal it may be for golfers, there is plenty to do and see for non-golfers and off-duty golfers alike. This grand hotel offers 48 well appointed en-suite bedrooms many of which overlook the course and St. Andrews Bay. The spectacular panoramas at Rusacks are best enjoyed over a rare malt whisky from the hotels considerable collection.

Day 8 Leisure day to explore St Andrews. St Andrews holds a special place in Scotland's history. It takes its name from the Apostle whose relics, legend tells us, were brought to this place in antiquity by St Rule. Scotland later adopted St Andrew as her patron saint and took his saltire cross for her flag. Before the Reformation, the town was the centre of religious life in medieval Scotland. St Andrews is also famous as a place of learning. The university, founded in 1410-11, is the third oldest in Britain. St Andrews is a town meant for exploring. The medieval layout of the town centre remains intact, with the main shopping areas concentrated in Market Street and South Street, with Bell Street and Church Street connecting the two principal streets. St Andrews is also the home of golf, the sport having been played here for some 600 years. The Old Course is arguably the most famous golf course in the world, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club is still the ruling body for the rules of golf. Private visit to the Countess of Dundee for tea at Birkhill Castle. Breakfast Tea

Day 9 By way of Stirling to Edinburgh. Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles, 250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano. Overnight The Radisson , This modern hotel has the best address in Edinburgh and couldn't have been in a better location. Right on the Royal Mile, between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Dinner on own

Stop at The Palace of Holyroodhouse This is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty the Queen and was once home to Mary Queen of Scots. The Palace stands at the end of Edinburgh ’s Royal Mile. The Royal apartments are used by the Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. The new Queen’s Gallery was opened recently by Her Majesty. The Gallery provides a state-of-the-art facility to enable exhibitions of the most delicate works of art from the Royal Collection to be seen in Scotland for the first time. As the palace is a working royal palace, opening arrangements may change at short notice. The Scottish Parliament is a striking addition to the Old Town Skyline, the building is architecturally stunning, set among beautiful public gardens.

The Royal Mile is the famous cobbled street linking the Castle with The Palace of Holyroodhouse and passing St. Giles High Kirk, John Knox House, The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Camera Obscura and many other museums and historic buildings of interest. Divert via The Grassmarket which retains the feel of a medieval market square. Stroll round the cobbled streets with spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle . The Grassmarket was where public executions took place and the gallows site is marked by a plaque. The adjoining Victoria Street, West Bow, Candlemaker Row and West Port offer a great choice of eating places and unique shops, including traditional Scottish gifts and antiques. Edinburgh Castle is Scotland 's top visitor attraction, and stands high upon an extinct volcano. See the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny in the Castle's Royal Apartments. Birthplace of James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, he became the first Stuart King of England after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Look for the tiny St. Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh 's oldest building. Listen for the One O'clock Gun, fired daily from Mills Mount Battery.

Traditional Scottish Dinner at Prestonfield (if travelling in August Dinner at Prestonfield is replaced by visiting the Military Tattoo) As the indulgent owner of historic Prestonfield, James Thompson has invested heavily in making the Taste of Scotland not just Scotland’s longest-running and most famous Scottish show, but Scotland’s best show by far! With an international reputation for creating some of Scotland’s most magical and famous restaurants, he hopes that your evening here, in the romantic setting of Prestonfield, will encourage you to discover more of Scotland’s diverse and wonderful culture, food, landscape and history. Breakfast Dinner

Day 11 Day at leisure. Final evening at Scotch Whisky Club Breakfast Dinner

Day 12 depart


Lough Lomond	Lough Lomond	Oban


Glencoe	Mallaig	Skye


Inverness	Lough Ness	Urquarht Castle


Blair Atholl	Eradour	Eradour

Scotland, home of Golf and Whisky, with Rozelle Putnam