Castles and Sheep

                                       Itinerary

 

Wed, Sept 23

UNITED STATES TO EDINBURGH
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meals as you travel to start your vacation.

 

 

Thur, Sept 24
EDINBURGH ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING
Land in Edinburgh and after you disembark, pass through customs and immigration checks at the airport. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Scotland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Take a tour of Scotland's capital city. Start your sightseeing with a drive through the heart of the city along Princes Street, famous for its shops on one side and gardens on the other. See the 18th century New Town with its broad streets, spacious squares and elegant town houses. Then drive along the Royal Mile and view the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty The Queen. Stop for a guided tour of the imposing Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city on volcanic rock. Then drive to your hotel and check in. Freshen up before tonight’s welcoming festivities.
In the evening attend a Scottish Evening where you can sample some Scottish specialties including haggis and enjoy a show with traditional music, bagpipes and singing.
OVERNIGHT: GEORGE HOTEL, EDINBURGH

 

 

Fri, Sept 25

MOONDANCE WOOLS & THE KNIT STUDIO

After breakfast, drive to Harrogate via Eyemouth to visit Moondance Wools (Farm and shop) which sells an assortment of yarn, woolen product, and fleece. Continue to Newcastle to visit The Knit Studio.  Then check into your hotel and settle into your room before dinner with you fellow travelers tonight.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT:   OLD SWAN HOTEL, HARROGATE

 

 

Sat, Sept 26

YARNDALE  AND OLD BLACKSMITH SHOP

Today after a hearty Scottish breadfast enjoy some time to explore Yarndale described as a "creative festival celebrating all things wooly and wonderful."  Then motor to the border town of Gretna Green, made famous by marriages performed at the blacksmith's forge.  Visit the Old Blacksmith's Shop before continuing on to Glasgow. Check into your hotel and freshen up before dinner with your fellow travelers tonight.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL, GLASGOW

 

 

Sun, Sept 27

NEW LANARK VISITOR ENTRE & STIRLING CASTLE

Visit the New Lanark Visitor Center today, the best example in Scotland of an industrial heritage village. The Center gives visitors a glimpse of 18th Century life under Robert Owen's paternalistic management whose far-reaching ideas on the care of his workers made New Lanark famous. New Lanark was originally a cotton mill but now produces, and sells wool. Next drive through the beautiful countryside to the historic town of Stirling where you will visit Stirling Castle.  Captured from the English in 1297 by William Wallace and again in 1314 by Robert the Bruce, Stirling Castle has been featured largely throughout Scottish history. After your sightseeing return to your hotel in Glasgow where the evening is free for individual pursuits and dining.

OVERNIGHT: GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL, GLASGOW

 

 

Mon, Sept 28

WEAVERS COTTAGE & CRUISE ON LOCH LOMOND

Leaving Glasgow this morning after breakfast at your hotel visit Weaver's Cottage. The 18th centrury cottage depicts life for a handloom weaver. See how tartan was made and even try the spinning wheel.  After your visit continue north to take a cruise on the celebrated Loch Lomond, Scotland's longest loch.  Enjoy wonderful scenic views as you travel through the islands, one of which is the burial place of the Chiefs of the Clan MacGregor.  Continue your journey north to Kyle of Lochalsh and check into your hotel. Settle into your room before dinner with your group tonight.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT:  LOCHALSH HOTEL, KYLE OF LOCHALSH

 

 

Tue, Sept 29

EXCURSION TO THE ISLE OF SKYE

This morning drive along the "Road to the Isles" through some of Scotland's loveliest scenery.  Stop for a visit at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most iconic images of Scotland.  Eilean Donan is situated on an island at the point where three great sea locks meet, and is surrounded by some majestic scenery.  At least four different versions of the castle have been build and re-built as the feudal history of Scotland unfolded through the centuries on this site.  Next visit the Armadale Castle Gardens, 40 acres of fascinating gardens and woodland area.  Magnificent trees, some almost 200 years old, tower about stunning carpets of bluebells, orchids and wildflowers in spring and summer.  Stroll the recently developed areas such as the ponds, herbaceous borders and tranquil terrace walks.  Also visit the Museum of the Isles before returning to your hotel in time for dinner and your overnight stay.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: LOCHALSH HOTEL, KYLE OF LOCHALSH

 

 

Wed, Sept 30

CAWDOR CASTEL & WHISKEY DISTILLERY TOUR AND TASTING

Depart Lochalsh this morning and moter east to visit Cawdor Castle with its extensive gardens.  This family home for over 600 years is the reputed place of the murder of Duncan, Thane of Cawdor, immortalized in Shakespear's play 'Macbeth." Then visit a local whiskey distillery.  Enjoy a guided tour to learn  how the drink is made and have a sample of the finished product.  Then drive to your hotel in Inverness and check in for dinner and overnight stay.

DINNER AND OVERNIGHT:  PALACE HOTEL, INVERNESS

 

 

Thur, Oct 1

ARTISAN THREADS, BRODIE CASTLE & CULLODEN VISITOR CENTRE

This morning visit Artisan Threads shop. Here see a wide selection of yarn, patterns and accessories. Get a demonstration on Pirn spinning.  Then visit the Brodie Castle east of Forres.  The castle is based on a 16th century Z-plan with later additions, and houses fine French furniture, porcelain and painting collection. Then continue through the dramatic scenery of the Highlands, and the Cairgorm Mountains to Culloden Moor to tour the Visitor Centre.  Walk around the battlefield where, on April 16, 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Facobite Stuarts to the British throne.  The brutal measures imposed after the battle signaled the end of the distinctive Highland way of life and culture.  After your visit, return to Inverness and freshen up before dinner with your fellow travelers.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT:  PALACE HOTEL, INVERNESS

 

 

Fri, Oct 2.

BLAIR ATHOLL DISTILLERY &  HEATHERGEMSN

Leaving Inverness drive sough through the majestic scenery of the Highlands with many rugged peaks and past the Cairngorm Mountains and Avievore, popular for winter sports.  Stop to visit the Blair Atholl Distillery where you can see the process of whiskey production and sample the finished product at the end of the tour.  Next visit Heathergems, enjoy some time to shop unique Scottish jewelry and gifts.  Then continue your journey to Edinburgh.  Check into your hotel where the evening is free for sightseeing, shopping and independent dining.

OVERNIGHT: CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, EDINBURGH

 

 

Sat, Oct 3
RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Today your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Edinburgh Airport in plenty of time to check in for your transatlantic flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft. Enjoy your flight across the Atlantic Ocean back to your hometown in the United States.