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WINTER IN SCOTLAND
 Why
not let mclean scotland organise your visit in the
winter? The colours are different, the
landscape has changed from very colourful greens,
browns, reds, the gold and blue, to white & blue,
snow covered hills and mountains. Scotland is
so special in the winter months, we do not have so
many tourists, which means we can show you around at
your leisure, stop for a snowball fight, build a
snowman ( a Scottish man of course! ) and bask in
front of real fires at our Highland Inns and Hotels.
There is nothing like having a dram ( or beer ) in
front of a real fire after dinner! Very soon
we shall be placing a couple more touring ideas here for your perusal, so
watch this space!!
THE WEST COAST SPECIAL
Even
in the winter, our west coast does not get the heavy
snows and winds you might imagine. Why? Because the
Mexican Gulf Stream runs right past our coast and
warms the waters of the coast and western islands.
You would not believe that you were higher in
latitude than Moscow! But we are. So what of these
tour ideas –
  
   
A
fully GUIDED TOUR FOR 2 - 6 PEOPLE:
Our driver/guide will meet you at either airport
Glasgow or Edinburgh, or even a railway, then warm
you up with a wee nip before we set off. Well it has
been know for some of we Scots to partake in a wee
dram or two on the cold mornings. Off we go along
the banks of Loch Lomond right to its head where we
turn west. We are now driving through rugged
mountainous country with stunning views at each
direction. We stop overnight at Dalmally, a hunting
lodge over 100 years old, a friendly atmosphere with
quality food, individually furnished bedrooms
offering warmth and comfort. Dinner is at your
leisure tonight as you may be starving, or just
peckish, much depends on your travel today. The
lodge offers excellent meals.
Day two: we explore Oban today as we head west yet
again, arriving at this famous seaport and ferry
terminal. Free time here: Oban whisky distillery,
walk along the esplanade, shops and inns aplenty, McCaigs Tower is a real eye opener! We leave Oban
and drive the few miles to Dunstaffnage castle, a
huge imposing structure set on a scenic bay
overlooking Loch Linnhe. From here we travel east
along the loch shore through Appin, with Castle
Stalker on our left, out in the loch. As we arrive
in Ballachulish we are heading south now and will
stop for a lunch break. After which we drive into
our most infamous glen: Glencoe. Normally stunning
in the winter months, we take time here to view the
glen and massive glen walls of rock, with mountain
passes strung out between. On our way home to the
hotel we drive through Rannoch Moor a desolate
place, one of the last true wildernesses in Europe.
Back to our hotel in time to relax and ready for
dinner.
Day three: we head south this morning to Inveraray,
where we have some freetime to wander around this
lochside town. We set out again through lochs and
glens with a stop for lunch on Loch Fyne, , this
historic country hotel offers award-winning food,
fabulous scenery and a warm welcome. We end the day
driving south to Glasgow where we will have time to
explore this – Scotland’s largest city. So much to
see and do, so many restaurants, pubs and museums!
Where do we stay? In a unique location, set in a
tree-lined square adjoining Glasgow Cathedral, only
10 minutes walk from Glasgow city centre. Delicious
food is available for this evening, the last of your
tour.
Your tour ends tonight with accommodation here in
Glasgow, your driver will bid you farewell. A full
Scottish breakfast awaits you next morning.
COST FOR THIS TOUR will depend on how many in your
party, what dates you choose and what attractions
you wish to add to the itinerary. Please e mail us
at: winter@mcleanscotland.co.uk
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WINTER IN
PERTHSHIRE
A THREE NIGHT BREAK
FOR 2 – 6 PEOPLE
AN ESCORTED TOUR
with KILTED DRIVER/GUIDE
  
Your
kilted driver guide meets you at Glasgow
airport/railway station, transfers luggage into
vehicle and welcomes you aboard with a dram and
shortbread! You take the drive north past Stirling
castle on your right and on into the Perthshire
hills. First stop will be Perth itself, where a
brief city tour will commence. See the Fair Maid’s
house dated 1394 (famous in Sir Walter Scott’s novel
of same name), the old hospital dating to the 16th
century and finally drive down the river side road
on your way out of the city. Next stop Dunkeld,
once the religious capital of Scotland – in the time
of MacBeth. A nice wee town full of character where
we linger a while longer. Then our destination for
the next few nights: Pitlochry.
 
The small friendly hotel boasts
a conservatory and guest lounges, warm and welcoming
and occupy an enviable position facing south,
looking out to a panoramic view that changes with
the seasons. The perfect place to relax after your
day out and sample the wide selection of wines,
Beers, Spirits and Scottish Malts. The hotel retains
its original charm, beautifully appointed bedrooms,
the larder - provided by the Scottish lochs, hills
and glens of Perthshire, with organic herbs and
garden vegetables, have established the hotel a
favourite for dining - Aberdeen Angus Steak cooked
with Edradour whisky and wild mushrooms from the
base of Ben y vrackie mountain, home baked Drambuie
Bread & Butter Pudding, " a desert to die for ".
Scottish Beef, Lamb and game are provided by local
butchers and only the finest quality fish and
seafood are sourced for your table. Home from home!
DAY
TWO we take you on a Perthshire
roundabout tour today which includes: the oldest
living thing in Europe, the Fortingall Yew Tree, a
whisky distillery tour complete with dram, Blair
Atholl Castle, Queens View and heaps of stunning
scenery. We will stop for a lunch break somewhere
along the route, depending on the time and your
hunger! We arrive back at the hotel as it just gets
dark. Relax and enjoy your surroundings.
DAY
THREE so where can we visit today? Well
how about driving over the moors and mountains to
Glenshee! A wild and desolate place where the
mountains are unforgiving and the scenery is harsh.
After a drive through the glen we suddenly hit upon
a lush wee village – Braemar. A haven in the
wilderness, a castle, a river and bridge (isn’t
there always that in Scotland?), nice wee shops to
wander round and, of course a pub. Lets settle in
for lunch here and enjoy peace. After lunch we head
up to take a peep at Balmoral – closed in winter,
but we can still see where it is and what it looks
like. We return to Pitlochry along the same route
but in reverse – funny how it always looks different
going the other way! Your last night at Pitlochry,
so why not make it special with a good meal and
wine,followed by a dram or three.
DAY
FOUR as we head back to Glasgow we savour
the final strands of Highland Perthshire and relive
those magic moments, reviewing your digital photos!
Your driver will drop you once again at the airport
of the city centre, as pre arranged. We hope you
enjoyed your Perthshire tour.
COST FOR THIS TOUR will depend on how many in your
party, what dates you choose and what attractions
you wish to add to the itinerary. Please e mail us
at: winter@mcleanscotland.co.uk
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