|
20 July
coach will pick up at Glasgow airport at 8am.
We will then drive east to Edinburgh airport,
where we pick up at 9.15 the remainder of
the group (except two who arrive after 2pm). In
each airport please wait at international
arrivals, Willie Auld, your tour manager will
come and meet you. Once all aboard we set out
for Stirling castle, our first stop. The
castle is an extra stop today and entry is not
included in the tour package. It has rest rooms,
restaurant, shop and of course - the castle
itself is superb, one area that is a must; the
museum to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
Regiment. From the castle we head west through
glorious countryside to Loch Lomond, where we
will stop at Tarbet for a short while, rest
rooms and photos! From here into the Argyll
forest and more wonderful scenery, including a
stop at the head of the "rest and be thankful"
mountain pass. Inveraray is none too far from
here as we drive alongside more lochs,
eventually to the Loch Fyne Hotel, Inveraray
for some free time before the welcome dinner.
You will meet up with any other tour members
arriving later. DINNER IS AT 7PM.
 |
21 July
Free time this morning to relax or check out the
town. Inveraray castle is good, as too the Jail
and floating museum, shops and lochside walks. A
half day trip to Castle Sween and
Kilmory Knap Chapel starts prompt at 12
noon from the hotel. This will involve a
fair amount of driving as the roads are very
small and winding, we will also be stopping to
look out over clan lands near Dunardy.
The first call will be the chapel, wee so it is,
but so interesting. Then we approach Castle
Sween from the south, giving you the best views
of this ancient pile. The owners of the land
nearby do not allow vehicles so there is a wee
bit of walking involved here. Please bear in
mind there are no rest rooms here. Our final
stop will be at Dunardy. From here we track back
to the hotel. Dinner is not included this
evening, we suggest; your hotel (3 options), the
George Hotel in town, both very good.
DINING OUT IN INVERARAY
we hope this will give you an idea of what is
available to you whilst in Inveraray. The
George Hotel; Main Street, fantastic pub
with great food and even better atmosphere,
stone floors, wood everywhere and a great bar
with great staff, friends of mcleanscotland.
Cottage Restaurant; opposite the George down
a wee lane, open until 8ish with fine food,
seafood, fish suppers etc, owned by Mrs Munro.
Brambles; Main street, very nice but may
close approx 5.30, though if there are a group
of you wishing to dine here they will stay open
if you call the day previous. ask for Stuart.
Finally, Your Hotel; have many options
and menus available, easy to sit and enjoy
without the walk to town. Willie and Paul have
eaten there and can recommend it.
 |
22 July
Departing at 9am; Kilmartin Glen, first
stop; Dunadd,
the ancient seat of the Kings of Dalriada. we
then take you to see ancient standing stones and
burial cairns, Willie will walk you around
these. There
is a
mausoleum in the Kilmartin churchyard housing a
number of gravestones. One of the stones has on
it a figure of a warrior - pleated waste coat,
iron helmet, sword and spear. Across his chest
is carved MacTavish. The stone dates from the
14th or 15th century. More than one Dunardry
MacTavish, including Dugald MacTavish were
buried in the Kilmartin Churchyard. Time here to
see all the stones and wee Kirk. The
Kilmartin Inn has food available for those
wishing, or simply a refreshment. We then head
to Carnassarie Castle, again, there is an
amount of walking involved here, steep at times.
There are no entry fees at Kilmartin or the
castle (except the museum). We then set out on a
winding road north to Oban, where free
time is available; whisky distillery, shops,
wonderful seafood at the pier and of course
pubs! Auleys Bar is a favourite. From here we
pay a brief visit to Dunstaffnage Castle
(entry not included in tour package). The final
visit of the day will be to St Conan's Kirk
on Loch Awe. From here we track back to the
hotel. Dinner is not included this evening.
23 July
this morning we depart Inveraray at 8.30am
sharp please, and head through Glencoe,
where we take a brief photo stop at a superb
viewpoint, before another brief stop near
Ballachulish. Then past Fort William to Glenfinnan, on to Loch Ness reaching
Inverness for an overnight stay at the Palace
Hotel. Just the one
night here. Dinner
is not included this evening,
our suggestions; your hotel, the Columba
Hotel next door (bar), the
Mustard Seed restaurant
or Johnnie Foxes
Irish pub are all good choices. As too is
another friend of mcleanscotland, indeed its
owned by McLean's; The
Castle Tavern near the castle, great pub
and food here.
 |
24 July we depart the hotel at 9am for
a visit Culloden Battlefield (entry
included) this
morning, a superb exhibition and display of the
battle and everything associated with it before
and after. Please take care to be back on the
coach at the requested time (see Willie). We
then head south along the A9 route to Pitlochry
- approx 2 hours - where a whisky distillery
visit is next! Enjoy a tour around Scotland's
smallest distillery in a beautiful setting,
including a dram of course! Rest rooms here. Your day ends in Edinburgh for the gathering,
staying at the Royal Terrace Hotel. You
will meet Paul McLean again here with Liz
Gillespie of MCLEANSCOTLAND, please collect your
Passports to the Gathering here.
Dinner
is not included this evening, in
your tour notes will be many suggestions where to find pubs and
restaurants etc. Enjoy the Capital!
NOTE; WILLIE, YOUR TOUR
MANAGER WILL BE DEPARTING THE TOUR AT PERTH, SO
PLEASE SAY YOUR THANKS TO HIM BEFORE HE LEAVES
THE COACH, THANK YOU.
25 July second day in our capital, many
gathering events taking place today. Overnight
Edinburgh
26 July final day of gathering events in
Edinburgh, more news as we get it. Overnight
Edinburgh. MCLEANSCOTLAND have their whisky tasting
and storytelling night tonight. If you wish to
come along it is by ticket only, so please order
now.
27 July free time in Edinburgh – your final
day here in Scotland. Overnight Edinburgh
28 July a sad farewell as you leave for the
airport and home, should any of you need taxis to
the airport, we suggest arranging this with the
hotel the night before. TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
|
Home |
Whisky Tours |
Self Drive |
Golf Tours |
All Tours |
Historic Tours |
Specialist Tours |
FAQs |
Contact
