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Scotland & the Military Tattoo August 17 - 30
Come with us to Scotland in August. The splendour of Scotland’s past comes alive at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. From the Castle that dominates the city the Pipes and Drums and military bands of not only Scottish Regiments but from around the world create a wild and wonderful musical tribute to the ancient nation. The rest of the City is yours to enjoy as well.
 The Edinburgh Tattoo
Then it’s up into the Highlands to Drumossie near Inverness where we will explore the area including Culloden, the Black Isle, mysterious wells and ancient standing stones.
At Fort Augustus we have a couple of nights to explore the highlands and Loch Ness. We have a special drive on the ‘other’ side of Loch Ness that captures the haunting beauty of the Highlands.
Skye is special. Eilean a Cheo - the Misty Isle - or Eilean Sgiannach - the Winged Isle. Both fitting but still not telling all the secrets of this stronghold of both the Vikings and later the Lords of the Isles. This is a place where the way of life has changed little over the centuries and where the memories of the past are still fresh and vibrant.
 Deer in the morning mist
Perthshire is another unique corner of Scotland. From Dunkeld and its tiny cathedral, it’s not far to Fortingall where legend has it that Pontius Pilate was born to a Scottish mother and a Roman father. It is also here that Europe’s oldest living tree - and ancient yew estimated to be close to 5,000 years old is still growing in the a church yard on the site of a Druid setting.Here too is the great little town of Aberfeldy, the lovely Loch Tay and the always breathtaking Scottish scenery.
*All hotels are listed as four star.
*Full breakfasts and all dinners included.
*Start time each day is 9:30 a.m. except for any special circumstance. We endeavor to get you back to the hotel about 4:30 p.m. each day.
* We rarely spend more than an hour to an hour and a half on the coach without a break for either coffee or a visit.
*All tours escorted by Andy & Bev Fraser, principals of the Fraser Connection.
* Maximum of 25 guests.
* Three nights Channings Hotel, Edinburgh
* Three nights Drumossie Hotel, near Inverness
* Two nights Lovat Arms, Fort Augustus
* Two nights Cuillin Hills, Portree, Isle of Skye
* Two nights Hilton Dunkeld Hydro, Dunkeld
* Last night at Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport
Price: $5,195 per person sharing. Single supplement $975
Tour only. Air and insurance not included.
August 16 - Early Day Holiday Inn Airport Hotel
August 17 - Just 10 minutes from our departure from the Holiday Inn Airport hotel we stop at Paisley Abbey where the Stewart dynasty began with the marriage of Walter the Steward to Marjory Bruce, daughter of King Robert the Bruce. The Abbey dates to the 12th century. Later we continue on our Royal Roads to the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. After lunch we’ll carry on the historic Forth Road and Rail bridges before arriving in Edinburgh and Channings for the next three nights. (Channings, Edinburgh)
August 18 - A city tour this morning covering the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat, the Leith Waterfront and all major highlights of this great City. Then on to Edinburgh Castle for a visit at your leisure before returning to the hotel. This evening we will attend the Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the esplanade of the castle. (Channings, Edinburgh)
August 19 - A totally free day to explore Edinburgh. Take in the Galleries, the Museums, the countless historic sites or be entertained by all the Festival events taking place. One day is not enough, but it will whet your appetite for future visits. (Channings, Edinburgh)
August 20 - We’re off to the highlands. Past Perth with a coffee break at the world famous Caithness Glass centre, up past Pitlochry, Blair Atholl to the House of Bruar for lunch before continuing our leisurely drive through the Cairngorms. A brief orientation of Inverness and then we’re into our hotel. (Drumossie, nr Inverness)
August 21 - Today we drive to Forres and their marvellous gardens to see a 20 foot tall Pictish battle memorial. We will also wander among the Clava Burial Cairns and standing stones dating back some 4,000 years as well as going to the new visitor centre and the grave sites where the Battle of Culloden was fought in 1746. (Drumossie, nr Inverness)
August 22 - Into Inverness for free time to explore and shop and enjoy the atmosphere of the only city in the highlands. Then back to our hotel. (Drumossie, nr. Inverness)
August 23 - On leaving Inverness we head north to the Black Isle to visit a ‘pagan’ sacred well still often used to this day. Then on to Beauly a constant winner of the Britain in Bloom competitions and home of one of the best Scottish Craft Shops. After lunch we head back towards Inverness before turning down the less visited side of Loch Ness for some of the best scenery in all of Scotland. (Lovat Arms Hotel, For Augustus)
August 24 - A Special drive today as we head south down the great glen before turing off towards Glenfinnan where we will visit the memorial erected on the spot where the clans gathered at the beginning of Prince Charlie's campaign. After our visit, we will lunch in Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis before returning to our highland hotel. (Lovat Arms, For Augustus)
August 25 - We’re off on the Road to the Isles, heading west past the majestic Five Sisters of Kintail to Eilean Donan Castle on the shores of Loch Duich. After our visit to the castle we’ll continue over to Skye, passing the cottage where Gavin Maxwell wrote the much loved ‘Ring of Bright Water’. We head across the Sleat Peninsula to visit the ancient home of the Lords of the Isles at Armadale, then up through the Red and the Black Cuillins to our great hotel overlooking the harbor in Portree. (Cuillin Hills, Portree, Skye)
August 26 - A relaxed day of exploring Skye including the majestic views from Kilt Rock, the Island village of Kilmuir, now a folk park of Skye Life, a visit to the grave of Flora MacDonald, the young woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from the redcoats. Then we cross the island to Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously occupied house in the United Kingdom and the home of the MacLeods. (Cuillin Hills, Portree, Skye)
August 27 - We leave Skye via the Bridge and return by the Five Sisters before turning south and lunching at Spean Bridge where there is a wonderful memorial to the Commandos who trained in these hills. We cut through Glen Spean and Loch Laggan before joining up the main road which will take us to Dunkeld and our home for the next two nights. (Dunkeld Hydro, Dunkeld)
August 28 - A former capital of Scotland back in the ninth century, we take time to visit the tiny Dunkeld Cathedral. Then it’s up the back roads through wonderful highland scenery to Fortingall where legend has it that Pontius Pilate was born. This is also the site of the oldest growing tree in Europe, a yew estimated to be between three and five thousand years of age. After so much ancient history, it’s time for a stop at the Aberfeldy distillery before heading back to the hotel. (Dunkeld Hydro, Dunkeld)
August 29 - Down the road this morning to Perth then over to Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the English in 1314. Then on to Stirling Castle for visit and lunch before a driving tour of Glasgow before returning to our starting point at Glasgow airport for our last night. (Holiday Inn, Glasgow Airport)
August 30 - Departure Day - No worry about getting to the airport on time for your return flight home. Just cross the road and you are in the terminal.
Itinerary is highlights only. As any who have travelled with us in the past know, we include much more than what is shown.
Price: $5,195 per person sharing. Single supplement $975 Tour only. Air and insurance not included. Please read fine print for legal details.
Please note that itineraries can be changed because of weather, road conditions or other matters. We will often switch days or events if we can avoid inclement weather and make your journey more pleasant.
Our August Scotland Hotels 2008
HOLIDAY INN GLASGOW AIRPORT - When you leave the airport terminal, cross the two lanes of traffic (plenty of crossing places) and walk in the door of the Holiday Inn. You don't need a taxi, just a luggage cart and the ability to walk about 30 yards! A modern well run airport hotel, the Holiday Inn is ideal for an early night and last night. No worrying about waiting for cabs or the coach. And they have an excellent dining room and the best breakfast buffet. www.holiday-inn.com
LOVAT ARMS HOTEL - FORT AUGUSTUS - A true highland hotel located within site of the end of Loch Ness. One of Scotland’s Hotels of Distinction and part of the ‘Best Loved Hotels of the World’, Lovat Arms is being totally renovated into one of the finest Highland hotels. Built on the site of the old Kilwhinnie Barracks of 1715, part of the old fort’s wall and gun embrasures are still to be seen. The hotel dates back before 1869. The food, the service, the rooms are excelent. A wonderful experience. www.lovatarms-hotel.com/
CUILLIN HILLS HOTEL - PORTREE, SKYE - The finest hotel in all of the Hebrides! Set on a hillside overlooking the historic harbour in Portree, the Cuillin Hills hotel is one of our favorites. The dining room is superb, the staff friendly (they just won the Scottish Hotel Staff Excellence Award for 2006), the rooms so comfortable and elegant. Also a member of Scotland’s Hotels of Distinction and a four time winner of the Royal Automobile Club’s Blue Ribbon Award. www.cuillinhills-hotel-skye.co.uk
DRUMOSSIE HOTEL - INVERNESS - A newly renovated four star hotel located between Culloden Moor and Inverness. An ideal location close to the city but without the noise of a city hotel. Every modern convenience yet retaining the classic old world highland hospitality and feel. Great tradition and modern cuisine - and an exceptionaly well stocked bar of whiskys. www.drumossiehotel.co.uk
DUNKELD HYDRO HOTEL - DUNKELD - One of the famous old ‘hyro’ hotels (or hydropathic) where the ‘right’ people would go to take the waters in the good old days. This four star Hilton hotel was an Edwardian country house and sits on 280 acres of land right on the Tay River. It was built as a summer home by a former Duke of Atholl for his wife. Excellent leisure centre and a great hotel for relaxing and exploring the area. www.hilton.co.uk/dunkeld
CHANNINGS HOTEL - EDINBURGH - A former Victorian Town House, Channings was converted to a hotel, incorporating other homes from the row in the Edwardian period. Situated opposite peaceful gardens, yet only minutes from the heart of Edinburgh and the castle, Channings is a hotel of elegance and comfort and was voted Edinburgh's Hotel of the Year last year. The hotel is a regular winner of the most friendly hotel. Comfortable lounges, a cozy and friendly pub downstairs and a superb dining room makes this one of Scotland's most charming hotels. www.channings.co.uk
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