Edinburgh - Travel down the famous Royal Mile stopping to visit Greyfriars Bobby The famous Skye Terrier so devoted to his master John Gray, even in death, that for fourteen years Bobby lay on the grave only leaving for food. Pass the Scottish Parliament building to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the Queen in Scotland. The palace was home to Mary Queen of Scots for six years and houses beautiful tapestries and paintings. Visit Edinburgh Castle in time to hear the one o' clock gun and view the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. Travel to Leith to see the Royal Yacht Brittania where presidents, kings and queens were entertained and which was, first and foremost, the home from home of the Royal family when entertaining abroad. Travel north to Stirling, the perfect gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
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Overnight at Barcelo Highland Hotel Stirling, a beautiful spa hotel offering first class accommodation and a restaurant serving traditional and international gourmet cuisine.
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Passing Stirling Castle which overlooks the River Forth and stopping at the Wallace Monument where William Wallace defeated the army of Edward I and climb the 246 steps where magnificent views await you. Continue to Doune and venture into the Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Travel through the Port of Menteith and Aberfoyle and around Loch Achray and along the shore of Loch Venachar through Brig o’Turk. Magnificent landscapes and a wealth of wildlife. Travel north west towards Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, some of the most spectacular mountain scenery anywhere. Travel over the Ballachulish bridge and on to Fort William, passing Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
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Overnight at the Inverlochy Castle Hotel nestling in the foothills of the mighty Ben Nevis. Queen Victoria wrote in her diaries 'I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot'.
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Skye - Travel west passing Loch Eil to the Glenfinnan Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in 1845, which also overlooks the Glenfinnan viaduct used in the Harry Potter films and onto Mallaig to catch the ferry to Skye. Travel north to Broadford and stop for lunch at Creelers Restaurant one of the best known and most popular seafood restaurants on Skye. Travel through Portree up the east side of the island past the Old Man of Storr, a 160 ft basalt pillar dominating the local landscape and stopping at the viewpoint to capture the spectacular Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock. The waterfall drops 300 feet into the sea often never reaching the ocean. Travel to Staffin Bay where Dinosaur footprints were found on the beach in 2002 and, weather permitting, take a short one and a half hour boat trip around the Bay. Return to the south of the island.
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Overnight at Duisdale House Hotel, a grand Victorian house surrounded by extensive mature gardens and the historic Duisdale forest and panoramic views across the Sound of Sleat.
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Inverness - In the morning visit the Clan Donald Centre which incorporates Armadale Castle Gardens and the Museum of the Isles then travel back to the mainland via the Skye Bridge. Stop at Eilean Donan Castle, situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery. Travel through some of the most stunning mountain scenery towards Invergarry and north up the west side of Loch Ness stopping at Urquhart Castle which stands on a rocky promontory on the north shore of Loch Ness with stunning views of the glen and a chance to spot the famous Loch Ness Monster. Travel to Inverness.
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Your hotel is The Culloden House Hotel, a handsome Palladian country house which stands in nearly 40 acres of parkland, requisitioned by Bonnie Prince Charlie prior to the Battle of Culloden.
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Inverness - Travel to Culloden battlefield, the last hand-to-hand battle fought on British soil which takes on a whole new meaning with the opening of an exciting new visitor centre and interactive exhibition. Visit the nearby Clava Cairns, the site of an exceptionally well preserved group of Bronze Age burial cairns that were built about 4,000 years ago. Visit Cawdor Castle which dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. The ancient medieval tower was built around the legendary holly-tree and is not another cold monument, but a splendid house and the home of the Campbell family to this day. Alternatively, share a dram at Glenfiddich Distillery home of the most awarded single malt Scotch whisky in the world. Return to Inverness and overnight at Culloden House Hotel.
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Leave Inverness for Pitlochry and take a tour of Scotland's smallest distillery, Edradour, and last of the original farm distilleries in Scotland. Nearby visit the House of Bruar nestling at the side of the famous Bruar Falls, for a variety of shopping opportunities in Scotland's most prestigious country store. There is also an extensive range of Scottish foods for the gourmet and a fabulous 'country kitchen' restaurant. Onto Glamis Castle the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Spires, turrets, towers and statues will seize your attention initially, but there is so much more to explore in this legendary Castle with its strong links with history, royalty and fiction. Travel to Blairgowrie.
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Overnight at Kinloch House Hotel a fine example of a Scottish country house overlooking a wide and lush valley
and standing in 25 acres of countryside. The very best of Scottish hospitality and a truly fabulous dining experience.
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Travel to Scone Palace the crowning place of Scottish Kings, now the cherished family home of the Earl of Mansfield. In the extensive grounds of Scone Palace there is a replica of the Stone of Destiny and the chapel on Moot Hill where the coronations took place. Return to Edinburgh stopping at the Falkirk Wheel, a stunning piece of engineering which connects the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals. The journey starts by sailing into the bottom gondola of The Wheel, which then makes a graceful sweep, lifting the boat up to join the Union Canal 35m above where you can enjoy the stunning views of the spectacular surrounding scenery. Return to Edinburgh.
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This is a typical 7 Day Tour to give some idea of what is available, although any of these can be tailored to suit the individual. Lengthen or shorten your tour or incorporate any sights or areas that might be of particular interest. The accommodation listed in the itinerary is mainly 5 star but 3 and 4 star options are also available.
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