| Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Overnight Flight to Glasgow | Overnight Flight to Glasgow : Depart your North American gateway city and travel through the night to Glasgow. Land only tour starts on day 2. | | Day 2 | Glasgow | Glasgow City Tour : Arrive in Glasgow Airport where your CIE Tours tour director or representative will greet you. Complimentary group transfers depart Glasgow Airport at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. Your hotel is centrally located within easy reach of major attractions and the shops of Buchanan Street. At 3:00 pm take a coach tour to see the main attractions of Glasgow including red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks, Glasgow Cathedral and the River Clyde, once famous for shipbuilding. Visit extensive collections in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, originally opened in 1901 and recently refurbished. Chat with your tour director and fellow travelers over a welcome drink before dinner. (D) | | Day 3 | Inverness | Loch Lomond Cruise & Loch Ness : Depart Glasgow and drive north along the banks of Loch Lomond with views of Ben Lomond and other Highland peaks. At Tarbet embark on a short cruise to appreciate the beauty and peacefulness of this famous loch and admire panoramic views. Then journey across mysterious Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe, a spectacular glen made famous by the Campbells' massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Travel beside Loch Ness and pause for photos at the huge ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to your hotel in the center of Inverness. After dinner enjoy a special ceilidh, traditional Scottish entertainment with singers, a piper and Highland dancers in your hotel. (B, D) | | Day 4 | Inverness | Sheepdog Trials & Culloden Battlefield : Enjoy a leisurely day of discovery in the lovely countryside and majestic Highland scenery. Just south of Aviemore visit Leault Farm to see a team of dogs herd sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Learn how each dog responds to individual whistles and meet collie puppies, bottle-feed orphan lambs and see sheep-shearing. Drive to Culloden Moor to tour the Visitor Centre. Walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British Government forces defeated the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. Return to Inverness mid-afternoon to relax or browse around on your own before dinner. (B, D) | | Day 5 | Aberdeen | Glenfiddich Whisky Distillery & Shortbread : Drive along the coastal route through Nairn and Elgin and head south into Speyside, the region where many of Scotland's famous distilleries are located. Stop in Craigellachie to visit the family-owned Speyside Cooperage which produces fine casks from American oak using traditional methods and tools. Although shipped around the world, most of the casks supply a vital component to Scotland's whisky-making process. A few miles further on tour the Glenfiddich Distillery and enjoy a "wee dram." In Huntly visit Dean's to watch staff make Scottish shortbread and learn about its history. Continue to Blairs to your elegant 19th century mansion in time for dinner. (B, D) | | Day 6 | Aberdeen | Crathes Castle & Royal Deeside : Visit Crathes Castle, a fairytale Renaissance castle completed in 1594 with a wealth of fine furnishings. Take time to walk through the wonderful gardens. Drive along the charming River Dee Valley, called "Royal Deeside" as it was first favored by Queen Victoria. Stop in Braemar, where the Royal Family attends Highland games that are held each summer. Return through Royal Deeside passing Balmoral Castle where the Royal Family vacations during August and visit their lovely Crathie Church. Near the village of Banchory stop at the Falls of Feugh, a charming tea shop, which is popular with local people. Sample afternoon tea with delicious freshly-baked scones and enjoy a talk on Highland life. Return to Blairs for some free time to relax before dinner at your hotel. (B, D) | | Day 7 | Edinburgh | St. Andrews & Coast of Fife : Travel south through the lush countryside of Aberdeenshire and cross the modern Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, the "Home of Golf." See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course and enjoy free time to visit the British Golf Museum or browse through the medieval town with its cathedral and castle. Take the coastal route south through the picturesque "East Neuk" fishing villages. While fishing is no longer the main industry, the towns retain an old-world charm. Stop for a walk around the cobbled streets of Anstruther, a rabbit-warren of alleyways and wynds. Continue south into Edinburgh and check in to your hotel in the New Town. In the evening head to the cozy Beehive Inn for an informal pub dinner and then join a local guide for a fun walking tour to discover the haunts of Edinburgh's many colorful characters. (B, D) | | Day 8 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh Castle & City Tour : This morning explore Edinburgh on a sightseeing tour. Compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town" with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Finish your tour at the imposing Edinburgh Castle where you can see historic buildings and enjoy a splendid view of Edinburgh. In the afternoon take an open-top hop-on hop-off independent bus tour to see more of this great city. On July 31 to August 21 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B) | | Day 9 | Depart Edinburgh Airport or Extend your Stay | Depart Edinburgh Airport or Extend your Stay : If you are on a 9-day tour, your vacation ends with a group transfer to arrive at Edinburgh Airport by 6:30 am or 9:00 am. This will allow you plenty of time for check-in procedures and duty-free shopping before boarding the aircraft for your return to the United States. A transfer to Glasgow Airport will be provided on request at a cost of $75 per person. If you have booked our 10-day tour, spend an additional day in Edinburgh on your own. As your open-top bus tour pass is valid for 24 hours, you may continue to use it in the morning. Then take a shuttle bus transfer to Edinburgh Airport on following day. (B) |
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2010 - Escorted Coach Tours: Scotland 
