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The Highlands & Islands Sample Itinerary 2017 Day by day itinerary The Highlands and Islands of Scotland The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have much to offer everyone; from families in search of adventure, to history enthusiasts exploring ancient castles and ancestral heritage. Golfers can practice their swing on some of the world's finest golf courses, and of course there are a few fine whisky distilleries to explore. The Highlands and Islands Sample Itinerary 2 2017 Day by day itinerary We have highlighted the main points of your journey on the map below. The Highlands and Islands Sample Itinerary 3 2017 Day by day itinerary Day 1 Arrival to Edinburgh, afternoon touring with a visit to Edinburgh Castle 9.00am Welcome to Scotland! Make your way through security to meet you private driver, who will be waiting for you in arrivals holding a name board. He will then transfer you from the airport to the G&V Hotel. The G&V Hotel This boutique hotel has a prime location on the corner of George IV Bridge & the Royal Mile, just steps from Edinburgh Castle. The rooms have been decorated in a bold & beautiful design, with splashes of colour brightening up the rooms. Soak up the scenic city views (including exceptional panoramas of the castle) from your bedroom window! Morning at leisure to relax and unpack 2.00pm This afternoon, your local guide will meet you in the lobby of the hotel and take you on a walking tour of the city, to include the Old Town, the historic Royal Mile and ending at Edinburgh Castle. Old Town Edinburgh's Old Town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets, narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards, all amazingly well preserved and steeped in the city's history. At its centre is the Royal Mile, a remarkable street of Reformation-era tenement buildings leading from the seat of Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock down to the grandiose Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile The Royal Mile is probably the oldest street in Edinburgh, connecting Edinburgh Castle in the west with Palace of Holyroodhouse in the east. The street now houses an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions including the narrow 15th century house owned by John Knox, the Real Mary King's Close, St Giles' Cathedral and the ultra-modern Scottish Parliament building. Edinburgh Castle This instantly recognisable fortress dominates Scotland's capital and gives stunning views of the city and the countryside. Housed inside the castle are the Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland which are even older than their counterparts in London! The oldest building in the castle is St Margaret's Chapel that dates back to the 12th century. Listen out for the One O'Clock Gun that is fired every day except for Sunday; apparently it can be heard two miles away in Leith Harbour! 5.30pm After the tour, your guide will help you back to your hotel and will then depart. Evening at leisure – we would suggest dining at The Witchery at the Castle O/N at the G&V Hotel A: 1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1AD T: +44 (0) 131 220 6666 The Highlands and Islands Sample Itinerary 4 2017 Day by day itinerary Day 2 Visit to Royal Yacht Britannia 8.30am This morning, your private driver will meet you in the lobby the G&V to transfer you to the Royal Yacht Britannia. 9.00am A Private Morning Tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia A red carpet awaits as you come on board via the Royal Brow, an entrance previously reserved for The Queen and the Royal Family. Your specialist guide will meet you to give you a unique insight into the history of the Royal Yacht and how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board. The Royal Yacht Britannia served Queen and country for forty four years on 968 official voyages, from the remotest regions of the South Seas to the deepest depths of Antarctica. After your tour enjoy fresh coffee, specialty teas and a selection of freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam as you enjoy the stunning waterfront views. After your tour your private driver will transfer you back to the city centre. 1.00pm Lunch at leisure – we would suggest Centotre Afternoon at leisure to hike up Arthurs Seat for amazing views over the city! Balance of afternoon and evening at leisure. O/N at the G&V Hotel The Highlands and Islands Sample Itinerary 5 2017 Day by day itinerary Day 3 Day tour through the Cairngorms up into the Highlands 9.00am Check out of the G&V and depart with your private driver-guide for your visit to Scone Palace 10.30am A visit to Scone Palace Scottish Kings throughout history were once crowned on the stone of Scone in the Palace. The Stone of Destiny, as it is known, has however since been moved to Edinburgh Castle. The legacy of the former Kings and Queens is still very much apparent at Scone with the Palace brimming with fine furniture, paintings and pottery that the monarchs collected over the centuries; there is even a bedhanging made by Mary, Queen of Scots whilst she was imprisoned on Loch Leven. Venture into the gardens to try out the ‘tartan’ beech tree maze in the shape of the Heraldic Murray Star. Depart with your private driver-guide for lunch at leisure. 1.30pm Stop for Lunch at leisure in the quaint town of Pitlochry - we would suggest The Moulin Hotel. Make sure to see the famous Salmon Ladder as well! After your lunch depart from Pitlochry for Balmoral Castle, driving through the beautiful Cairngorms National Park Cairngorms National Park Britain's highest and most massive mountain range, its biggest and best ancient forests, vast moorlands, fields and villages, rivers and lochs, red squirrels, reindeer, ospreys, eagles, wildcats in the woods... Nowhere else in Britain has the range of landscapes all in one place that the Cairngorms has; it is a unique part of Scotland celebrated for its diversity. There are traces of people who were here 7,000 years ago, and amazingly, you can still see the remains from prehistoric, Celtic and Pictish times. The archaeological record and Gaelic place names illuminate the history of the relationship between people and place in the Cairngorms. A visit to Balmoral Castle Once a private getaway for Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert, Balmoral Castle is still a yearly retreat for the Royal Family. Queen Victoria described this place as a ‘dear paradise.’ The castle is surrounded Caledonian Forest, which was created at the end of the last Ice Age. After your visit, your private driver-guide will transfer you to your next hotel, The Boath House, for check in. The Boath House This luxurious country house hotel is family run, with care and attention showing in everything the family do! The hotel is renowned for its Michelin starred food and all the bedrooms are differently designed with views over the lake and walled gardens. The Boath House A: Auldearn, Nairn, IV12 5TE T: +44 (0) 1667 454 896 The Highlands and Islands Sample Itinerary 6 2017 Day by day itinerary Day 4 Full day tour exploring the Highlands & Speyside Whisky Trail 9.00am This morning depart from The Boath House with your private driver-guide for a full day tour Enjoy the Speyside Whisky Trail Whisky distilleries were founded in an environment rich in the highest quality ingredients: pure, clear spring water and abundant supplies of fragrant golden barley. On the whisky trail of Speyside, you'll find more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. Each whisky distillery on the distillery tour follows its own traditions, lore and recipes for everything from malting the barley to the height and size of its stills. The unique characteristics of each Speyside whisky distillery result in delightful, hand-crafted whisky from each one. Follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside to some of the working distilleries - from Benromach to Dallas Dhu, a perfect time capsule of whisky-making; from Glen Moray to Strathisla, home and heart of Chivas Regal; from the Glen Grant distillery to the Speyside Cooperage where real coopers work with incredible speed and skill; from Glenfiddich to The Glenlivet and the Cardhu distillery, Scotland's whisky trail signposts lead you through the picturesque lush countryside of Speyside, the world's favourite malt whisky region. Lunch at leisure A private tour of Ballindalloch Castle & distillery Ballindalloch is one of the most beautiful and romantic castles in Scotland. It is first and foremost a much loved family home and has been lived in continuously by its original family, the Macpherson-Grants since 1546. Known as the 'Pearl of the North' it is a warm and welcoming castle set in the magnificent surroundings of the Spey Valley. The Castle is filled with family memorabilia and houses a fine collection of 17th century Spanish paintings built up by Sir John Macpherson-Grant in 1850. A sunset cruise on Loch Ness There is no better way to see the beautiful and mystic Loch Ness than by boat. On board the cruise you will be treated to the best Highland hospitality whilst the knowledgeable local guides take you to both the popular and the more remote destinations around the lake. It is the perfect opportunity to hear all the folklore myths and tales that have surrounded Loch Ness for so many years. Evening at leisure – we would suggest dining in The Boath House this evening.