Royal Deeside & The Castle Trail NEW
Destination Itinerary S E
Day 1 Arrival in Aberdeen I We travel to the Thistle Aberdeen Altens our base for the next 4 nights. Aberdeenshire is full of history and the R varied landscape is dotted with fascinating castles and A monuments. Royal Deeside is one of the most beautiful
areas of Scotland and is a highlight of any visit to this R area. E Day 2 Free in Aberdeen N Today is a free day to explore Aberdeen – The Granite I City. Wander around the impressive turreted Town
House in Union Street, the castellated Citadel at The T
Castlegate and the striking gothic Marischal College, the I
world’s second largest granite structure, which are all fine examples of Aberdeen's most famous export.
Aberdeen has so much to offer including the 500 year D old University King’s College, or visit Provost Skene's E House, Aberdeen's oldest private town house. The Aberdeen Art Gallery boasts exhibits by impressionists G Monet, Pisarro and Renoir and a host of fabulous visiting
exhibitions across the year. Visitors to Aberdeen's three A key attractions Provost Skene's House, Aberdeen
Art Gallery and the Aberdeen Maritime Museum K will all enjoy free entry. If you would prefer a day of retail therapy Aberdeen is also excellent for shopping C Balmoral Castle ©Paul Tompkins,Scottish ViewPoint
and the famous 'Granite Mile' - Union Street - is the A gateway to over 800 shops, from the latest fashions to 5 DAYS from only £207 traditional Scottish crafts. P Day 3 Royal Deeside We travel through the magnificent scenery of Royal Thistle Aberdeen NEW Deeside, where the Balmoral Estate nestles in the shadows of Lochnagar. Purchased by Queen Victoria in Altens 1848, the Estate has been the Scottish home of the Aberdeen British Royal Family ever since. The Estate covers just over 50,000 acres of heather clad hills, ancient Caledonian woodland and of course the beautiful River NO SINGLE GREAT Dee is nearby. Over the past 150 years careful SUPPLEMENT TOURING stewardship has preserved the wildlife, scenery and FOR DOUBLE LOCATION architecture which is available for all generations to ROOMS enjoy. In her journals Queen Victoria described Balmoral as "my dear paradise in the Highlands". After exploring The 4 star Thistle Altens is located on the outskirts of the Castle and gardens lunch is at leisure in the coffee Aberdeen Balmoral Estate Aberdeen approximately two miles from the city centre and shop on the estate. After lunch we travel the short offers an excellent standard of accommodation. The hotel distance to the Royal Lochnagar’s Distillery where Crathes Castle Drum Castle offers 216 large bedrooms with all the facilities you would we enjoy a guided tour and tasting. The distillery has expect including TV, hairdryer and tea /coffee making connections dating back to Queen Victoria when just facilities. The hotel offers a relaxing lounge bar, elegant three days after the Royal Family arrived, John Begg Cairngorm Restaurant and Otium Health & Leisure Club with made an invitation to Prince Albert to visit his distillery. indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium, spa We then return through the beautiful Cairngorms bath, sauna and steam room. National Park to our hotel. Ground Day 4 Castle Trail 12 Lift 17 Floor Rooms 15 Bar There are more castles per acre in Aberdeenshire than Tea/Coffee anywhere else in the UK and today we visit two of the Restaurant Free Onsite 13 16 14 In Room best. We start the day by driving 10 miles west of Aberdeen to Drum Castle , one of the three oldest tower houses surviving in Scotland dating back the late 5 Days Half Board 13th Century. The High Hall of the tower is still in its 01 APRIL 2013 – 30 JULY 2013 medieval state. The original house was enlarged with the creation of a very fine Jacobean mansion house in 1619 Twin from £207.00 to £216.00 and a later addition during the reign of Queen Victoria. No Single Supplement (Max 5) Within the old walled garden is a fine collection of historic roses. We then leave and head through the All rooms Double for Sole Use beautiful countryside to Banchory, where there is free Based on Thursday arrivals time for lunch before we continue to Crathes Castle one of the best preserved castles in the country. Turrets, Inclusions gargoyles of fantastic design and the ancient Horn of Leys given in 1323 by Robert the Bruce are just a few of • 4 nights half board the features of this historic castle. The Crathes gardens • Porterage and estate are a delight at any time of year, the famous • Welcome tea/coffee gardens feature great yew hedges and colourful double • Choice of menu herbaceous borders. • Tea/coffee after dinner • Free use of leisure facilities Day 5 Depart • Entrance to Balmoral Estate Depart for the journey home. • Visit to Royal Lochnagar’s Distillery • Entrance to Drum Castle • Entrance to Crathes Castle
August, September & October departures will not include Balmoral Estate. Please call our Sales Team for alternative Thistle Aberdeen Altens suggestions .