SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS DRIVING TOUR 24 – 29 APRIL 2017

OVERVIEW The GRRC is delighted to announce details of its tour through the Scottish Highlands in April 2017. Scotland is home to some of the best driving roads in Europe and features the fabulous North Coast 500 driving route. Compared to previous tours of Scotland, Members will benefit from an extra night on the trip. This will allow Members to drive a large section of unexplored roads along the East and North coasts which form part of the North Coast 500 route, and which offer some of the most dramatic, traffic free driving roads anywhere in Europe. The scenery will take your breath away – from the majestic Central Highlands, to the rugged Atlantic Coast in Wester Ross, the barren beauty of the Grampians and the tranquillity of the Tay Valley.

Whilst it may be a little chilly in late April, the bonus is that the roads will be practically empty and the scenery will be spectacular with snow topped mountains as a backdrop to the first signs of Spring. Research also tells us that April is the driest month in Scotland! Our route takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Highlands including the Tay Valley, the Grampians, The North Coast and The West Coast including the UK’s highest pass.

Covering 5 nights and boasting a fabulous selection of hotels including two that feature a Chez Roux restaurant, Members will enjoy a spectacular driving tour.

DATES Monday 24 to Friday 28 April 2017 (inclusive) * Saturday 29th, Members make their way home at their own leisure.

24 APRIL 2017 Members are to meet at the Swinton Park Hotel just outside Ripon early in the morning. Should it be required, we are happy to arrange overnight accommodation on the evening of Sunday 23 April (extra costs apply). Following welcome refreshments and a short briefing, we will make our way to Scotland, past the Yorkshire Dales and through Northumberland before driving through the Borders and then past Edinburgh to our hotel on the banks of the River Tay. On our first night, members will reside in the Ballathie House Hotel in Perthshire. The hotel enjoys a spectacular location overlooking the famous River Tay.

In the evening, members will enjoy dinner in the hotel.

25 APRIL 2017 Leaving Perthshire we head north past Balmoral through the Grampian Mountains before venturing into Speyside Whiskey country – home to famous brands such as Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and The Macallan. Our route includes some spectacular sections of road though the Grampian Mountains and goes past Grantown on Spey and Cawdor Castle to our hotel – Kingsmills Hotel, a 4* hotel in Inverness offering luxury bedrooms and a proper Scottish welcome.

In the evening, members will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

26 APRIL 2017 Departing Kingsmills our route heads north towards John O’Groats and then continues along some of the most enthralling sections of the NC500. Passing Thurso, Members may be able to see Orkney if the weather is clear. Past Durness, Members will get the opportunity to drive some of the most spectacular roads in Europe as we then head south past Kylesku to our hotel on the North West coast in Lochinver - Inver Lodge Hotel. Set amidst one of the last great unspoiled wildernesses in Europe, Inver Lodge Hotel offers visitors a tranquil retreat and features a Chez Roux restaurant.

In the evening, members will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

27 APRIL 2017 Departing Lochinver we head South along the coast around the Gairloch peninsula after which Members will have the option of driving over the ‘Pass of the Cattle’ (Scotland’s highest pass) to Applecross in time for lunch at the superb Applecross Inn. From Applecross our route continues south over some truly fabulous roads to the Kyle of Lochalsh before crossing onto the Isle of Skye. Members will stay in the Skeabost Hotel just outside Portree.

In the evening, members will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

28 APRIL 2017 Leaving Skye we head south past the Fives Sisters of Kintail to Fort William. A testing section of road awaits near Ballachulish followed by a beautiful section of road past Glencoe and over Rannoch Moor. Our route then heads south past Loch Fyne and Loch Lomond through the Trossachs National Park. Members will spend their final evening in the wonderful Cromlix Hotel – an elegant Perthshire mansion owned by Andy Murray. Situated in beautiful countryside, just three miles from Dunblane, Cromlix is set in 34 acres of secluded woodlands and garden grounds, with its own chapel and house loch boasts a Chez Roux restaurant.

In the evening, Members will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

29 APRIL 2017 Members make their way home at their own leisure.

PACKAGE Our package includes:  5 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in a range of 4* hotels  Dinner on each night  Some wine with dinner on each night  Welcome refreshments at Swinton Park on the morning of 24 April 2017 (if not staying)  Overnight parking charges for the cars (where applicable)  Printed route book including a full itinerary, driving directions and places to visit  Professional guide  Personnel to assist all clientele  The presence of a qualified mechanic  Support vehicle for transporting luggage and spare parts (limited availability)  Access to the Spa facilities provided at each hotel (where applicable)  VAT and all local taxes