Pixels Foto and Frame Scotland Photo Trip July 14 – 26, 2012

With Special Guest, Scottish Born National Geographic Guide – Steve Blamires

Day 1 –July 14th. Arrive in Edinburgh. Introductions and late afternoon short orientation stroll. Overnight Edinburgh in the 4 Star Bonham Hotel. This is in the Georgina New Town area, within 5 minutes’ walk of the historic Princes St. and George St.

Day 2 –July 15th. Full day Edinburgh with visits to the Castle, The Scottish Whisky Centre, Camera Obscura, (www.camera-obscura.co.uk) Royal Mile which connects the Castle and the Palace, historical Princes Street, the Athenian acropolis at Calton Hill and more. Possible Scottish Cultural Dinner. Overnight again at Bonham Hotel.

Day 3 –July 16th. Visit the pastoral beauty of the Borders country and Abbotsford. Then off to Rosslyn Chapel (this is one of the Chapels used for filming the DaVinci Code) OR free time in Edinburgh. Evening “Ghost Walk” of old Edinburgh. Overnight t Bonham Hotel, Edinburgh.

Day 4 –July 17th. Pack up and off we go to Inverness (2 ½ hours driving) with stops at Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns en route. Tonight we’ll stay in the beautiful 5 star Castle Stuart. The Castle Stuart was complete in 1625 and is full of intrigue and history. The castle has a limited number of rooms and we’ll have to coach everyone on how to deal with the resident GHOSTS. (voted 2nd best castle in Europe for accommodation by Trip Advisor)

Day 5 –July 18th. Today we’ll go cruising on Loch Ness and the Great Glen Way. Loch Ness is Scotland’s second largest loch at 21.8 sq miles. And of course home to the mythical creature Nessie.

We’ll visit Urquhart Castle. This castle origin begins in the 6th century. Once the largest stronghold of medieval Scotland. We’ll also visit Fort Augustus and the Caledonian Canal. That night maybe we’ll take in some possible pub music. Overnight in Inverness.

Day 6 –July 19th. Today we take our coach to Scrabster (2 ½ hours driving), then catch the ferry at 13:15 to Stromness, Orkney, arriving at 14:45. Afternoon tour of the Highland Park Distillery and views of Scapa Flow, where Germany scuttled 52 vessels that they feared would be seized under the terms of the armistice. Overnight Kirkwall, Orkney.

Day 7 –July 20th. On this day we’re planning a full day at Orkney with visits to the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae, the Skail House and Ring of Brodgar. We’ll also visit St Magnus Cathedral, the Italian Chapel where World War II prisoners transformed nissen huts into stunning chapels. Tonight we’ll overnight Kirkwall, Orkney at the Ayre Hotel.

Day 8 –July 21st. This morning we catch the ferry at 11:00 from Stromness, Orkney to Scrabster on mainland Scotland, arrive at 12:30 then transfer to Kyle of Lochalsh (3 ½ hours driving) with stop at Eilean Donan Castle. Evening stroll over the infamous Skye Bridge. Tonight we stay at the Hotel Eilean larmain, with spectacular views across the sound of Sleat to the Knoydart Hills.

Day 9 –July 22nd. Today is a full day on the Isle of Skye with visits to Portree, Clan Donald Centre, a magnificent 20,000 arce estate with great views of the Cuillin Mountain Range and Sligachan. Evening visit to the beautiful village of Plockton. Overnight Kyle of Lochalsh.

Day 10 –July 23rd. Today we leave Skye by ferry to Mallaig. We pass the sandy beaches of Arisaig then

cross through the remote peninsula of Ardnamurchan before crossing by ferry to Mull. We overnight in Tobermory, the picturesque harbor village.

Day 11 –July 24th.Today we drive from Tobermory through Mull and cross as foot passengers to Iona with a possible cruise to Staffa.

Day 12 –July 25th. We catch the ferry from Mull to Oban, then drive by Glencoe and Loch Lomond to Glasgow. We’ll overnight at the Blythswood hotel, a 5 start luxury spa located very close to city center.

Day 13 –July 26th. Departure. Transfer back to Edinburgh or Glasgow airport.

This trip is an all inclusive package. All meals, lodging, private coach, ferry tickets and transfers and included. The fee does not cover airfare, personal expenses, and tips.

Cost $4960 per person (dbl occupancy)

Airfare estimate on Delta $1600 roundtrip from Salt Lake.

We are limiting this trip to 14 TOTAL guests. Contact Pixels Foto at 801-233-9090 for more details.