BI 14 - HIGHLAND HIGHLIGHTS
11 DAYS

You Will Always Have Your Own Private Tour
(Year-round) On Guaranteed Dates

Register For Costs From Your Nearest Gateway



Admission Costs Included to all Bolded Sites in the Itinerary.

 

1. Round-trip airfare with a major carrier on scheduled flights and guaranteed dates

2. All airport taxes

3. Accommodation in 3 Star and Superior 2 Star Tourist Class hotels with private facilities guaranteed throughout

4. Continental Breakfast and Dinners throughout your touring program

5. A Casterbridge Tour Manager/Guide to accompany your group 24 hours a day from arrival to departure

6. All excursions, cultural activities and (several pre-booked) admissions, per your itinerary

7. Transportation by private coach for airport transfers and touring, except in the capital city, where public transport is used (and the cost included) for group sightseeing

8. One Free Place for Group Leaders with every six full-paying participants

9. All taxes

10. All of the venue arrangement fees and promotional costs for your performances, as stated in the itinerary.



WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?

1. Lunches and beverages with meals

2. Visas (if required)

3. Travel Insurance

4. Transportation of equipment by land and/or air or hiring of instruments

 

 

DAY    1            DEPARTURE FROM NORTH AMERICA
Enjoy full meal service on your scheduled wide-bodied flight to Glasgow.

DAY    2            ARRIVAL IN GLASGOW (1 NIGHT)
You will be met at the airport by your tour manager/guideboard your own private coach and be transferred to you hotel in Glasgow. After time to relax we will take a Walking Tour of Glasgow, known as the "dear green place", including a visit to the Transport Museum and the Burrell Art Collection.

DAY    3            GLASGOW - BALLACHULISH/FORT WILLIAM - SCOTTISH
                          HIGHLANDS (1 NIGHT)

After a hearty breakfast join the coach for today's scenic drive. Our first visit is to Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery where, after a tour, there is a chance to taste the end product! At Tarbet a cruiser waits to show us "the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond" from the best vantage point - the loch itself. The sad story of Glen Coe is retold as we stop to view the majestic, yet sinister beauty of Scotland's most famous glen. A short drive brings us to Ballachulish and our hotel. After some time to relax, there is a short evening tour when we will marvel at the teamwork between sheep dog and master when we watch a shepherd at work

DAY    4            SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS - ISLE OF SKYE EXCURSION - THE
                          SPEY VALLEY TO INVERNESS/AVIEMORE AREA (2 NIGHTS)

We begin this morning with an unforgettable rail journey - the West Highland Line. From the train window spectacular views of mountains and lochs are seen as the train heads for Mallaig. It's a 30 minute sail aboard the ferry "over the sea to Skye". At Armadale, on Skye, there is a visit to the Clan Donald Centre, recalling the history of one of Scotland's most powerful Clans. After a scenic drive, with views of the Cuillin Mountains, we return the mainland and travel through Glen Carron to Inverness and onto our hotel in the Inverness area.

· Your First Concert Performance will be today

DAY    5            INVERNESS & LOCH NESS EXCURSION
This morning we begin with a drive to Culloden Moor, where Bonnie prince Charlie's army was routed by the Government troops in 1746. After ample free time in Inverness for shopping and sightseeing we drive along the banks of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's largest, on a promontory overlooking Loch Ness. The chief of Clan Grant owned the castle in 1509, and most of the extensive ruins date from that period. In 1692, the castle was blown up by the Grants to prevent it from becoming a Jacobite stronghold. Rising from crumbling walls, the jagged keep still remains. From Urquhart Castle we will enjoy great views, and have the best chance of seeing the Loch Ness monster.. We continue back to the hotel in the Inverness area for the night.

DAY    6            INVERNESS - CRATHIE KIRK - CRATHES CASTLE -
   
                       ABERDEEN (1 NIGHT)
We begin the day with a climb over the famous Lecht Road, between Tomintoul and Cockbridge. On Royal Deeside there is a visit to Crathie Kirk, where the Royal Family worships when staying at nearby Balmoral Castle. Along the banks of the River Dee, through picturesque Ballater and Aboyne to Crathes Castle and Gardens, an outstanding example of a Scottish tower house, dating from 1553. On arrival in Aberdeen we will take a panoramic city tour, before making our way to our hotel.

DAY    7            ABERDEEN - EDINBURGH (4 NIGHTS)
This morning we will take a beautiful drive along the coastal route through Stonehaven, Montrose and Arbroath to Dundee then across the Tay Bridge to the Kingdom of Fife. In St. Andrews, the home of golf, we will visit the ancient University, the Cathedral, the castle before continuing over the Forth Road Bridge into Edinburgh. An arrival we have an orientation tour followed by a visit to Edinburgh Castle. This evening we travel the short distance to Newhaven, on the River Forth for a traditional Scottish "High Tea" at Harry Ramsden's fish restaurant complete with beautiful views over Newhaven harbour.

DAY    8            DAY TRIP TO THE SCOTTISH BORDERS
Our morning begins with a visit to Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott and continue on to Ayr and the home of Robert Burns. This morning we travel to the Burns National Heritage Park, where we will experience the pride, passion and power of Robert Burns. Set among the delightful scenery of historic Alloway, Burns National Heritage Park is an unmatched opportunity to experience Scotland's National Poet. Robert Burns' birthplace is brought to life through a mixture of modern technology and unique authentic locations and artifacts. During our visit we will travel back in time with a visit to the Burns Cottage, fully restored to its original state; view the world's most important Robert Burns collection in the Museum and view Robert Burns' beloved Ayrshire countryside from the roof of the Burns Monument. This afternoon we continue to our hotel in Edinburgh.

· Your Second Concert Performance will be today

DAY    9            EDINBURGH
Our day begins with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, a place filled with history, legend, and lore. Our visit will include: St. Margaret's Chapel, the State Apartments, the Great Hall and the Crown Chamber, which houses the Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels). We continue with a Walking Tour along the Royal Mile, where we will view many of the city's most interesting structures, with turrets, gables, and towering chimneys. During our walk, we will visit the High Kirk of St. Giles, one of the most important architectural landmarks along the Royal Mile. Our final stop will be the Palace of Holyroodhouse, built by James IV, adjacent to an Augustinian abbey David I established in the 12th century. Our tour of the palace will include: King James Tower, the Throne Room, the King's Bedchamber and the Picture Gallery, with portraits of Scottish monarchs.

DAY    10          EDINBURGH
Today is yours to spend at leisure before your last concert performance.

· Your Third Concert Performance will be today

DAY    11          DEPARTURE FROM EDINBURGH
Your enjoyable and rewarding tour will come to an end as your tour manager/guide accompanies you to the airport for the return flight home.

Please note that the sightseeing content may be amended or eliminated in order to facilitate the best possible concert arrangements for your group.

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