Scotland 2019
Gastronomic, Botanic, Historic
18 nights in Scotland
Borders / Glasgow – Argyle /Oban – Isle of Skye -Isle of Harris and Lewis – Inverness -Edinburgh
This is a Small Group Boutique Tour that has limited numbers.
Contact me for prices and an itinerary
I offered a tour including Normandy and Scotland for 2 years. Due to many circumstances around timing and the many comments wanting more of Scotland, I decided for 2019 to offer a more comprehensive insight into one of our favourite travel destinations and include garden visits, an introduction to the borders and travel to the outer Hebrides Isles of Harris and Lewis. Scotland was a resounding success in 2019 and the combination of food, gardens and history worked perfectly. This tour includes many stunning boutique hotels, outstanding meals, special excursions and gorgeous gardens . They all contribute to ensure this tour is distinctive and exceptional. With a little tweaking this tour will be in Scotland for 2020.
My love of gardening, food and lifestyle has always attracted me to Scotland I am thrilled and excited to share some of the many interesting and fascinating excursions and visits that we encounter on this 18 day tour.
I once again have Charles Barkla to guide and extoll all his amazing history and knowledge. I spent valuable time with Charles and his wife Lissa 3 years ago, when we traveled for long days, (made possible by the lengthy daylight hours Scotland has during Spring and Summer) to research, choose the stunning hotels and plan the itinerary.
During this tour we will become familiar with Scotland which has a very strong heritage and is everything quintessentially Scottish from its tartan, music and whisky to unsurpassed scenery, historical estates and famous golf courses. From the spectacular highland countryside surrounded by lochs and an intricate coastline abundant with delicious seafood we will explore a enjoy rather special travel experience with a touch of being spoilt.
Judith’s tours are unique in that she is personally involved in every stage of planning and execution. I’ve always found her groups to be friendly, inclusive and cohesive. The included meals and accompanying wines are always extremely generous, reflecting Judith’s gift for hospitality. She goes out of the way to ensure a good time is had, whilst showing and educating her groups (including through the use of local guides) about the history, customs and cuisine of the surrounding countryside. I cannot recommend her tours highly enough – as value for money and good entertainment.
Itinerary Scotland
Scotland’s Heritage is full of history, beauty, stunning scenery and great food. We spend the next 17 nights from Glasgow to Edinburgh, traveling through the highlands, past many lochs and visit iconic Scottish Isles. Expect to see fabulous spring gardens, castles, historic sites and stately houses. Enjoy wonderful Scottish cuisine featuring fresh local seafood and meat with the occasional mandatory whisky and haggis tasting! Our tour will finish in Edinburgh where you can fly home or continue traveling.
Day 1. Melrose
Arrive Edinburgh on Emirates flight with me or if you are making your own travel arrangement’s we will meet me at the Airport.
After collecting our suitcases and meeting Charles and our driver, we will drive approximately an hour and a half to Kelso in the Scottish Border country and have some quiet afternoon time to unpack, freshen up and relax after your long days traveling. We will meet for a pre -dinner drink and a chance to meet everyone before dinner at the hotel.
Day 2. Melrose
Full day in the Borders visiting Floors Castle – the biggest house in Scotland and Abbotsford, the former home of Sir Walter Scott. We will be guided through these vast houses and have time to leisurely enjoy their grounds and gardens.
Day 3. Glasgow
We leave the borders today after visiting the Abbey of Jedburgh and have a short drive to spend our day on the outskirts of Glasgow. We will come in from the south and visit my Ancestral Castle (well the ruins of) Cadzow castle in the grounds of Chatelherault Country Park. In the afternoon we will be introduced to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Mc Donald – they are recognized as one of Glasgow’s leading creative geniuses and they had a huge influence on art and design in the city. We will visit one of his iconic buildings ‘House for and Art Lover “
Day 4. Glasgow
Our day will be spent exploring Glasgow and meeting up with Charles Rennie Mackintosh again—we will visit some iconic ‘Mackintosh’ at Kelvin grove Museum and and House for an Art Lover, walk in Central Glasgow and for those who want to can take ‘Tea” at the famous Willow Tea Rooms.
Day 5, Argyle / Oban
Before leaving Glasgow we will enjoy the garden at Geilston and on to Hill House (if open). We then have a stunning drive up the full length of Loch Lomond and on to Oban via Inverarary. The loch forms part of the large Trossachs national park and Scottish and is considered the boundary between the lowlands of Central Scotland and the Highlands.
We are heading for Oban which sits on the West Coast of Scotland. Originally only a small fishing and trading village. It is now an active town and a hub for the busy ferries traveling to the Western Isles. Along with a strong sailing tradition and busy port you will get to taste the best of Scottish Scallops and seafood here.
We arrive in Oban in the late afternoon to stay at one of my all-time favorite hotels ‘Glenburnie House’ owned by the vivacious Graeme who is so accommodating and you feel like a especial guest in his house.
Day 6, Isle of Mull
Visiting the Islands of Scotland has always held a fascination, they are often described as remote, lonely, windswept and wild, which can sometimes be the case. We will be visiting several on this tour starting with:
A day trip to the Isle of Mull. After our early morning ferry on the shortest trip into the Atlantic Ocean we pass Duart Castle – the seat of Clan McLean which sits with a commanding view over the island. Mull is a little mountainous island and we drive on the ‘one lane road’ (with many passing bays). Hopefully we will have time to firstly visit to the colourful little fishing village of Tobermoray ( depends on Ferry times ) and down the coast on one of my all-time favourite road trips to spend the lunch on the Isle of Iona. It’s a short ferry ride to this quiet place with a huge important history. Visiting the beautiful restored Abby – where Christianity began in Scotland, walking the few roads lined with the cutest houses or finding a spot to enjoy a nice long lunch will provide you with a lovely memorable day.
We end our day with Seafood platters from the famous ‘Fish Shack” in the hotels dining room. Accompanied with a few glasses of wine this is always a a fun night.
Day 7- Kilmarton, Crinan Canal
Driving south of Oban on our second day we head to Kilmarton Museum and a very interesting insight into some of the oldest civilizations in the UK over 6000 years old. With a guide we walk past ancient burial Cairns and a variety of standing stones.
The Crinan Canal close by. It is one of the shortest canals and crosses the Kintyre Peninsula. It was designed to provide a quick link between the west coast and islands at one end and the Clyde Estuary at the other, and so avoid the long voyage around the south end of the Kintyre peninsula. Crinan is the sweetest place and has a very lovely hotel where we enjoy a long lunch over looking the loch and the sounds of Jura.
On our return to Oban we make a very special visit to the Gardens of Duntrune Castle and if we are lucky, a tour through the Laird and Clan chief of the Malcolm clans private home.
Day 8 Isle of Skye
Leaving Oban after 3 nights we head for Isle of Skye. Traveling first to Fort William which is the natural centre of the highland routes and stands at the focal point of the area known as Lochaber. It sits on the shore of Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben Nevis as its backdrop in distant views.
Staying in a very lovely gorgeous large Scottish house for the night called Kinloch lodge, we get to relax after a big day, enjoy the best Isle of Skye fare during a charming evening and wonderful dinner.
Day 9 Isle of Skye – Isle of Lewis
Its a beautiful ride up through the Isle of Skye and although we are heading to a ferry booking we have time to visit Talisker Whisky distillery, pick up a sandwich in Portree and follow the stunning Cullin mountains up the Isle that so many trampers enjoy all year round.
After a short ferry ride we land at Tarbert on Isle of Harris – home of the famous Woollen tweed. We drive from here to Stornaway an hour away on coast of Isle of Lewis, where we will stay for two nights
Day 10. Isle Lewis
Its a fascinating day and with a guide we explore and discover the history and culture of the Outer Hebrides. Learn about the distinctive culture here and how lives are shaped by the land and the sea. See the famous Callanish Standing Stones,visit a local smoke house and step back in time at Gearrannan Blackhouse village.
Day 11. Isle Lewis – Inverness
We say goodbye to the Isle of Lewis and catch an early ferry back to mainland Scotland and Ullapool.
A beautiful coastal drive takes us to the famous Scottish garden of Inverewe. The planting is wide and varied and is a lush, tropical oasis perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross. Driving past Loch Maree, we head for Inverness, the lovely hotel of Glen Moriston and dinner ‘In’
The hotel sits on Ness bank and is within an easy walking distance to the town centre. It has a lovely walk along the River Ness right out the front door and its daylight at this time of the year from 4am – 11pm which takes some getting used to.
Day 12 – Inverness
We head North for a stunning long lunch at the cute town of Dornoch. Famous for its golf courses and lovely stone buildings, which are almost pink in some light.
Our morning includes a Whisky tasting, but will give you and informed introduction to the Whisky business in Scotland. They have a huge selection and the lovely Lorna will talk us through 6 and differentiate regions, styles and flavours.
Golf is the game here and the Royal Dornoch golf course is one of the oldest. We are a having a lovely simple lunch prepared by chef Sam in the Royal Dornoch Hotels dining room overlooking the golf course.
Before returning to Inverness we will visit the magnificent castle of Dunrobin, the home of the Sutherland clan.
Day 13 – Inverness
On 16 April 1746 the last battle between the Jacobites and the Royalists to be fought on British soil took less than an hour to reach its bloody conclusion here on what is now known as Culloden Moor. We will visit the excellent visitors centre and you have a chance to walk on the battle field.
Driving 15 minutes away is one of my favourite garden visits – Cawdor Castle. The house and gardens are still in private ownership and the garden will give you plenty of ideas to take home.
We will return to the hotel but not before finding out how the famous whisky is actually made at the Glenfarclass distillery.
Day 14 Inverness – Edinburgh
We head south to our last 4 days in Scotland from Inverness to Edinburgh stopping at Pitlochry. Apart from being a very cute village, one of the most attractive features of Pitlochry is that it is surrounded by mountains and the Cairngorms National Park.
An early lunch will be at the House of Bruar. It is basically an enormous store selling everything Scottish. The food department alone is unbelievable and whether you want knitwear, gumboots or tartan china they have it.
Before arriving in in Edinburgh we will detour via the ‘Falkirk Wheel’ and if you don’t know what it is you will be intrigued and amazed and with your eyes out the window of the bus we drive past the famous Kelpies statues.
Staying in the lovely traditional hotel called the Kimpton. It is in a perfect position to explore Charles hometown for us to explore Edinburgh for the next four days.
Day 15- Edinburgh
Walking tour with Charles. By the end of the day you will be familiar with Edinburgh and its history.
You will have tickets for Holyrood castle and over the next few days have time to visit.
Day 16- Edinburgh
Day trip to St Andrews home of the famous golf courses. It is Sunday so you can walk the old course if you wish.
Our trip takes us around the coast and past the cutest fishing villages called Pittenweem, Anstruther and Crail. It is essential to taste a dressed crab or shrimp sandwich.
Lunch is in the tiny ‘Jigger Inn’ for a burger and a beer!! Before heading back to Edinburgh but, not before a visit to Faulkland Castle and a walk around their gardens.
Day 17 – Edinburgh
Today is your day to fit in as much as you can in Edinburgh. It might be a good day to visit the castle in the morning or you might like a good walk up to Arthurs seat and get a commanding view over the city or visit the very famous and fabulous botanical gardens, get a taxi down to the port and take a tour of the Brittania or visit the amazing Museums and Art Galleries. (you are going to be busy)
The day is yours to plan and of course Charles and I will be there to assist.
Day 18– Departing Edinburgh
Tour Inclusions
New Zealand/ Scottish tour directors
Accommodation for 17 nights in high quality hotels selected for their location and other special features
All 18 breakfasts plus 13 Dinners and 3 Lunches
Deluxe transportation with A/C (including parking, tolls and ferry fees) and transfers to and from airports as specified in itinerary
Professional English speaking guides
Entrance fees for museums, sites and historical places in the itinerary
Expenses and tips for all hotel staff, guides and drivers (no tipping necessary by you).
