8-Nights Scotland: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo - Luxury Small Group Journeys from $11,995
Abercrombie & Kent
OFFER ID 1557186
Scotland: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Discover the rich heritage and dramatic beauty of Scotland, from its refined cities steeped in time-honored tradition to its heathered highlands shrouded in the mists of legend, and learn about the cultures of its storied clans, culminating in the pageantry of the world’s oldest military tattoo.
8 nights from $11,995 per person
Itinerary Details
Abercrombie & Kent: Scotland: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo
DAY 1 Glasgow, Scotland
Arrive in Glasgow, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, gather or cocktails and a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Hotel Du Vin Glasgow
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2 Glasgow
Enjoy a walking tour of Glasgow that reveals the glory of the city’s industrial heyday. Then, explore the renowned collection of art and artifacts housed at the Burrell Collection. Enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.
Hotel Du Vin Glasgow
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3 Inveraray
Venture along the shores of scenic Loch Lomond to Inveraray Castle, seat of the Dukes of Argyll. Walk through this aristocratic residence with a private guide on an exclusive A&K experience, before continuing to Fort William, gateway to the Western Highlands for lunch. Take in views of the majestic Glenfinnan Viaduct, a masterpiece of Victorian rail engineering, before settling into your castle hotel, Enjoy a Scenic Sundowner overlooking the majestic Highlands landscape before a gourmet dinner.
Inverlochy Castle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Inverness
Journey through the Great Glen, passing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. Travel to Loch Ness, home of fabled “Nessie.” Stop to view the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle before continuing to Inverness, capital of the Highlands, for lunch with traditional Scottish entertainment. Visit Culloden Moor, the historic battle site where the Jacobite army of Bonnie Prince Charlie was defeated in 1746. Continue to nearby Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age stone formation used as a setting for the Outlander series. Return to Inverlochy.
Inverlochy Castle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 St. Andrews
Cross the rugged Highland interior to Aberfeldy, where you embark by 4x4 vehicle on a wilderness safari, absorbing the scenic views of lakes, forests and mountains, and keeping watch for native wildlife. Then, enjoy a picnic lunch in this idyllic location. Proceed on a unique Chef’s Table experience at the Scotch whisky distillery at Lindores Abbey, called whisky’s spiritual birthplace, where you indulge in a tasting. Continue to the lovely coastal town of St. Andrews, regarded as the home of golf and site of the Open, the world’s oldest professional golf championship. Check in to your hotel set on the famous links.
Old Course Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 St. Andrews
Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Bike to a Nature Reserve, meandering through St. Andrews links and along the shores of a lovely estuary.
Savor a Tutored Gin Tasting and enjoy a signature gin and tonic at a top local distillery.
Walk St. Andrews’ Old Course, guided by a former caddy, to learn the secrets of the “Grand Old Lady” of golf.
Relax during an afternoon and evening at leisure.
Old Course Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 Edinburgh
Journey to Edinburgh, Scotland’s elegant capital. Begin your visit with a tour of Holyrood Palace. Continue up the Royal Mile to the historic Signet Library, where you are invited to one of Edinburgh’s most substantial afternoon teas, featuring savory side dishes and sweets that make for a satisfying lunch. Afterward, explore Edinburgh Castle with an expert local guide and take in the stunning views over the city. Later, check in to your hotel.
The Balmoral
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 8 Edinburgh
Begin your day with a private, before-hours visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia, a proud vessel that served as a floating home to the Royal Family for over 40 years. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the local sights before returning to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Later, a farewell dinner at a local restaurant is a prelude to the precision and pageantry of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a stirring display of martial music and military-style maneuvers that has taken place for over 70 years. Sit back in your premium grandstand seat and watch magnificent performances that symbolize Scottish culture and history and their influence around the world.
The Balmoral
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 Edinburgh
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Excursions
Edinburgh: Royal Edinburgh - 8 hours
Edinburgh: Royal Edinburgh - 8 hours
You will first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and have the opportunity to admire striking views across the city. Drive along the Royal Mile to the imposing Holyrood Palace*, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland.
Continue the Royal theme this afternoon, with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Built in Scotland, and now permanently moored here, this famous ship hosted many official voyages during her working life. Your guide will bring the Royal Yacht Britannia’s intriguing history to life prior to the short transfer back to your cruise ship.
*You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time.
- Privately guided tour of Edinburgh Castle
- Visit Holyrood Palace (Subject to Royal Visit)
- Discover the history of the Royal Yacht Britannia
Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
- Private transport by BMW 7 Series or similar for 1 or 2 passengers or Viano (6 passenger seats) or similar for 3, 4, or 5 passengers or Sprinter for 6 passengers.
- Expert local guide for stated sightseeing 8 hours in Edinburgh
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
- Supplement for public holidays
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the “Inclusions” list above.
Edinburgh: Introducing Edinburgh - 4 hours
Edinburgh: Introducing Edinburgh - 4 hours
The capital city of Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most dramatically-situated cities in Europe; this setting has had a profound effect on its historical development and today your expert local guide unravels these themes on a half-day sightseeing tour. The focal point of the city is Edinburgh Castle, a royal fortress that symbolises the Scottish nation and is home to the 'Honours of Scotland', the oldest set of Crown Jewels in the British Isles. From the impressive military installations there are stunning views of the city. The Royal Mile stretches down on from castle through the 'Old Town' of Edinburgh, at the heart of which is St. Giles Cathedral. This fascinating Gothic church is topped by a fine medieval spire in the shape of a crown. At the foot of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Palace, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland*. The palace's neighbour is the much more recent Scottish Parliament Building; its striking contemporary designs are in eye-catching contrast to the classical style of the palace.
*Tour of palace staterooms is included if no member of the Royal Family is present at time of visit
Highlights:
- Take in the stunning views of the city from Edinburgh Castle, a royal fortress home to the oldest set of Crown Jewels in the British Isles
- At the foot of the Royal Mile see Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament Building
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning / Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local guide for 4 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Also known as St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, this relatively small, picturesque old town near the Maine border and 85 mi/135 km southwest of Fredericton was founded by British Loyalists who wanted to escape the newly independent U.S. in the 1780s. Today, one of the town's main attractions is the Huntsman Aquarium, a small aquarium with a child-friendly "touch pool." The Ross Memorial Museum focuses on local history, antique furniture and Asian items.
We also recommend a visit to the St. Andrews Blockhouse National Historic Site, which was built during the War of 1812, and to St. Andrews Gardens, a nice place for a picnic. Don't miss the quaint shops on Water Street.
A short drive across the ocean floor (at low tide) will take you to Ministers Island where you can take a tour of Sir William Van Horne's visionary 50-room home with greenhouses, windmill and tennis courts. If you’re planning an overnight stay, consider the Fairmont Algonquin Hotel, built in 1889 and known now as the Castle-by-the-Sea.
The Tides of Passamaquoddy Bay, the bay that surrounds the St. Andrews peninsula, raise water levels 28 ft/9 m or more twice a day. The transition from low to high tide takes more than six hours and 2.25 billion tons of water. The phenomena uncovers 6 sq mi/15 sq km of intertidal beach just waiting to be explored for sea creatures and historical artifacts left behind.
New River Beach Provincial Park (25 mi/40 km east of St. Andrews) is the only major sandy stretch on the Fundy shore. It offers campsites, a long saltwater beach, cliffside hiking trails and some special programs, such as guided ghost walks and an annual sand-sculpture contest. Be warned that bad weather systems often stall over this area, and a short drive to Saint John will prove it.
Glasgow has been described as the finest surviving example of a great Victorian city. Of particular interest is George Square - lined by several buildings constructed in the Italian Renaissance style. Few buildings pre-date 18th century. The most prominent of these are Glasgow Cathedral, and Provand's Lordship, which is the city's oldest house (c. 1471) and now a museum. The cathedral, situated on high ground to the east of the city and dating in parts from 12th century, is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. The city has numerous parks and ornamental open spaces, including the Botanic Garden and zoological gardens. Glasgow grew around a church built in the 6th century by St Kentigern, who converted Scots to Christianity. The commercial growth of the community dates from the union of Scotland and England in 1707 and the opening up of trade in the 18th century when Glasgow became a major port and shipbuilder.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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