Queen Victoria's Scottish Highlands

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We are a small tour operator that prefers to arrange and conduct all own tours personally. We are only able to offer a limited amount of tours each year and usually only offer each tour one time a year.

Tour Date: July 18th - 28th, 2007.
Dunkeld and Dunkeld Cathedral, Taymouth, Taymouth Castle, the River Tay and Loch Tay, Castle Menzies, Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Fortingall and the Fortingall Yew, Killin, Blair Atholl and Blair Castle, Blairgowrie, Cupar Angus, Pitlochry, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Falls of Bruar, Glen Tilt, Killiecrankie and Killiecrankie Pass, Loch Faskally, Loch Tummel, Falls Of Tummel, The Queen's View, Braemar Castle, Balmoral Castle, Bridge of Cally, Perth, Scone Palace, Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle, Palace of the Holyrood House, the Royal Mile and Princes Street, Open Top Bus Tour of Edinburgh and a Highland Dinner and Show!

This is a small intimate group tour with a maximum of 8-10 people. All of our tours are designed to get the most out our your holiday without being rushed from venue to venue and spending all of your time on the bus. The best way to see Scotland is on a small escorted group tour with a knowledgeable guide.

Queen Victoria more than anyone else popularized the Highlands. She traveled Scotland extensively throughout her reign but no place captured her heart as did the Highland areas of Atholl and Breadalbane. These two ancient areas make up most of Highland Perthshire where mountains, moorlands, forests, lochs, tumbling streams and mighty rivers form some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. I've tried to capture all of the most memorable areas of her journeys but as she spent an entire 3 weeks at Blair Atholl and Blair Castle alone on just her first visit, her adventures would be impossible to cover in a tour. The Queen kept a diary from the age of 13 chronicling her journeys. What a surprise to come across a book of her diaries and find that I had been walking in her footsteps for years and enjoying so much of the very areas that she talks about most! These areas have captured my heart just as they did hers and I know that they will capture yours as well! I know this tour will sell out quickly so don't wait to get your deposit in!

Queen Victoria's Diaries by John Kerr is a wonderful read and captures much of her highland journeys. She was an amazing women who reigned as Queen for more than 60 years. She also held the title of Empress of India. She and her husband Albert had nine children. Even with the years she spent in mourning after Albert's death, she lived an amazing and full packed life but her best times were always spent in Scotland. In particular Dunkeld, Glen Tilt and Blair Castle.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 - July 18th - Depart for Edinburgh Scotland

Day 2 - We arrive in Edinburgh but our adventure begins north of Edinburgh in the wee village of Dunkeld in the Scottish Highlands. Before we reach Dunkeld we come upon what was Queen Victoria's first Glimpse of the Highlands and the Grampian Mountains. We pass through Birnum and as the Queen said "This lovely scenery continues all along to Dunkeld". And of Dunkeld, "Dunkeld, with the River Tay deep in the bottom, and the view of the bridge and cathedral, surrounded by the high wooded hills as you approached it, were lovely in the extreme". We will pull up outside the Atholl Arms Hotel in time for afternoon tea just as the Queen herself did! From our hotel we walk down picturesque Cathedral Street to Dunkeld Cathedral past the Atholl Memorial fountain. The ruins of the 14th century cathedral enjoy an idyllic setting on shady lawns beside the RiverTay, against a backdrop of steep and wooded hills. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight in a 200 Year Old Former Coaching Inn which was overnighted in by the Queen. Overnight Dunkeld.

Day 3 - After breakfast we begin our journey to Taymouth just as the Queen did in 1842. So little has changed from that time! Following the same route along the River Tay and through the Craigvinean Forest we pass through the wee village of Balnaguard where the horse were changed and continue on through Grantully to Aberfeldy. North of Aberfeldy sits Weem and Castle Menzies, seat of the Menzies Clan. The castle was a haunt of Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Price Charlie spent 3 nights here on his way to Culloden in 1746. We continue our journey to Taymouth Castle and Kenmore. You can only visit the grounds of the castle which are quite beautiful. The Queen was very taken with it. From here we drive out of the Kenmore Gate and into Kenmore. We will Lunch at the Kenmore Hotel, which is Scotland's oldest Inn, opened in November 1572! Our afternoon drive takes us along the north shore of Loch Tay to Fearnan and then to Fortingall to visit the Fortingall Yew. The yew is thought to be 5,000 years old making the oldest tree in Europe! We then return to Dunkeld for afternoon and dinner on your own. Overnight Dunkeld.

Day 4 - This morning we head east toward Blairgowrie and then to Kirriemuir which is the birthplace of J M Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. We'll continue on to Glamis and Glamis Castle. Glamis was the ancestral home of the late Queen Mother and a beautiful stop in the Angus countryside. Our journey northward will take us through Coupar Angus where horses were changed after the trek from Dundee when the royal party crossed the River Isla and made their way along the north bank of the River Tay. The next stop is the beautiful Highland village of Pitlochry. Queen Victoria described it as one of the finest resorts in Europe. The rest of the afternoon will be free to explore the many shops, woollen shops and tearooms that line the main street of Pitlochry. Dinner and Overnight Pitlochry.

Day 5 - In September of 1844 the Queen visited Blair Atholl and Blair Castle and today's journey takes us there. As it was a particularly favorite place of the Queen, much of today will be spent at Blair Castle. In 1844 the Royal couple spent more than 3 weeks here with the entire castle at their disposal. Situated at the foot of the Grampian mountains, Blair Castle is one of Scotland's best loved and most visited castles. Set in extensive parklands, including the recently restored Hercules Garden and Diana's Grove, and with 725 years of history and over 30 rooms open to the public. It is the home of the Atholl Highlanders, Britain's only private army, and is also the traditional home of the Duke of Atholl. This afternoon we will visit the Falls of Bruar. The Queen writes "at every turn the view of the rushing falls is extremely fine and looking back on the hills, which were so clear and so beautifully lit up with the rapid stream below, was most exquisite". We return to Pitlochry where you will be free to sample the many wonderful eateries here as well. Overnight Pitlochry.

Day 6 - Today we make our way to Glen Tilt as did the Queen on September 21, 1844. The Queen returned to the glen over and over often spending the day there. It was undoubtedly her favorite. The walk through the glen is 6 1/2 miles long but we will just walk a far enough into the glen to capture the serenity of the glen and to enjoy the beauty of the hills, woods and waterfalls for which this area is renowned. We will lunch in Killiecrankie before driving across the Killiecrankie Pass to Faskally and Loch Faskally as did the Queen on September 26, 1844. We will also visit the south side of Loch Tummel and the Falls of Tummel where there is a small stone memorial to commemorate her visit. This evening we will have the treat of a live performance at The Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Dinner and Overnight Pitlochry.

Day 7 - This morning before leaving this area behind we travel along the north bank of Loch Tummel until we reach The Queen's View. Although named after King Robert the Bruce's wife Isabella, the view is more associated with Queen Victoria. There are very few sights in Scotland more dramatic or spectacular than The Queen's View. We then travel the route the Queen followed to Balmoral. The route passed through Kindrogan and came upon he village of Enochdhu which has seen little change since the Queen last saw it. The party continued through the pass of Glen Shee stopping at the top of the pass called the Lairig, overlooking the Spittal of Glenshee. We will
stop at the Spittal for Lunch. This was a much used stopping off point for the Queen. We then continue farther on to Braemar where we will visit Braemar Castle. It was built about 1625 by the Earl of Mar and has a fine curtain wall, a dungeon and a muckle yett (iron gate). In Victoria's time this was (and still is) owned by the Farquharson family, from whom she bought Balmoral itself.
Dinner and Overnight Ballater.

Day 8 - This morning we visit grounds of Balmoral Castle and Estate, purchased by the Queen in 1852. The castle is not open to visitors but we will take a tour of the estate including Crathie Church. John Brown is buried in the old Crathie Churchyard. It is time to start making our way south again and must leave Royal Deeside behind. Our journey today takes us south to Perth. Along the way we will make a few stops including stopping for lunch at Bridge of Cally Hotel, an old drover's inn is set in a lovely wooded spot. Next it is on to Scone Palace just outside of Perth. Victoria and Albert were entertained royally in Perth and had dinner and spent the night at Scone Palace. Scone Palace was the crowning place of Scottish Kings and the Stone of Destiny was kept here for over 500 years. Dinner and Overnight in Perth at the The Royal George Hotel. The Queen stayed here in 1848.

Day 9 -This morning we visit Balhousie Castle which houses the Museum of the Black Watch which is the first ever Highland regiment. We will also visit Church of St John, founded in 1126. It was here that preacher John Knox delivered the fiery sermons which led to the destruction of many local monasteries. The afternoon and evening will be free to explore the lovely city of Perth.
Overnight in Perth at the The Royal George Hotel.

Day 10 - This morning we make our way back to Edinburgh where we will spend the day. The Queen first visited Edinburgh in 1842. As the best way to see the city is by bus you will board an Open Top Tour Bus and enjoy all the highlights of the city. You will want to depart the bus at both Palace of the Holyrood House and Edinburgh Castle. You may want to stop for Afternoon Tea on the Royal Mile and leave the afternoon free for shopping on Princes Street and The Royal Mile. As the Queen was so fond of the bagpipes and highland dancing we will attend a Highland evening of food, fun, dance song and of course bagpipes! Overnight Edinburgh.

Day 11 - Unfortunately our journey has come to an end. One last opportunity for a good Scots breakfast as today we make our way to the Edinburgh Airport for our journey home

Price:
Minimum Per Person Price: 2795 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 2795 US Dollar (USD)

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price. This tour is only offered once a year in July. We are a small tour company that prefers to arrange and conduct each tour personally in order to offer the best experience that can be provided. Tour includes guided and escorted minibus travel. All accommodation charges. All meals as listed in the itinerary. All entrance fees and entertainment. All taxes and service charges. Porterage of one suitcase per person. All you need is you, your packed suitcase and your passport!