Classic Scotland Featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 2022

Classic Scotland Featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 2022

Classic Scotland Featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - 2022

Prices From $3,990p/p

Join us as we combine the iconic landmarks and historic attractions of the vibrant Scottish cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow with magnificent castles and palaces which have played a key role in Scotland’s history. We complement our tour with a truly remarkable experience – the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with an exclusive dining package and prime location seats. Set against the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and a spectacle like no other, the Edinburgh Tattoo combines music, dance, lights and marching bands with daredevil displays of skill and military showmanship, featuring hundreds of performers gathered from all corners of the UK and across the world.

Special extras included in your itinerary
• Guided tour of Scone Palace
• Audio guided tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Guided tour of Stirling Castle
• Three-course meal, wine & whisky and recital by members of the Edinburgh Tattoo at the Amber Restaurant within the Scotch Whisky Experience
• Prime location seat for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Cruise on Loch Lomond
• Guided walking tour of Glasgow

Day 1
Thursday: Arrival

On arrival at Edinburgh airport, a private transfer will take you to the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh, our base for the next three nights. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink, followed by dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2
Friday: Scone Palace, Perth and Palace of Holyroodhouse

This morning we head to Scone Palace, crowning place of Scottish kings including Robert the Bruce and Charles II and family home of the Earls of Mansfield. We enjoy a guided tour of the palace with its fine collections of furniture, porcelain, ivories, clocks, paintings and other objets d'art.

Next we visit the city of Perth, located on the banks of the River Tay. A former capital of Scotland, Perth has a rich and influential history that stretches back over 800 years. Due to its location, it is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’.

In the afternoon we return to Edinburgh and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. It was also previously home of Mary, Queen of Scots and used during filming of the 2019 movie of the same name. Plenty of dramatic events during her reign occurred here and we find out more during our audio guided tour. We also have the chance to view the State Apartments as well as the Queen’s Gallery which hosts a program of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

Tonight we dine together at a local restaurant and enjoy with a wee dram in a whisky bar.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3
Saturday: Stirling Castle, The Kelpies, Amber Restaurant Scotch Whisky Experience and Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

We head first to Stirling Castle where we enjoy a guided tour. Originally built in the 12th century, with additions and renovations undertaken over the years, the castle has played a key role in Scottish history. As well as being an important outpost during the Wars of Scottish Independence, the castle was once home to the doomed Mary Queen of Scots, who is said to haunt the castle to this day. From here we make our way back into Edinburgh, passing the famous Kelpies, the largest equine sculptures in the world.

In the late afternoon, we transfer by black cab to start our Edinburgh Tattoo experience at the award-winning Amber Restaurant within The Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. Here we enjoy a three-course, specially selected Scottish meal with wine and a wee dram of whisky.

Afterwards we are escorted to the Castle Esplanade to take our seats in a prime location for the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Hosted each year, the show brings together musicians and performers from every part of the world for a fabulous display of international culture.

Please note: we advise you to be prepared with waterproofs etc in case of inclement weather during the Tattoo. It will go ahead whatever the weather.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4
Sunday: Edinburgh Castle

We check out of our hotel and head up to Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, which has witnessed many of the defining events of Scottish history. Highlights include the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Royal Palace and the 16th-century Great Hall. We then enjoy Sunday lunch together in a local restaurant.

After lunch there is some time for you to spend at leisure – you may wish to explore the city further or engage in some retail therapy in some of Edinburgh’s stylish boutiques – before we travel to the voco Grand Central Glasgow, where we stay for the remainder of our tour.

This evening, we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Monday: Loch Lomond Cruise, Mackintosh at the Willow Tearooms and Glasgow walking tour

This morning we head northwards to embark on a cruise of Loch Lomond, the largest expanse of fresh water on mainland Britain. The loch is situated amidst one of Scotland’s most idyllic and unspoilt areas in the Trossachs National Park and boasts a stunning mountain backdrop and a variety of wildlife.

We return to Glasgow and enjoy lunch together at the famous Mackintosh at the Willow Tearooms which boast a variety of beautiful spaces, each with their own character and unique design. First opened in 1903, these are the only surviving tearooms designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Afterwards we enjoy a guided walking tour of Glasgow, including St Mungo’s, City Halls and Old Fruitmarket, Trongate Steeple and the Tenement House as well as a visit to Glasgow Cathedral, one of Scotland’s most magnificent medieval buildings. The present building was consecrated in 1197 but not everything is old! The cathedral has one of the finest post-war collections of stained glass windows to be found in Britain.

This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner together at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Tuesday: Departure

A private transfer will take you back to Edinburgh airport for your return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.

What’s Included
• Return airport transfers from Edinburgh*
• 3 nights at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel
• 2 nights at the voco Grand Central Glasgow
• Welcome drink and canapés
• Full Scottish/Continental breakfast each day
• 3-course table d’hôte dinner on 2 nights at the hotels (with after-dinner tea and coffee)
• 3 dinners in local restaurants (including the Amber Restaurant within the Scottish Whisky Experience)
• 2 lunches in local restaurants
• Services of a tour director throughout your stay
• Travel to and from all excursions
• All excursion costs
• Porterage

*supplement applies for transfers from all other airports

Special extras included in your itinerary
• Guided tour of Scone Palace
• Audio guided tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Guided tour of Stirling Castle
• Three-course meal, wine & whisky and recital by members of the Edinburgh Tattoo at the Amber Restaurant within the Scotch Whisky Experience
• Prime location seat for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Cruise on Loch Lomond
• Guided walking tour of Glasgow

Nights One to Three – Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is made up of seven inter-connecting Georgian townhouses overlooking one of the town’s prettiest garden squares. All the carefully-designed rooms are cosy yet eclectic and are divided between the townhouses and the hotel’s modern wing. There is also a spa and a refurbished gym.

Nights Four and Five – voco Grand Central, Glasgow
Known as one of Glasgow’s most iconic hotels, the voco Grand Central is situated right next to Glasgow’s Central Station, in the heart of the fashionable West End part of the city. Each bedroom boasts a classic style along with contemporary comforts, and the hotel also features Victorian touches including high ceilings, chandeliers and wood panelling. Be sure to sample an artisan cocktail or two in the wonderful Champagne bar.