Scotland 2019

Debi and I toured Scotland in 2019. We joined a 9-day "Country Roads" bus tour in Edinburgh that finished in Glasgow. Then we traveled to Dumfermline to trace my family roots and ended our trip back in Edinburgh.

Map of our trip

Bus tour milage:	1069 miles
Glasgow to Dunfermline:	64 miles
Dunfermline to Sterling and back:	50 miles
Dunfermline to Edinburgh:	18 miles
Total:	1201 miles

Mouse over the map of Scotland to zoom on our route. We started in Edinburgh, which is in the lower right corner of the map, and follow our route counterclockwise. Different colored highlighter indicates different days during the trip.

Our Photos

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Our Itinerary

DAY 1 WELCOME TO EDINBURGH Welcome to Scotland - land of legends and romance, from the great cultural cities in the south, to the dramatic mountains and misty lochs of the Highlands. The rest of the day is yours to relax before joining your Travel Director at 17:30 for a Welcome Dinner with wine.

DAY 2 EDINBURGH, THE CAPITAL OF CULTURE Join a Local Expert to see the highlights of the city. Drive along Princes Street to the ornate Scott Memorial, and then wander the 18th century New Town with its neoclassical Georgian facades. In the Old Town, visit Edinburgh Castle, home of Mons Meg, the Stone of Destiny and Scotland's Crown Jewels, the Honours of Scotland. At the bottom of the Royal Mile stands the Palace of Holyrood House, the official Scottish residence of the Queen.

Join us for a lively and memorable evening of traditional Scottish song, dance, tartan and bagpipes. In addition to wine and dinner, your kilted hosts will lead you through some of the best-loved Scottish music and songs. You'll learn a Highland dance or two and sample Scotland's national dish - haggis. An exceptional Scottish experience!

DAY 3 TO ST. ANDREWS AND THE HIGHLAND CAPITAL OF INVERNESS Cross the Firth of Forth into Fife and journey to St. Andrews, passing the Old Course, home of golf since its creation in the 15th century. Enjoy free time to explore. Stroll to West Sands Beach where the famous 'Chariots of Fire' scene was filmed. Alternately, wander to St. Andrews University where the love story of Kate Middleton meeting her Prince Charming began. Cross the Tay and journey to the charming Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, famous for its salmon run. Continue via Blair Atholl and pass the Grampian Mountains on the way to the sparkling Spey Valley. Stop at Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens, one of the only occupied castles in Scotland, inhabited by the same family since the 16th century. As guests of the castle you will be treated to an authentic Farm-to-Table experience, in the tradition of a Scottish Tea and Scones. Continue to Inverness, where your luxury hotel is set within four acres of manicured grounds offering the very best in Highland hospitality.

DAY 4 CULLODEN, LOCH NESS AND ON TO THURSO See Culloden Moor in the morning, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was crushed in 1746. Visit the Culloden Visitor Center before continuing along the shores of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled for the legendary monster! Next, follow the rugged coast north to the fishing port of Wick. Pause at the Old Pulteney Distillery to taste a wee dram of whisky and learn about the production of this national drink.

Enjoy an introduction to the Gaelic culture that is so unique to the Highlands. Stories, song, music and Highland history await you in the warm atmosphere of a centuries-old Highland hostelry.

DAY 5 A DAY IN THE ORKNEY ISLANDS Start the day by driving to the most northern point of the British mainland, John O'Groats. Board the ferry to the beautiful Orkney Islands where the countryside is breathtakingly majestic and the tranquility supports a quieter pace of life. Here the hardy locals say they live ‘below the wind and above the water.' Your Local Expert accompanies you as you visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mysterious Ring of Brodgar, Kirkwall and the small chapel built by Italian prisoners during World War II. Return to your Thurso hotel for dinner.

DAY 6 OVER THE SEA TO SKYE Travel through stunning, pristine landscapes along the northern coast with its white sandy beaches, and further inland to misty valleys and glens, lochs and rushing waters. Then it's ‘Over the Sea to Skye,' the largest and most beautiful island of the Inner Hebrides. On the way to Broadford, hear romantic tales of how young Flora MacDonald helped rescue Bonnie Prince Charlie and see the dramatic Cuillin Hills.

Experience the spectacular scenery of the Trotternish Peninsula with a local expert. Hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean island, steeped in myth and legend. While touring the 'Isle of Mist' see the Old Man of Storr, the red and black Cuillin Mountains and picturesque Portree, the largest town on the Island. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

DAY 7 THROUGH THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS TO GLENCOE Explore this wild and beautiful island on your own, before crossing to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Stop for a photo at remote Eilean Donan Castle, which under a clear sky offers a perfect reflection in its loch. Move on to the WWII Commando Memorial where there is a fine view of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. You'll enjoy more spectacular scenery en route to the Valley of Glencoe, its dramatic peaks still echoing with the ghastly cries of massacred clansmen. In the evening, enjoy market-fresh Scottish ingredients and wine as you get together with your newfound friends for a sumptuous Celebration Dinner. Don't be surprised if, by the end of the evening, you're 'Toasting to the Lassies' or singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.

DAY 8 ALONG THE BONNIE BANKS OF LOCH LOMOND TO GLASGOW Spend time around peaceful Loch Lomond, ‘Queen of Scottish Lochs' according to Sir Walter Scott and the largest in Great Britain. Perhaps experience the beauty and tranquillity of the loch with an optional cruise before continuing to Glasgow? An orientation drive through the city will show you the grand public buildings, including George Square and St. Mungo's Cathedral. Then the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore as you wish.

Enjoy a relaxing cruise around picturesque Loch Lomond - the largest stretch of inland water to be found in the British Isles. Settle with a complimentary cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the flawless natural beauty, while all the history and legend is brought to life by on-board commentary.

In recent years, Glasgow has developed a fearsome culinary reputation. With its elegant and chic atmosphere, this restaurant is very much at the forefront. In the hub of Glasgow's vibrant cosmopolitan capital, enjoy an evening of Scottish fayre and experience the unique atmosphere of the city at night.

DAY 9-10 VISIT DUNFERMLINE Tour Dunfermline and visit the library to research Ron's 10x Great Grandfather, Andrew. Visit the Dunfirmline Golf Club to see the Halkett family castle that may have been the family home for Andrew.

DAY 11 STERLING Visit Sterling and tour the Sterling Castle. Return to Dunfermline.

DAY 12-15 EDINBURGH Bus tour, ghost tour, and much more.

DAY 16 DEPART FROM EDINBURGH