Highlights: Kingdom of Fife * Perth * River Tay * Pitlochry * Callender
A journey through the Celtic heartlands in the central Highlands taking in the waterfalls in Birnam forest, Pitlochry, the Queen's View and the splendour of Loch Tay, an area abundant with standing stone circles.
Depart Edinburgh at 09.30 and travel north over the Forth Road
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Bridge to the Kingdom of Fife. This gives you the chance to see the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' - the Forth Rail Bridge. Continuing up the M90 we will pass Loch Leven castle. Mary Queen of Scots was brought here after she was defeated by her protestant nobility, and forced to abdicate in favour of her 6 month old son Prince James. As King James VI, he would succeed to the throne of England in 1603 giving birth to Great Britain. Mary managed to escape from the castle and fled over the border to England. It was a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire, as her cousin, Elizabeth I, worried that Mary would be a Catholic threat to her protestant crown and immediately imprisoned her. After 19 years of captivity, Elizabeth eventually ordered Mary's execution. The two women never met.
We will continue past Perth, the medieval capital of Scotland, stopping for a coffee a few miles farther on. After coffee the tour will cross the Highland boundary faultline and the scenery changes from the rolling farmland of the Lowlands to the forested hills and mountains of the Scottish Highlands. This thick forest is the very same mentioned in Shakespear's Macbeth as 'Birnam Wood' "Macbeth will never vanquished be, until great Birnam wood to High Dunsinane comes against him". Dunsinane lies 12 miles to the southeast. One part of the wood is especially beautiful - the Hermitage, and this is where we will take you for a walk. Surrounded by thick forest (including Britain's tallest tree), the River Braan crashes over several spectacular waterfalls. This is a migratory route for Salmon, and they can often be seen trying hard to leap the falls. The Hermitage is named for Ossian, a Celtic Warrior poet of the dark ages, and you can even see inside his cave. Depart approx 12.30 We will follow the wide valley of the River Tay. At 117 miles, the Tay is the longest river in Scotland, and has the greatest flow of water of any river in Britain. We will stop in the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry for 2 hours for lunch and a wander around. You will get the opportunity to visit a Single Malt Whisky Distillery in Pitlochry or if you prefer you will have time to visit the dam at Pitlochry, famous for its fish ladder where salmon can be seen leaping between April and October. Several thousands are recorded doing this magnificent feat each year. After lunch we continue north to Killiecrankie. This a famous name from Scotland's bloody past, for it was here in July 1690 that the Government troops were defeated by John Graham of Claverhouse (Bonnie Dundee) in his attempt to restore the Stuart King James VII in the first of the Jacobite risings. At the very moment of victory Bonnie Dundee was killed by a rogue bullet, and with death of their Maverick leader the rising was effectively ended. From Killiecrankie it is a short hop to the Queen's View. Named in honour of Robert the Bruce's wife, Queen Isabella, on a clear day the view along Loch Tummel to Schiehallion and beyond to the hills of Glencoe is spectacular. We will drive along the lochside and over the hills to Fortingal. The Fortingal Yew tree is the oldest living organism is Europe, and the village is the legendary birthplace of Pontius Pilate.
From Fortingal we head along the shores of dark Loch Tay in the shadow of Ben Lawers. This area retains much of its rural charm, and little has changed in a hundred years. At the head of the loch is Killin, with the wonderful falls of Dochart in the heart of the town. After a short stop, we continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Rob Roy lived 300 years ago as a cattle rancher, but ended up on the wrong side of the law after a dispute with local landlord, The Marquis of Montrose. Like a Scottish Robin Hood, Rob Roy hid in the hills and led raids against Montrose and other nobles. He believed that he had been wronged and his pride wouldn't let him back down despite his predicament. Eventually he was captured and taken to the Tower of London. His case was taken up by the Duke of Argyll, and at length he was released. He died aged 70.
We will make a short stop at Callander at the edge of the Trossachs, before retuning to Edinburgh passing the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots - Linlithgow Palace.
Inclusions
Transportation by top of the range Mercedes minicoaches for a more personal service.
Forced air ventilation as standard.
Services of a professional driver/guide
Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping and attractions.
Exclusions
Lunch and refreshments.
Important Information
Because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour.
Departure Point
High Street, Edinburgh (9.30 AM)
Return time approximately 18.30
Departure Days
Wednesday, Friday & Saturday (All year)
When booking by telephone please quote BV RB D4 |
