Highlights: A day out sampling Scotland's finest assets - its whisky, its scenery and its history - including a tour of the Famous Grouse Experience, formerly the Glenturret Distillery, a stunning nature walk through a gorge at the Birks of Aberfeldy and a stop in the historic medieval city of Dunkeld.
Depart Edinburgh at 10.00hrs and drive north over the Forth Road
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to the Kingdom of Fife. This gives you the chance to see the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' - the Forth Rail Bridge. At over a mile and a half (2300m) long, the bridge was completed in 1890, and until recently was the longest Cantilever bridge in the world. It is a true testament of Scottish engineering. Turn off the Motorway at Kelty and travel through the Ochil Hills past Knockhill racing track, Powmill and Rumbling bridge Before the industrial revolution the Ochils were one of the main centres of the leather industry, now they are a quiet rural backwater with several large sheep farms scattered over the rounded hilltops. We also pass Gleneagles - a 5 star hotel with its own championship golf courses, and an equestrian centre run by Princess Anne's first husband, Captain Mark Phillips. Then it's into Crieff, a lively resort town which was once the main centre for the cattle trade in Scotland. Drovers used to drive huge numbers of cattle from the Highlands down into the Crieff Tryst giving the town a very cosmopolitan air. The town was burned down for harbouring Bonnie Prince Charlie during his 1745 Jacobite rebellion, and had to be rebuilt by the local landlord, the Earl of Perth.
On the outskirts of Crieff, we reach the Famous Grouse Experience, formerly the Glenturret Distillery, the oldest (legal !) distillery in Scotland, established in 1775. Arriving here around 11.30, you will be taken on a tour of the distillery and find out the secret to making Scotland's national drink, and get a chance to taste the finished article. The art of whisky making (from the Gaelic Usque Beatha, literally meaning 'The Water of Life') came from Ireland many centuries ago, and was practised in small scale in farms all over the country, until the Government decided to tax it. Many continued to make their special brew in secret, smuggling the precious liquid to local taverns in the dead of night. Today, there are about 100 working distilleries. They are scattered all over Scotland, and each one makes a unique 'Single Malt'. They all taste different, and often reflect the local environment and geography. We will also have our lunch here at the distillery.
Leaving at 13.30 we continue north over the Highland line, through the beautiful Sma' Glen and onto Aberfeldy. You will notice the immediate change in scenery from rolling farmland to mountain and moor as we cross over the fault line separating Lowland Scotland from the Highlands. On this route we will follow very closely the road built by General Wade in the 1720s to connect Stirling with Inverness. These roads were constructed to connect important strategic points, garrisons and forts built by the British Government to subdue and curb the warlike tendencies of the wild Highland clans. General Wade was commissioned to carry out this tough job, and his legacy is the Highland road network. At Aberfeldy, Wade's road crosses the wide River Tay, and the magnificent bridge is still there to see, next to the Black Watch monument. The Black watch are the oldest of the commissioned Highland regiments, and they first mustered here in Aberfeldy in the 1730s. Their famous dark tartan was designed to be neutral.
For those who like a good walk your guide will take you up the stunning tree lined gorge with crashing waterfalls, known as the 'Birks of Aberfeldy'. It is truly a breathtaking place, and inspired our national Bard, Robert Burns to write a song of the same name. The walk will take about an hour. Alternatively, you can take the time to explore the town. We will leave at approx. 15.30 and head down the wide valley of Strathtay to the small cathedral city of Dunkeld. Set against tree clad hills and on the banks of the silvery Tay, Dunkeld was for many centuries the capital of the Christian Celtic Church, and its 13th century Cathedral reflects the once great importance of this quaint Highland village. Dunkeld is also home to musician and songwriter, Dougie MacLean, who has a music pub in town. We will make a peaceful stop here before returning to Edinburgh past Perth and over the Forth Bridge.
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.
Entrance to Glenturret Distillery - but heavily discounted with discount card.
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 (10.00 AM)
Return time approximately 18.30
Departure Days
Tuesday and Saturday (All year)
When booking by telephone please quote BV RB D5
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