Check into our Edinburgh Hotel where you will be welcomed by Clan Chief, Andrew MacThomas of Finegand. An opportunity to purchase official Clan Merchandise. Enjoy a tasty dinner in the hotel and get to know your fellow tour companions.
DAY 2 - Monday 17th August 2020
SCOTLAND's HISTORIC CAPITAL CITY
The tour begins with a fully guided coach & walking tour of many of Edinburgh's historical sites, including the Old & New Towns. the Castle (including the 1 o'clock gun) and Holyrood Palace. Afternoon free to go shopping in the Royal Mile or Princess Street. Dinner at a city centre restaurant prior to attending the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.
DAY 3 - Tuesday 18 August 2020
BANNOCKBURN, GLEN COE AND FORT WILLIAM
Travel by coach to: Prestonpans Battlefield (1645) and the historical 15th C Rosslyn Chapel. The historic site of the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument and museum (fees apply). Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful glens immortalised in several well known films. The glen is also the site of the notorious massacre in 1692. The Glen Coe Visitor Centre (included). Our Highland Hotel in Fort William, where we will enjoy dinner together.
DAY 4 - Wednesday 19th August 2020
THE ROAD TO SKYE AND BACK TO INVERNESS
The tour continues: Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Glenfinnan where, in 1745, Charles Edward Stuart declared himself Regent of Scotland, thus starting the final Jacobite rebellion. Also, Glenfinnan has an amazing viaduct, which was used in the Harry Potter films, and the Jacobite Memorial on the shores of Loch Shiel. By ferry from Mallaig across the inland waters of the Atlantic Ocean arriving at Portree, the capital of Skye, where there will be some free time to enjoy the town and have some lunch. Over Skye Bridge back to the mainland via Kyle of Lochalsh to view Eilean Donan Castle before taking the road through the Highlands to our Hotel in Inverness.
DAY 5 - Thursday 20th August 2020
LOCH NESS, CULLODEN, AND BALMORAL
The final day's touring includes: Loch Ness in search of the famous monster (not for the faint hearted!). Cruise down the Loch to Urquhart Castle before returning for morning coffee. The site of the Battle of Culloden (1746), including the Clan Chattan Memorial, where some may wish to see the exhibition (fees apply) and have lunch. Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s summer retreat, for a possible photo stop. Glenshee Ski resort to take a ride on the chair lift (fees apply) to the top of the Cairnwell (990m), where there are some stunning views of the Cairngorm Mountains. Through the ancient lands of McComie Mor and the Clan MacThomas and onto our hotel in the picturesque small town of Pitlochry where we will stay for the next 4 days. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
DAY 6 - Friday 21st August 2020
LOCAL SITES & THE BEGINNING OF THE GATHERING
In the morning, you may go and see, if you wish: Killiecrankie, where the first successful battle in the two Jacobite rebellions took place in 1689. Loch Tummel and "The Queens View", Queen Victoria's favourite view in Scotland, The interesting Pitlochry Hydroelectric Dam & Fish Ladder. From midday, there is free time to explore the town with its many highland shops and restaurants.
The Clan Gathering officially begins in the evening.
A formal reception with the Chief and a chance to meet new arrivals. A further opportunity to purchase Clan merchandise. A Highland supper and Highland Reel practice before enjoying a “wee dram” in McNabs Bar (not included).
DAY 7, Saturday 22nd August 2020
THE HIGHLAND GAMES AND SOCIETY DINNER
Morning: Australia, Europe and North American Branch Meetings.
Afternoon: The Strathardle Highland Games in Kirkmichael village. The games are held on the Bannerfield where, in 1715, the Earl of Marr raised his banner in support of the Jacobite cause rallying men before the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Clan members, in kilts, march on to the Bannerfield behind the Chief, his personal piper, bannerman and sword bearer heralding the start of the 139th Annual Strathardle Highland Gathering.
Evening: The formal Society Dinner to celebrate Andrew MacThomas’s outstanding 50 years as Chief of the Clan. There will be some light entertainment after dinner.
DAY 8 - Sunday 23rd August 2020
THE COCKSTANE CEREMONY, AGM and CEILIDH
Morning: The Traditional Gathering of the Clan at Clach na Coileach (The Cockstane) in Glenshee. Welcome speeches, stories of the Clan, and bagpipe music all set within the Gathering grounds.
Afternoon: To Glenisla for lunch and the Society's AGM, followed by a display of sword fighting.
Evening: A traditional haggis supper and the ever popular Clan Ceilidh take us into the small hours.
DAY 9 - Monday 24th August 2020
FAREWELL, ST. ANDREWS, BACK TO EDINBURGH
A farewell breakfast before the return trip to Edinburgh, via Dundee – famous for Jute, Jam and Journalism, the recently opened V&A Museum and RRS Discovery. This was the ship Captain Scott sailed to the Antarctic in 1910 on the ill-fated Terra Nova expedition. St. Andrews, the home of golf. Prince William and Kate Middleton first met while at University there. The River Forth and the amazing “3 bridges” . The tour ends at Edinburgh's Waverley Station, in the city centre.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
8 Nights Bed & Breakfast in 3/4 star hotels; 2 Lunches and 8 Dinners. A guided tour of Edinburgh, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo + 5 other paid attractions; 30 experiences including 4 Battlefields, 6 Castles & 2 monuments + several film locations - Harry Potter, Highlander, Outlander and the Da Vinci Code. (Note: Some admission charges are not included). Luxury Coach Travel throughout with tour guide, managed, operated and protected by an authorised UK Tour Operator.
PRICE GUIDE
For the 9 days tour and Clan Gathering - From GB £1,099 (Equivalent to US$ 1,430) – a single supplement will apply. Some triple rooms may be available.
There will also be an option to attend the gathering for the weekend only. Details will be notified in due course.
If you are interested in attending The Tour and Gathering please reserve your places by Friday 15th February 2019
Although the tour and gathering are approximately a year and a half away prices change regularly and the costs may go up in future. We are therefore asking for a "deposit of intent" of £30.00 per person before 15 February 2019 to ensure you get the best possible price. Once we have the preliminary numbers the tour operator will then make the provisional bookings. You will be asked for a further deposit of £110.00 to guarantee the price applicable at the time. Some Service Providers (e.g. transport and hotels) may increase their prices closer to departure, this will not affect your price as the Tour Operator will have already made payment on your behalf. Bookings will remain open until mid-2020, but the lowest price will only be guaranteed to those booking early. The tour operator will contact you following the 10% deposit and notification of personal preferences such as dietary, room types etc. Final payment (less the deposits) will be around 6 weeks prior to departure. Total places on the tour are limited to 50.
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Please click to reserve your places on the Tour and to pay your "Deposit of Intent"
If you have any questions regarding the Tour and Gathering please click here to contact the organisers.
A PDF version of the schedule can be downloaded and printed by clicking here.
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