Scottish Kennel Club All Breed Show
Plus Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh Festival
August 21 – 31, 2010
Welcome to this year’s extra special visit to Scotland! You’re going to “fall in love” with Scotland, just as we have. Fresh Pond Travel representatives will be with you throughout the tour to try to assure that you have the time of your life. Perhaps this is the year that we'll spot Nessie.
A night in Glasgow, followed by four amazing days in the Scottish Highland, then off to Edinburgh, home of the world’s largest entertainment festival. With two wonderful days at the friendly Scottish Kennel Club Show where over 7,000 of Britain's finest dogs compete for challenge certificates, and you've got one of the most memorable trips of your life.
Here's what we've included :
Saturday. August 21: Depart your home city for overnight travel to Glasgow.
Sunday. August 22: You will be met on arrival at Glasgow and transfer to our hotel. Afternoon free to explore Glasgow. Dinner tonight is on our own. Overnight in first class hotel in central Glasgow.
Monday, August 23:
After full Scottish breakfast depart Glasgow for the Highlands. Our first
destination will be along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond,
Then on past Tarbert to Loch Long, and over "Rest and Be Thankful," heading
toward Inverary and Loch Fyne. This has been the setting for many famous
films, such as “Rob Roy.” We’ll visit Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel, once
the capital of Dalriada, the original Kingdom of the Scots. It was to here
that The Stone of Destiny was brought from Ireland via Iona. Early evening
arrival in Oban, a beautiful Scottish resort and fishing village Dinner and
overnight in Oban.
Tuesday, August 24: After breakfast, we'll board the
ferry for the magical isle of Mull. Our guide has planned a great day for
us visiting Mull for a glimpse of old Scotland and unique . Return ferry
will be at 5:00 pm. Dinner and overnight in Oban.
Wednesday, August 25: After breakfast, we head north along a barren and wild route, heading to Fort William in the shadow of Britain’s Ben Nevis. We’ll pass along side Loch Linnke toward Loch Lochy and over to Loch Ness, with a visit to Urquhart Castle and visitors center. We then head north through the North West Highlands to Thurso for dinner and overnight.
Thursday, August 26:
After breakfast, departure from John O’Groats (northernmost point in
mainland Great Britain) on the Ferry crossing to Orkney, across the famous
Pentland Firth linking the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea. The Firth is
rich in marine wild life and the many isolated islands provide secure
breeding places for thousands of sea birds. Arriving at Burwick, we’ll drive
across the Churchill Barriers which were built in the 1940s and thread five
islands together to form the eastern boundary of Scapa Flow, and on to
Stromness Then on to the neolithic village of Skara Brae (2,500 BC) then the
mystical Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. On to
Kirkwall, the capital town of Orkney. See the St Magnus Cathedral founded in
1137 by Earl Rognvald,. Visit the Italian Chapel before we head back to
mainland for dinner and overnight.
Friday, August 27: After breakfast, we’ll head south
through the far North West Highlands with the wildness of its majestic
hills, peat bogs, and gentle moss covered glens to Tain, the Black Isle and
Dornoch. Then into fabled Inverness, historic Gateway to the Highlands and
site of the Battle of Culloden, last uprising of the Jacobites. Overnight
with dinner in Inverness.
Saturday, August 28:
After breakfast, we’ll travel south through the Grampian Mountains
to the picturesque towns of Pitlochry and Perth. Our first stop today along
the “Whiskey Trail” is a visit to Edradour Distillery to enjoy a guided tour
and a chance to sample a “dram” of the finished product. Our destination is
Edinburgh, arriving late afternoon. Overnight Edinburgh. This evening, we
attend the 2010 Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. See web site
http://www.eif.co.uk for fine arts performances, and
http://www.edfringe.com for the thousands of Fringe performances.
Sunday, August 29: For those who wish, departure at 8:00 a.m. for the Scottish Kennel Club Show at the Royal Highland Showgrounds. Working, Pastoral, Utility, Toy and BIS will be judged today. Return transfer will be 15 minutes after Best in Show. Overnight Edinburgh.
Monday, August 30: Day in Edinburgh to enjoy Festival activities and many sights of this fairy tale city.
Tuesday, August 31: After breakfast, 10:00 am departure from lobby for short ride to Edinburgh Airport. You will clear customs at your first port of entry in the United States and recheck your bags for your connecting flights. In Edinburgh, the bags should be tagged through to your final destination, however.
Price: $2,299 per person, based on double occupancy.
Fresh Pond Travel Agency
365 Boston Post Road #241
Sudbury, MA 01776
Phone: 800/225-4897, or 508/624-0400
info@FreshPondTravel.com