Post by Owen on Oct 5, 2014 7:17:28 GMT
1 ~~~
This travel tale was written by Lee Ann and relates to a Insight Vacations Tour.
It was originally posted on the Insight Vacations forum.
This travel tale was written by Lee Ann and relates to a Insight Vacations Tour.
It was originally posted on the Insight Vacations forum.
Tour Tale – Country Roads of Scotland – August 24 – Sept. 2, 2012
Day 2
(Day 1 is for travel). We always like to arrive a day early to get over jet lag, but this time we arrived a week early and spent time in England (the Cotswolds and York). On Sat. Aug. 25 we took a train from York to Edinburgh, took a taxi to the Roxburghe Hotel and joined the tour. After evening orientation with the tour director Robbie, we got on the coach and went to the military tattoo on the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle – this was the reason we chose this particular date for our tour. The coach couldn’t get very close, so we had to walk quite a distance and it was drizzling rain. We were not allowed to have umbrellas since it would block someone’s view, but we were given ponchos. The show was fantastic! We loved the dancers, drum corps and of course, the bagpipers. The massed bands at the end was very impressive. Back to the coach and back to the hotel for the night.
(Day 1 is for travel). We always like to arrive a day early to get over jet lag, but this time we arrived a week early and spent time in England (the Cotswolds and York). On Sat. Aug. 25 we took a train from York to Edinburgh, took a taxi to the Roxburghe Hotel and joined the tour. After evening orientation with the tour director Robbie, we got on the coach and went to the military tattoo on the esplanade outside Edinburgh Castle – this was the reason we chose this particular date for our tour. The coach couldn’t get very close, so we had to walk quite a distance and it was drizzling rain. We were not allowed to have umbrellas since it would block someone’s view, but we were given ponchos. The show was fantastic! We loved the dancers, drum corps and of course, the bagpipers. The massed bands at the end was very impressive. Back to the coach and back to the hotel for the night.
Day 3
– After a delicious buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room, a local guide got on our coach and we took a driving tour around the city of Edinburgh. We then toured Edinburgh Castle. It’s so interesting, ancient and has great views of the surrounding areas since it’s high on a hill over the city. We then took an optional tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia which has been decommissioned and is now a floating museum. It’s lovely, but not as elaborate and fancy as we expected. It had a wonderful café and we had a delicious lunch there. Ooh la la – we had lunch on the Queen’s ship! Back on the coach and we were dropped off in the city centre for free time. We toured Holyrood Palace which is well worth the entry fee, the time and many footsteps. Beautiful rooms and gardens. Walked back to the hotel and ate on our own in the hotel restaurant. I believe there was an optional dinner that night which we didn’t take. The Roxburghe was a very nice hotel, very comfortable and elegant.
– After a delicious buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room, a local guide got on our coach and we took a driving tour around the city of Edinburgh. We then toured Edinburgh Castle. It’s so interesting, ancient and has great views of the surrounding areas since it’s high on a hill over the city. We then took an optional tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia which has been decommissioned and is now a floating museum. It’s lovely, but not as elaborate and fancy as we expected. It had a wonderful café and we had a delicious lunch there. Ooh la la – we had lunch on the Queen’s ship! Back on the coach and we were dropped off in the city centre for free time. We toured Holyrood Palace which is well worth the entry fee, the time and many footsteps. Beautiful rooms and gardens. Walked back to the hotel and ate on our own in the hotel restaurant. I believe there was an optional dinner that night which we didn’t take. The Roxburghe was a very nice hotel, very comfortable and elegant.
Day 4
– After a delicious buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room, we said goodbye to Edinburgh and boarded the coach. It drizzled all day, but the temperature was pleasant. Our first stop was St. Andrews. We walked around the famous golf course which is in a lovely location by the sea, bought golf balls in the shop and walked around the charming town. I love old architecture, so we got some great pictures of old buildings and an ancient ruined church. We saw St. Andrews University where Prince William went to school. Back on the coach.
– After a delicious buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room, we said goodbye to Edinburgh and boarded the coach. It drizzled all day, but the temperature was pleasant. Our first stop was St. Andrews. We walked around the famous golf course which is in a lovely location by the sea, bought golf balls in the shop and walked around the charming town. I love old architecture, so we got some great pictures of old buildings and an ancient ruined church. We saw St. Andrews University where Prince William went to school. Back on the coach.
Our lunch stop was in the village of Pitlochry. We ate lunch in McKay’s and did a little shopping. Next stop was Blair Castle, still privately owned and it has its own standing unit of the army, not under the umbrella of the government. The castle was very interesting and was filled with memorabilia going back hundreds of years. It was too rainy to walk in the garden, but we used umbrellas to walk to a nearby pasture that had a herd of red deer owned by the castle owners. They stayed close to the fence so we could see them well. Drove on to our destination for the night – Laggen.
The Laggen Hotel is a small family owned country inn, very nice and very different from a large fancy chain hotel. They have large skeleton keys for the doors. We had a delicious dinner in the hotel dining room where everyone had a dram of whisky. A bagpiper in a kilt came into the dining room playing his pipes accompanied by a waiter with a platter of haggis. The piper recited Robert Burns’ Ode to the Haggis and then sliced it open. Each of us was served a small amount and I discovered I liked it. It tasted like sausage. I had always heard it was terrible, but my husband and I disagreed with that opinion. We are fans of the old BBC show “Monarch of the Glen” and it was fun to learn that it had been filmed in this part of Scotland.
Day 5
– The next morning the rain stopped and we got pictures of a beautiful rainbow. It misted a little bit off and on during the day, but not as much as yesterday. After a very nice breakfast in the hotel including porridge, we got back on the coach and then stopped for about an hour at Culloden battlefield and museum. It was very windy and chilly out on the battlefield. The museum is very nicely done. I enjoyed seeing signs in English and Gaelic. The scenery between stops is very beautiful. I love green hillsides, fields of cows and sheep, rocks and low hills and picturesque stone fences. We stopped for photos at Loch Ness. Since it was still windy, the water was choppy. Traveled a little farther to Holm Textile Mill where we had a nice lunch and looked at the textile museum and shop. Drove several more hours and arrived at the North Sea and the town of Thurso where we will be staying at the Station Hotel. We took an optional tour of the Castle of Mey which the Queen Mum bought in 1952 and restored. It is a very lovely castle and had a beautiful garden. Also on the property is a collection of farm animals. I was thrilled to see a Highland cow (they call them “heeland coos”) up close. Her adorable calf looked like a furry teddy bear. Also there were some black Angus cows and a calf, an assortment of different breeds of sheep, chickens and a donkey. Back to the Station Hotel for dinner. It’s a very basic country hotel, but clean and adequate. The food was delicious and the staff members were very nice. Unfortunately I’m coming down with bronchitis.
– The next morning the rain stopped and we got pictures of a beautiful rainbow. It misted a little bit off and on during the day, but not as much as yesterday. After a very nice breakfast in the hotel including porridge, we got back on the coach and then stopped for about an hour at Culloden battlefield and museum. It was very windy and chilly out on the battlefield. The museum is very nicely done. I enjoyed seeing signs in English and Gaelic. The scenery between stops is very beautiful. I love green hillsides, fields of cows and sheep, rocks and low hills and picturesque stone fences. We stopped for photos at Loch Ness. Since it was still windy, the water was choppy. Traveled a little farther to Holm Textile Mill where we had a nice lunch and looked at the textile museum and shop. Drove several more hours and arrived at the North Sea and the town of Thurso where we will be staying at the Station Hotel. We took an optional tour of the Castle of Mey which the Queen Mum bought in 1952 and restored. It is a very lovely castle and had a beautiful garden. Also on the property is a collection of farm animals. I was thrilled to see a Highland cow (they call them “heeland coos”) up close. Her adorable calf looked like a furry teddy bear. Also there were some black Angus cows and a calf, an assortment of different breeds of sheep, chickens and a donkey. Back to the Station Hotel for dinner. It’s a very basic country hotel, but clean and adequate. The food was delicious and the staff members were very nice. Unfortunately I’m coming down with bronchitis.
Day 6
– Bronchitis is worse. Had a very nice breakfast in the hotel. Left at 8:00 and drove only a short distance to John O’Groats, the most northern point of mainland Scotland. We caught the 9:00 ferry to the Orkney Islands, a 40 minute ride. I didn’t realize that there are many islands, some uninhabited and some are connected by barrier bridges built after WW II. An independent coach (not Insight) and driver picked us up at the ferry landing and took us on an all day tour of five islands. The scenery is very beautiful, very green, lots of herds of sheep and cattle, not many trees. It rained lightly off and on all day. Our first stop was a tour of the Highland Park Distillery of Scotch whisky. It was very interesting and we liked the sample. We bought a big bottle when we got back to the U.S. They use heather peat which gives it a nice smooth taste. Next we stopped at the Standing Stones of Stenness – several large upright stones like Stonehenge. We stopped for lunch at the Standing Stones Hotel and had a good meal and delicious Orkney ice cream. We also saw the Ring of Brodgar – 21 standing stones and then toured Skara Brae – the highlight of the day. It’s a 5,000 year old settlement that was discovered 50 years ago when a strong storm washed away a lot of coastline and the ancient underground homes were revealed. Very impressive stone rooms and furniture. Back on the coach and we toured the town of Kirkwall which had a beautiful cathedral. We love ancient churches. Stopped in a pharmacy for over the counter medicines. Back on the ferry at 5:00 and the rain had stopped. Another delicious dinner in the hotel.
– Bronchitis is worse. Had a very nice breakfast in the hotel. Left at 8:00 and drove only a short distance to John O’Groats, the most northern point of mainland Scotland. We caught the 9:00 ferry to the Orkney Islands, a 40 minute ride. I didn’t realize that there are many islands, some uninhabited and some are connected by barrier bridges built after WW II. An independent coach (not Insight) and driver picked us up at the ferry landing and took us on an all day tour of five islands. The scenery is very beautiful, very green, lots of herds of sheep and cattle, not many trees. It rained lightly off and on all day. Our first stop was a tour of the Highland Park Distillery of Scotch whisky. It was very interesting and we liked the sample. We bought a big bottle when we got back to the U.S. They use heather peat which gives it a nice smooth taste. Next we stopped at the Standing Stones of Stenness – several large upright stones like Stonehenge. We stopped for lunch at the Standing Stones Hotel and had a good meal and delicious Orkney ice cream. We also saw the Ring of Brodgar – 21 standing stones and then toured Skara Brae – the highlight of the day. It’s a 5,000 year old settlement that was discovered 50 years ago when a strong storm washed away a lot of coastline and the ancient underground homes were revealed. Very impressive stone rooms and furniture. Back on the coach and we toured the town of Kirkwall which had a beautiful cathedral. We love ancient churches. Stopped in a pharmacy for over the counter medicines. Back on the ferry at 5:00 and the rain had stopped. Another delicious dinner in the hotel.
Day 7
– My upper respiratory infection is worse and I spent a lot of time washing my hands. Left the hotel in Thurso at 8:30 and drove all day. Had a very nice rest stop at Shin Falls and lunch stop at Ullapool where I bought some very reasonably priced cashmere scarves. It’s nice to get a sale at the end of the tourist season. We drove across a bridge to the Isle of Skye about 5:30 where we spent the night in the town of Portree. The small country hotel Tongadale is nice, not fancy, but adequate and clean. The Isle of Skye is much larger than I expected. We took an optional evening coach tour of the northern part of the island. Local guide John got on the coach and described the scenery and history.
– My upper respiratory infection is worse and I spent a lot of time washing my hands. Left the hotel in Thurso at 8:30 and drove all day. Had a very nice rest stop at Shin Falls and lunch stop at Ullapool where I bought some very reasonably priced cashmere scarves. It’s nice to get a sale at the end of the tourist season. We drove across a bridge to the Isle of Skye about 5:30 where we spent the night in the town of Portree. The small country hotel Tongadale is nice, not fancy, but adequate and clean. The Isle of Skye is much larger than I expected. We took an optional evening coach tour of the northern part of the island. Local guide John got on the coach and described the scenery and history.
Day 8
– At breakfast the tour director Robbie hadn’t come downstairs yet, so our wonderful, kind driver Alistair called the local medical clinic and got me an immediate appointment. My husband and I walked 2 blocks and a very nice doctor gave me a prescription. Since we were not UK residents, I had to pay for the visit and get reimbursed by insurance later, but because the rx was written by a Scottish doctor, the rx was free (yea, national health system). Back on the coach at 10:15 and unfortunately it was raining again, but we saw more beautiful scenery. Stopped for free tea and a scone at Mallaig in the Clan McDonald tea room and shop. Then we caught a ferry back to the mainland. Next we rode the Jacobite steam train that was featured in the Harry Potter movies. We didn’t realize until our ride was almost over that we could have changed the temperature in our overheated train car. We saw lots of pretty scenery from the train, but it as very hard to get a picture of the train going over the famous viaduct as seen in the movie. Had to get a post card later. When we pulled in to the station at Fort. William, I wanted to get a picture of the engine, but very quickly before I could walk down the train to take the picture, the engine unhooked, moved to the other end of the train and took off. It goes back and forth all day. I was sad I missed that picture, but oh well. Back on the coach and we rode 3 more hours to Glasgow. Saw Glencoe and Loch Lomond and other lakes along the way. Arrived at the Glasgow Marriott at 7:00 and we had a late dinner on the hotel dining room. Only one more day of the tour – boo hoo.
– At breakfast the tour director Robbie hadn’t come downstairs yet, so our wonderful, kind driver Alistair called the local medical clinic and got me an immediate appointment. My husband and I walked 2 blocks and a very nice doctor gave me a prescription. Since we were not UK residents, I had to pay for the visit and get reimbursed by insurance later, but because the rx was written by a Scottish doctor, the rx was free (yea, national health system). Back on the coach at 10:15 and unfortunately it was raining again, but we saw more beautiful scenery. Stopped for free tea and a scone at Mallaig in the Clan McDonald tea room and shop. Then we caught a ferry back to the mainland. Next we rode the Jacobite steam train that was featured in the Harry Potter movies. We didn’t realize until our ride was almost over that we could have changed the temperature in our overheated train car. We saw lots of pretty scenery from the train, but it as very hard to get a picture of the train going over the famous viaduct as seen in the movie. Had to get a post card later. When we pulled in to the station at Fort. William, I wanted to get a picture of the engine, but very quickly before I could walk down the train to take the picture, the engine unhooked, moved to the other end of the train and took off. It goes back and forth all day. I was sad I missed that picture, but oh well. Back on the coach and we rode 3 more hours to Glasgow. Saw Glencoe and Loch Lomond and other lakes along the way. Arrived at the Glasgow Marriott at 7:00 and we had a late dinner on the hotel dining room. Only one more day of the tour – boo hoo.
Day 9
– The Marriott beds are wonderful, slept very well and my fever has broken. Antibiotic should start to help now. Left at 10:15 for a city tour on the coach. We stopped to visit a wonderful large terra cotta fountain. It’s called the Doulton fountain because Royal Doulton, the china maker, was the only place that could fire the huge terra cotta figures. Our next stop was the ancient Glasgow Cathedral where we walked around a while. The next stop was at a tenement house museum. I had totally the wrong impression of what a tenement was. In the U.S. that would mean a very bad part of town, maybe dangerous and with crummy slum housing. This historical tenement was a nice apartment building made of red stone and depending on their income, a person’s unit might have been one or two or three rooms. This unit is now owned by the National Trust and was preserved just as it was when a lady used to live there. It had three small rooms and was furnished with antiques. One bed was in a closet, which would have been common.
– The Marriott beds are wonderful, slept very well and my fever has broken. Antibiotic should start to help now. Left at 10:15 for a city tour on the coach. We stopped to visit a wonderful large terra cotta fountain. It’s called the Doulton fountain because Royal Doulton, the china maker, was the only place that could fire the huge terra cotta figures. Our next stop was the ancient Glasgow Cathedral where we walked around a while. The next stop was at a tenement house museum. I had totally the wrong impression of what a tenement was. In the U.S. that would mean a very bad part of town, maybe dangerous and with crummy slum housing. This historical tenement was a nice apartment building made of red stone and depending on their income, a person’s unit might have been one or two or three rooms. This unit is now owned by the National Trust and was preserved just as it was when a lady used to live there. It had three small rooms and was furnished with antiques. One bed was in a closet, which would have been common.
Our next stop was the very impressive Kelvingrove Museum. It was built in 1901 and had eclectic mixed collections in each area. I enjoyed seeing the taxidermy specimens like a skeleton of a huge Irish reindeer and a giant crab. There was a beautiful pipe organ in the main hall, but it wasn’t time for a concert. The coach took us back to the hotel and we had lunch on our own. We ate at a JD Wetherspoon pub (one of our favorite English chains). We also ate at one in Edinburgh. This one was called the Sir John Moore. We walked around Glasgow a while and then came back for a nap. Our farewell dinner that night was in a fancy casino called the Corinthian Club, but we weren’t allowed to gamble. We had a very nice meal. Back to the hotel to pack. We had flown into Heathrow the week before the tour and it’s so much cheaper to fly out of the same airport you arrived in, so we took a train from Glasgow to London. We met with my husband’s cousin and her husband for dinner, then spent the night at the Hilton in Heathrow and flew home the next morning. For our next tour that starts in Berlin, Germany and ends in Frankfurt, we plan to fly into Frankfurt a day early (to get over jet lag), take a train to Berlin, then fly home from Frankfurt at the conclusion of the tour. The flight is dramatically cheaper that way. The contrast of the huge crowds and congestion in London was jarring since we had just come from the Scottish countryside. I love being out in the country, though we have enjoyed seeing the many wonderful sights in London on prior visits.
This was a fantastic tour with gorgeous scenery. Sorry if I overused the word “beautiful,” but there were so many things that applied to. Robbie made the rich tapestry of Scotland really come alive for us with his stories and historical information and Alistair was a great driver. We highly recommend this tour!