Day by Day Itinerary
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Day 1 - Thursday, Sept 8th, Leave US

Day 2 - Friday, Sept 9th - Upon arrival in Edinburgh we will be transferred to the Parliament House Hotel (or similar) for a three night stay. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or start exploring this amazing UNESCO Heritage City with your hop-on, hop-off coach tour tickets provided.
Meals: Early dinner at hotel

Day 3 - Saturday, Sept 10th - We will meet our local guide and have a walking tour of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle down through a thousand years of history to Holyrood Palace, the Queen's home in Edinburgh. Remainder of the afternoon is free to enjoy this "Prince of Cities" at your own pace. Ghost tour in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Sunday, Sept 11th - Today our tour takes us south to the world famous Scott's View, with stunning views over the Tweed Valley and the Eildon Hills, and on to Melrose with the opportunity to explore its great Border Abbey, founded by the Cistercians in the 12th Century, and burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart, brought back from the crusades in Moorish Spain.

Following lunch in Melrose we will make our way to the stunning 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, immortalized in Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" where we will find out more about the myths and legends surrounding the whereabouts of the "Holy Grail".
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Monday, Sept 12th - We leave Edinburgh and begin our tour of the highlands of Scotland. After crossing the famed Forth River Bridge, we enter the Kingdom of Fife. Our first stop will be in the medieval town of Falkland. Enjoy the town and perhaps a visit to the Palace (optional) and have coffee at Kynd Kittocks on our own. We'll travel on to St. Andrews, the home of golf, site of castle and abbey, and of the university where Prince Andrew and Kate fell in love. Free time for about three hours (lunch), then on to Pitlochry where we will be based for the next two nights. Shopping and free time in Pitlochry with list of things to do/see...overnight at a 4 star B&B or Guest House.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 - Tuesday, Sept 13th - To Blair Atholl Palace (admission included) traveling through the eerie Pass of Killicrankie, site of a major battle. We will arrive at the House of Bruar where the finest of Scottish merchandise is housed in several buildings. For those who don't shop there will be an optional walk up to the Falls of Bruar. Lunch at House of Bruar on our own. This evening we will have dinner at the 16th century Moulin Inn.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Wednesday, Sept 14th - This morning we get an early start to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, via the Spittal of Glenshee and Braemar, home of the Queen's Highland Games. We will visit the infamous Cawdor Castle and, if time permits, perhaps Culloden, site of the battle that ended the hopes of Bonnie Prince Charlie to gain the throne, or the pre-historic site at Clava Cairns. Glen Mhor hotel or similar, two nights.
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 - Thursday, Sept 15th - Late morning walking tour of Inverness with guide. Free time for a walk along the mile or two of parks along the River Ness or town shopping and exploring. Group dinner where we hope to feature a Scottish story teller.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 - Friday, Sept 16th - A water journey down the Great Glen along the several-hundred feet deep Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle (Drumnadrochit), then rejoin our coach for a trip to Glen Coe with time for lunch and shopping at the excellent visitor center. We then make our way through the Trossachs and Rob Roy country to Stirling. Our lodging this last evening is at the Barcelo Stirling Highland Hotel, just below Stirling Castle. We will meet for our festive farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 - Saturday, Sept 17th - Transfer to airport for international flight home.