Program for Mr. and Mrs. John Doe
10-18 October 2005
Trip to Scotland

Choose a date to view events for that day.

October 10th | October 11th | October 12 | October 13th | October 14th | October 15th | October 16th | October 17th | October 18th

October 10th

On your arrival at Edinburgh Airport at 17.20 hrs on flight AF5052 ex. Paris CDG you will be welcomed to Scotland by an experienced chauffeur who will give you your travel documents for all services reserved on your behalf. You will be then driven by private saloon car into Edinburgh the handsome and historic Capital City of Scotland and to your hotel for one night bed and breakfast.

We have reserved a king sized double room with en suite facilities and Edinburgh castle view in this elegant hotel situated on Princes Street in the heart of the city center.

Dinner at leisure (not included).
If you would like to dine in the hotel there are two restaurants. The fine dining Pompadour which serves dinner between 19.00 and 21.30 hrs and the less formal Chisholms where dinner is served between 18.00 and 21.30 hrs.

October 11th

A self drive Citroen C5 2000cc (or similar) automatic car will be delivered to your hotel at 09.30 hrs this morning and after completing the rental paperwork you will be ready to begin your tour of Scotland .

Drive north west into 'Braveheart' country. The road passes close to Bannockburn the site of King Robert the Bruce's defeat of the English in 1314 and where a huge bronze equestrian statue commemorates the man who became an icon of Scottish independence.

Just two miles north of the battlefield the town of Stirling grew up round its magnificent castle. Below the castle the Old Town is still protected by the original walls, built in the 16 th century to keep Mary, Queen of Scots safe from Henry V111. Seven battlefields can be seen from the wonderful Renaissance architecture of the castle as well as the Wallace Monument which recalls 'Braveheart' William Wallace's defeat of the English in 1297, foreshadowing Bruce's victory.

On west into the lovely Trossachs 'Scotland in Miniature' a beautiful region of craggy hills and sparkling lochs which was the home of Scotland's folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor and his 'Children of the Mist' whose colourful life stories are told in the Rob Roy and Trossachs Visitor Centre in the popular town of Callander 'Gateway to the Trossachs'.

Into eerie Glencoe the most famous glen in Scotland renowned for its awesome scenery and savage history and scene of the infamous Massacre of Glencoe which began at dawn on 13 th February 1692 and tragedy for the Glencoe MacDonalds.

On by the shores of Loch Linnhe to the town of Fort William which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis Britain's highest mountain. Just to the north of the mountain The Nevis Range gondola-style chairlift provides access to the magnificent highland scenery at 650m.

Check into a 3 to 5 start hotel of Mary's suggestion or your choice for one night bed and breakfast.

We have reserved a king sized double bedded room with en suite facilities in this luxury hotel.

On your arrival in Fort William continue on the A82 road and the hotel is located only four miles from the town centre.

A table has been reserved for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Dinner costs approximately £52.50 per person and should be paid direct. Gentlemen are required to wear jacket and tie for dinner.

October 12th

Join the scenic Road to the Isles this morning by vast mountain corridors, breathtaking beaches of white sand, tiny villages and picturesque Loch Shiel where the Glenfinnan Monument commemorates the brave clansmen who rose in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite rebellion close to the site where the Prince first raised his standard.

On into the active port of Mallaig to check in at 13.15 hrs for the 13.45 hrs sailing across the sea to the fabled Isle of Skye the largest of the Inner Hebrides and historically best known for its associations with Bonnie Prince Charlie . Disembark at Armadale in southern Skye at 14.11 hrs.

Close to the ferry terminal Armadale Castle has the Clan Donald Centre and interesting Museum of the Isles which traces the story of the medieval rulers of this sea kingdom.

Drive north to pretty Portree the island 'capital' with its colourful harbour and on to Skeabost to check into

Check into a 3 to 5 start hotel of Mary's suggestion or your choice for two nights bed and breakfast.

We have reserved a superior king sized double bedded room with en suite facilities in this handsome country house hotel with large private grounds.

Once you reach the island follow the A87 into Portree and follow the signs for Uig. Continue for a further four miles until you reach the junction to Dunvegan and turn on to the A850. The hotel is situated about two miles from this junction on a loop road that is well signposted at either end.

Dinner at leisure (not included).
If you would like to dine in the hotel dinner is served between 19.00 and 20.30 hrs and we would suggest you book in advance of your arrival.

October 13th

The River Snizort not only offers quality fishing, but also some of the most spectacular scenery and the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.

On your arrival at the hotel, the concierge should telephone the estate ghillie. His office is located just 150 yards from the hotel and he will call into the hotel this evening at a suitable time to discuss your fishing arrangements for next morning with you. All fishing fees should be paid to Derek direct on the day.

Permit - £20.00
Rod hire- £10.00
Flies- £2.00 approximately per fly

Wellington Boats are provided by the hotel.

The rest of today is at leisure to relax at the hotel or explore more of the island.

From the fantastic terrain of the Quiraing in the north to the ice sculpted peaks of the Cuillins, Britain 's finest mountain range, you are never more than five miles from the sea. The grave of Flora MacDonald Bonnie Prince Charlie's heroine can be seen at Kilmuir, the famous Old Man of Storr, a monolith rising to 55m can be found by the Portree road, Talisker Whisky Distillery produces one of the best Highland malts, often described as "the lava of the Cuillins" and in the west Dunvegan Castle the seat of the Chiefs of the Clan Macleod since the 11 th century contains Jacobite relics and the fabled Fairy Flag.

Dinner at leisure. (not included).

October 14th

Return to the mainland by the toll free road bridge connecting Kyleakin with Kyle of Lochalsh.

Drive east where the road passes romantic Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie. Connected to the mainland by a causeway this is the most photographed castle in the country. On through Glen Shiel where the awesome summits of the Five Sisters of Kintail dominate one of Scotland 's most haunting regions and continue to the scenic Great Glen where the banks of Loch Ness Scotland's most famous loch provide a beautiful route through the glen.

Close to the village of Drumnadrochit the ruins of Urquhart Castle rise imposingly over the water to give the best vantage point for viewing Loch Ness and watching for Nessie the world famous and mysterious inhabitant first sighted here by St. Columba in the 6 th century and whose story is told in a visitor centre in the village.

On by Inverness 'Capital of the Highlands' to the resort town of Nairn on the Moray Firth to check into

Check into a 3 to 5 start hotel of Mary's suggestion or your choice for two nights bed and breakfast .

We have reserved a king sized double bedded room with en suite facilities in this beautiful house set in twenty acres of land, including a beautiful lake and traditional, tranquil walled garden.

As you approach Nairn from Inverness continue through the town on the A96 and approximately one and a half miles from Nairn on your left hand side you will see the entrance to the hotel.

Dinner at leisure. (not included).
If you would like to dine in the hotel dinner is served between 19.00 and 20.15 hrs and bookings must be made in advance of arrival. Dress code is smart but casual.

October 15th

Explore the area.
Unfortunately Cawdor Castle closes for the season on 9 th October however you might like to take the morning drive back to Inverness if time did not permit any sightseeing yesterday. Inverness is a bustling city and just a few miles south east of the town centre a desolate stretch of moorland at Culloden looks much as it did on 16 th April 1746 when the last battle fought on British soil ended Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite uprising. All is explained in the excellent and emotional visitor centre on the site.

Just a mile from the battlefield are the atmospheric and outstanding Neolithic burial sites at Clava Cairns which you might also like to experience.

The delightful Victorian seaside resort town of Nairn is long established and notable for its golf and fine beaches and the area offers many historic sites and castles, including Europe's best preserved 18th century fort ( Fort George ). You can see dolphins, porpoises and seals from Nairn harbour. Twisting roads connect nearby Auldearn, Ferness and Dulsie Bridge , with a host of interesting diversions such as the old Bell Tower at Ardclach.

South east of Nairn is the gateway to the celebrated Malt Whisky Trail, which explores Speyside distilleries with illustrious names such as Glenlivet and Glenfiddich. You might like to sample the 'Uisege Beatha' or 'water of life' itself during a distillery visit.

Dinner at leisure. (not included).

October 16th

Begin your drive south this morning through the mountains into scenic Perthshire where white turreted Blair Castle at Blair Atholl has an interesting 700 year old history. Its owner the Duke of Atholl has the distinction of being the only British subject permitted to maintain a private army, The Atholl Highlanders.

On south where you might enjoy a short detour to see the Queens View, considered by many to be the loveliest view in Scotland and stroll in the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry where Edradour Distillery the smallest distillery in the country nestles in the hills before continuing through 'big tree' countryside to Stanley to check into

Check into a 3 to 5 start hotel of Mary's suggestion or your choice for one night dinner, bed and breakfast.

We have reserved a four poster room in this lovely country house hotel situated on its own Perthshire estate overlooking the River Tay, gateway to the Scottish highlands.

Driving south you should leave the A9 at Dunkeld and travel east on the A984 to join the B9099 south towards Stanley and follow the signs to the hotel.

Dinner is served in the hotel between 19.30 and 20.45 hrs.

October 17th

The short drive this morning to rejoin the main road south to Edinburgh Airport to terminate car rental and check in for British Airways flight BA1447 departing 12.15 hrs to London , Heathrow.

We suggest you leave the hotel around 09.00 hrs.

Your car rental representative will have given you full instructions on termination car rental at Edinburgh Airport .

On your arrival at Heathrow Airport at 13.35 hrs you will be met by an experienced chauffeur who will welcome you to England and transfer you by private vehicle to your lovely hotel.

Check into a 3 to 5 start hotel of Mary's suggestion or your choice to check in for one night room only.

We have reserved a deluxe king sized double in this charming hotel.

If your flight is on time your expected check in time at the hotel is around 15.00 hrs.

The rest of today is at leisure to relax at the hotel. The excellent concierge desk will give you full assistance with restaurant bookings, London theatre information and local sightseeing.

Dinner at leisure. (not included).
This evening you may wish to attend a show in London . A taxi from the hotel to theatre land takes approximately fifteen minutes.

October 18th

Breakfast at leisure. (not included).

Breakfast is served in the hotel between 07.00 and 11.00 hrs and costs approximately £15.50 per person for continental and £19.50 per person for full English.

Your private chauffeur driven vehicle will return to the hotel to collect you at 07.45 hrs for transfer to Gatwick Airport where you will check in for Continental Airlines flight 5 departing at 12.00 noon to Huston. Arriving Los Angeles at 7.20 PM with a change of plane in Huston.

Please note when you check in at Los Angeles on 9 th Oct your luggage will be checked straight through to Edinburgh ONLY providing you show both airlines. You MUST show your British Air itinerary in Los Angeles reminding the check in attendant your final destination is Edinburgh . Your luggage tags should read EDI. This way you will not have to collect your luggage in London .

When you take delivery of your car in Edinburgh please discuss with the representative where exactly you will drop the car off at the airport on the 17 th and what to do with the keys. Arranging this will save you concern when you get to the airport.

We advise you take some money in the currency of the country you are visiting. The Pound Sterling is used throughout Britain. You will require this for incidentals.

It is wise to purchase what you can by credit card as you will get the best rate of exchange this way.

Additional Information

Please note each passenger will require a valid passport with at least 6 months validity for this trip but no visa.

You should be at airports at least 2 hours prior to departure of international flights.

We suggest layered clothing and a light raincoat.

Mary K Rhoden had the pleasure of assisting with your arrangements and wishes you a very enjoyable trip.

If you have enjoyed and been pleased with the service you have received from me, your recommendation of me to your friends and family would be very much appreciated.

Telephone numbers
TennesseeValley Travel
Mary K Rhoden(Business) Tel 423-265 8211ext 1202

This document is a work product of TennesseeValley Travel all rights reserved © 2007