Clan Graham2015

Killiecrankie

Clan Graham28th July

We arrive in Glasgow where we will be greeted by our guide and driver.

Before checking into our hotel, we will be given a tour of the city, which is sure to be a wonderful introduction for us to Scotland.

Glasgow

Clan Graham29th July

Isle of Arran Distillery

Brodick, Isle of Arran

Today we travel to Ayrshire and board the ferry to the Isle of Arran for a tour of the island and a special visit to Brodick Castle. The castle dates back to the 13th Century and was the summer home of the 6th and 7th Dukes of Montrose.

We will also visit the Isle of Arran Distillery. The distillery was opened on 1995 and its visitor centre was opened in 1997 by Her Majesty the Queen. The distillery can be found in a stunningly beautiful setting and we will enjoy a fully guided tour and, of course, the chance to try a wee dram!

We then return to Glasgow for dinner and overnight stay.

Clan Graham30th July

Buchanan Castle

Loch Katrine

This morning we visit Buchanan Castle, the seat of our Chief, the 8th Duke of Montrose, before enjoying lunch at the Buchanan Castle Golf and Country Club. This is where the Clan Graham will hold their Annual General Meeting (AGM), presided over by our Chief and his wife, The Duchess of Montrose.

Before the luncheon we will have an opportunity to take photographs of the ruined but impressive Buchanan Castle.

In the afternoon, we will cross the Dukes (of Montrose) Pass to visit Loch Katrine in the area of the beautiful Trossachs. We will enjoy a relaxing cruise on this beautiful loch, during which we will be able to see more of the stunning landscape surrounding the loch. At Ellen’s Isle, with its literary connection to the Grahams, we learn on this rocky, heather-clad shore that the young Chief Malcolm Graeme came to visit his love, Ellen, in Sir Walter Scott’s “Lady of the Lake”.

We then return to Drymen for dinner and overnight stay.

Clan Graham31st July

Today we spend time in the grounds of Mugdock Castle, once the seat of the Great Marquis of Montrose. The tower of the castle has been rebuilt with help from the Clan Graham Society and now houses the Graham Room, which tells the story of the Grahams in a video format.

Lunch in the grounds of the castle.

We will then return to our hotel to get ready to attend an evening ceilidh in conjunction with members of the Mugdock Castle staff.

Overnight in Drymen.

Mugdock Castle

Clan Graham1st August

Wallace Monument

Stirling Castle

We leave this morning for a visit to Bannockburn, the site of the famous battle in which King Robert the Bruce fought King Edward II’s English army. Bannockburn now features a new display especially built in 2014 to commemorate the 700 th Anniversary of the battle.

We then visit the magnificent Stirling Castle, situated on a commanding rocky outcrop. Of outstanding interest are the Great Hall and the Gatehouse of James IV, the marvellous palace of James V, the Chapel Royal and the artillery fortifications of the 16th and 18th Centuries.

We will see the famous Wallace (Braveheart) Monument from the castle before then going to visit this tower. Those who climb the tower steps will look down upon Stirling Bridge where the battle of that name took place and Wallace fought the English Army.

We will then return to Drymen.

Dinner and overnight in Drymen.

Clan Graham2nd August

Culloden Battlefield

Glencoe Pass

This morning we travel northeast into the Highlands, passing through Glencoe where the infamous massacre of the Clan MacDonald took place in 1682.

We will then pass by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. We drive through Fort William and Inverlochy, where the famous Battle of Inverlochy took place in 1644 and in which Montrose was triumphant over Clan Campbell.

We will stop and enjoy the magnificent view of the Highlands from the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge commemorating those lost in WWII. Then we’ll go up the Great Glen and visit Culloden Moor where Bonnie Prince Charlie lost the last battle fought on British soil.

Then on to Inverness for dinner and overnight.

Clan Graham3rd August

This morning we will travel further into the Highlands to Dunrobin Castle, near the village of Golspie. Dunrobin is the most northerly of the great houses of Scotland and is the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. There is a decidedly French influence to the building and its gardens which are based upon Versailles. The colors of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders can be seen, reminding us of the Thin Red Line that stood before the Russian Cavalry successfully defending Balaclava during the Crimean War. Many Grahams were part of the Highland Brigade in that war.

We continue our journey to the Black Isle to visit the pretty Georgian town of Cromarty before returning to Inverness for dinner and overnight.

Dolphins off the Black Isle

Dunrobin Castle

Clan Graham4th August

Today we leave Inverness and travel south to Blair Atholl and the Tomb of Bonnie Dundee, John Graham of Claverstone. Then visit Blair Castle. Discover the Castle and go on a journey into the fascinating past of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Unique amongst Scottish castles, the story told here will take you from a visit by Mary Queen of Scots to the Civil War, and from the Jacobite cause to the disaster of Culloden following Bonnie Prince Charlie's own stay in the castle.

Then onwards to Killiecrankie, the location of the famous battle in which Bonnie Dundee successfully led royalist troops against the Covenanting troops but lost his life.

Then to Montrose for an enjoyable evening with our friends there.

Dinner and overnight in Montrose.

Montrose

Blair Castle

Clan Graham5th August

Today we travel north to Dunnottar Castle for a visit. This was where the Scottish Crown Jewels were sent for safekeeping during Scotland’s Civil War. Montrose laid siege to the castle during that war and we will hear the amazing story of how the castle survived the siege and eventually returned the Crown Jewels to Edinburgh.

We then travel to the pretty fairytale castle of Crathes for a visit before returning to Montrose for dinner and overnight.

Crathes

Dunnottar Castle

Clan Graham6th August

We leave Montrose today and drive the short distance to the beautiful city of Edinburgh.

On our way, we will visit Aberuthven Parish Church, a medieval church which can be found north-east of the village of Auchterarder in Perth and Kinross.

Once we reach Edinburgh, we will visit Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic images. The castle dates back to the Norman Period and houses the Crown Jewels of Scotland. We will follow this with a visit to the High Kirk of St Giles where we will pay homage at the Memorial to the Great Marquis of Montrose.

We will then continue to our hotel in Edinburgh.

This evening you will be on your own and have the opportunity to choose a dinner in one of the many fine restaurants in the city or enjoy the experience of a ‘pub meal’, or perhaps a Scottish show.

Overnight in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Castle

Clan Graham7th August

Today we will have time for some independent sightseeing or shopping in the city. Choose from many sites of interest, including the Scottish Parliament, The National Museum of Scotland, The Palace of Holyrood House, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and much more.

In the evening you can once again enjoy dinner on your own in the city before attending the grand finale of the tour – the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is held on the ramparts of the castle and is world renowned.

Overnight in Edinburgh.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Palace of Holyrood House

Clan Graham8th August

It is now, unfortunately, time for us to leave Scotland.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the US.

END OF SERVICES.

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Prices

Rates - GBPMinimum number of pax

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

1/2 twin 1,945 1,645 1,475 1,455 1,345 1,290 1,245 1,215

Single suppl.

400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400

Prices

Includes- Accommodation for the group 11 nights:- 2 nights in Glasgow, Millennium Hotel or similar- 3 nights in Drymen – Winnock Hotel or similar- 2 nights in Inverness, - Thistle Invermess or similar- 2 nights in Montrose, Park Montrose Hotel or similar- 2 nights in Edinburgh, Premier Inn Princes Street or similar- 11 x breakfasts- 9 x 3 course dinners ( no drinks included)- One coach + driver for 9 full days ( max 8 hours per day)- 1 airport transfer from Glasgow International Airport to Glasgow city centre hotel.- 1 airport transfer from Edinburgh city centre hotel to Edinburgh Airport- Driver’s accommodation for 7 nights and lunch expenses.- Fully qualified guide for 9 full days ( max 8 hours per day)- 1 guide for airport transfer Glasgow City centre to Glasgow Airport.- Guide’s accommodation for 9 nights and lunch expenses.- Ferry to/from Isle of Arran.- Admissions to the following- Arran Distillery, 1 hr cruise Loch Katrine, Bannockburn Visitor centre, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Dunrobin castle,

Dunnottar Castle, Crathes Castle and Gardens, St. Giles Cathedral, Ticket Edinburgh Tattoo, Edinburgh Castle, Brodick Castle, Killiecrankie, Blair castle.