Gardener's World Tours

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The Magic of Scotland and the Western Isles The Edinburgh Military Tattoo Hosted by Marjorie Mason of Mason House Gardens, Uxbridge 14 - 27 August 2011 Itinerary Sunday 14 August 2011 Travel under own arrangement to Glasgow On arrival at Glasgow Airport we will be met by our local coach and head for the Western Highlands, stopping en route for a breath of fresh Scottish air and coffee at Loch Lomond. On arrival in the bustling harbour town Oban we will check into our hotel overlooking the bay and the mountains of Mull and Morvern beyond. Welcome dinner in our Hotel this the evening. DB Monday 15 August 2011 A reasonably early start morning as we catch the ferry to the Isle of Mull, a place of tumbling burns, high peaks, dramatic views and a silent, lonely beauty. We will drive along the Ross of Mull to Fionnphort, where we cross as foot passengers to the "˜sacred isle' of Iona. Here we have the opportunity to visit the Abbey and wander over the island, taking in the atmosphere of calm contemplation which attracts visitors from all over the world. On our way back to the pier at Craignure we will stop for a visit to Duart Castle, the family home of the chief of clan MacLean. Here we will admire the 13thcentury state-rooms and appreciate the strategic position of the castle from the top of the keep. Thereafter we will catch the ferry back to Oban and visit a few shops before dinner at our Hotel. DB Tuesday 16 August 2011 This morning we head north, for a visit to the National Trust for Scotland's Visitor Centre at Glencoe. Here we learn of the tragic story of the Campbell's massacre of the MacDonalds in 1692 and take in the haunting beauty of the mountainous landscape. We continue northward to Fort William, continuing through magnificent mountain scenery and pause for a visit to Eilean Donan Castle. This is one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, thanks to its impossibly romantic setting on Loch Duich. The beginnings of Eilean Donan Castle reach back into the early mists of time - evidence of a pictish fort that was found in vitrified rock uncovered during excavations. Some of some of these items have been kept for visitors to enjoy. We now cross the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh to the Isle of Skye and our hotel where an amazing view of Cuillin Hills and dinner awaits us. DB Wednesday 17 August 2011 Today we explore the Isle of Skye and our first visit is to Dunvegan Castle, the ancient home of the chiefs of the Clan MacLeod. Amongst the many priceless relics on display is the Fairy Flag, the sacred banner, said to bring good luck to the clan. Following our visit here we depart on a scenic drive around Trotternish, Skye's most northerly peninsula, which contains within its narrow confines a barren, haunting environment studded with fantastic basaltic formations and ancient settlements. Here we will also view the grave of Flora MacDonald who assisted Bonnie Prince Charlie flee "over the sea to Skye". We will then spend some time in the island's chief town and port, Portree. The name comes from the Gaelic for "˜king's port' and refers to the time in 1540 when James V sailed here to win over the Skye chieftains.

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