September 18, 2024: We flew with PolyArk classmate, Don & Julie to to Edinburgh, Scotland. There, we met up with another PolyArk classmate, Karl and Barbara to begin our Gate 1 - 10 Day Classic Scotland Tour and 50th PolyArk Anniversary.
DAY 1, Tuesday arrive Wednesday - Depart for Scotland
DAY 2, Thursday - Arrive in Edinburgh Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive no later than 4 PM
Royal Botanic Garden 09/19/2024 (3:20 min)
Overnight: Edinburgh Meals: Dinner
DAY 3, Friday - Edinburgh City Tour This morning join a local guide for a city tour of historic Edinburgh. The route will take you past the Scottish Parliament, the Museum of Scotland, the Royal Mile, Georgian New Town and Princes Street. Also included is a visit to Edinburgh Castle where you can see the Crown Room, St. Margaret's Chapel, and much more! The balance of the day is at leisure. Tonight, perhaps attend the optional Scottish Dinner with Whisky Pairing Optional: Scottish Dinner with Whisky Pairing (PM)
Edinburgh City Tour 09/20/2024 (2:00 min)
Bagpiper 09/20/2024 (0:53 min)
Proper Scottish Wedding Street Walk 09/20/2024 (1:54 min)
Overnight: Edinburgh Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4, Saturday - Full Day in Edinburgh
Spend a day at leisure in the Scottish capital. Shop for traditional handicrafts and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this elegant city, known for its arts and military festivals. Catch one of the many museums or, join the optional morning tour to the former Royal Yacht Britannia. Learn about life aboard this elegant ship which has seen so many historic occasions. Continue to Holyrood Palace, official residence of the royal family in Scotland; see the State Apartments, Throne Room and priceless collection of tapestries and paintings Optional: Half Day Royal Yacht Britannia & Holyrood Palace (AM)
Overnight: Edinburgh Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5, Sunday - St. Andrews, Glamis Castle, Aviemore
Sightseeing begins in the town of St. Andrews, renowned for its famous golf course and the University where Prince William studied. Continue to Glamis Castle, childhood home of the Queen-Mother; visit this well-preserved ancient Scottish castle with its literary connections to Shakespeare's Macbeth. Despite local legends of mysterious monsters and ghosts, the castle is still home to the Lyon family. Next, scenic views await you as you travel farther north into the Scottish Highlands and through the mountainous Cairngorms National Park. Arrive in the winter sports resort of Aviemore in time for dinner.
St. Andrews 09/22/2024 (2:40 min)
Glamis Castle 09/22/2024 Carr-Bridge 09/23/2024 (1:30 min)
Overnight: Aviemore Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6, Monday - Carrbridge, Culloden Battlefield, Whisky Distillery & Tasting
Heading north from Aviemore you start the day with a photo stop in Carrbridge, a small Highland village which takes its name from the 18th century packhorse bridge which spans the local river. Continue to the site of the famous Culloden Battlefield near Inverness where the Jacobite forces faced the British army in 1746. This final battle marked the decisive collapse of the Jacobite uprisings and the beginning of the integration of the Highlands into the United Kingdom. A Visitor Center has been established to help preserve the battlefield and educate visitors about the battle through films and exhibitions. Next, tour a whisky distillery (Singleton) and enjoy a tasting or two before returning to Aviemore. The rest of the day is at leisure. For Sept departures, visit to a whisky distillery will be replaced with a custom whisky warehouse experience.
Overnight: Aviemore Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7, Tuesday - Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Fort William
Today, drive to the most notorious site in all of Scotland, Loch Ness. There will be time to take pictures and try to spot the elusive Nessie in the largest lake in Scotland. The tour continues its exploration of the Highlands up into the Isle of Skye, passing Eilean Donan Castle and crossing Skye Bridge. Drive through the lush countryside to the Clan Donald Museum of the Isles before returning to the mainland. Arrive in Fort William for dinner and overnight.
Shortbread - Tessa 09/24/2024 (3:56 min)
Armadale Castle, Gardens & Museum - Isle of Skye 09/24/2024 (2:34 min)
Eilean Donan Castle and the Commando Memorial 09/24/2024 (1:36 min)
Isles of Glencoe 09/24/2024 (1:37 min)
Overnight: Fort William Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8, Wednesday - Loch Lomond, Glasgow City Tour Continue towards Loch Lomond and cruise on the lake, taking in the views of the surrounding Trossachs National Park. This afternoon, arrive in vibrant Glasgow, where you will take a tour of the city sights. Spend your evening at leisure.
Glencoe Valley 09/25/2024 (2:48 min)
Loch Lomand boat ride 09/25/2024 (4:00 min)
Loch Lomond cruise via Oscar 09/25/2024 (1:00 min)
Overnight: Glasgow Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9, Thursday - Stirling Castle
Begin the day with a visit to Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland. Then view the impressive "Kelpies", the world's largest equine sculptures and Scotland's latest iconic landmark rising majestically over the Forth & Clyde Canal. Return to Glasgow in the late afternoon. Tonight during dinner, bid farewell to your Tour Manager, David Seagrave.
Stirling Castle Unicorn Tapestries 09/26/2024 (7:49 min)
Stirling Castle Broidster 09/26/2024 (8:17 min)
Stirling Castle Lute Player 09/26/2024 (1:00 min)
Stirling Castle Tapestry Weavers 09/26/2024 (7:11 min)
Overnight: Glasgow Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10, Friday - Extra Free Day. Took the train to Paisley to see the sites of this historic small town just outside of Glasgow.
Overnight: Glasgow Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11, Saturday - Depart Scotland. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Meals: Take Away Breakfast in order to catch a very early flight to Amsterdam then JFK.
September 2024 Scotland Photos by Chris
September 2024 Scotland Photos by Janet
Oscar was one of the tour participants I met, who had brought all sorts of camera gizmos including a drone, an Insta360 camera and mini DJI camera on a gimble. He kindly shared many of his videos with me. I pulled a few of his photos from his videos, just so you can take time to look at them.