The Orkneys & Perth with a Royal Twist

The Orkneys, and Perth with a Royal Twist

 

8 Days 8^th July 2021

 

This fantastic summer tour combines dramatic rugged coastlines, ancient history, fascinating wildlife of the Orkneys, as well as the beauty of Perth on the River Tay. We will also be visiting the late Queen Mothers beloved ‘Castle of Mey’ and ‘Glamis Castle’ with guided tours of these wonderful old buildings and their beautiful grounds.

 

Tour Itinerary

 

Thursday – Our luxury coach will depart this morning and travel north to Scotland with suitable comfort stops on route. We arrive in Perth ready for tonight’s evening meal.

 

Friday – Today we leave Perth and travel north to Aviemore for a morning coffee stop. We continue to the little town of Dornoch, in the Scottish Highlands for an afternoon comfort stop. This seaside town is famous for its world class golf course, a 13^th century cathedral and old town jail. We continue our day by heading further north straight to our next base in Thurso for the next 3 nights.

 

Saturday – A highlight today as we make an early crossing over to the mystical Orkney Isles. We meet our local guide who will accompany us on the coach throughout the day. Our tour will take us to the Churchill Barriers, the construction of which was ordered by Winston Churchill after the tragic torpedoing of the battleship, Royal Oak in Scapa Flow during 1939. We will also visit the Italian chapel, built by Italian prisoners during WWII followed by Skara Brae the ancient settlement uncovered by a storm in 1850. This settlement is older than Stonehenge and amazingly preserved, giving us an insight into pre-historic human living! We then visit Skaill House, the finest mansion on the Island, and the Ring of Brodgar to view the standing stones constructed around 2500BC. We return back on the ferry after this fascinating tour to a hearty Scottish dinner and time to reflect on the excitement of your day.

 

Sunday – This morning we visit the beautiful Castle of Mey located in Caithness and beloved private home of the late Queen Mother, from 1952 to 1996 when her majesty kindly gifted it with an endowment to the Trust. Just 6 miles from John O’Groats it overlooks the Pentland Firth and the Orkney Isles. We will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful building which has stayed unaltered since her majesty left it nearly 25 year ago! After this wonderful experience we head back to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Monday – We leave our hotel in Thurso today and head down the country to Inverness for a lunch stop. We continue to the lovely little town of Pitlochry for an afternoon coffee stop, arriving at our final hotel in Perth by late afternoon.       

 

Tuesday – A free day today to explore the beautiful city of Perth, on your doorstep from our hotel.

 

Wednesday – Today we visit the beautiful ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and birthplace of HRH the Princess Margaret, ‘Glamis Castle’. You will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful ancestral home which has been in the family since 1372, and an inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This afternoon we visit the seaside town of St Andrews, home to British Golf and university of Prince William.        

 

Thursday – Time to leave Perth and retrace our steps home, back to Wiltshire and your waiting taxis after a memorable Scottish break.

 

Your Hotels

 

The Salutation – Perth 4 nights

 

Set in a historical building that dates back to Bonnie Prince Charlie, all bedrooms are en-suite with TV, phone, hairdryer and hospitality trays. The hotel sits in the centre of Perth close to the beautiful River Tay.

 

Muthu Royal Thurso Hotel – Thurso 3 nights

 

Located in the centre of town and a 10mt walk from the local sandy beach. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, free WiFi and hospitality trays there is a cosy lounge, bar, and lift.

 

Price Includes

Luxury Coach Travel with Extra Leg Room

Home Pickup, Full Hostess Service

7 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Tea/Coffee after Evening Meals

Ferry Crossing to Orkney Isles

Full Step on Guided Tour of Orkneys

Entrance to Castle of Mey

Entrance to Glamis Castle

Visit to St Andrews

Brief Visits to Aviemore, Dornoch, Inverness & Pitlochry

 

8 Days £899.00

Single Supplement £185 (Limited)

Salutation Hotel Muthu Royal Hotel