SCOTLAND IN DECEMBER (12 days)

Arrive Glasgow

You will be met in the arrivals hall by your driver guide.

An overview of the main attractions of Glasgow. See the red sandstone Victorian buildings and some of the delightful parks. Pass Glasgow Cathedral and the River Clyde, once famous for its shipbuilding industry. Visit the extensive Museum of Transport featuring many Scottish inventions.

Explore Glasgow City before heading to Loch Lomond

On arrival at your hotel, enjoy a relaxing 2 hour spa experience to recover from your flight.

Relax the body and mind with a selection of thermal and hydro experiences, originating from a number of cultures dating back thousands of years, providing ‘hands off’ therapies to cleanse and rejuvenate – Option to add on treatments.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel tonight – drinks payable direct.

Glengoyne Distillery and Afternoon Tea & Champagne Cruise

Often described as Scotland's most beautiful distillery, Glengoyne is open all year for guided distillery tours, whisky tastings, special events and a superb whisky shop. The distillery is easy to reach; just 40 minutes’ drive from Glasgow or 30 minutes from Stirling and Loch Lomond.

Glengoyne is distilled more slowly than any other malt whisky. The spirit is nursed through the stills at one third the usual rate to create this complex, fruity, award-winning spirit.

Unique to Glengoyne, the Master Class offers the most in-depth and comprehensive distillery tour in Scotland. This specialised tour includes a visit to the Glengoyne warehouses which are not normally open to the public and explores the key areas of whisky making in some depth.

This experience includes tastings of Glengoyne 12 and 18 year old Highland Single Malt, 3 Glengoyne Single Cask whiskies and 5 sherry samples.  Guests will have the opportunity to create their very own Glengoyne Highland Single Malt in the whisky Sample Room. A light lunch is provided. At the end of the visit, guests are presented with a 200ml bottle of their one-off creation and a Master Class certificate.

AFTERNOON

Step on-board the luxury motor cruiser 'Celtic Warrior' and join a 60 minute cruise on Loch Lomond for two, with a glass of bubbly. Return to the hotel for a traditional afternoon Tea for two, including a selection of freshly cut sandwiches, cream cakes and homemade scones, with cream and preserves and a decadent glass of Moet champagne, overlooking the shores of Loch Lomond.

Christmas at Inverlochy Castle

Christmas Eve

The festivities begin on Christmas Eve with a Champagne Reception with Canapés at 6.30 p.m. prompt, to give everyone the opportunity to meet their fellow guests over the Christmas break; may I request that on Christmas Eve you assemble in the Great Hall at 6.30 p.m. sharp to allow the musicians to set up for your entertainment on the main staircase.

During dinner the musician will be playing in the Great Hall.

Christmas Day

Wake up on Christmas Day where a truly festive breakfast awaits you. This morning why not brave the Winter Weather with a stroll around Inverlochy's grounds, which offers stunning views of the Castle with Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain in the background. For those who wish less energetic pursuits, log fire burn welcomingly in the Great Hall, ideal for snuggling up to with a good book.

A glass of Champagne is served as Father Christmas visits your bedrooms at 11.00a.m. bearing gifts to all our guests.

Traditional Christmas Day Lunch is served from 12.30 p.m. when our musician, will be playing until 2.30 p.m.

The Queen's Speech will be available for viewing in the Front Hall at 3.00p.m.

Our Christmas Night cold supper will be served from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m. in either our Dining Room or Room Service during which our musician will play from 6.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, with a chance to sleep in this morning before Brunch served between 8.00am and 10.30 a.m. After Brunch get your cameras ready to capture the spectacular Falconry Display on the front lawn at 11.00 a.m., with Hawks, Owls and Falcons. You may even have the opportunity to join in!

Inverlochy will host Clay Pigeon Shooting at 12.30 p.m., where allocated times will be given, followed by a Sheep Dog Trial at 1.30 p.m.

The rest of the day is yours until dinner in the evening, with some light musical entertainment from our resident musician.

Pitlochry

Start your day driving to Pitlochry. In 1863 the Perth to Inverness railway was opened and Pitlochry became accessible for visitors from the South who wanted a taste of the newly discovered romanticism of the Scottish Highlands.

Blair Atholl is a lovely village in Highland Perthshire, which is also home to the impressive Blair Castle. Enjoy some fantastic scenery in and around Blair Atholl with the River Garry flowing through the heart of the village and linking other picturesque villages and glens, such as Calvine, Bruar, Killiecrankie and Struan. For over 700 years the spectacular Blair Castle has acted as gatekeeper to the Scottish Highlands.  Discover the turbulent history of this home to the Duke of Atholl and Britain’s only private army, the Atholl Highlanders.  After taking in some thirty treasure-filled rooms, take a tour around the wonderful grounds and gardens and enjoy Diana’s Grove and the restored Hercules Garden.

Visit Blair Athol distillery. Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. After enjoying a leisurely conducted tour, you can mull over the distinctive character of the finished article as you sip your dram of Blair Athol 12 Year Old.

 Red Deer encounter & Private charter

Red Deer Barn at 12pm. From the shelter of the Red Deer Barn stroke, feed and photograph these magnificent and iconic animals as well as meeting our Barn Owl in a hands on demonstration all in the company of our knowledgeable Safari Ranger.

Private charter at 1pm. This exclusive, tailored Safari with your Safari Ranger is perfect for those looking for a versatile, personalised adventure. Create memories to last a lifetime!

You may even be lucky enough to see the Majestic Red Deer, the Famous Grouse, the elusive Mountain Hare or the soaring Golden Eagle as you travel through forests, mountains and moors on private hill tracks. This Safari will inspire you with an insight into this magnificent natural wilderness and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Included in the Private Charter are tea, coffee, Kenmore Shortbread and a dram of Dewars Whisky in one of our Mountain Bothies, surrounded by inspiring mountain views. You may wish to extend your Safari experience to include a delicious picnic lunch or if you are celebrating a special occasion, perhaps include a bottle of champagne.

Tour to Edinburgh

To Scone Palace at Perth.  Scone is a name that has a deep resonance for anyone with any interest in Scottish history. With a story that dates back the better part of 2000 years, Scone has served as the capital of a Pictish Kingdom, a religious centre, and the site of the coronation of a series of Scottish monarchs. Scotland's story is an incredibly turbulent one, and much of that story featured Scone in one way or another.

Then finally on to Edinburgh city

Welcome to Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, where centuries of history meet a vibrant, cosmopolitan city in an unforgettable setting.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse - This is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty the Queen and was once home to Mary Queen of Scots. The Palace stands at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The Royal apartments are used by the Queen for state ceremonies and official entertaining. The new Queen’s Gallery was opened recently by Her Majesty. The Gallery provides a state-of-the-art facility to enable exhibitions of the most delicate works of art from the Royal Collection to be seen in Scotland for the first time.  As the palace is a working royal palace, opening arrangements may change at short notice.

A striking addition to the Old Town Skyline, The Scottish Parliament is architecturally stunning, set among beautiful public gardens.

The Royal Mile is the famous cobbled street linking the Castle with The Palace of Holyroodhouse and passing St. Giles High Kirk, John Knox House, The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre, Camera Obscura and many other museums and historic buildings of interest

Edinburgh Castle. Scotland's top visitor attraction, stands high upon an extinct volcano. See the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny in the Castle's Royal Apartments. Birthplace of James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, he became the first Stuart King of England after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Look for the tiny St. Margaret's Chapel, Edinburgh's oldest building. Listen for the One O'clock Gun, fired daily from Mills Mount Battery.

Royal yacht Britania & SMWS

Kick start your last day with a tour of Royal yacht Britania (can also be done privately).

Walking on board Britannia is like stepping back into the 1950’s.  Discover what life was like on board The Queen's floating Royal residence. You can follow in the footsteps of world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Rajiv Gandhi.

You'll receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia's Visitor Centre in Ocean Terminal, which has free parking. Before you step aboard, learn about the history of Royal Yachts, view displays and historical photographs of Britannia's fascinating past.

Enjoy delicious, and freshly prepared, home-made food, stunning views and a warm welcome at The Royal Deck Tea Room for lunch.

Previously where the Royal Family enjoyed drinks receptions, sumptuous buffets, or played deck games. Now you can treat yourself with speciality teas, coffees and lunch in spectacular surroundings.

Afternoon: Pay a visit to The Scotch Malt Whiskey Society with one of our members. 30 years’ worth of expert knowledge with articles on everything from the joy of the single cask and the art of whisky making to individual distillery profiles. But the adventure doesn't stop there.

A total sell-out each year (torches are sold out but it’s still an incredible site to watch), the Torchlight Procession is the official start of three-days of spectacular Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events. Last year’s event welcomed over 35,000 participants and spectators, joining the Up Helly Aa’ Vikings, massed pipes & drums and thousands of torch carriers as they illuminate the city from our start position on George IV Bridge to the finale viewing areas at Waterloo Place and Calton Hill. The Torchlight Procession fireworks finale can be viewed across the city and beyond!

New Years Eve

Spectacular Scottish food, drink and seasonal entertainment at Prestonfield's Gala Hogmanay Ball.

Prestonfield's annual Gala Hogmanay Ball is an unrivalled evening of spectacular food, drink and entertainment set in the velvet and gilt splendour of Prestonfield's circular Stables Ballroom.

Welcome in the New Year in traditional Prestonfield style with a Champagne Reception, pipers, lavish four course dinner and Celtic Cabaret entertainment. A lively ceilidh band will play until the bells at midnight, then a disco will see you back on the floor until 1am.

Depart - Private Transfer