Tour Itinerary
Inclusions
> Christmas in a Royal Highland hotel, once frequented by Queen Victoria herself
> Mulled wine by the Grand Staircase (which inspired the design for the staircase in the Titanic!)
> Traditional Scottish Ceilidh night
> Christmas dinner and all the trimmings
> Party night in Inverness, Capital of the Highlands
> Loch Ness and eerie Glencoe
> The biggest snowball fight of your life (snow permitting!)
> All accommodation and breakfasts
> Packed lunches on 25th and 26th December
> Mulled wine on arrival to the Royal Highland Hotel
> Christmas Eve party
> Christmas dinner and wine
> A traditional Scottish 'Ceilidh'
(Special cancellation charges apply to this product - up to 22 days prior to departure 50% refund. Within 21 days - no refund)
Itinerary
Day 1: Christmas Eve
Heading north from Edinburgh, we pass the famous Forth Bridge and into Perthshire, surrounded by mountains, forests and salmon packed rivers. We stop in Dunkeld, heart of Macbeth country and its mighty cathedral. We then head north hearing tales about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the tragedy of his defeat on the eerie moor of lonely Culloden Battlefield, scene of the last major battle in Britain. View the beautiful Cromarty Firth before heading to our magnificent accommodation in a plush Highland Hotel in Inverness, Capital of the Highlands. Fit for Royalty, the hotel can boast Queen Victoria as a past guest. Tonight it's the HAGGiS welcome party!
Day 2: Christmas Day
Christmas Day will never be the same again. The morning is for exploring. Depending on the unpredictable Highland winter weather we may head to a wee town on the coast called Dornoch and take in the fresh sea air to fight off any remaining hangovers. Then we're headed inland in search of a site for a battle of our very own….with snowballs! A few snow-angel and snowman building attempts will set us up for the slap-up Christmas feast awaiting our return to the hotel. After loads of grub and wine you can grab a partner and work off some of your Christmas indulgencies with traditional Scottish Ceilidh dancing in 'The Wallace Ballroom' with its classic furnishings, antique portraits, works of art and glorious crystal chandeliers.
Day 3: 26th December
We travel west through Sutherland with stunning mountain views before arriving at the picturesque fishing village of Ullapool. Then we continue south and stop off at the impressive Corrieshalloch George before heading off in search of a monster! We'll drive along the banks of Loch Ness, stopping for a photo at Urquhart Castle, as we make our way to our home for the night, the fantastic Morag's Lodge at Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness.
Day 4: 27th December
Today we head for the Isle of Skye. En route, we enjoy some stunning scenery with the awesome Kintail Mountains, as well as gorgeous lochs and castles with probably the most stunning castle in Europe, Eilean Donan. Then it's over the bridge to the Isle of with its fishing villages, awesome scenery and home to the legendary MacLeod and MacDonald Clans. Immersed in Celtic myths and Viking legends, tales abound with faeries and selkies while we explore the windswept landscape and brooding Red and Black Cuillin Mountain range. We return to the mainland for a Tartan Toga party at Morag's Lodge!
Day 5: 28th December
We journey along the Great Glen fault line before passing Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. We discover the story of meaning of the name 'The Weeping Glen' at Glencoe, and the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds. Over the wilds of Rannoch Moor, we pass Stirling with its famous Wallace Monument, where the true story of Braveheart is told, before returning to the capital city of Edinburgh.
If you are in Edinburgh on the 23rd December, join us at our legendary HAGGiS Christmas party to meet your fellow festive travellers.
