the MACLEAN CLAN GATHERING JUNE 2007 on MULL

MACLEAN GATHERING POLO SHIRTS

 

12 DAY LUXURY COACH TOUR

COST PER PERSON £1200 see below for singles & childrens costs

images: top row left to right - Edinburgh castle, Staffa, Tobermory, lower row left to right: Maclean's Cross Iona, Perth, Pennygowen, Culloden cairn to the fallen clansmen.  Thanks to Rob Goodson for our badge.

 

YOUR HOSTS ARE LIZ AND PAUL WITH COLIN AS OUR DRIVER

Liz and Paul are mcleanscotland, they will be on tour with the coaches. Please feel free to ask any questions before hand or while on tour, that's what we are there for! Colin, as those of you who have been before with us, you all know of Colin!  PAUL MCLEAN will be on our coach also. For those who don't, get your booking in quick!  This tour will be even better than the 2002 coach tour, we have worked hard to ensure you all see fantastic scenery and enjoy some wonderful visits.  For those who have been before (and there are many) the route is different to last time in that we head out to the wild west coast around Ullapool and as high north as we can get!  Bring walking shoes.  Until we see you, here are a few jokes to keep you amused ...  Then again, here is a story from Chrissy in NY State about the last gathering tour with mcleanscotland, please take a read of this, and a big thank you to Chrissy. As with every tour we do with Colin, he has a habit of changing things (for the better normally) so if the tour plan has wee extras, its his fault!

 

COLIN AND PAUL'S TRIP TO MULL AND IONA FEBRUARY 2007 an interesting diary for those of you coming to the gathering this year... follow link

 

 

your coach awaits ...

 

WE ARE ALSO OFFERING THE SAME TOUR ITINERARY TO GROUPS TRAVELLING TOGETHER WHO MAY WISH TO DEVIATE ON SOME DATES OR STOPS, PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS. WE CATER FOR EVERY ONE.

THE COACH ITINERARY

14th June ... arrive in Edinburgh where a coach and mcleanscotland staff will be waiting to meet you.   Transfer to your City Centre hotel in Edinburgh.  Today's itinerary will depend on your arrival time.   Early arrivals will be given a coach tour of the old and new town' of Edinburgh as check in is not available until after 2pm.  More info will be posted online nearer the arrival date.   Tonight we are having a Welcome to Scotland drinks/buffet where you have the chance to meet your hosts and all other guests travelling with mcleanscotland (this will be also be open to those on fly drive and driver/guide options).  Come and meet the team, a relaxing start to your holiday.   Overnight in Edinburgh at the Apex International Hotel, Grassmarket. For those of you who wish to arrive in Scotland earlier, still join us. Should your arrive in  to Glasgow, don't worry, we will look after you also. 

images left to right: Apex Hotel bedroom, the spa at the hotel and restaurant with castle

for some extra tour notes on this tour click here

15th June ... after breakfast we set off south to ROSSLYN CHAPEL (this is a change to the original tour)  We return back to Edinburgh early afternoon for more free time.    There is so much to see and do here in our Capital, you may wish to go shopping in the famous Princes Street, take in the sights or wander under 'Old Reekie'.  This evening we will take you to a Scottish Night - tartan if you have it!

 

above photos, top and right Dewar's World of Whisky, left our hotel at Nethy Bridge.

16th June ... a scenic transfer to Nethy Bridge, taking a route that includes: leaving Edinburgh at 9am (ish), driving through to St Andrews, Dundee, Perth and on to our visit at DEWARS WORLD OF WHISKY! www.dewarswow.com This is a new stop and a change from original. And finally to Nethy Bridge, where we stay tonight.   Dinner included at the NETHY BRIDGE Hotel (above left) Also a wee story from an escapee from Culloden, all will be revealed tonight.  

17th June ... this morning we visit Culloden Battlefield ( we cannot now see Clava Cairns as coaches are no longer allowed down that wee road). From Culloden we head to Loch Ness and Drumnadrochit where we stop at Urquhart Castle - just a photo stop!  No time for a visit, sorry. Then north to Dornoch and Tain and a rest stop at the Falls of Shin.  From here it is over the mountains and through glens and Oykel Bridge to Ullapool. Dinner included. We will be staying at the Caledonian Hotel overlooking Ullapool Harbour and the colourful boats on Loch Broom. we suggest you take a packed lunch today.

18th June ... a whole day out today on our beautiful west coast, we travel to Durness on the northern coastline, see the Smoo Caves, chance for lunch before returning to Ullapool with a stop for photos at Ardveck Castle.  Dinner at our hotel tonight. 

 

19th June ... leaving Ullapool we head south to Garve, then on to Achnasheen, Glen Carron and Loch Carron, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle (above right) for a visit and also time for a snack.  We continue on to Invergarry, Loch Lochy, Fort William and Glencoe where our hotel is located: The Isles of Glencoe.  Dinner included. For those of you who love to walk our beautiful Scotland - here is the place for you!  Our hotel is surrounded by loch, glen and mountains, walks enough for everyone!  A long day and maybe a packed lunch?

20th June ... we set out to discover Glencoe this morning, stopping for photos at this, our most infamous glen.  We drive through the wild and desolate Rannoch Moor to Tyndrum where we make a courtesy stop.  Then we stop again at St Conan's Kirk (photos above) on the way to Oban, where you will have free time here before returning to Glencoe. We head back to Glencoe via Appin passing castle Stalker on Loch Linnhe. Dinner once again at our hotel in Glencoe. Last day before Mull folks.

THE GATHERING SCHEDULE FOR MCLEANSCOTLAND TOUR:

 
 

The Corran ferry

The Lochaline ferry

21st June Thursday, we leave Glencoe and head to Onich, where a short distance away we catch the Corran ferry (see top right of map), this takes us into Maclean country: Morvern.  We drive through this stunning countryside all the way to the ferry at Lochaline. This 20 minutes crossing is to Fishnish, Mull.  We make an afternoon visit to Tobermory to allow you all some free time here and of course, collect your registration packs.  On our way to the hotel we will make a stop at the Chapel and Graveyard at Pennygown.  Tradition has it that a Maclean chief and his wife dabbled in witchcraft and because of this were not allowed to be buried on Holy Ground.  They can be found close by (see Colin and Paul's Mull trip diary).  We will also stop to see the views of Aros Castle, a stone 13th century fortress, actually built by the MacDonalds.   We then proceed to Craignure and our hotel.  Dinner included at our hotel: The Isle of Mull Craignure.  see link for extra whisky tasting night - we have an excellent evening planned with the help of Dewar's World of Whisky. Limited tickets available, sorry.

 

22nd June Friday, a day trip visiting a couple more islands today, Iona and Staffa (weather permitting). a wonderful journey to these two isles down the winding roads of Mull.  A whole day to take in the famous Maclean countryside!  Also today we hope (weather and time permitting) to include a visit to Killunaig Church at Pennyghael (there is some walking so we may not do this).  This 250 year old ruin also has the burial ground, where we will walk to.  Also to be seen, the Beaton Cairn and Cross, the Beaton's were physicians to the Macleans.  The cross bears the markings: GMB 1582 DMB.  Initials of two famous Beatons. We return to Craignure for evening dinner.  An alternative tour plan will be offered if the weather is not kind to us today.  We will be running those of you with tickets for the entertainments tonight, to Tobermory. Don't worry, we'll bring you home also!

   
23rd June Saturday, the main Gathering at Duart Castle.  Our coaches will transport you to and from the Castle.   Dinner at the hotel again this evening.   During these three nights, there will be activities at Tobermory.   From experience we know most of you will wish to attend these, we will provide a coach for you each evening as needed.  More details posted while we are on tour. Don't forget to order your tickets in advance through the Clan Association website.

24th June Sunday ... leaving Mull on the mid morning ferry, we head south stopping at Kilmartin Glen for a brief visit and Inveraray before travelling through the mountain pass "Rest and be Thankful" to Loch Lomond, for another photo stop.  A Farewell Dinner tonight to round off the tour.  Your Hotel: The Glasgow Marriott in the city centre, so depending on arrival time (Colin) you may have some time to explore!  We have many other Maclean's from the gathering here with us tonight.

25th June ... transfer to the airport this morning.  Depending on your departure airport determines today's itinerary.  We can also arrange extra nights and tours for any who wish to do so.

Single Supplement:  £200 per person.  Children - a maximum of 2 children aged 12 or under may share with 2 adults, cost £400 per child   1 child aged 12 or under sharing with 1 adult, adult required to pay single supplement of £200, child rate £400     2 children aged 12 or under sharing with 1 adult total cost will be £2200 for 3 in room.   Children aged 13 pay adult rate.

 

UPGRADED ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE IN CERTAIN HOTELS FOR SMALL GROUPS OF 8 - 16 PEOPLE.  PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS.  GROUPS WISHING THEIR OWN COACH CAN ALSO BE ACCOMMODATED ON THIS ROUTE OR A SIMILAR ROUTE, AGAIN - ASK FOR DETAILS. This upgrade is very limited, so if this is for you, please let us know as early as possible.

 

 

the mclean scotland MACLEAN CLAN GATHERING JUNE 2007 on MULL 12 DAY mcleanscotland LUXURY COACH TOUR