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A superb tour ROBERT THE BRUCE – KING OF SCOTS
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 11 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION & FULL SCOTTISH BREAKFASTS, ALL ENTRANCE FEES INCLUDED (groups only), SCONE PALACE, TEMPLAR SITES, BRUCE SITES, BANNOCKBURN TOUR & GUIDE, ARBROATH ABBEY, STIRLING, ROSSLYN CHAPEL & EDINBURGH, LUXURY COACH, FULLY BOUND TOUR NOTES, TOUR FULLY GUIDED BY MCLEAN SCOTLAND. This was originally a tour for 2006 but we have let it run, it is a guide now, to what can be seen with mcleanscotland.
We will meet you at Glasgow airport and whisk you away to PERTH , where your first night will be. Scone Palace is just a few miles away over the River Tay, Perth is the city where the Bruce captured the castle by swimming the moat! Remainder of today will be spent sightseeing locally, depending on arrival time into Glasgow .
Day Two: A visit to Scone Palace, see Moot Hill, the Chapel, the Palace itself, roam the gardens and take time to imagine yourself here 700 years ago! Robert crowned king at Scone (25th March) 1306. He was actually crowned twice, see tour notes for explanation. In the afternoon we head to another location just outside Perth . This is where the Battle of Methven took place, Bruce was defeated. (19th June 1306). Our day ends with some free time to stroll around the Fair City of Perth, many interesting places to visit, see tour notes.
Day Three: our dateline moves to 1307. It is recorded that in October - the earliest fugitive Knights Templar could have come to Scotland/Argyle. We will set out to explore a wee ruined Kirk that is said to have belonged to them. For this we need spend a half day travelling through Crieff, Lochearn, to Crainlarich, with a stop at Tyndrum for teas/coffee. From here we head west to the head of Loch Awe where we turn south, passing Inveraray and right along Loch Fyne to Lochgilphead. We then make our way via wee roads and tracks to Loch Sween. We will stop at Castle Sween – said to be the first stone castle in Scotland . Now a glorious ruin. A track road takes up south to Kilmory Knapp Chapel. This is the Templar Kirk, there are many old grave stones depicting warriors, a delightful wee place at the end of the world! A long haul but well worth the journey. We end the day returning to Inveraray where our accommodation lies. Dinner is available in a wonderful old world atmosphere of roaring fires, stone floors and walls and excellent fayre! More info in the tour notes.
Day Four: We travel along Loch Awe retracing our path from the day previous until we see the head of the loch, here we turn west to make our first stop: St Conan’s Kirk. A wonderful place to visit with the added bonus of being able to see The Bruce lying in state (a replica and oversized figure, but nevertheless, exceptional). Once seen you will not forget him or the Kirk! Moving on, we are now into 1308. It was the year of the Battle of Brander Pass. The MacDougall's of Argyll defeated (15th August) Bruce here with an ambush – see tour notes. We continue to Dunstaffnage Castle near Oban, another scene of The Bruce taking command. A visit to the castle is included. The day ends at Oban where we lodge for the night. Day Five: We return east today, but not before we have a chance to drive through our most infamous glen: Glencoe. Photographs are a must here, beautiful scenery surrounds us. Through Rannoch Moor and a wee stop again at Tyndrum, then on to Crainlarich and right down the banks of Loch Lomond – those bonnie banks! We turn at Balloch for the Trossachs and on to Stirling . We end the day here at our hotel in Stirling area.
Day Six: The Bruce Statue and Heritage Centre is our first port of call today. Free time here before moving on to the castle. Entrance fee included with plenty of time to look around this castle at your leisure. Remainder of the day free in Stirling .
Day Seven: My thoughts are they were not, as The Bruce used them in his struggles, it is said it was He who introduced them to Scotland as fighters. Leaving St Andrews we head down to the fishing village of Crail , a beautiful place with unique houses, more free time here to explore and take photos – as you will, we know it! Return to Stirling area overnight.
Day Eight: We take a tour of Bannockburn this morning with a guide telling the whole story of the battle (23rd - 24th June 1314). In the afternoon we take another castle visit, this time with (maybe) a lighter heart: Doune Castle , is where the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed. We make a visit. Returning to the hotel.
Day Nine: A whole day on the road today as we set out for Arbroath. It was here in 1320 that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed. We visit the abbey and the town before heading back to Dundee where we cross the road bridge into Fife . Our next stop: St Andrews . Our timeline is now back to 1309, Robert I's first Parliament was held at St Andrews .. See the ruined castle and abbey, explore the town or step on to the famous golf course! It was also in 1309 that Phillip of France requested that the Knights Templar in Scotland be arrested is discussed. The outcome not known. We then travel through Fife to Dunfermline to see the Abbey and Bruce resting in state. Aye the real one this time! The day will end at Edinburgh , where we check into your city centre hotel.
1329 Robert I dies (7th June) his son, David II becomes king
Day Ten: Free time in our Capital Edinburgh, so much to see and do here you will want a week! We will supply plenty of information in your tour notes. Restaurants of all types and great pub food available.
Day Eleven: Your last full day, we meet you at 10am after a lazy lie in, travel the short distance to Rosslyn Chapel, where we make a visit. Is the novel The Da Vinci Code right? Are there Templars and treasure here? The Grail? Make your own mind up as we visit. We then move to our largest city, Glasgow . A City tour by coach then we drop you at the hotel . The remainder of the day is free for sightseeing, last minute shopping, or simply relaxing.
Day Twelve: transfer to the airport and homeward bound.
EXCELLENT EN SUITE ACCOMMODATION - price on application, depending on group size or self drive.
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