2027 - The Braemar Highland Gathering

Itinerary

Cherished Scottish Traditions

DAY 1 - After you join your holiday coach, it’s a big drive north to cross the border into Scotland with suitable refreshment stops en-route. Expect an evening arrival in Pitlochry where you check into 4* Fishers Hotel for the next 5 nights. DBB

DAY 2 – It’s a big day today as you head to The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in the historic village of Braemar. The Highland Gathering is renowned the world over as a test of strength between Clans. These athletic contests date back over 900 years, and the Gathering is a fantastic spectacle where you’ll see Highland dancing, pipe band displays, hammer throwing, tug-of-war and caber tossing. Members of the Royal Family have been present at the Braemar Gathering since Queen Victoria first attended in 1848. The Massed Bands parade at 11.30am from the Invercauld Arms Hotel and parades through the village to where the Braemar Gathering is held. They parade again at 3pm from Auchendryne Square. The various Pipe Bands will also parade individually through the village throughout the day. The event finishes at 17.00. Seating is reserved in Ringside A which is in front of the Grandstand but not covered. Please ensure that you come prepared for the vagaries of the Scottish weather – be it sunscreen and sun hats or warm clothing and waterproofs. There are toilets as well as food stations available on the site.

DAY 3 - 5 - At leisure in Pitlochry with two included excursions, a day at leisure with a distillery tour & a 'wee dram'

Pitlochry, in the heart of Highland Perthshire, offers a wide range of amenities, shops, restaurants and cafes. It is also a paradise for walking with an excellent network of well-marked routes, ranging from gentle strolls to challenging hikes, and surrounded by dramatic scenery. All the Pitlochry walks start and finish in the town centre and are clearly marked with colour-coded sign posts. One of the most popular short walks starts from the main street, across the River Tummel to the dam on Loch Faskally, to view the salmon ladder and the Hydro Station. The Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre is open 10.00 - 16.30 every day except Mondays and showcases the rich history of hydroelectricity in the north of Scotland and how it transformed lives.

Experience a tour and tasting at the historic Blair Athol Distillery whose ancient source of water – the Allt Dour – flows through the grounds from the slopes of Ben Vrackie to contribute to the whisky’s mellow quality and smooth finish. Immerse yourself in the distillery's historic charm and picturesque setting whilst one of the experienced guides leads you through the journey of the single malt takes from grain to glass. The tour finishes with a wee dram and a complimentary memento to take home

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Scone Palace, The Stone of Destiny & Perth
One of the most significant sites in Scotland’s royal history, Scone Palace is the ancient crowning place of Scottish kings including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. The grand Gothic palace has a colourful and exciting history as one of Scotland’s most important stately homes and houses an outstanding collection of antiques, paintings and rare artefacts. The magnificent open gardens are as stunning as the palace itself. Head into the 'Fair City' of Perth which enjoys a beautiful position on the banks of Scotland's longest river, the Tay. Enjoy time at leisure in the former capital of Scotland before an included guided highlights tour of the excellent Perth Museum which opened in 2024. It is now the permanent home of the historic Stone of Destiny, an ancient red sandstone block weighing 152 kg used to crown Scottish and British monarchs (including King Charles III in May 2023). It is a powerful symbol of Scotland and is wreathed in myths and mystery.

Cawdor Castle & Culloden
A day of epic history awaits today, starting at Cawdor Castle, the romantic Highland castle and the 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor. Famed for its literary connection to Shakespeare's Macbeth, according to legend, the castle is built around a thorn tree, which has since been identified as a holly dating from 1372, which visitors can still see today in the dungeon. There are also three very different gardens, each with their own unique history and appearance and displaying a wealth of flora and fauna. The landscaped gardens are fully accessible, with wide paths and benches throughout. Some areas of the castle can only be accessed by stairs. Next stop is Culloden, the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising - the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil. The richly researched Culloden Visitor Centre, which stands next to the battlefield, features artefacts from both sides of the battle and interactive displays that reveal the background to the conflict.

DAY 6 - Your final day in Scotland and what better way to spend it than with a stop in the truly delightful capital of Edinburgh with its atmospheric cobbled streets of the old town to the attractive Georgian avenues of the new town. There is plenty to see and do - from iconic Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile to the impressive National Museum of Scotland (entrances not included). Your driver may be able to offer you an optional guided tour of this bustling city. Head south across the border later today for your final overnight stop at 3* Mercure Newcastle George Washington with porterage and buffet dinner. DBB

DAY 7 - After a leisurely breakfast, head back homewards with ample stops for coffee and refreshments. Continue back to the local joining points via the fast motorway network arriving back mid/late evening.

Highlights

• Hotel for 5 nights with breakfast & dinner
• 1 overnight hotel with breakfast & dinner
• Porterage
• Day at leisure in Pitlochry
• Tour & a wee dram at Blair Athol Distillery
• Entrance to the Braemar Highland Gathering with Ringside A seating
• Guided visit of Scone Palace
• Entrance to Perth Museum with guided highlights tour & entrance to the Stone of Destiny exhibition
• Entrance to Cawdor Castle
• Entrance to Culloden Battlefield
• En-route visit to Edinburgh
• Live music in the hotel on two nights

Accommodation

Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry Central location

In the heart of Pitlochry since 1830, 4* Fishers Hotel enjoys a unique setting within the town. Originally built as a coaching inn, it has the convenience of a town centre location, yet with an aura of peace and tranquillity that comes from the prize-winning gardens to the rear.

Following a fire in 2017, much of the hotel has been refurbished and now features a new restaurant and breakfast room.

Many of the hotel's bedrooms enjoy views of the garden and surrounding mountains and the restaurant overlooks the gardens and the zen garden.

The Coach House Bar (interlinked with the hotel) is front facing onto the street. All the bedrooms are en-suite with flat screen TV and tea / coffee making.

There is a lift to most floors.