2027 - The Cairngorms & The Splendours Of Speyside

Itinerary

Tour Highlights

• Main hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• 2 overnight hotels with breakfast & dinner
• Porterage (not last overnight)
• Tea/coffee after dinner
• Excursions as described (one day operated by a local coach)
• Return journey on Cairngorms Mountain Railway
• Rothiemurchas Coach 'Safari' with deer feeding & meet the hairy coos
• Time in Aviemore, Inverness & Grantown-on-Spey
• Wildlife Cruise on Inverness Firth
• Visit & entrance to Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens

Captivating Cairngorms

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, travel north with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive this evening at the popular 4* Holiday Inn Gosforth Park Hotel near Newcastle for dinner and overnight. DBB

Day 2 - Journey into Scotland today through the Borders and some spectacular scenery with interesting stops en-route for refreshments. Arrive in time to explore Kingussie and check into the friendly 3* Duke of Gordon Hotel in the centre of the town for the next 4 nights. DBB

Day 3 - 5 At leisure in the Cairngorms with three included excursions

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Aviemore, Cairngorms Mountain Railway & Rothiemurcas Estate
A short journey today takes you to Aviemore, the thriving holiday town, famous for its ski slopes and unique setting in some of the most imposing and amazing surrounds of the Scottish Highlands. Take an exhilarating ride on Scotland's only funicular railway, the Cairngorms Mountain Railway - in just 6-7 minutes you reach the 'Top Station' at over 3,500 feet above sea level where you can enjoy panoramic views stretching down to Loch Morlich and the Spey Valley beyond. There is a shop and a 270-degree immersive exhibition as well as the UK's highest restaurant. Return to the Base Station for time at leisure in Aviemore before your coach takes you on the Rothiemurchus Estate, for an insight into traditional Highland estate life amongst the ancient forests and mountains to experience wild Scotland in its glory. A ranger will board the coach to take you on a 'safari' around the estate stopping for wonderful views of the Cairngorms, a chance to feed deer by hand and to encounter some wonderful hairy highland coos. Return to the hotel later this afternoon.

Wildlife Cruise & The Capital of the Highlands - Inverness
Head north today to compact Inverness to experience the serene beauty of the Scottish Highlands from a new perspective on an enchanting wildlife cruise (approx. 2 hours). Enjoy a voyage along the picturesque Inverness Firth out to the famous Chanonry Point lighthouse and popular dolphin watching spots (sightings not guaranteed). There are toilet facilities on board the boat as well as a downstairs cabin and outdoor seating upstairs. Hear tales of local history and folklore whilst taking in the stunning views and an onboard guide will help you spot the local wildlife from otters and herons to (hopefully) the resident bottlenose dolphins.

                                                                                                                                  Credit Dolphin Spirit Cruises

Afterwards you will have time at leisure in Inverness. Here you will find the Victorian market with its unique range of shops, the famous Leaky's bookshop (Scotland's largest second-hand bookshop) as well as Inverness Botanic Gardens, a sub-tropical oasis with greenhouses, cactus house and a pool full of friendly Koi Carp. The city offers plenty of attractions including the new immersive experience at Inverness Castle (entrance not included - approx. £22 pp in 2026), stunning St Andrew's cathedral, museum, and art gallery (entrances not included) and relaxing riverside walks along the banks of the River Ness.

Ballindalloch Castle & Grantown-on-Spey
16th century Ballindalloch Castle is one of the finest surviving examples of a Scottish Baronial Castle. Set in the magnificent surrounds of the Spey Valley, it is known as the 'Pearl of the North' and has been the home of the Macpherson-Grant family since it was started in 1546. Immerse yourself in more than 450 years of Highland history, marvel at the Castle's exquisite architecture and interiors and stroll through the three distinct gardens just waiting to be explored. The castle remains first and foremost a beloved family residence, and there are plenty of personal heirlooms and memorabilia belonging to the current occupants scattered amongst the general finery. Highlights include a fine collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings, one of the finest country house libraries in all of Scotland, the grand dining room with its magnificent fireplace, the vaulted hall and the delightful nursery with its antique toys. There is a gift shop and courtyard café. NB only ground floor rooms of the castle are fully accessible with stairs to the upper floors. Head back to Kingussie with a stop in handsome Grantown-on-Spey, an historic planned town, full of glorious 18th & 19th century Highland buildings with a High Street full of independent shops.

Day 6 - Depart Kingussie after breakfast to head back across the Border to your final overnight stop at 3* Carlisle Station Hotel. The day takes you through the west of the Cairngorms with an en-route stop in Stirling, the small city with a big history (time permitting), so sit back and relax and enjoy the views from the comfort of your coach. DBB

Day 7 - Continue south as you head back to interchange with comfort stops en-route arriving home during the evening Back to top

Accommodation

Your Hotel in the Cairngorms

DUKE OF GORDON, KINGUSSIE

Originally an 18th-century coaching inn built as a stopover for stagecoaches travelling to Inverness and beyond, the 3* Duke of Gordon Hotel offers a blend of traditional charm, friendly service and modern amenities in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

The elegant Balmoral Restaurant is impressive with its heavily corniced ceilings and Peddie murals depicting Scottish Highland history and local scenes of great natural beauty. There is also a newly refurbished bar.

Comfortable guestrooms feature TV, WiFi, telephone and tea / coffee making facilities.

The hotel also has a sun terrace and garden. There is a small lift but not to all floors (a few internal steps). Rooms on the ground floor are upgraded rooms and may require a supplement Back to top