& LINDELLA TOURS

SCOTLAND 2008

The LAST HURRAH

a fun-filled tour with the retiring
Coach Captain Extraordinaire, John Mackie

28 August- 9 September 2008

Itinerary

I recently read a description of Scotland that seems to sum up this wonderful land - A comfortable wooly old character you see when you go into a crowded room or an old sweater that makes you feel loved . Well that is Scotland ! Along with the warm and loving people, the wonderful scenery, the history which includes much bloodshed as well as some tall tales and even traditions that we follow - this small country has much to offer. So jo in us to see the ruggedness of the north, the beauty of the lochs, the busy cities rich in history as well as taking time to stop and smell the heather, taste the whisky, greet the sheep, and see Scotland's history as told silently by her stately castles and standing stones. We will take time to stroll and shop in the small towns, en jo y good local cuisine and friendly hotels, make new friends, and take our last tour with our favorite Coach Captain and friend, John Mackie, as he heads for a deserved retirement.

Linda Whitton

Thursday Aug 28
Depart the US to Glasgow , Scotland , via the best air route from your airport “gateway” (arranged separately by TT&A Travel- call ASAP).

Friday Aug 29
After claiming our baggage, we will be met by John Mackie, our coach driver extraordinaire, who will start our adventure. Our first stop in Scotland will be the wonderful village of Luss on Loch Lomond . Then we will proceed over to the area known as Rest and Be Thankful and to Inveraray Castle . Following our visit to the castle, we will proceed south to Lochgilphead then along the Crinan canal to our hotel for one night, the Crinan Hotel , at the end of the canal. This lovely hotel overlooks the Sound of Jura . DBB

Saturday Aug 30
This morning after a delicious Scottish breakfast we head north to Fort William through some rough and lovely country by way of Glen Coe. After Glen Coe, we will explore Glen Finnan and stop in Fort William for a visit. Then it's on to the Moorings Hotel , our hotel in Banavie which sits along the famous Neptune's Staircase with splendid panoramic views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor. DBB

Sunday Aug 31
Today we travel north via Spean Bridge , stopping at the Commando Memorial and continuing along Loch Lochy to Invergary and Ft. Augustus to Drumnadrochit and Beauly. Then it's up to Ullapool, a town built by the British Fishery Society in 1788 as a port for herring fishers and is still a busy port. We will return by way of Corrieshalloch Gorge where the Falls of Maesach plunge 150 feet into a mile-long, wooded gorge. We will bypass Inverness before ending at Contin and our first of two nights at the Coul House Hotel . This hotel is a secluded country house hotel with fine views over the surrounding countryside. DBB

Monday Sept 1
On this, “our” labor day, we will travel further north to visit the Glen Morangie Distillery and perhaps the Tain Pottery as well as drive up to Dornoch for lunch and some shopping…then back to our hotel by way of Strathpeffer, Dingwall, and Jamestown . DBB

Tuesday Sept 2
Today we will proceed down the A-9 with a visit to Pitchlochry and the Edradour Distillery and on to Dunkeld along the Tay for fish and chips for lunch and a visit around town. Then it's down through Perth and Dundee to Broughty Ferry for the next three nights at the Fort Hotel . We will NOT be booked for dinners for these nights as the Hotel does half- portion meals up to 7pm and there are many nice restaurants within several blocks of the hotel so everyone will have a chance to experience them on their own. The Fort Bar has been in existence since 1794, first as a brewery and now as a bar and hotel. BB

Wednesday Sept 3
This morning we will proceed up to Edzell to visit the ruined castle and the lovely gardens…then down to Brechen to visit the church that boasts of having only one of the two round towers in Scotland . We will then proceed to Glamis Castle for a visit and then back to our hotel for the evening. BB

Thursday Sept 4
Today we will drive up to Arbroath to visit the new abbey and then have time to stroll the waterfront and have an Arbroath “smokie”. We will then return to Broughty Ferry and have the afternoon free to visit the many shops in the area or, if you wish, to visit the Castle which is now a museum. BB

Friday Sept 5
After breakfast we will cross the Tay and travel to Fife and pay a visit to St. Andrews . Then we cross the Firth of Forth and proceed to the “Borders”. Our route will be around Edinburgh and down the A7 to the town of Stow . At Stow we will take a lovely road over to Lauder (B6362). If the sun is shining it will be one of the nicest drives, ever. At Lauder there is a small pub where we will have lunch and then proceed to Thirlestane House which is one of Scotland 's most imposing country houses which has been owned by the Lauderdale family since 1218! Our hotel for the next two nights is the George & Abbotsford Hotel . This centrally located, family-run hotel was a historic coach hotel and later a fishing hotel. DBB

Saturday Sept 6
Today we will visit Scott's View, Jedburgh and then Melrose where you will have time to visit Melrose Abbey, where the heart of Robert the Bruce is said to be buried under the East window of the chancel. You will be able to visit the various shops and gardens in this friendly town. Melrose is rich in associations with Sir Walter Scott. We will then drive over to visit the Dryburgh Abbey before returning to our hotel in Abbotsford. DBB

Sunday Sept 7
After a leisurely breakfast we will travel over to Selkirk and then south to Moffat. We will drive along the Annandale Valley and visit Grey Mare's Tail, a 200 foot hanging waterfall. In the center of Moffat is a statue of a ram as well as a few woolen mills. Following our visit here, we will take the motorway up to Lanark for a visit to the new Lanark World Heritage Village . It's then up to Paisley where we will stay at the Watermill Hotel for the next three nights. The hotel is in the heart of Paisley and is built on the site of a 17 th century flour mill. It retains the original mill façade and preserves the original character of this historic building. DBB

Monday Sept 8
Today we will travel over to Largs to catch the ferry to Great Cumbrae island for a visit. This place offers an authentic, almost Hebridean island experience. It is only an hour's travel from central Glasgow and offers the chance to see a real Scottish island in half a day's excursion. The town of Millport is a seaside resort that was a favorite holiday destination in the 1950's, and today's travelers are discovering it again because so little has changed. Returning to Paisley , you will have time to visit the museum and/or the cathedral…all within easy walking of our hotel. DBB

Tuesday Sept 9
Following breakfast, we will travel up to Glasgow and visit the newly re-opened Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This museum has just undergone a three-year $50 million renovation. After a few hours in this Spanish baroque building, we will tour Glasgow and finish up at the cathedral before going back to Paisley and hopefully have some time to wander around the town again. This evening will be our farewell party as well as packing for our flight home. DBB

Wednesday Sept 10
This morning, we will take our final coach ride with the wonderful John Mackie. After wishing him and Marcia well in retirement and saying our goodbyes, we fly back to the US remembering the wonderful time we had on the “Last Hurrah”… (or is it?????)