Pre-Congress Tours

A Highlands and Isle of Mull & Iona (Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th September 2010)

A fantastic tour providing a taste of the highlands and islands, taking in the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond on its way to Loch Fyne via the Rest and Be Thankful mountain pass and on to the picturesque town of Inveraray. There is a visit to Inveraray Castle home of the Duke of Argyll, before heading to Loch Awe with its magnificent views of Kilchurn Castle. Day one finishes off with a drive through the pass of Brander into Oban for dinner. Day two begins with the ferry trip to the Island of Mull, a drive through Glen More en route to Fionnphort and the ferry to Iona. It was on Iona in 563 that St Columba landed to found a monastery and bring Christianity to Scotland. Many Scottish Kings and Chiefs are also buried on Iona. Return to Oban for dinner. There is a leisurely start to day three with some free time to explore Oban and a visit to the local distillery to see how Scotland’s national drink is produced. Day three’s journey begins with drive round the Appin Peninsula, with magnificent views out to the Morvern Peninsula. The tour then travels through Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, Glen Falloch and along Loch Lomond.

Price per person sharing a twin or double room - £435.00
Price per person in a single room - £495.00

Price Includes:
• 2 nights accommodation, 2 full Scottish Breakfasts and 2 table d’hote dinners.
• Admission to Inveraray Castle and Iona Abbey
• Visit to a malt whisky distillery and a woollen mill shop
• Transportation throughout, including ferry crossings
• Porterage based on one suitcase per person
• Service charges and VAT at 17.5%

A Distillery Tour - Scone Palace and the Fair City of Perth (Friday 10th September 2010)

The tour travels up to Stirling with views of the famous castle and through Dumblane to the city of Perth. On the outskirts of Perth lies Scone Palace, which is home to the Earl of Mansfield and ancient coronation site of the Scottish Kings. After a tour of the Palace and its extensive grounds we continue into Perth for lunch. In the afternoon the tour visits the Famous Grouse distillery, before returning to Glasgow through the pleasant market town of Crieff.

Price per person - £60.00

Price Includes:
• Admission to Scone Palace
• Admission to the Famous Grouse Distillery
• Travel by luxury touring coach
• Services of a Blue Badge Scottish Tourist Guide
• Service charges at 17.5%

Edinburgh City Trip (Friday 10th to Sunday 12th September 2010)

The tour leaves the city of Glasgow and heads to South Queensferry with views of the twin Forth Bridge before entering Edinburgh from the west with a panoramic city tour including sight of the spires of Fettes College, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Mile as part of our orientation. In the afternoon there is a trip to Edinburgh Castle with its magnificent skyline views and it’s Honours of Scotland – Scotland’s Crown Jewels.

Day three continues in Edinburgh with a leisurely drive through the wide streets, squares and crescents of the New Town to the Waterfront to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. The ship that has welcomed presidents and prime ministers all over the world now welcomes visitors to see the splendour of Britannia. She is berthed at Ocean Terminal, a large shopping area so there will be some free time for lunch and shopping before heading to the foot of the Royal Mile to visit the Palace of Holyrood House, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. The Palace is closely associated with Scotland's turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here between 1561 and 1567

There is a leisurely start to Sunday with a free morning for independent sightseeing and shopping. In the afternoon there is a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, one of the world’s finest botanic gardens. Comprising 70 acres of stunning scenery, just a stone's throw from the city centre, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is home to the largest collection of wild-origin Chinese plants outside China. Opened in the summer of 2006 is the Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden which has been imaginatively planted to present something for visitors of all tastes, in every season. Then the tour returns to Glasgow in the late afternoon.

Price per person sharing a twin or double room - £395.00
Price per person in a single room - £495.00

Price Includes:
• 2 nights accommodation and 2 full Scottish breakfasts
• Admission to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyrood House and the Royal Botanical Gardens
• Travel by luxury touring coach
• Services of a Blue Badge Scottish Tourist Guide
• Porterage based on one suitcase per person
• Service charges at 17.5%