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Always ask the recommended accommodation and/or travel service if they offer a discount
to our members. Many do offer discounts to our members, but in some cases you have had to be a member for a lengthy
period of time. We have registered most of you so far, but check with us before you contact them.
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For information on rental of luxury self-catering apartments for business or pleasure, contact Glasgow City Flats. Click here.
For information on a beautiful Victorian Villa called the "Belhaven Hotel" conveniently located in North Berwick (east of
Edinburgh) click here:
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS TOUR - 2009
We are currently keeping an eye on air fare costs, the value of our dollar, and the state of
our economy. If we cannot offer this trip at a reasonable price, we will postpone it until we can.
This tour will include primarily areas to the north of Scotland, with a tentative Focus on distillery tastings, castles,
historic venues, and gorgeous scenery. We
may even have coverage by a British TV crew. I am specifically looking for someone interested in discovering and
meeting their family members in Scotland.
Please let me know if you are interested at: mfrost@nls.net The following is a VERY rough draft of the potential itinerary. If you have ideas or suggestions, now is
the time to get them to me!
Day 1 Arrive Glasgow/Edinburgh airport. Head to Linlithgow. Spend two nights in Edinburgh.
Day 2 Explore Edinburgh
Day 3 Train to Aviemore - transfer to Strathspey Steam Railroad
Day 4 - ? Distilleries for tasting - not necessarily tours. For tastings Speyside: Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich, Cardhu - suggestions
welcome. Tour: Dallas Dhu, Speyside cooperage, Baxters of Speyside, Elgin Museum (Pictish stones), Walkers (at least the shop
in Aberlour), Buckie Drifter Maritime Museum in Moray. Brief stop at new visitors center at Culloden. Castles: Cawdor, Crathes,
Fyvie
North through Inverness On the way north towards Thurso, Orkney etc, allow time for a day trip to Loch Ness to see Urquhart
Castle etc etc. Stop on the way to visit Clanland and Sealpoint (seal viewing & museum for Clan Monroe) stop at broch,
distilleries - (include Glenmorangie), small crofters museum, possibly Timespan museum in Helmsdale & Mirage tea shop.,
Dunrobin Castle, Dornach cathedral, maybe clearance church? Brief stop at Hill O’ Many Stanes, clearance village near
Thurso, Castle Mey?
Cross to Orkneys, visit Skara Brae and Highland Park distillery (St. Magnus, Mae’s Howe…) Earl’s Castle,
Kitchener’s monument, Italian chapel, spend night there. Return and head down West coast of Scotland to Ullapool, quick
drive to Corrieshalloch Gorge (perhaps).
Then take the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis which would allow a visit to the world famous Callanish
Standing Stones, said to be second only to Stonehenge in terms of historical importance. You might also visit the traditional
Black Houses and maybe see some Harris Tweed being woven. You drive down to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris from where you gate
the ferry into Uig on the northwest of Skye. Drive around Skye to see scenery and visit the Talisker distillery. Back to Fort
Augustus. See: Spean Bridge monument, Glencoe, Loch Lomond on the way south.
Last day Glasgow
No idea of cost, but you can probably find cheaper. Our tours are small, flexible, and much more adaptable to the
wishes of the participants. Since we are small, we get into nooks & crannies, seeing sights off the usual tourist
track. We will try to work out inclusive air fare, if the group wishes it. We have time to plan.
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My name is Tom (McDaid). I'm and exiled Scot living on the Costa del Sol, southern Spain. I have recently set up a tour
company specialising exclusively in trips from the coast to Teba to visit the site of the Castle of the Stars where Black
Douglas died and also to the monument erected by the village to commemorate this great son of Scotland who defended them
against the Moors. I realise from your web site that you are targeting Scots from all Clans, but I am sure that there
will be a number of Douglas's and members of the various Douglas septs amongst them. I have recently been in touch
with the Clan Douglas Society North America, and they have kindly agreed to spread details of the tours, via their web
site, to their members. It is of particular interest to them as they are taking a tent at the International Clan
Gathering 2009 being held in Edinburgh, and Teba, being a place of special interest to the Douglas's, is only 2 hrs 40 min
flying time away. I was wondering if you could post a similar notice on your site as I am trying to reach as many
Scots and their descendants who may not have realised that here in Spain we have a very strong connection with one
of Scotland's greatest sons. I've attached details of the Teba trips, but additional info may be found at www.thesonsofscotland.co.uk/tebatrip.htm You probably have the details for Edinburgh 2009, but just in case, they can be found at www.clangathering.org I hope this may be of interest to you and I look forward to hearing from you. ********************************************************************************************
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