Scotland Whisky, Legends and Heroes

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service then on to Macdonald Crutherland House for a four-night stay.

Today’s exploration introduces you to the land and legends of Scottish heroes Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and Rob Roy.

Our first stop is at Loch Lomond, one of the prettiest and largest lochs in the whole of Scotland. Here, you can enjoy an hour-long cruise taking in spectacular views of the loch's many islands and the surrounding mountains. We will view Inchmurrin Island – the largest of Loch Lomond's 33 islands and home to the ancient remains of Lennox Castle, which in the 14th century sheltered fugitive Robert the Bruce before he was to become King of Scotland.

We then continue to the small village of Aberfoyle, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Trossachs National Park. After lunch, we continue our journey of exploration through the Trossachs – Scotland’s first national park which is known as ‘the Highlands in miniature’ for its abundance of lochs, mountains and forests, and for being the homeland of legendary outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor.

We depart for Stirling early afternoon and our last stop is the magnificent Stirling Castle, offering wonderful views of the landscape. You will have time to visit the castle and learn of the exploits and legends of key historical figures including William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. We then make our way back to the hotel.

Today, we learn about one of Scotland’s main exports, whisky. Enjoy a tour of the famous Glengoyne Distillery, which produces award-winning single malt Scotch whisky, learning how the whisky is made and how it is aged. You will also get a chance to taste the varieties and raise a dram. We return to the hotel to enjoy the facilities and relax after all that whisky!

Today, we follow the footsteps of another famous Scottish legend – Robert Burns. Known as Scotland’s National Bard, his poetry and songs are known and loved internationally – his most famous song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is sung all over the world on New Year’s Eve! We travel towards the Ayrshire coast and stop at the birthplace of Robert Burns in the village of Alloway. You have free time to explore, visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, or walk by the river and visit the church – both of which have featured in his work.

We then drive to Culzean Castle, which is perched on the Ayrshire Cliffs. The castle was built for the Kennedy family, one of the oldest clans in Scotland, whose ancestry can be traced back to Robert the Bruce. It has an imposing entrance hall, which boasts one of the largest collections of British military flintlock pistols in the world and has a strong link with President Eisenhower, as the top-floor apartment was presented to him in recognition of his role during World War II.

After breakfast, we depart for the journey home.