Queen Victoria visited this region in Scotland and fell in love with the place and it has been known as Royal Deeside ever since. One can only say that she had good taste as the Deeside is a stunningly beautiful area and Queen Elizabeth’s favourite place Balmoral is also situated here. We are based in Aberdeen and travelling to / from our overnight hotels we take a different route making a circular tour of the spectacular scenery that includes the Scottish Highlands and the Cairngorms. Add in the five included experiences and this is a tremendous tour!
Wednesday We make our way north and stop overnight at the Gretna Hall Hotel just across the border. There will be time to explore this famous village.
Thursday We pass Stirling and Perth and travel into the Scottish Highlands and the Cairngorm National Park. We make a stop in Braemar, a lovely village surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens, and ancient pine forests. Then we pass Balmoral before dropping down into Aberdeen and our hotel for four nights.
Friday Travelling via Inverurie, we visit Dean’s Shortbread Factory where we can see the famous product being made. Then we visit Fyvie Castle, an imposing 800-year-old fortress with Raeburn portraits on the walls and wildfowl in the loch. The estate has its own ghosts, legends, and folklore! We complete a circular route for the day by following the coast road back to Aberdeen with views over the North Sea.
Saturday With a backdrop of lush rolling hills, Crathes Castle and gardens is this morning’s destination. Discover the history of the turrets, towers, oak panels, and painted ceilings of this magnificent Disney-esque 16th century house. We also have time to spend in the lovely gardens. Later we have a return journey on the Royal Deeside Railway. Although the track is only a mile long it has a beautiful setting running alongside the river Dee.
Sunday We have a two-hour guided tour of Aberdeen by coach including some walking parts. Then the remainder of the day is yours to explore the city, spend time in the merchant quarter or relax in one of the many parks and award-winning gardens.
Monday As we return south we cross two famous bridges over the River Tay and the Firth of Forth with great views. Our overnight hotel is the 4-star Mercure Kings Hotel in Darlington.
Tuesday We return home with a lunch time stop in Bakewell in the Peak District.
Price Includes - Return coach travel
- Home pickup & drop off service (see here for details.)
- Tours as indicated (including five experiences)
- Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal