Cradles of Lions
(From £90 per person per day.)
Britain’s Royal family never fail to excite interest. This 6-day tour highlights Scotland’s central importance to our present day Royals and traces their ancestry as far back as we reliably can.
Few have yet discovered that the roots of sovereignty in the British Isles are laid in Scotland. Discover for yourself: Her Majesty’s Palace of Holyroodhouse, Balmoral Estate, HMY Britannia, Scone Palace and Linlithgow.
Tour Highlights
Chauffeured Tour
Overnights
Hidden Gems
Family Friendly
Royal Palaces
Photo Nirvana
DAY 1. KILMARTIN GLEN – DUNADD HILL FORT – ROTHESAY CASTLE – MOUNT STUART
Imbibe the power of ancient stone circles, and drink in centuries of tradition from the very birth of Scotland on the Moot Hill. Rothesay Castle was amongst the earliest strongholds of the Stewarts who would eventually become Scotland’s most lasting dynasty of monarchs. HRH Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay’s distant relatives the
Crichton Stuarts were responsible for building a truly amazing feat of Victorian ingenuity at Mount Stuart with more marble than any other property in the British Isles. Overnight on Bute.
DAY 2. VIKINGAR! – DUMBARTON CASTLE – SCONE PALACE
At the Viking Experience, the culture and traditions of these wide roaming adventurers is discovered ahead of a visit to Dumbarton Castle, capital of the Kingdom of Arthur, Strathclyde. Enjoy an exclusive tour of the Trossachs, skirting breathtaking Loch Lomond on our way to Scone the ancient Pictish and later Alba’s place of kingmaking, a tradition
which was broken during the medieval period. An evening walk through medieval Dunfermline discovers where Malcolm III made his capital. Overnight in Edinburgh.
DAY 3. EDINBURGH CASTLE – HOLYROOD PALACE – HMY BRITANNIA
Revel in priority visits to Edinburgh Castle and the Queen’s official residence in Scotland at Holyrood. See Scotland’s Honours (the oldest Crown Jewels of the British Isles) and the Stone of Destiny, our ancient coronation throne. After a magical journey down the Royal Mile, your guide will give you a thorough insight into palace life, the architecture
and history of Holyrood Palace. Your tour of Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia will allow you to view the stunning state rooms of this remarkable floating palace and so much more. Overnight in Edinburgh.
DAY 4. KING’S CRAMOND – LINLITHGOW PALACE – BANNOCKBURN
Cramond is amongst the most historical of all sites in the UK, supporting communities since around 8,500 BC. The royal connection can be found just round the corner from J K Rowling’s home, where James V found himself in the debt of the local farmer, Jock Howison. Your guide will offer you an exclusive window on Renaissance Scotland at Linlithgow, the favoured Xanadu of the later Stewarts before heading to Bannockburn. Walk the battleground and hear the story of the 1314 battle from a soldier’s perspective, before having the opportunity to alter history in the fantastic tabletop battle room. Overnight at Dunblane.
DAY 5. STIRLING CASTLE – DOLLAR GLEN – FALKLAND PALACE
Within the Royal Palace at Stirling Castle, costumed guides bring sixteenth century court living stunningly into focus. Only privileged visitors will be similarly entranced to breath a history of intrigue and splendour enjoyed throughout the dynasties of the Canmores, Bruce and Stewart lines, whilst the renaissance old town rings with stories of Jacobitism. In the afternoon we explore Dollar Glen around bleak Castle Campbell before discovering the Palace at Falkland, one which continued to enjoy Royal favour from the Union of Crowns and into the Restoration. Overnight at Piperdam.
DAY 6. ROYAL DEESIDE – BALMORAL – BALLATER – BRAEMAR
Tour Royal Deeside. The Queen’s own estate at Balmoral, and the Prince of Wales’ neighbouring one at Birkhall have the most jaw-droppingly gorgeous locations. Glory in the chocolate box charm of Ballater and Braemar, two town to the east and west of the Balmoral estate which vie for Royal patronage in their elegant offerings. There is
something unique about browsing small, bespoke stores which look after the Royal households’ own needs. Amongst the local businesses basking in the pleasure of Kings is Royal Lochnagar distillery, the only whisky in the world to use the Queen’s own water supply. Tour ends – return to clients preferred departure.