Scottish Whiskey & Wildlife

Itinerary

Sunday
Depart Leyland at 08.00hrs for our journey north to bonnie Scotland with a suitable lunch stop en-route. Arrive at the 4-star Grant Arms Hotel to a warm Scottish welcome while your case is taken to your room.

Monday
Today we begin our day with a visit to the Culloden Visitor Centre which tells the story of the 1746 Battle of Culloden. The richly researched, stimulating and sensitive centre, which stands beside the battlefield is both a monument and a guide as you step back in time to the place where the Jacobite Army took their last stand. In the afternoon sit back and relax as we board the Dolphin Spirit boat for a guided wildlife cruise between the Firths of Beauly and Inverness, enjoy the commentary with the chance of seeing otters, seals, red kites, herons and the resident Bottlenose Dolphins.

Tuesday
Our day begins with a visit to the 105-hectare Highland Wildlife Park, the wonderful safari park in the Cairngorms National Park, with drive-through and walk-round areas to explore, discover over 200 animals on our visit including native Scottish species and rare and endangered animals from around the world. Keep your eyes peeled for native Scottish wildcats, snow leopards, Amur tigers, Japanese macaques and Scotland's only polar bears. The rest of the day will be spent at leisure in Aviemore with time to explore the popular Cairngorms resort famous for winter sports and hill-walking.

Wednesday
This morning, we visit Ballindalloch Castle, first and foremost a beloved family residence with personal heirlooms and memorabilia from the current occupants scattered amongst the castle finery. Highlights include a fine collection of 17th century Spanish paintings, one of the finest county house libraries in all of Scotland, the grand dining room with its magnificent fireplace, the vaulted hall and its delightful nursery with its antique toys. In the afternoon we visit the Glen Moray Distillery for a tour and tasting. Well over a century old, the distillery nestles on the banks of the River Lossie in the city of Elgin, the capital of Speyside. Going from strength to strength the distillery now produces 2 million litres of whisky each year in a variety of casks, each producing its own unique flavour.

Thursday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast for the return journey home with a suitable lunch stop en-route.