Highland Fling
A Scottish Romp
July 1 - 10, 2005
(Spans July 4th Holiday)

WILD BEAUTY

“Once in the Highlands, the Highlands of Scotland . . .” Many an artist has created fanciful visions of this land of legend and mystery. They commit to canvas images of romantic castles on the hills, or tell of prehistoric creatures emerging from mist-shrouded lochs. They embroider its past in poetry and in songs commemorating deeds of valor or treachery, stirring our souls with the haunting wail of bagpipes.
     But this is no fairy tale world of Brigadoon seen through a soft-focus haze of musical comedy harmony on the heaths. If the mists of myth be blown away, we see a land with a history of violent political conflicts. Even the landscape here acts as a reminder of events from the ancient past. Pastoral settings of hidden glens (narrow valleys) and straths (wide valleys) seem shattered, even corrupted perhaps, by bleak monoliths of rock thrusting upward through the soil. Placid lochs seem taunted by turbulent tempests along the coast. Gray skies quickly overwhelm over the sun.
     Since ancient times, mountains served as barriers that separated one nearby community from the next, making the task of government difficult, if not impossible. The land presented so many obstacles to communication that national order could not be maintained, bringing strong local loyalties, or clans, into being. The head of a great family was acknowledged as the leader not only of his own blood relations and others descended from common ancestry, but also of tenants and vassals and men contracted to serve him.
     This social order existed throughout the Middle Ages, breeding a territorial and warlike people. When they weren’t fighting the English, they were fighting each other. Once you get a look at this starkly beautiful land, it becomes immediately apparent what they were fighting over. Pastoral settings of idyllic glens give way to monoliths of rock. Ancient castles loom over deep glassy lochs. Jagged cliffs line the seashore, receding now and then to reveal secluded sandy beaches.
     Even the cities echo the eclecticism of the countryside, with a wild mix of medieval and modern, where residents are feisty and opinionated, yet begrudgingly welcoming. Tour Glasgow, and Edinburgh, hike the Scottish Highlands, and visit Loch Ness. This tour is a delightful romp through a truly magical land.

ITINERARY

Friday, July 1, 2005
Departure

Take an overnight flight from your home city that is scheduled to arrive in Glasgow, Scotland tomorrow morning.

Saturday, July 2, 2005
Arrival / Welcome Dinner

Since Toto Tours does not arrange for group airfare, and arrival times (and even dates) vary widely, we have not included a transfer from the airport to the hotel on this tour. Each participant is responsible for making his own way to our hotel: Langs Hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Glasgow, including the city center, the Cathedral, and the Provand’s Lordship (oldest dwelling built in 1471). This evening we get acquainted during a Welcome Dinner at another hotel in the city: The Milton Hotel. After dinner, those who have the energy can check out Glasgow's gay nightlife.     (Welcome Dinner)

Sunday, July 3, 2005
Edinburgh

After breakfast at our hotel this morning, a one-hour drive takes us to Edinburgh, commonly thought to be one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, with its castle sitting atop an extinct volcano in view of the entire city. Upon arrival, enter Edinburgh Castle for a tour. Following lunch (on your own), enjoy a half-day guided sightseeing tour of some of the city’s other main attractions, including Holyrood Park, and the Palace of the Holyroodhouse, once the residence of Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.     (Breakfast)

Monday, July 4, 2005
Hadrian’s Wall

After breakfast we travel south of Edinburgh to Hexham, to see one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks. Hadrian's Wall once stretched across the width of Northern England from coast to coast. It was built in 122 AD upon the orders of Emperor Hadrian to keep out the marauding hordes of barbarous Scots, and remains one of the most magnificent Roman monuments in Great Britain today. Return to Edinburgh in late afternoon, and the evening is free.     (Breakfast)

Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Inverness

After breakfast, travel across magnificent rolling moors to the Scottish Highlands, stopping at St. Andrews, home of one of Britain’s oldest universities and where golf was born, to tour the St. Andrews Castle. Arriving in Inverness in early evening, we’ll visit Fort George and stroll along the river to take in the picturesque old town.     (Breakfast)

Wednesday, July 6, 2005
Loch Ness / Highlands

Inverness is home to the world’s most famous lake, Loch Ness, and the mythical monster Nessie. Here we visit the striking ruins of Urquhart Castle. We continue into the Highlands to visit the picturesque valley forest of Aviemore and tour an old Scotch distillery in Dalwhinnie. Return to Inverness for overnight.     (Breakfast)

Thursday, July 7, 2005
John O’Groats

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion northward along the craggy North Sea coastline to the desolate outpost of John O’Groats, the northernmost point of Scotland. From here, you may go hiking or bicycling along the seashore, go souvenir hunting at the many arts-and-crafts shops, or take the once-hourly ferry across to the Orkney Islands. Return to Inverness in the late afternoon. The evening is free.     (Breakfast)

Friday, July 8, 2005
Oban / Isle of Mull

After breakfast this morning we transfer to Oban via Glencoe, a beautiful, seven-mile long, deep mountain valley noted for its misty shrouded peaks. Arrive in Oban in time to take the ferry across to the Isle of Mull, one of the most beautiful islands on the west coast of Scotland. The Duart Castle, dating back to the 13th century, dominates the landscape from its lofty perch on a high promontory. Tour the castle and the nearby town of Craignure. Take a late afternoon ferry back to Oban for overnight.     (Breakfast)

Saturday, July 9, 2005
Loch Lomond / Stirling / Glasgow / Farewell Dinner

This morning return to Glasgow, stopping along the way at the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond—the largest freshwater lake in all of Great Britain. We will have two-hours free time to relax or hike along the shores. We make one more stop along the way in Stirling to visit Stirling Castle. Upon arrival in Glasgow, check-in to our hotel and have a wee rest. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner at the very trendy Art House Hotel.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Sunday, July 10, 2005
Departure

The tour officially concludes after breakfast at the hotel this morning. We provide one group transfer to the airport, timed to accommodate the greatest number of departing passengers. If your departure does not coincide with this group transfer, you are responsible for making your own way to the airport.     (Breakfast)