The Cairngorms & Moray Firth
Based at GRANT ARMS HOTEL
DEPARTS MONDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER
RETURNS SATURDAY 2ND OCTOBER
6 Days from £540
Hidden from the Scottish tourist trail, the beautiful county of Moray has the only Malt Whisky Trail in the World and the glittering waters of the Moray Firth are home to a large population of bottlenose dolphins – the most northernly colony in the world. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the UK, being more than twice the size of the Lake District. From the alpine-esque climes to the sweeping mountain plateaus, the landscape here provides a true back-to-nature experience! Lying on the edge of the National Park, the traditional Highland town of Grantown-on-Spey is surrounded by ancient woodlands with a unique habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The Square and High Street are lined with unique, independent shops and cafes whilst the numerous walks and trails around the town offer wonderful views over the surrounding hills and mountains.
Our base for the tour is the very comfortable GRANT ARMS HOTEL which is located in the heart of the town. Dating back to 1765, this impressive 18th century residence has been upgraded to offer modern comforts whilst retaining a traditional character and can count Queen Victoria and Elizabeth II as overnight guests. Features of the hotel include a restaurant, lounge and bar and all of the en suite bedrooms have tv, telephone, hairdryer and hospitality tray. A passenger lift serves all floors.
Brief Itinerary
Monday 27th September
Departing Newark early morning we principally utilise the motorway system to travel north over the Pennines to Gretna Green. We then continue through scenic Lanarkshire so to our base for the night, the King Robert Hotel in Stirling.
Tuesday 28th Sepember
We depart Stirling after a leisurely breakfast and continue north through Perthshire via Loch Tay to the pretty market town of Aberfeldy for an extended lunch/sightseeing. Our journey then continues into the Highlands via Aviemore so to our base in Grantown-on-Spey.
Wednesday 29th & Thursday 30th September
Scheduled excursions during our stay will include the following;
• Full day scenic tour of Moray calling at the magnificent Ballindalloch Castle, one of the finest surviving examples of a classic Scottish baronial castle. We then continue to the coast at Spey Bay with its incredible views over the Moray Firth and a visit to the Scottish Dolphin Centre for a chance to spot a bottlenose dolphin which are the largest in the world and can reach up to 4 metres long!
• Full day tour taking in the highlights of the National Park including the Speyside Centre where you can purchase an iconic heather plant or try a ‘Clootie Dumpling’ – a traditional Scottish pudding! We will also visit the lovely village of Braemar which is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens and ancient pine forests.
Friday 1st October
We depart Grantown-on-Spey after breakfast and retrace our steps south via Newtonmore to Pitlochry where we make an extended break for lunch/sightseeing. We then continue into
Perthshire and an overnight stay at the Gretna Hall Hotel.
Saturday 2nd October
Departing after breakfast, we continue south bypassing Glasgow before crossing the border at Gretna, so home to Newark for approximately teatime/early evening.
B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included
PRICE £540 per person sharing an en suite twin/double bedded room
SUPPLEMENTS
Double room for sole occupancy £123.00
Please see page 20 of our brochure for details of optional travel insurance
Pick ups Over 10 miles radius of Newark
*Please see inside front cover of brochure for details of early booking discounts and pick up supplements
PRICE INCLUDES
Travel Wright air conditioned executive specification coach throughout including excursions as mentioned above.
5 nights dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation; 1 night at the King Robert Hotel Stirling, 3 nights at the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey and 1 night in Gretna
Wildlife talk/film on one evening during our stay at the Grant Arms Hotel
Admission to Ballindalloch Castle
Admission to Blacksmiths Shop Museum, Gretna
Tea/coffee & scones on arrival at King Robert Hotel
Admission to the Dolphin Centre is free
Porterage
NOT INCLUDED
Meals other than stated above or drinks with meals
Admission to other attractions (where applicable)
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
| APU/O | Briar Road, Ollerton | |
| Asda | Asda, Newark Road, North Hykeham | |
| Barbican | Barbican Hotel, Lincoln | |
| Bingham Market Place | Bingham Market Place | |
| Bingham Nottingham Road | Bingham Bus Stop oppo White Lion, Nottingham Road | |
| Gonerby | Recruiting Sergeant, Great Gonerby | |
| Grantham | Grantham Bus Station | |
| Holiday Feeder Averham | Averham Flash Layby | |
| Holiday Feeder Bingham | Bingham Layby | |
| Holiday Feeder Chatsworth | Chatsworth House | |
| Holiday Feeder Gonerby | Gonerby Services | |
| Holiday Feeder Long Benn | Long Bennington | |
| Holiday Feeder Ollerton | Ollerton Bus Lane | |
| Holiday Feeder Tuxford | Tuxford Sun Inn | |
| Ollerton Police Station | Ollerton Police Station | |
| TBA | TBA | |
| TW | Travel Wright Depot, Jessop Close, Newark |
| From Price | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites |
|---|
