Inverness is in the North of Scotland and one of the smallest cities, known as Scotland's 'Highland Capital', it still however retains its market town feel, dating back to its early development. Today tourism is a very important part of the economy.
One of the many joys of Inverness is the rich variety of places to visit and things to do both in and around the city. The city boasts a host of historic buildings, notably in the Old Town, which you can appreciate while you browse city shops from the Victorian Market to the new award-winning East Gate centre.
Take a stroll to Inverness Castle, currently used as a courthouse, and St Andrew's Cathedral, which dominate the River Ness and one of the most beautiful riverside settings in Britain. Enjoy the fine circular walk from the castle along the river and through the Ness Islands where you can watch anglers casting long lines to leaping Atlantic salmon.
There are tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms.
8 Ness Walk, Inverness, IV3 5NG, Scotland.
Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa is a charming 3-star property in a stately 1890s Victorian mansion overlooking the River Ness. Set in a prime location in the centre of Inverness just 2 minutes' walk from Inverness Cathedral, and 10 minutes' walk from Inverness Castle.
There are 88 well-appointed rooms, all come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee making facilities. All include: clock radio, climate control, in-room safe, phone and fax machine, iron/ironing boards as well as trouser press. Bathroom amenities include: hairdryer, complimentary toiletries and shower/tub combination.
The hotel includes a cafeteria and a stylish restaurant offering a full Scottish breakfast buffet. There is also an indoor swimming pool. Guests can also enjoy the following spa/wellness facilities: sauna, steam room, spa tub.
The Square, Drymen, Glasgow G63 0BL.
Mill No 1, New Lanark Mills, South Lanarkshire, ML11 9DB, Scotland.
After boarding your luxury coach, we travel north with comfort stops on route, to our overnight hotel, The Winnock at Dryman, where we will spend our first night with dinner bed & breakfast.
After a good night's rest and a full Scottish breakfast we leave the hotel and head for Inverness. There will be interesting stops en-route. On arriving at the Palace Hotel, we settle in and relax before dinner. All drinks are included whilst at the Palace Hotel.
After breakfast we head north to Dunrobin Castle, (included) the most northerly of Scotland's great houses. It is the largest house in the Highlands, with 189 rooms and is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating from the early 1300s, home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. The Castle, which resembles a French château with its towering conical spires, has seen the architectural influences of Sir Charles Barry, who designed London's Houses of Parliament, and Scotland's own Sir Robert Lorimer. The Castle was used as a naval hospital during the First World War and as a boys' boarding school from 1965 to 1972.
Today we travel The Malt Whisky Trail, and this is made up of a collection of distilleries and other whisky sites, large and small. The Malt Whisky Trail is set in beautiful Moray Speyside. Here, you find the best of Scotland, a beautiful area just south of Inverness. Our first stop will be in the small town of Elgin. Here we will visit the Glen Moray Whisky Distillery (included) for a tour which includes optional complimentary tasting of two whiskies. Then onto Johnston's Cashmere Centre. The mill in Elgin is the only textile mill in Scotland to transform raw cashmere in to finished articles. We will take a guided mill tour, of the manufacture process including the dyeing, spinning, carding and weaving of raw fibres. Continuing our journey through beautiful scenery, we make another stop for those Gin drinkers, at Balmanach Distilleries for Caorunn Gin. There will be a tour of the Gin distillery (included) you will gain an insight into their artisanal production process through a privileged behind-the-scenes tour of their production area. After the guided tour you will then experience the unique opportunity to enjoy a tutored deconstructed nosing and tasting session. The experience then closes with a refreshing Caorunn and tonic with crisp red apple wedges. Caorunn is traditionally served with cool fizzing tonic and slices of red apple to highlight its aromatic flavour profile. We continue our scenic journey back to Inverness and our hotel.
Today you have a free day to visit the sights in Inverness, to do shopping, explore or just chill and use the hotel leisure facilities. Hotel lunch will be included today.
After breakfast and cases have been loaded, it is time to say farewell to our hosts at the Palace Hotel, and start our journey south. There will be stops en-route. Arriving late afternoon at the New Lanark Mill Hotel. Secluded yet accessible. This is where we will spend our last overnight stay with dinner, bed & breakfast.
After all the overnight luggage have been packed and loaded onto the coach we leave the New Lanark Mill Hotel and head for home. With comfort stops on the way, we arrive back at your local area early to late evening.