Page 191 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea

EUROPE

After driving through the New Town, we’ll explore DAY 11 • Explore the Orkney Islands • Visit along the scenic North Coast 500 road to Inverness.
the Old Town on foot. We’ll stroll along the cobbled Churchill Barriers Dinner is included at a local restaurant.
streets and down the Royal Mile, a stretch of the Today’s discoveries include Scapa Flow, a natural B,L,D — Hotel in Inverness or similar
city that extends from Holyrood Road to Edinburgh harbor that was a Roayl Navy base during both World
Castle.. Following our guided tour of the castle and Wars. Highlights include the Churchill Barriers, a DAY 14 • Explore Inverness • Visit a local
the 12th-century St. Margaret’s Chapel, we can use series of causeways built during World War II to block kilt maker
a lunch voucher to dine at one of Edinburgh Castle’s approaches to Scapa Flow; an ornate chapel built by Enjoy a walking tour of Inverness, taking in sights
on-site restaurants. The remainder of the day is free Italian POWs; and the site of the wreck of the HMS such as Cavell Gardens where we’ll learn about the
for independent exploring. . Royal Oak, a British ship sunk in 1939 by a German nurse who this garden is dedicated to—a woman who
B,L — Hotel in Edinburgh or similar U-boat. Then, we’ll visit the Orkney Fossil & Heritage sacrificed her life to help POWs. We’ll also ascend to
Centre and have lunch at the Fossil Museum before the Inverness Castle Viewpoint to take in sweeping
DAY 9 • Visit William Wallace Monument • exploring the exhibits featuring geological wonders views of the city below. Then, we’ll visit a local kilt
Conversation about the Dunblane massacre and fossils of prehistoric sea creatures from Orkney. maker’s shop to learn about the history of kilts in
We’ll drive to Stirling to visit an iconic piece of B,L — Hotel in Kirkwall or similar Scotland. After lunch at a local pub, the rest of the day
Scotland’s history—the William Wallace Monument. is free for your own discoveries in Inverness.
After learning about his life and heroic deeds at this DAY 12 • Conversation about Scottish B,L — Hotel in Inverness or similar
hilltop monument overlooking the city, we’ll visit independence • Explore Skara Brae and the
Stirling Castle, a symbol of Scottish national pride Ring of Brodgar DAY 15 • Visit Loch Ness • Eilean Donan
since it was first built in the twelfth century. After We’ll visit Kirkwall’s town hall and meet with two Castle • Explore Isle of Skye
lunch at a local café, we’ll drive to Dunblane and meet locals to discuss the pros and cons of the Scottish Today’s discoveries begin in the village of Fort
with a local whose family was affected by a mass independence movement. Then, we’ll drive to Skara Augustus, located on the shores of Loch Ness. We’ll
shooting that occured in a primary school here in Brae, one of northern Europe’s best-preserved enjoy the scenic views and learn about the folklore
1996. After we return to Edinburgh, the rest of the Neolithic villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. surrounding Nessie, the legendary creature believed
day is free. After lunch on your own, see more of the islands’ to live in the deep waters of the lake. We’ll also visit
B,L — Hotel in Edinburgh or similar prehistoric past at the Ring of Brodgar—a Neolithic Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th-century fortress perched
henge and stone circle older than Stonehenge. Dinner on a small tidal island, before arriving at the Isle of
DAY 10 • Fly to the Orkney Islands • Overland is included at a local restaurant. Skye. Here, we’ll visit Clan Donald Center, a Highland
to Kirkwall B,D — Hotel in Kirkwall or similar estate which celebrates the history of Scotland’s
Fly to the Orkney Islands, an archipelago of 70 largest and clan. After returning to Inverness, dinner
individual islands, only 20 of which are inhabited. DAY 13 • Ferry ride to St. Gills Bay • Transfer is included at a traditional Scottish country house.
Upon arrival in Kirkwall, the largest town of the to Inverness B,L,D — Hotel in Inverness or similar
islands, we’ll have free time to begin exploring We’ll take a ferry to St. Gills Bay, followed by a drive
Orkney’s colorful capital on our own. Dinner is to the village of John o’Groats, located near Dunnet DAY 16 • Explore Cairngorms national park •
included at a local restaurant. Head—the northernmost point of mainland Great Whisky distillery visit and tasting
B,D — Hotel in Kirkwall or similar Britain. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll drive Today, explore Cairngorms National Park, located
deep in the ruggedly beautiful Scottish Highlands. A
local guide will accompany us on a nature hike along
one of the park’s scenic lowland trails. After lunch on
your own, we’ll drive to Tomatin Whisky Distillery
for an intimate look at production of this world-
renowned spirit. We’ll tour the distillery’s facilities
and enjoy a lesson in “nosing” (sniffing) while we
sample some of the aged whiskies produced here.
We’ll return to Inverness this afternoon for some
free time. Then, we’ll enjoy dinner together at a local
restaurant.
B,D — Hotel in Inverness or similar

DAY 1 • Return to U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. Or,
begin your Scotland & the Emerald Isle: Glasgow, Belfast
& Dublin or Classic English Landscapes: The Cotswolds to
London post-trip extension.
B

Witness the scenic splendor of the Isle of Skye on Day 15.

Idyllic Great Britain: England’s Lake District, the Scottish Highlands & Orkney Archipelago Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/nuk2022 191

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