Compare Castles, Bagpipes and Lochs: Scotland With Your Family by Road Scholar vs Taste of Scotland & Ireland by Travel for All

Day 1

In Transit to Program

In Flight

Day 2

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Arrive Edinburgh, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Activity note: Hotel check-in available from 2:00 p.m.

Morning: Private transfers by car from Edinburgh Airport to the centrally located hotel. If you arrive before check-in, feel free to take a walk around the area of the hotel or just relax while the rest of the participants arrive.

Lunch: At the hotel, a light lunch of soup and sandwiches will be served with tea, coffee and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. This Road Scholar program is staffed with both a Group Leader, who will accompany us throughout the program and deal primarily with logistics, and a Study Leader who will lecture, conduct field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. Indicated times are approximate. Many days include transportation by motorcoach, which involves ascending/descending a few steps. When adults and children separate for some activities, both groups will be led by their own Group Leaders. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Evenings at leisure offer opportunities to make the program more meaningful and memorable through personal independent exploration, attending performances or other events, or simply relaxing and making new friends among fellow participants. The Group Leader will always be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room, we’ll enjoy a 3-course plated and served dinner with tea, coffee and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. You may wish to explore the area around the hotel. Your Group Leader will be happy to give suggestions or continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 3

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Medieval Old Town, Museum of Edinburgh

Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles on paved city streets.

Breakfast: In the hotel, the Full Scottish breakfast buffet offers a variety of eggs, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans, mushrooms, toast, jams, marmalade, pastries, croissants, cold cuts, cheeses, kippers, juices, tea, coffee and tap water.

Morning: After transferring via motorcoach, explore the labyrinthine passageways, towering tenements and cobbled streets of Edinburgh's medieval and pre-Reformation Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle past St Giles Cathedral to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Adults can help their children/grandchildren discover an Old Town treasure trail spanning lower half of the Royal Mile!

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions to the many cafes and restaurants on the Royal Mile.

Afternoon: Continue on foot along the Royal Mile to the Museum of Edinburgh: a maze of collections displaying the capital city's historic past. Trace the development of the New Town and see the collar belonging to Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye Terrier who captured 19th century Edinburgh's heart. Children will go with their Group Leader and dress up in replica costumes, decorate an Old Town tenement or make a furry Bobby while adults will continue on for a special expert-led field trip to the Palace of Holyroodhouse to explore the historic rooms, State Apartments, grounds and garden to see this royal home’s development from the 14th century and see where the Queen holds her annual Garden Party.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: After dinner we board the motor coach to take a panoramic journey around this beautiful, historic city. With expert commentary from your Study Leader, discover the Old and New Towns and wend your way up Arthur’s Seat for astonishing views out across the city to the North Sea. Local legend has it that it was here King Arthur and his noble knights decided to build Camelot, although some prefer to think of it as the site of a great sleeping dragon, peacefully watching over the city below.

Day 4

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

National Museum of Scotland, Cruise to Inchcolm Island

Activity note: Drive to ferry is approximately 15 miles, about ½ hour. Getting on/off a boat; about 1 mile onboard; weather dependent.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will board a motorcoach to the National Museum of Scotland where the adults will go on a self-guided exploration of the many collections in Scotland's Galleries, which chart Scotland's story from prehistory to the present day. The Discoveries galleries pay homage to the many inventions and innovations that the Scots took around the world. The Natural World galleries and the World Cultures galleries look at the story of our planet and people across the globe. Grandchildren will participate in an object handling session relating to Britain, North America and Emigration. Real and replica artifacts such as clothing, housing and tools will aid in telling the story of why Scots left their country and emigrated to North America, and what they found there.

Lunch: In the Museum Brasserie, we’ll have buffet lunch with tea, coffee and water included.

Afternoon: Then we will travel by motorcoach to South Queensferry where we’ll board the Maid of Forth ferry to Inchcolm Island, known as the "Iona of the East." Upon arrival, relax and play on the two beautiful beaches or independently explore the nearby 12th century Abbey, which is the best preserved group of monastic buildings in Scotland. You may also wish to explore the ammunition tunnels dug by the Royal Engineers in 1916 - the island was home to 500 soldiers during both world wars. After one and a half hours we board the boat to travel back Edinburgh.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Museum of Childhood, Storytelling, Whisky Tasting

Activity note: Walking and periods of standing in the museums with opportunities to rest.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: From the hotel, we will take the motorcoach to the Museum of Childhood where the children/grandchildren will participate in a storytelling workshop while adults enjoy an expert led exploration of the museum — the first in the world dedicated to children's toys and games through the ages. See a recreated Victorian street, a 21 room doll's house, a collection of Steiff bears and experience the sights and sounds of a 1930s schoolroom.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: At the museum given by museum staff, all will discover the People's Story telling the stories of people at work and play from the 18th century onwards. We’ll also see a historic jail and a wartime kitchen. We will then return to the hotel where the children will take a storytelling workshop and adults will have some free time before a motorcoach will take them to the Scotch Whisky Experience. Literally take a ride in an animatronic whisky barrel through the factory while learning more about whisky production before sampling a dram of the country's finest nectar. Adults and children will regroup at the hotel for dinner.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Free Time, Edinburgh Zoo

Activity note: Walking distances as desired at the zoo; expect to be on our feet up to two hours.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Free time. The coach departs the hotel at 12:00 noon for Edinburgh Zoo.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Zoo has three cafés and several kiosks offering a wide range of hot and cold food, snacks and drinks.

Afternoon: After arriving at the zoo, which is right next door to the hotel, find out more about the two sun bears, Rotana and Somnang, which arrived here in 2010. Sun bears are the rarest species of bear on the planet and face serious threats due to habitat loss and the illegal wildlife trade. Also visit Europe's largest penguin pool and colony of penguins who parade a little later. Find out more about the King, Gentoo and Rockhopper colonies whilst any penguins who fancy a stroll leave their enclosure and walk around the parade route with their keepers! The coach will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 7

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tulloch Castle

Transfer to Dingwall, Glencoe

Activity note: Drive from Edinburgh to Dingwall via Glencoe is approximately 200 miles, about 4.5 hours.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: After checkout and transfer to Dingwall and the Highlands via Glencoe, we will get to see the most famous and historic of all Scotland's glens, or narrow valleys, widely regarded as one of the world's scenic highlights. Forged by ice age glaciers and harsh winters, this wild land has a special place in Scotland's turbulent history as the site of the notorious massacre of 1692 where King William III’s men killed 38 members of the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe. Discover more of the exciting history of this land and its people in the displays at Glencoe Visitor Centre.

Lunch: At the Glencoe Café, we’ll have a 2-course self service lunch including coffee, tea, and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: The motorcoach journey continues through the beautiful landscapes of the West Highlands to the market town of Dingwall where we will check into the hotel in the late afternoon. Before dinner, we will be treated to a warm Welcome to the Highlands illustrating some of the local history and natural background.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a delicious, locally sourced and traditionally served 3-course Scottish dinner with coffee, tea and water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy an evening of dancing and Scottish music played by local pipers.

Day 8

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tulloch Castle

Cawdor Castle, Culloden, Sheepdog Trials

Activity note: Drive is approximately 50 miles in total (roundtrip), about 90 minutes. Stairs in historic buildings.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: Journey by motorcoach to 17th century Cawdor Castle near Nairn. Built as a fortress for the Thanes of Cawdor, this magical castle is steeped in stories of old and long associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth. Discover with our Study Leader the Castle's three gardens: the Walled Garden, the Flower Garden and the Wild Garden, as well as Cawdor's Big Wood. Travel on by motorcoach to Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre where 1,200 died in one hour in 1746 during the last battle to be fought on British soil. Led by our Study Leader, we’ll wander through the interactive exhibitions, immerse ourselves in a film of the battle and watch a Living History presentation.

Lunch: In the Culloden Café, we’ll have a served 2-course lunch with coffee, tea, and water.

Afternoon: Continue on to Kingussie where we will enjoy a sheepdog show at Leault Farm. We’ll see up to 8 sheepdogs performing under full control of their champion handler in the beautiful Highland surroundings of Badenoch and Strathspey. Return to the hotel by motor coach.

Dinner: Hotel plated meal.

Evening: Hotel staff will take us on a ghost walk and talk of Tulloch Castle – the very hotel we will be staying in tonight! Be sure to prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

Day 9

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Transfer to Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Mary King's Close

Activity note: Drive is approx. 200 miles, about 4.5 hours. Getting on/off a boat at Loch Ness. Mary King's Close is unsuitable for wheelchair access. Due to uneven surfaces and some steep inclines, sturdy footwear is recommended; total of 58 steps down and 38 up as part of the field trip; many areas are dimly lit causing some visitors to experience disorientation or claustrophobia; because of the site’s underground nature visitors with asthma are advised to bring any medication/inhalers that they may require.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and begin our transfer by motor coach to Edinburgh via Loch Ness. Our first stop en route is at Drumnadrochit where we will visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition where seven themed areas explore the myth and the science behind the Loch Ness Monster. Exhibits and stories of brave adventurers trying to find the monster come from famous explorations over the decades. Travel through a 500 million year journey from prehistoric Scotland to legends, sightings, illusions, views from the world's smallest submarine (Machen), and even eyewitness reports. In small groups, we’ll board the Deepscan boat for a cruise along Loch Ness passing spectacular Urquart Castle and using sonar to search for Nessie.

Lunch: In groups at Cobbs Cafe. Whilst some participants are searching for Nessie, others will take lunch before embarking on the search themselves!

Afternoon: The remainder of our transfer to Edinburgh will continue until our late afternoon check-in at the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll have a served 3-course dinner with tea, coffee, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: This evening a spooky time will be had by all! Walk through winding underground vaults dating back to the 17th century. Discover a city's dark secrets and mysteries surrounding The Real Mary King's Close including tales of ghosts, the horrible plague of the 1600s, and some characters of a foul sort. Expert character guides will lead you through the underground streets and housing where these realities live on.

Day 10

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hilton Edinburgh Carlton

Edinburgh Castle, The Camera Obscura

Activity note: Even though the castle is a historic building at the top of a steep slope, there is good access to many of its major sights. The Camera Obscura has six floors, with two flights of steps between each floor averaging 9 steps per flight; no elevators; on our feet up to 2 hours.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: The coach will take us to the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched high over the city on volcanic rock. As the Study Leader introduces the site, pass through Portcullis Gate, stand on the 6 gun Argyle Battery dating back to the 18th century, see the Royal Scots Museum, New Barracks, Governor's House and Battlements. Take in views from the battlements north across Scotland’s capital city and the Firth of Forth and on to Fife in the distance. Inside the Crown Room see the oldest Crown Jewels in the British Isles. You can also see the iconic Stone of Destiny, used to inaugurate monarchs for centuries. Local experts wander the castle constantly offering additional information if you wish to learn more. We’ll then leave the Castle and walk down to Edinburgh's Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. See more spectacular views over the city and enjoy the interactive displays that will dazzle and confuse you. Local experts will tell stories of the past and present in a rooftop room and you can see moving images of Edinburgh projected through a periscope onto a viewing table almost like a crystal ball! Take your time here as the rest of the day is free until the farewell meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Free Time. Farewell meeting at 5:00 p.m. before dinner at the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel, we'll have our farewell dinner together and share our favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Day 11

Meals: Breakfast

Program Concludes

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s travel details regarding transfers. If you are an independent traveler (POP status), see “Ground Transportation from Last Location.”

Breakfast: Hotel buffet depending on individual departure schedules.

Morning: Transfer to Edinburgh Airport for onward flights. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 1: Arrive in Glasgow

Meet with your driver and transfer to the city, panoramic tour of Glasgow, Overnight Glasgow

Day 2: Scenic Scotland

Meet with your driver, scenic drive through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, followed by a Jacobite Loch Ness Cruise, Overnight Nairn.

Day 3: Edinburgh

Visit Blair Atholl Distillery, Pitlochry followed by a transfer to Edinburgh, private transfer to Scottish Evening, Overnight Edinburgh.

Day 4: Edinburgh

Day of sightseeing at leisure, visit Edinburgh Castle, Overnight Edinburgh.

Day 5: Dublin

Transfer to Cairn and board a ferry to Belfast, visit to Titanic Museum followed by a transfer to Dublin, Overnight Dublin.

Day 6: Dublin

Day at leisure followed by an evening canal cruise dinner, Overnight Dublin.

Day 7: Killarney

Visit Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Overnight Killarney.

Day 8: Killarney

Day of sightseeing around Ring of Kerry, Overnight Killarney.

Day 9: Bunratty

Visit Cliffs of Moher followed by a Medieval castle banquet, Overnight Bunratty.

Day 10: Departure

Private transfer to Shannon Airport.