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Day 1: Arrival Edinburgh: Check into 3-star hotel accommodation
July 24,2009: Individual arrival in Edinburgh and check into your hotel. Your welcome pack will be waiting at the reception area.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 2: The Gathering Events: The Clan Gathering is a 2 day event celebrating the history and culture of the Scottish Clans. The main events of the gathering are the World Highland Games in Holyrood Park, the Clan Parade and Clan Pageant.
July 25, 2009: Enjoy participating in the Highland Games, which takes place on both days in Holyrood Park. Competitions include Highland Dancing, Piping, Heavy Events such as tossing the stone, the hammer, the caber etc, a hill race up and down Arthur's Seat, a Food and Drink Festival, an Aristan village feature traditional Scottish products, a genealogy tent where attendees can find out how to trace their Scottish roots, live music (Capercaillie, Red Hot Chilli Pipers etc).
Join in the Clan Parade taking place this first evening, which will feature approx 8000 clansmen and pipers marching up the Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace to the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle taking their seats on the castle esplanade for a spectacular Clan Pageant, which is a theatrical extravaganza training the history of the clans.
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 3: The Gathering Events
July 26, 2009: Continue enjoying the Highland Games including Highland Dancing, Piping, Heavy Events, a hill race up and down Arthur's Seat, a Food and Drink Festival, an Artisian village feature traditional Scottish products, a genealogy tent and live music.
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 4: Depart on your 3-Day Clan MacGregor Homelands Tour:
Clan tours departs from 207 High Street (Royal Mile), Edinburgh at 09:00. Please be at the departure point no less than 10 minutes prior to departure.
July 27, 2009: KILMHOG-BALQUIDDER-KILCHURN CASTLE-INVERARY:
Departing Edinburgh we travel west past Stirling Castle and into the Highlands of Scotland. Journeying through the beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, we make our first stop at the visitor centre at Kilmahog. From there, it is a short drive north to experience the serenity of Loch Lubnaig.
After a short stop at Loch Lubnaig, we continue north along the shores of the loch, through the ancient village of Strathyre and into Balquhidder. Here we will visit Balquhidder church, where you can see the grave of the infamous highland outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor. From there we travel north, past Loch Earn and onto the town of Dalmally where we will visit Dalmally Kirk, an ancient MacGregor burial site, before enjoying lunch at the friendly, family-run, Glen Orchy Lodge Hotel.
After lunch there is a short drive to the ancient MacGregor stronghold of Kilchurn Castle. Nestled on the shores of the magnificient Loch Awe and overlooked by the imposing Ben Cruachan, Kilchurn Castle has one of the most romantic settings of any castle in Scotland. From Kilchurn Castle, we will make our way to the picturesque town of Inveraray. Here you have the opportunity to visit Inveraray Castle, seat of the Duke of Argyll. The castle has on display the sporran of Rob Roy MacGregor. We will spend the evening in Inveraray.
Overnight Inveraray
Day 5: Continuing Tour
July 28, 2009: LOCH LOMOND-INCHCAILLOCH ISLAND-DRYMEN:
Upon leaving Inveraray we will follow the shores of scenic Loch Fyne, before travelling through the Arrochar Alps, past Loch Long and on to the beauty and splendor of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s most romantic loch. We will stop at the picturesque conservation village of Luss where you can see the workers cottage, built in the 1750’s, and even take a stroll along the beach. After our stop in Luss, we continue down Loch Lomond and on to Glen Fruin, scene of a battle between the Colquhouns and the MacGregors, in 1603, which led to the name MacGregor being proscribed, effectively turning the entire clan into outlaws.
From Glen Fruin, we return to Loch Lomond and follow its shores eastwards, as we make our way towards the village of Gartocharn, where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we make our way to the beautiful village of Balmaha. We will then take a ferry out to Inchcailloch Island, ancient burial ground for the MacGregors and an area of outstanding natural beauty. Upon returning to Balmaha, we will make the short trip to the historic town of Drymen where we will spend the night.
Overnight Drymen
Day 6: Continuing Tour
July 29, 2009: INVERSNAID-ABERFOYLE-MACGREGOR’S BARN:
In the morning we take the stunning journey along the road to Inversnaid where we will take a short walk to see Rob Roy’s Cave, one of the legendary outlaw’s favourite hiding places. After experiencing the glorious views of Loch Lomond from Inversnaid, we have a short drive before arriving at the town of Aberfoyle where we will have lunch. After lunch it is another short drive to MacGregor’s Barn, site of a farm dating back to 1474 and an annual gathering place for Clan Gregor for over 500 years. At MacGregor’s barn we will enjoy an afternoon of Highland history, including whisky tasting and afternoon tea. From there we return to Edinburgh, via the scenic Duke’s Pass and the beautiful Loch Achray.
Light refreshments and entertainment at MacGregor's Barn.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 7: Edinburgh City Tour
July 30, 2009: Enjoy free time and take a hop-on hop-off city tour of Edinburgh which is included in your package.
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 8: Depart for home
August 1, 2009: Check out of your hotel and depart on your own to the airport.
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Package Includes
7-night accommodations in central 3-Star hotels
Daily Scottish breakfast
2-day Silver Gathering Passport
Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off City Tour
3-day Clan Homelands mini-coach tour with driver/guide
Entertainment and refreshments at MacGregor's Barn
Welcome Pack
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Notes
Your clan tour departs from 207 High Street (Royal Mile) in Edinburgh at 9:00am. Please be at the departure point at least 10 minutes prior to departure.
You will be advised of your specific hotels upon confirmation.
Restrictions
The following entrance fees are not included in the package price: Balquhidder Church, Dalmally Kirk, Kilchurn Castle (approx £180.)
Lunches, dinners and drinks are not included unless otherwise noted.
Maximum group size for mini-coach Clan tours is 16
Airfare is not included but can be easily added for an additional charge.
Transfers to and from the airport are not included but can be easily added at an additional charge.
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Join your fellow Clan MacGregor's and take a fascinating journey into your clan’s ancestors, history and culture including the infamous Rob Roy MacGregor. Travel north through the Highlands of Scotland and visit Balquhidder church, where the grave of the infamous highland outlaw resides. Travel to Dalmally and visit Dalmally Kirk, an ancient MacGregor burial site. Continue on to one of the most romantic settings of any castle in Scotland, Kilchurn Castle, an ancient MacGregor stronghold. Journey through many historic MacGregor landmarks including Glen Fruin, scene of a battle between the Colquhouns and the MacGregors, turning the entire clan into outlaws. An unforgettable history lesson that will remind you what "Royal is my Race" means.
