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Join your fellow Robertson Clan to experience the history and culture of the Clan "Donnachaidh"! The Robertson clan has claims to be one the oldest clans in Scotland, with direct links back to the Celtic Earls of Atholl and there are reports of them being present at the first recorded battle in Scottish history, the battle of Mons Graupius in 84AD. They also have claims to be the sole surviving branch of the royal line that occupied the throne of Scotland during the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. Journey north and visit many Robertson landmarks, including Bannockburn, where members of the clan fought alongside Robert the Bruce, helping to defeat King Edward 11 of England. Visit many Robertson ancestrial homes; Port-an-eilean in Pitlochry, the original ancestral seat of the clan chiefs. This trip leads you through the very heart of the Robertson clan, where fighting for "Glory is the Reward of Valour".
Call us to add airfare, transfers, sightseeing or extend your trip!!
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| Hotel (mouse over calendar for hotel date info) | | Category | Location | Double* | Single* | | | Edinburgh Hotel (Standard Room) | | Tourist | Edinburgh | $1729 | $2559 |
| | Pitlochry Hotel (Standard Room) | | Tourist | Pitlochry | | |
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Day 1: Arrival Edinburgh: Check into your 3-star hotel accommodations
July 20,2009: Individual arrival in Edinburgh and check into your hotel. Your welcome pack will be waiting at the reception area.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 2: Edinburgh City Tour
July 21, 2009: Enjoy free time before your Homelands Tour. Take a hop-on hop-off city tour of Edinburgh which is included in your package.
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 3: Depart on your Clan Donnachaidh (Robertson) 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 22, 2009: STIRLING-PERTH-DUNKELD:
Our journey will begin from Edinburgh and head north towards Stirling and the site of the greatest battle in Scottish history – The Battle of Bannockburn, with the mighty King Robert the Bruce, in the summer of 1314. Stirling is often described as being the brooch that clasps Highland and Lowland Scotland together and because of the strategic position of the castle, the fields surrounding it are known collectively as the battlefields of Scotland.
Bannockburn is the most significant, where members of Clan Donnachaidh fought alongside Robert the Bruce, helping to defeat King Edward 11 of England. After spending time at Bannockburn and Stirling castle, we will continue to Perth and then north to Dunkeld, a cathedral city which has links to the Robertson clan.
Dunkeld cathedral, sitting on the banks of the river Tay was invaded by the Robertson clan in the 1400s, when they went to the rescue of their fellow clansmen. A chance here to explore this beautiful, but highly significant city, and one time capital of Pictish Scotland, before we continue north to Pitlochry for our overnight stay.
Pitlochry is a Victorian town, famed these days for its ‘salmon ladder’, where homeward bound salmon are electronically counted as they head up the river to their spawning ground. Set in lovely Highland Perthshire, the town is ever popular, amidst gentle scenery, and a welcoming base from which to explore the further reaches of the north.
Overnight Pitlochry
Day 4: Continuing Tour
July 23, 2009: KILLIECRANKIE-FALLS OF BRUAR-LOCH TUMMEL:
The next day we will take a leisurely drive into the heart of the Robertson clan, stopping along the way at the pass of Killickrankie. The Robertson clan were involved here, in this, the first uprising by the Jacobites in 1689, as they sided with their ‘king across the water’ and tried, valiantly, to restore the Stuarts to the British throne, after he was deposed in 1688. An opportunity to view the spectacular leap across the river made by soldier Donald MacBean, as he fled to safety, hotly pursued by the Jacobites!
From here we will head past Blair Castle, home of the Atholl Highlanders and up to the ‘falls of Bruar’, where the Clan Donnachaidh museum is situated. After a generous stop here, where there will be ample time to visit the museum, take a stroll through the forest to the picturesque waterfall, or to shop, we will continue into Robertson territory visiting Struan church.
Struan church is the ancient burial ground of the family. From here, we will then travel to the present burial site of the Robertsons and the one remaining area of land belonging to the clan, and their ancestral home at Dun Alastair.
After stopping in Kinloch Rannoch for lunch, we will journey around Loch Rannoch, taking in the stunning views of the ancestral ground, with views including the mountain Schiehallion, and the Caledonian hill of the Fairies.
We will return to Pitlochry by Loch Tummel and another of the ancestral homes of the Robertsons at Port-an-eilean. This was the original ancestral seat of the clan chiefs. A chance here also to view the ‘Queens View’, so called after Queen Victoria stopped here to enjoy the views down Loch, before ending our day in Pitlochry where we will overnight again.
Overnight Pitlochry
Day 5: Continuing Tour
July 24, 2009: CULLODEN-INVERNESS-KINGDOM OF FIFE:
Our third day will see us leave Robertson territory and head northwards, stopping off at a highland folk museum in Newtonmore. Here you will be able to imagine ‘the way of life’ that existed for Highlanders in past centuries, before we continue past ruined Ruthven barracks. Ruthven barracks was built to house Government soldiers, in an attempt to try and subdue the north and bring the Highlanders under control.
Sadly, a bit further north we will arrive at Culloden, near Inverness and the site of the famous battle of Culloden, which, in 1746, was the last battle to have been fought on British soil and had the Robertsons fighting on the Jacobite side. The chilling aftermath of the battle saw the Highlands placed under military occupation, and an entire way of life in the north, shattered forever. We will wander out onto the battlefield and try to imagine that bleak and bloody day before we head to nearby Inverness, the Highland capital for lunch.
Upon leaving Inverness we travel over the top end of Loch Ness, with a chance for you to try and spot the ever elusive creature that inhabits the murky depths of this, the most famous stretch of water in the world! “Nessie” as she is affectionately known, may just be in the mood to make a dramatic appearance!
From Loch Ness we will then begin the journey south through the Kingdom of Fife and over the iconic Bridges that span the river Forth to Edinburgh where this insight into not only clan Robertson territory, but the Highlands itself, will finish.
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: Depart for home
July 27, 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
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: BannockBurn, Stirling Castle, Dunkeld Cathedral, Clan Robertson Museum, Highland Folk Museum, Culloden.
Maximum group size for mini-coach Clan tours is 16
Lunches, dinners and drinks are not included unless otherwise noted.
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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