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Day 1: Arrival Edinburgh: Check into your 3-star hotel accommodations
July 18,2009: 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 19, 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 Campbell 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 20, 2009: STIRLING-INVERARY-OBAN :
From Edinburgh we head north and travel towards Stirling, passing the fields of Bannockburn, where the great King Robert the Bruce was victorious over the “auld enemy”, England, during a period known as the Scottish wars of Independence. The Campbells were staunch supporters of Bruce, and indeed descendants of Duncan Campbell can claim their lineage back to our hero King.
Close by Stirling castle is where the Campbells, having had their title of Earldom restored to them in 1661, took up residence, in a town house and styled it Argylls Lodging, after abandoning their castle in nearby Dollar. We visit Castle Campbell in Dollar, formerly known as Castle Gloom, until an Act of Parliament, saw the name being officially changed in1489. Dating from the 1400’s the castle sits in lofty position, fastened between the Ochil hills. Access is only available by walking to the head of Dollar glen, following the Burn of care on one side and the Burn of sorrow on the other.
Continuing north we pass by castle Dochart (ruin) on Loch Dochart, built in the 16th century by Black Duncan Campbell, whose ambition was to be able to walk on his lands from west to the east of Scotland. He built seven castles, stretching from Balcardine castle in the west, to Taymouth castle in the east. As we drive further into the Highlands, and deep into Campbell territory, we become very aware of the clans immense strength, often to the detriment of their neighbouring clans, such as clan MacGregor.
Heading west towards Dalmally, we stop for photos of Kilchurn castle, built in 1406 by Colin Campbell. A magnificent imposing ruin, on the shores of Loch Awe, nestling beside Ben Cruachan, where the Campbell war cry would resonate “ cruachan!”
From the shores of Loch Awe, we head to Inverary, an 18th century Georgian town, and the official home to the clan. Inverary castle, in contrast to the others, reflects the period in which it was built, from 1747 onwards, when the troubles in the turbulent north were being neutralised. A mix of Scottish baronial and neo-gothic architecture, its immense presence overlooks the small town, built at the same time to enhance the view from the chief’s home.
Continuing west we head through Kilmartin glen, and on passed yet another Campbell castle – Carnessarie castle, before hugging the sea bound road towards Oban.
Overnight Oban
Day 4: Continuing Tour
July 21, 2009: APPIN-CLENCOE-FORT WILLIAM-INVERNESS.
Our second day will be spent driving though Appin, where Colin Campbell, a government factor working in the area, was killed by person unknown, as he rode through the glen. James Stewart was the unfortunate scapegoat in this intoxicating mystery, which is captured in Robert Louis Stevenson’s book “Kidnapped”.
From here we arrive in Glencoe, the site of the infamous massacre, involving clan Campbell and clan MacDonald. As neighbours, tension arose between these two clans, and previous conflicts inevitably caused a divide of dislike, culminating in the dark night of 13th Feb 1692. Onwards through Fort William, and up the Great Glen to Loch Ness, with ample opportunities to try and glimpse “Nessie”, before our arrival in the Highland capital of Inverness.
Overnight Inverness
Day 5: Continuing Tour
July 22, 2009: CULLODEN-KILLIECRANKIE-DUNKELD.
Our final day will see us visit Culloden visitor centre, where, in 1746, clan Campbell fought on the side of the British forces against the young pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie, in what was to become the last battle on British soil. Here you have the chance to walk out in the eerie silence of Drumossie moor and reflect on that bloody day, and in its aftermath, the serious repercussions for Highland Scotland.
Heading south, we turn eastwards at Killiecrankie, for a short walk, to view the leap taken by soldier Donald MacBean, in his efforts to flee from the wild Jacobites who were hard on his tail!
By Loch Tummel we continue to Kenmore, and a chance to visit the wonder of the single defended dwelling houses found on inland Lochs, known as Crannogs. Views can also be seen here of Taymouth castle, the most easterly point of clan Campbell territory. The lands stretching from Oban to Aberfeldy, became known as Breadalbane.
Through Aberfeldy, where the Black watch regiment was founded, with clan Campbell as one of its core loyal clans, we continue east for a last visit to Dunkeld, the smallest city in Scotland, before returning to Edinburgh.
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 6: Free day in Edinburgh
July 23, 2009: Enjoy some free time in Edinburgh. Take an optional day trip (not included in your package.)
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 7: Free day in Edinburgh
July 24, 2009: Enjoy some free time in Edinburgh. Take an optional day trip (not included in your package.)
Overnight Edinburgh.
Day 8: 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 Artisian 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 9: 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 10: 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
9-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: Stirling Castle, Argyll's Lodging, Castle Campbell, Inveraray Castle, Glencoe Visitors Centre, Culloden.
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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Explore the ancestral land of the mighty Clan Campbell, who gained power, land and title gifted by the King for their unfailing support. Journey back in time and visit many of the Campbells ancestrial homelands including Inverary, an 18th Century Georgian town which is the offical home of Clan Campbell. Along the way visit many castles with ties to the clan such as Stirling Castle, Castle Campbell in Dollar (formerly Castle Gloom), Castle Dochart(ruin) on Loch Dochart and Kilchurn Castle near Dalmally which was build by Colin Campbell in 1406. No Clan tour would be complete without a visit to Culloden where the Clan Campbell fought on the side of the British. A journey that helps you to "Forget Not" your illustrious history.
