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also pass Gleneagles - a 5 star hotel with its own championship
golf courses,
and an equestrian centre run by Princess Anne's first
husband, Captain Mark Phillips. Then it's into Crieff,
a lively resort town which was once the main centre for
the cattle trade in Scotland. Drovers used to drive huge
numbers of cattle from the Highlands down into the Crieff
Tryst giving the town a very cosmopolitan air. The town
was burned down for harbouring Bonnie Prince Charlie
during
his 1745 Jacobite rebellion, and had to be rebuilt by
the local landlord, the Earl of Perth.
On the outskirts of Crieff, we reach the Famous Grouse
Experience, formerly the Glenturret Distillery, the
oldest (legal !) distillery in Scotland, established
in 1775. Arriving here around 11.30, you will be taken
on a tour of the distillery and find out the secret
to making Scotland's national drink, and get a chance
to taste the finished article. The art of whisky making
(from the Gaelic Usque Beatha, literally meaning 'The
Water of Life') came from Ireland many centuries ago,
and was practised in small scale in farms all over the
country, until the Government decided to tax it. Many
continued to make their special brew in secret, smuggling
the precious liquid to local taverns in the dead of
night. Today, there are about 100 working distilleries.
They are scattered all over Scotland, and each one makes
a unique 'Single Malt'. They all taste different, and
often reflect the local environment and geography. We
will also have our lunch here at the distillery.
Leaving at 13.30 we continue north over the Highland
line, through the beautiful Sma' Glen and onto Aberfeldy.
You will notice the immediate change in scenery from
rolling farmland to mountain and moor as we cross over
the fault line separating Lowland Scotland from the
Highlands. On this route we will follow very closely
the road built by General Wade in the 1720s to connect
Stirling with Inverness. These roads were constructed
to connect important strategic points, garrisons and
forts built by the British Government to subdue and
curb the warlike tendencies of the wild Highland clans.
General Wade was commissioned to carry out this tough
job, and his legacy is the Highland road network. At
Aberfeldy, Wade's road crosses the wide River Tay, and
the magnificent bridge is still there to see, next to
the Black Watch monument. The Black watch are the oldest
of the commissioned Highland regiments, and they first
mustered here in Aberfeldy in the 1730s. Their famous
dark tartan was designed to be neutral.
For those who like a good walk your guide will take
you up the stunning tree lined gorge with crashing waterfalls,
known as the 'Birks of Aberfeldy'. It is truly a breathtaking
place, and inspired our national Bard, Robert Burns
to write a song of the same name. The walk will take
about an hour. Alternatively, you can take the time
to explore the town. We will leave at approx. 15.30
and head down the wide valley of Strathtay to the small
cathedral city of Dunkeld. Set against tree clad hills
and on the banks of the silvery Tay, Dunkeld was for
many centuries the capital of the Christian Celtic Church,
and its 13th century Cathedral reflects the once great
importance of this quaint Highland village. Dunkeld
is also home to musician and songwriter, Dougie MacLean,
who has a music pub in town. We will make a peaceful
stop here before returning to Edinburgh past Perth and
over the Forth Bridge.
Return approx - 18.30
This full day tour departs
Tuesdays and Fridays from Central Edinburgh. 10am -
6.30pm.
Adult Price:
£25
Child Price:
£22 (3 - 16 yrs)
Inclusions:
Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes
minicoaches for a more personal service.
Forced air ventilation as standard.
Services of a professional driver/guide.
Rabbie's Discount Card - money off restaurants, shopping
and attractions.
Exclusions:
Lunch and refreshments.
Entrance to Glenturret Distillery - but heavily discounted
with Rabbie's discount card.
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