Day 1: Following your home taxi collection we travel to Scotland, arriving late afternoon at the Riverside Lodge Hotel, Irvine for our 5 night stay. Upon arrival, Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served whilst your bags are taken to your room. Hotel entertainment will be provided on three evenings during your stay.
Day 2: This morning we make the short journey to Ardrossan where we board the morning sailing for the Isle of Arran. The crossing takes around 55 minutes and on arrival in Brodick, the island’s main town, we have time to obtain lunch and have a look around. Dominated by the towering peak of Goatfell, Brodick is one of the largest settlements on Arran. We then have a sightseeing tour of the island before we catch the return afternoon sailing to Ardrossan.
Day 3: A complete contrast today as we head into Glasgow and visit the superb newly opened Riverside Glasgow Transport Museum. This fascinating museum houses the city’s fabulous transport and technology collections, which have been gathered over the centuries and which reflect the important part Glasgow has played in the world through its contributions to heavy industries like shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. Afterwards we have free time in Glasgow, returning later to the hotel.
Day 4: Our day begins with a drive south along the Ayrshire coast through Troon to Ayr, a popular holiday resort. We have time here for a look around the town and maybe a seafront stroll, to obtain lunch before we continue for a visit to spectacular Culzean Castle and Country Park. The castle offers much of interest, with terraced gardens, woodland, ponds, wildlife garden, walled garden and deer park. The castle itself is perched on the Ayrshire cliffs. It was designed by Robert Adam in the late 18th century and is filled to the turrets with treasures that tell the stories of the people who lived here. Take a self guided tour and learn about the best features of the castle, including Adam's masterpiece, the oval staircase, as well as the fine collection of paintings and furniture. Culzean also has a strong link with President Eisenhower, as the top-floor apartment was presented to him for his lifetime in recognition of his role during World War II.
Day 5: Leaving the hotel we head across the Erskine Bridge and head along the north of the river to Helensburgh for a short break. From here we continue along Gare Loch and Loch Long to Arrochar and to Tarbet, on the banks of Loch Lomond. We stop at Lomond Shores complex with chance to obtain lunch and browse the shops before we leave for Balloch. Here we have a cruise on Loch Lomond where we will enjoy views of the magnificent Ben Lomond and pass a number of Loch Lomond's stately homes and castles. Later we make our way back over the bridge.
Day 6: After breakfast we leave and begin our homeward journey making suitable stops en route. Upon arrival our taxi service will be waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:5 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
Hotel Entertainment on Three Evenings
Price: £692pp
Single Supplement: £nil (Limited Availability)
Additional Singles Beyond Allocation From: £100 (Will be allocated a double room for sole occupancy)
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: AWE4896
Deposit Required: £50pp
Balance Due: 8 weeks prior to departure