Scotland One Day Tours

With all our tours we give you an unparalleled insight into our nation’s beauty, history and geography, we show you our dramatic scenery and warm hospitality.  There really is something for everyone in Scotland .

We don't do scheduled tours, all our tours are geared for groups of friends or family travelling together.  We can offer car's with dedicated driver/guides for individuals or couple's at very competative prices as well as minibuses for up to 16 passengers.  Don't put up with coach tours full of strangers join us on our tours and you will be amazed at what Scotland has contributed to the world we live in.  All our driver/guides are in Highland Dress.

We have a goal - to make sure you enjoy your holiday.  WE DON'T VISIT WOOLEN MILLS UNLESS YOU WANT TO!!!!

Call or email us with your pick-up and drop-off points and how may are travelling and we will quote for any of our tours.  Just go into contact us for our phone number or email details.

 

We have a goal - to make sure you enjoy your holiday.

All times stated are approximate and may vary according to road conditions. 

Lunch and Entry fees NOT included. 

***SPECIAL OFFER***  Book a tour for 2009 now, and pay only 2008 prices.

TOUR 1 

We visit Linlithgow Palace, Stirling Castle and the Wallace monument in this most Royal of Tour.

Linlithgow Palace is our first stop, This is where Mary Stewart was born on 8^th December 1542, her father James V died 6 days later and she was crowned queen whilst still an infant.

The first mention of Linlithgow as a royal residence is in 1301 when Edward 1^st of England took the House and fortified it, the English stayed for over a decade and eventually left in 1314 after their defeat at Bannockburn.  James 1^st of Scotland started rebuilding in 1425 after a fire in 1424 destroyed the House and much of the town,   His descendents all left their mark in the shape of improvements to the palace over the years.

Stirling Castle, set on a volcanic outcrop at the head of Stirling’s old town, Stirling Castle is very much like its counterpart in Edinburgh.  Its strategic position at the heart of Scotland ensured it’s place in History as it was besieged time after time involving among others William Wallace and King Robert The Bruce.
Films such as Braveheart and The Bruce have ensured that the castle is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Scotland.  Visit the kitchens and see what life would have been like for a commoner living at the castle.
Historic Scotland often put on re-enactments and other events during the summer months, we will endeavour to arrive at the castle to coincide with these events.   We will ensure that you have free time in Stirling for your lunch and any other visits you wish to make.  The castles admission ticket includes admission to Argyll’s Lodgings which is not far from the esplanade.

It’s back on the bus for our last visit of the tour, the Wallace Monument, built in 1860 to commemorate the” Guardian of Scotland, William Wallace”. 
Find out about the controversy surrounding the building of this grand structure.
You can either, walk up from the car park and appreciate the fine views, or you can hop aboard the shuttle bus which will ferry you up to the top.  Learn all about the great man who struggled to liberate his fellow Scots from the Tyranny of the English Oppressors. 

Loch Lomond The Trossachs National Park

Come with us to “the Bonnie Bonnie Banks”, we will take you on a journey to the romantic Loch Lomond where you can take an optional boat trip, or just enjoy the views. Find out about one of the oldest Pictish settlements in Scotland. Learn more about the clans and their tartans. The abundance of wildlife in The Trossachs National Park. We like to get a castle into our tours somewhere and this one has a lovely walk too!

Our first stop is Castle Campbell (also known as Castle Gloom in the Vale of Sorrows) but don’t let that put you off; it’s a beautiful spot at the head of Dollar Glen. This one is not for the unfit as it is a 20 minute walk from the car park up to the castle (we think you will agree that it’s worth it). The Castle was the home of the Earls of Argyll. The oldest part of the castle, the tower, dates back to the 15th century.

After that walk we hop back on the bus for a short trip to Callander, where we will stop for 2 hours, you can have a free time for lunch, shopping, or, visiting The Rob Roy & Trossachs Information Centre.

There are numerous bars and cafes in this busy little town. It lies 14 miles west of Stirling and is the main gateway to the Highlands, Some say the Trossachs are Scotland in miniature.

After all that exercise we think you’ll be glad to get back on the bus as we head to our last stop Balloch for the optional 1 hour boat trip. We do not have the 2008 prices yet but it was a very reasonable £6.50 per adult in 2007.

The tour sails past six of the Lochs Stately Houses, each with a story to tell. Past the impressive Ben Lomond which is the most southern of the Munro’s

 

TOUR 3     

New Lanark Village   18^th Century village located at The Falls of Clyde.  This village  once the largest cotton spinning complex in Britain and a place of pioneering social experiment.  Started by David Dale and Richard Arkwright (inventor of the spinning frame).

New Lanark Village is better known as the place where Robert Owen (David Dales brother-in-law) set in place his revolutionary social theories.  He provided decent housing for his workers and dormitories for the apprentices, but he also set up a cooperative store and an excellent school for the workers children.

The mill closed in 1968 but most of the elegant Georgian buildings still remain, and the village is now classed as a World Heritage site.

The Fallsof Clyde are a nature reserve where there are many woodland walks that follow the banks of the Gorge as well as the waters edge.

TOUR 4      

East Neuk of Fife

Visit the pretty coastal villages of the East Neuk of Fife and spend some time in St Andrews, the home of golf.
Pittenweems history dates back to the 7th Century, it’s name is of pictish origins and means “place by” or “of the cave”.  Pittenweem now boasts a plethora of galleries, antique and craft shops.  A walk around the towns winding streets will reveal many treasures.

Anstruther, visit the Scottish Fisheries Museum telling of the towns history going back to the Balmerino monks who owned most of the land and rented space out to the fishermen to dry their nets.  The fishermen paid rents in the form of salted herring which used to be in abundance here.  You can also see the “Reaper” a zulu class fishing vessel conserved by the museum.   If you’re hungry why not try the award winning fish and chips for lunch.  This is no ordinary fish & chip shop, lobster & crab are also on the menu.

As you walk the streets of Crail look at some of the traditional features of the 17th & 18th century houses such as crows (corbie) stepped gables.  Many of the houses also have marriage lintels above their doors showing the initials of the first owners.

St Andrews has the oldest university in Scotland, with many royal connections, including Prince William.  The castle and the cathedral are both looked after by Historic Scotland.  The castle ruins date back to the 13th Century and its notable features are the dungeon and the mine.  The remains of the Cathedral are also worth seeing.

The clubhouse of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club was built in 1854.  Known as “The Ruling House”, it is also the HQ of the World Golf Association.  The club itself was founded in 1754 and the rules of the modern game were first drawn up here.  Many of the world’s finest have played this course. 

TOUR 5

East Coast Tour - John Muir Country Park/Lennoxlove House/ Tantallon Castle

John Muir Country Park

8 miles of wild countryside along the coast west of Dunbar is named after conservationist John Muir, who was born in Dunbar in 1838.  In summer there is a ranger service offering guided walks. 

After emigrating to the USA , John Muir spent much of his life campaigning to preserve wild places in the USA , some of which bear his name, e.g. Lake Muir in California and Muir Glacier in Alaska .  His house in Dunbar is now a memorial to his life and achievements and is open to the public.

 

Lennoxlove House

This house is named after Francis Stewart, ‘Duchess of Lennox’.  She was the model for the figure of Britannia used on British coins.  She was known as ‘La Belle Stewart’ in France .  The ante room is devoted to Mary, Queen of Scots and contains her death mask and casket, which were given to her by first husband Francis II of France .

 

 

Tantallon Castle

Described by Sir Walter Scott as broad, massive, high and stretching far, in his poem Marmion.  With its towering red stone walls towering above rugged cliffs, this castle was built in the 14^th Century by the Red Douglases.  James V stormed Tantallon in 1528 after a three week siege, and it was captured in 1651 by Crowells Commander – General Monck after 12 days.

Remember your camera and enjoy your stay...

Haste ye back!

Tours can be tailor made to cater for your needs... Simply call us with your start and finish times and we will do the rest at Border Express.  

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