|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||
 |
|||||||
 |
|||||||
|
|
 |
|
|
Protect your Investment with Travel Safe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Make secure, online credit card payments. NOTE:Transactions attract a 3.5% fee. Please add the transaction fee to the total amount entered. *Personal checks accepted with no transaction fee. |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tours by Destination: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tours by Theme: |
||||||||||||||||||
|
Cruise Programs: |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
Self-Guided Europe Programs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||||
 |
|||||
|
Special Group Tours Toll Free: 1 866 725 5250 |
|||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Gathering, CLAN GROUP TOURS CLAN CAMPBELL This tour explores the ancestral lands of this mighty clan, who gained power, land and title gifted by the King. The Campbells were staunch supporters of Bruce, and indeed descendants of Duncan Campbell can claim their lineage back to our hero King. This journey is packed with history and castles, demonstrating the sheer power of one of the most notorious of our Highlands clans- clan Campbell.
The packages are available inclusive or exclusive of accommodation in Edinburgh during the Gathering Event, depending on your preferred choice. Airport transfers on arrival or departure can be booked as an optional extra, for options and prices please contact us on kate@specialgrouptours.com Book your Homecoming Scotland 2009 Attraction Passes here too!
Package Dates, The Gathering With Edinburgh Hotel: 18 – 27 July 2009 Without Edinburgh Hotel: 20 – 22 July 2009 Additional Tour Dates throughout the Homecoming Year Without Edinburgh Hotel: 16 – 18 Mar 09 and 05 – 07 Oct 09
Clan Campbell Day to Day itinerary (9 day WITH Edinburgh Hotel package listed below. NOTE: the WITHOUT program will include just the 3 “touring” days only.) Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh. Check into accommodation Day 2 Edinburgh city tour Day 3 Depart on the Clan Campbell Homelands tour Touring DAY 1: 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. 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- castle Campbell. Continuing east, we visit Castle Campbell, 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 16c by Black Duncan Campbell, whose ambition was to be able to walk on his lands from west to the east of Scotland. He built 7 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 18c 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 neogothic 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 beautiful sea bound road towards Oban. Day 4 On tour. Touring DAY 2: Our second day, will be spent driving though Appin, where Colin Campbell, a government factor working in the area in18c, was killed by person unknown as he rode through the glen. James Stewart was the unfortunate scapegoat in this mystery, captured in Robert Louis Stevensons 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. Day 5 On tour - arriving back in Edinburgh early evening. Touring DAY 3: Our final day will see us visit Culloden visitor centre, where 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 in 1746. Here you have the chance to walk out in the eerie silence of Drumossie moor, and reflect on a bloody day, and, in its aftermath, the serious repercussions for Highland Scotland. Heading south, we head eastwards at Killiecrankie for a short walk to view the leap by soldier Donald MacBean in his efforts to flee from the wild Jacobites 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 Campbells 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. Day 6 Free day in Edinburgh (optional day trips) Day 7 Free day in Edinburgh (optional day trips) Day 8 The Gathering events Day 9 The Gathering events Day 10 Depart for home (or extend your stay independently)
CANCELLATION TERMS:
Clan Tour Programs provided by: |
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
