The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo & the Highlands

Your vacation begins when you arrive independently in the picturesque town of Dunblane. Meeting the Tour Manager at our hotel this afternoon, and once we've checked in, there's time to get to know the town at leisure.

Our hotel is just a short walk from the Allan Water River, where you could enjoy a delightful riverside stroll. Next to the river, you'll discover the 11th-century cathedral standing among a cluster of old-world buildings. Among them is Dean's House, a 17th-century structure that now hosts the cathedral museum, showcasing interesting exhibits on local history. Dunblane Cathedral itself is one of Scotland's most impressive medieval churches, with a tower that was built in the 1100s, an ornate Gothic doorway and rare 15th-century choir stalls.

Returning to our hotel this evening, we gather for our first dinner as a group.

• Dinner

Traveling north to atmospheric Aviemore after breakfast, we join the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway for a trip through the stunning sights of Cairngorms National Park. The beautifully restored cars have comfortable seats and large windows, providing fantastic opportunities to marvel at the breathtaking scenery enroute to Broomhill.

Snaking our way alongside the bronze waters of the River Spey that play a crucial part in the production of so many world-class whiskies, we enjoy views of rolling hills blanketed by purple heather, the craggy summit of Cairngorm Mountain, and thick pine forests and wooded glens lining the tracks.

After a round trip on the railroad, we rejoin our coach and set off to the Kinrara Distillery on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. In these beautiful surroundings, we savor a hosted gin-tasting experience to learn about the local history and ingredients that have inspired the distillery's award-winning craft gins. In the late afternoon, we travel back to our Dunblane hotel with time to relax before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast

After a relaxing morning, our coach picks us up early this afternoon for another culture-packed day. Our first stop is the impressive Stirling Castle for a guided tour where we wander through the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, Great Kitchens and beautiful gardens. There is time to enjoy lunch independently either at the castle café or in the center of Stirling. Here, you could wander over Stirling Old Bridge and discover its association with William Wallace and the Jacobite Rising.

This afternoon, we continue to Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, where you're at leisure to get some dinner and explore before tonight's main event. The annual spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings together music, entertainment and ceremonial performances. Watching in awe, we see the Scottish regiments' pipers and drummers performing together, the impressive Massed Bands of the Royal Marines, and a fantastic firework show - all with Edinburgh Castle magnificently illuminated behind them.

After this incredible experience, our coach takes us back to our hotel in Dunblane late this evening.

**Please Note: For certain departures the Edinburgh Military Tattoo will fall on a different day.

• Breakfast, Dinner

It's time to say goodbye to our Scottish adventure today. After a leisurely breakfast, our vacation comes to an end, and you are free to make your way home. If you're not ready to leave beautiful Scotland and Perthshire behind just yet, you could continue exploring the dramatic landscapes, ancient castles and unspoilt nature at your own pace.

On your way home, you can look back at the fantastic new memories we have created. Incredible views of the Scottish Highlands were experienced during a charming journey through the Cairngorms on the Strathspey Steam Railway followed by a tasting of locally made craft gin. A guided tour of Stirling's historic castle preceded a spectacular finale as we marveled at the sights and sounds of the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo - an unforgettable way to round-off our time in Scotland.

• Breakfast