chocolate22

Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! A Taste of Scotland With
Whisky, Fudge, Ice cream, Pubs, Shortbread & Tearooms. Along
with Castles, Cathedrals, Culloden and a Highland Safari
April 1st - 15th, 2022

A real taste of Scotland with some of my favourite stops! I want everyone to experience
Scotland in just this way and I am sure that if I take everyone to my favourite places
that they will become their favourites too! So along with some of my favourite places to
stop for whisky, chocolate, fudge, shortbread, ice cream and afternoon tea I have
included historical stops along with spectacular countryside and scenery to take in every
essence of this wild, historic and romantic country. These are some of the best tastes in
Scotland! My goal on every trip to Scotland, is for those we take with us to fall in love
with Scotland and love it just as much! Come fall in love" - Shannon McDonald Tate.

This is a small group intimate tour of Edinburgh, the Highlands and the breathtaking
countryside. This tour is designed to accommodate only 10-12 people for a more
personal experience to allow you to get the most of your holiday. Keeping the tour size
small gives us the opportunity to veer from the beaten track and to take advantage of
accommodations, restaurants and sightseeing venues that would not be available to
larger groups. You may find yourself staying in a delightful city guesthouse, a small
country house hotel, a comfortable farmhouse and an old coaching Inn all in the same
visit. Our goal is to show you the real Scots people and some of the wonderful sights to
be seen all over this beautiful country.

Highlights include - Perth and Scone Palace, a Highland Safari, Iain Burnett the
Highland Chocolatier, Dalwhinnie Distillery and Dalwhinnie Chocolate and Whisky
Pairing, House of Bruar, Blair Castle, Kilted Fudge Company, Edradour Distillery,
Cocoa Mountain, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Lossiemouth, Elgin Cathedral,
Johnstons Cashmere, Huntly Castle, GlenDronach Distillery, Royal Deeside,
Aberdeen City, The Chocolate Bar, Dunnottar Caste, Arbroath Abbey, St. Andrews,
Falkland Palace, Pittenweem Chocolate Company, St. Monan's Kirk, Dunfermline
Abbey, Edinburgh's Georgian House, Scottish Kelpies, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh
Chocolate Experience and Glasgow City Food tours and more!

Tour includes all accommodation, full Scottish breakfast each morning. All
lunches and dinners as listed in itinerary. Porterage of one suitcase per person.
Minibus travel including tour guide. Knowledgeable guide for all tourist venues.
All sightseeing as indicated in itinerary including any entrance fees. All taxes and
service charges. As with all of our tours we try to offer as many different kinds of
accommodations as can be found in Scotland.

$6995US per person. $995US single supplement.
$500 per person deposit.

Pre-tour - March 31st - Arrive into Glasgow International Airport and make you way to our hotel accommodation
directly across from the main terminal. Use the day to get rested up and adjusted to the time change of necessary. We will
meet here to start the tour on the following morning.

Day 1 - April 1st. Arrive into Glasgow International Airport, but our adventure begins in the Highlands Village
of Pitlochry. Our first stop of the day will be Doune Castle, a magnificent late 14th century courtyard castle and famous
for the filming location of Monty Python's The Holy Grail and more recently, the Outlander TV series as Castle
Leoch. This is one of my most favorite places as it gives such a wonderful glimpse into 14th century Scottish castle living.
We then make our way to the lovely town of Callander where we will explore for a bit before Stopping for Lunch.
Then it is on to the Falls of Dochart in Killin, an especially lovely spot for a short respite. We will also stop in the
delightful village of Dunkeld which sits upon the banks of the River Tay where you can walk along a variety of specialist
shops or take a walk down by the river, which provides excellent views of Thomas Telford's Dunkeld Bridge. From
here it is just a short way to our accommodation. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)

Day 2 - This morning we will join Highland Safaris as we climb aboard our Land Rover complete with Kilted Guide
and journey to the high tops through a land sculptured by the elements and steeped in history, culture, nature,
and breathtaking views with no shortage of photo opportunities. We may even be lucky enough to see the Majestic Red
Deer, the Famous Grouse, the elusive Mountain Hare or the soaring Golden Eagle as we travel through
forests, mountains and moors on private hill tracks. Our safari includes Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Tea, a Dram of
Dewars Whisky with Shortbread in their Mountain Bothy. When we return from our safari we will have Lunch in
the Café and look through the shop before we experience a Red Deer and Barn Owl Encounter where we come face to
face with Britain’s largest native land mammal – the majestic Red Deer and meet and encounter their tame Barn Owl in a
hands on demonstration. On our way home we stop at Grandtully and the Legends of Grandtully, home to Iain
Burnett, the Highland Chocolatier! Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L)

Day 3 - This morning we head toward my favorite Glen in all of Scotland, Glen Lyon. On the way, we will stop in
Fortingall to see the Fortingall Yew standing next to the wee church there. The yew tree which grows there has been
estimated to be 5,000 years old and is the oldest living organism in Britain and possibly the world. The churchyard also has
grave slabs and incised crosses that are hundreds of years old. The drive through Glen Lyon is mystical and magical with
wee villages and breathtaking scenery around every turn. We then head north to the Spectacular Loch Rannoch and
along the loch to Kinloch Rannoch where we Stop for Afternoon Tea. We then visit House of Bruar, home of
Scottish Country Clothing with an extensive range of high quality products in both the Men’s and Ladies Clothing
Halls. You can also find the Finest Country Fayre of Traditional Scottish Food and Drink in the Food Halls
and Delicatessen. It also houses the largest collection of Cashmere in the UK. The Country Living Shop carries
plenty of choice for decorating your home, or even the perfect gift. Pub Dinner and Overnight Pitlochry. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - This morning as we head north we make our way to Blair Castle at Blair Atholl, ancestral home of the Dukes
of Atholl. Blair Castle is set in extensive parklands, including the recently restored Hercules Garden and Diana's
Grove, and with 725 years of history and over 30 rooms open to the public, an absolute delight to explore! We will have a
guided tour of the castle and then you will have some time on your own in the castle and on the grounds before we gather
for a Traditional Highland Afternoon Tea nearby. We then make our way further north to the village of
Dalwhinnie and to Dalwhinnie Distillery. The distillery stands in the Cairngorm National Park at the heart of
the Scottish Highlands. From this remote location comes their Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky,
it is also known as the ‘gentle spirit’. We will have a sample of their single malt whiskies paired with specially selected
Handmade Highland Chocolates! Then on to Aviemore and the Kilted Fudge Company where you will be spoilt
for choice with the smooth textured, deliciously creamy, mouth watering Scottish favourites and tempted by other
luxurious flavours of our handmade cream and butter fudge. Dinner and Overnight Inverness. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - This morning we make our to Dornoch where we find Cocoa Mountain, home of some of the best Hot
Chocolate you will ever taste! Freshness, quality and innovation are words used to describe their chocolate and truffles,
which are made using the highest quality chocolate, premium ingredients, and natural flavourings. They make every
chocolate by hand and it really shows! We then Stop for Afternoon Tea at the Kincraig Castle Hotel before making
our way to Culloden Battlefield, a desolate stretch of moorland that looks much as it did on 16th April 1746, the date
of the Last Battle to be fought on British soil. Here Bonnie Prince Charlie made his last stand for the Stewart
cause. The battlefield is restored to as close as possible as it was when the two sides marched on that fateful day. We will
find out why this battle that lasted only one hour changed the way of life of the Highlands forever. Then on to 4000 year old
Clava Cairns, one of Scotland’s most evocative sacred prehistoric sites. The cairns are dominated by a line of three
exceptionally well-preserved burial cairns, each enclosed by stone circles. The actual remains of those buried within the
cairns no longer survive because of overzealous archaeological digging in the early 20th century. Dinner on your own back
in Inverness. Overnight Inverness. (B,L)

Day 6 - This morning we will at Forres where we stop to see the Sueno's Stone, a Pictish Stone that is the most
remarkable sculptured monument in Britain. It stands over 20 feet high and dates to the end of the first millennium AD.
next we visit Elgin Cathedral, the superb ruin of what was perhaps the most beautiful cathedral in Scotland. Elgin
Cathedral is Scotland's second largest cathedral behind St. Andrews and was known as 'The Lantern of the North'. If
suffered many mishaps and then was rebuilt only to see the Reformation in the 1500's. Even in ruins, it is still one of the
most beautiful cathedrals in Scotland. We then visit the Johnstons of Elgin, with a 220 year-old story of Scottish
innovation and luxury, celebrating the skills of our Scottish Craftspeople and generations of herding communities from
Mongolia, Afghanistan and Peru, and of natural fibres reaching their full potential. Before our visit we have
Afternoon Tea at the Ditsy Teacup in Elgin before we drive a bit further up the road to Lossiemouth on the Moray
Firth. This is a lovely seaside village where we can find some Great Ice Cream before a stroll on the beach. Dinner and
Overnight Macduff. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - This morning we make our way to Huntly Castle in the village of Huntly. It is a magnificent ruin of a castle,
from the 12th century motte to the palace block erected in the 16th and 17th centuries by the Gordon Family. The
architectural details and heraldic enrichments are particularly impressive. Now it is time for more shortbread as we make
our way to Dean's of Huntly. Here you will find Dean’s extensive range of melt in the mouth Shortbread and Biscuits
along with a wide range of quality gifts including Jewellery, Handbags and Gifts for the Home and a selection of
Premium Food and Drink Products. This afternoon we have a tour of GlenDronach Distillery, nestled in the valley
of Forgue, deep in the East Highland Hills, is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, creating the finest richly-sherried
Single Malts for nearly 200 years. Next we visit Delgatie Castle where we will have a Vintage Afternoon Tea in
the Laird's Castle Kitchen followed by a tour of the castle. Most recently the home of the late Captain John Hay of
Delgatie, Feudal Baron and built around 1049 the Castle has largely been in the Hay family for the last 650 years. It
was taken from the Earl of Buchan after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, when King Robert the Bruce routed
the invading English army. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Delgatie for three days after the Battle of Corrachie in
1562. Dinner on your own in Macduff. Overnight Macduff. (B,L)

Day 8 - This morning we make our way south and to Castle Fraser and Gardens, one of Scotland’s largest tower
houses, with an impressive portrait collection. Home of the Fraser Family for more than 400 years, the castle is filled
with family portraits, ornaments and mementos – all of which have their own colourful stories to tell about the lairds.
The traditional walled garden includes specimen trees, herbaceous borders, a medicinal border and organically grown
fruit and vegetables. From the striking simplicity of the Medieval Great Hall to the well-stocked library and Victorian
Bedrooms, a guided tour of the castle gives a sense of walking through history. Each laird stamped his personality on the
family seat, from the various ways of spying on those in the Great Hall to trophies gathered on global adventures. After a
tour of the castle we then make our way along the River Dee to a lovely spot for lunch in Ballater in Royal Deeside.
Ballater is a delightful town full of wonderful shops, cafes and coffee shops. We will stop at my favourite Stone Circle
anywhere in Scotland before making our way to Aberdeen where we find our accommodation and dinner waiting. Dinner
and Overnight Aberdeen. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Today We then make our way just a few miles south to Dunnottar Castle, a spectacularly situated coastal castle
with breathtaking views. This dramatic and evocative ruined cliff top fortress was the home of the Earls Marischal, once
one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Steeped in history, this romantic and haunting ruin is a photographer’s
paradise, a history lover’s dream and an iconic tourist destination for visitors the world over. Oliver Cromwell's Army
laid siege to the castle in 1652, but The Honours of Scotland were smuggled out of the castle and taken to Kinneff
Church, where they remained until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. This afternoon will be spent in Aberdeen, a
port city built where the Dee and Don Rivers meet the North Sea. We will first have Afternoon Tea and then visit
Cocoa Ooze for a Private Chocolate Workshop with their Master Chocolatiers. We will learn how to make truffles
& chocolate bars and experiment with flavours. Taste testing is a crucial part in making the chocolates so you will be
delighted to hear that they do encourage this! Dinner on your own in Aberdeen. Overnight Aberdeen. (B,L)

Day 10 - This morning we make our to the Kingdom of Fife with a lovely drive through the Angus Countryside. Our
first stop will at 88 Degrees, an Artisan Chocolatier and Cheesemonger selling freshly made food and coffee in
eclectic surroundings. From here it is just ahop, skip and jump to Forfar to experience the Famous Forfar Bridie which
is a lovely meat pie in delicate pastry. Our next stop is the village of Glamis where we find Glamis Castle. The castle has
been witness to a thousand years of history. Home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, setting for
Shakespeare's Macbeth and beloved childhood home of the late Queen Mother. On a tour of the castle you will follow
in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots, James V, Bonnie Dundee, the Old Jacobite Pretender to the throne
James VIII, the ill-fated Janet Douglas and of course tell the story of the bitter-sweet life of Mary Eleanor Bowes.
We then make our way to the East Neuk of Fife where we find dinner waiting. Dinner and Overnight Fife. (B,D)

Day 11 - We cannot let the tour continue without visiting the Highland Chocolatier again, this time in his St. Andrews
Shop. This Award Winning Artisan Chocolatier creates an internationally renowned range of fresh cream truffles
and spiced praline for a heavenly experience! While in St. Andrews, you may also want to visit Fisher & Donaldson,
World Famous Cakes, Breads and Exquisite Chocolates! St. Andrews is also well known for Ice Cream at both
Janetta's and Nardini's where you are spoiled for choice! You may also want to take in the ruins of St. Andrews
Cathedral, Consecrated in 1318 by King Robert the Bruce and begun in 1160 by Bishop Arnold. The work
continued over the next 150 years with a few mishaps along the way. St Rule’s Church, the oldest building on site was
built around 1130, as the first place of worship in Scotland for the newly arrived Augustinian Canons. The 100 foot tall
St Rule’s Tower was a beacon for pilgrims heading to the shrine of St Andrew, so it was fitting that St Rule’s became the
headquarters of the Scottish Church. We will then have Afternoon Tea before taking in the Swilcan Bridge on the
Old Course and visiting the Clubhouse. We then return home with enough time for you to explore this lovely fishing
village we are staying in and to find some dinner on your own. Overnight Fife. (B,L)

Day 12 - We will take in a few of the lovely coastal villages of the East Neuk of Fife on our way to Edinburgh this
morning. We will stop in Pittenweem to visit the Pittenweem Chocolate Company and Cocoa Tree Café.
Chocolatier Sophie Latinis in addition to producing her own range, sources fine speciality chocolates from Scotland,
Belgium and around the world. The café is open all year round and is renowned for its Indulgent Hot Chocolates. We
will also stop in St. Monan's to visit St. Monan's Kirk. St. Monan was an Irish missionary who, around 832, lived in a
cell close to where a burn meets the sea and just by the present site of the Old Kirk which dates back to 1265. We will stop
for Afternoon Tea in Dunfermline before we visit Dunfermline Abbey. Dunfermline Abbey was founded about
1070 by Queen Margaret, wife of Malcolm Canmore. Margaret was made a saint, and she and Malcolm were buried
here. Robert the Bruce's body (apart from his heart, which is at Melrose) is buried here as well. Once in Edinburgh, the
rest of the afternoon is free for exploring Princes Street, the Royal Mile before dinner. Dinner and Overnight
Edinburgh. (B,L,D)

Day 13 - Today will be spent in the Capitol City on a Sweet Indulgence Spree! Our first stop will be the Royal Mile
and the Fudge House where every one of their twenty-seven fabulous flavours is made by hand in the shop. From
Classic Creamy Vanilla and Sophisticated Dark Chocolate to Fruity Strawberry and Authentic Italian
Nougat, their fudge is made to a traditional recipe right here on the Royal Mile. Then we take Afternoon Tea at
Brewhemia showcasing everything that makes Scottish Cuisine so amazing! After tea we venture to Chocolatariam,
the Edinburgh Chocolate Experience. We will have a Chocolate Tour and then join a Chocolate Making
Workshop. Finally we have a Chocolate Tasting Experience with tastes from a huge range of international and
Scottish chocolate from around the country. Includes Whisky, Haggis and a delicious Scots Pine flavours. You will
have some more time to explore all of the delights on the capitol city as you explore the Royal Mile or Princes Street before
finding some dinner on your own in the city. Overnight Edinburgh. (B,L)

Day 14 - We will have a more leisurely start to the day on our last day together. We make our way back to Glasgow with
a stop in Falkirk to see The Scottish Kelpies. We will see the world's largest equine sculptures up close to marvel at the
complexity and the engineering which created these fantastic pieces of art. Our Guided Walking Tour takes us through
the vision of artist Andy Scott and how history and industry impacted on his designing of these breathtaking sculptures.
The pinnacle of the tour is that we get to experience a Kelpie from the inside, and see for ourselves the breathtaking
engineering and design of The Kelpies. Then we make our way into Glasgow for a West End Wander Tasting Tour.
We will walk through Glasgow’s West End tasting the fabulous Scottish food and Drink the city has to offer, enjoying
the Glasgow Patter and some Gaelic, while exploring the history and culture of Glasgow itself. Our guide will show us
some interesting gems of the West End while visiting 6 amazing, well known restaurants, shops and bars where you’ll
interact with the locals, taste unique delicacies, sample some fabulous gin and enjoy a wee dram. We then get settled into
our accommodation before dinner. Farewell Dinner and Overnight near Glasgow. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - April 15th - This morning we return to Glasgow International for your journey home.