Clan Dunbar August Ackergill Tower

Transcription

1 August 2014 Ackergill Tower

2 15 th August Arrive in Edinburgh. Depending on flight arrival time: We visit The Scottish National Gallery in the heart of Edinburgh. It houses one of the best collections of fine art in the world. We will see 4 exhibitions, 26 displays, and exceptional must sees. We enjoy a selfguided tour of these wonderful buildings. The Gallery houses the national collection of fine art from the early Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century. We will find masterpieces from Raphael, El Greco, Velázquez and Rubens to Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Degas and Gauguin. For a nation of Scotland s size, the collection is rightfully regarded as one of the very best in the world. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting. All the major names, including Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart are represented in depth. Works on show include Raeburn s much-loved The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch or, as it has become known, the Skating Minister. Scottish National Gallery Dinner at hotel and overnight stay. Scottish National Gallery

3 16 th August Today we enjoy a day discovering Edinburgh. Scotland's capital is one of the world's most spectacular cities, where every visitor is captivated by a stunning skyline, magnificent buildings and absorbing history and culture. Edinburgh, today, is also a modern dynamic city that offers highly memorable events. Today we focus on the Royal connection to Edinburgh and visit three key historical sites dotted around the city. On our way around we enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Edinburgh s New Town (which was new in the 18th Century!) Edinburgh, with a view of Arthur s Seat We start our tour at the Royal Yacht Britannia. This magnificent ship has played host to some of the most famous people in the world but above all she was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. The Yacht is permanently moored in Leith on the Firth Of Forth. Leith was once the docks that supplied Edinburgh, and its maritime history is still in evidence. Royal Yacht Britannia

4 16 th August On to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, it stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. This fine baroque palace is closely associated with Scotland's rich history. The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting for many of the dramatic episodes in her reign. We travel the length of the Royal Mile, seeing such historic buildings as John Knox s House and St Giles Cathedral. The highlight of our tour is a visit to Edinburgh Castle, part of which dates from the 12th Century. The Castle contains the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The castle is Scotland s most iconic building and it is no surprise that it is the country s most popular tourist destination. Palace of Holyrood House Amongst the royal state rooms you will see where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son James, the future king of both England and Scotland. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Edinburgh Castle

5 17 th August This morning we will discover Dunbar on the North Sea coast of East Lothian. Its broad high street boasts several grand old stone buildings, including the birthplace of John Muir, the explorer and nationalist who created the national park system in the USA. We will visit Dunbar Castle, the remnants of one of the most mighty fortresses in Scotland. The castle is located in a picturesque spot, overlooking Dunbar Harbour and we will have the chance to explore the castle grounds up close. Dunbar Castle We will then leave Dunbar and travel a short distance to look at Spott House, the residence of Sir Patrick Dunbar of Wester Spott. Next we will travel south to Mordington, where we will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the grave of Black Agnes Randolph Dunbar, a grave not open to the public. Spott House

6 17 th August Afterwards, we travel to Berwick-Upon-Tweed where we will stop for lunch. Our next stop will be Duns Castle, a castle which was for a short time (beginning in 1332) in the possession of Patrick, Earl of Dunbar. We will then drive to Biel House, a historic house said to be the birthplace of the famous Scottish poet, William Dunbar. The present building dates from the 16 th Century. However, the original house was a 12 th Century tower house. Duns Castle We will then travel back to Dunbar and, if time allows, visit the bell tower of the monastery founded by the Earl of Dunbar. We then return to Edinburgh for the night. Free time in Edinburgh to have dinner. Berwick-Upon-Tweed

7 18 th August Today we explore more of Edinburgh and start our day with a visit to The National Museum of Scotland. Originally the Royal Museum, it was built in 1861 and expanded in 1998, with the two parts retaining distinctive characters. With its soaring pillars and high windows, the light-filled atrium of the Grand Gallery provides a spectacular start to your museum visit. On display are large items that highlight Scotland s contribution to the world and reflect the vast diversity of our collections. The new Scottish galleries guide you from the origins of history to the present day, from the earliest cultures to space age science, from prehistory to pop culture, with each object telling its own tale about life in Scotland. We come face to face with iconic historic artefacts, learn how Scottish scientific and technological innovation has helped shape the modern world and see how the lives of everyday Scots have changed through the centuries. National Museum of Scotland

8 18 th August After seeing Edinburgh above ground, in the afternoon we go underground! We visit Mary Kings Close, an old Edinburgh close (narrow street) under the buildings of the Old Town. Due to Edinburgh s topography, the builders of the Royal Exchange buried the close so they had a level space on which to build. Being closed to the public for many years, the complex became shrouded in myths and urban legends; tales of ghosts and murders, and myths of plague victims being walled up and left to die abounded. However, new research and archaeological evidence has revealed that the close actually consists of a number of closes which were originally narrow streets with tenement houses on either side, stretching up to seven stories high. It took its name from one Mary King, daughter of advocate Alexander King, who in the 17th century had owned several properties within the close. The Real Mary Kings Close

9 18 th August Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Dinner in a restaurant in Edinburgh. After dinner we are taken to Edinburgh Castle Esplanade to see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Every year, the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings excitement, spectacle and music to the majestic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. The line-up of performers includes hundreds of marching bands, pipers, drummers, singers and dancers. It s an event that simply cannot be beaten for sheer scale, colour and tradition. After the Tattoo we are transported back to the hotel for the night.

10 19 th August This morning we say goodbye to Edinburgh and travel north. We cross the Forth Road Bridge with excellent views of the Forth Rail Bridge, one of Scotland s great Victorian engineering feats. Our first stop is Dunfermline, a town about 20 miles north of Edinburgh in Fife. Here we will visit Dunfermline Abbey. Many of the kings and queens of Scotland are buried here, including the sons of Malcolm and Margaret, King David I and Alexander I, as well as Robert the Bruce and Thomas Randolph. William Wallace s mother is said to be buried in the churchyard. We will have a guided tour of the abbey. We travel on north and through the beautiful and haunting Scottish Highlands. There are numerous places for photo stops and chances to stretch our legs in traditional Scottish villages along the way. Dunfermline Abbey We will stop for a tour of Culloden Moor, site of the last battle to take place on Scottish soil, and the one that brought the clan systems to an end. We will also visit its interactive visitor centre before continuing onto Lossiemouth, where we will spend the next four nights. We check in to our hotel and have dinner at the hotel. Scottish Highlands

11 20 th August Today our first visit is to Spynie Palace (also called Spynie Castle), a 12th century stronghold that played a pivotal role in Moray coast politics for many centuries after its construction. Spynie Palace was the fortified seat of the Bishops of Moray for about 500 years. The founding of the palace dates back to the late 12th Century and Columba de Dunbar was Bishop of Moray from 1422 until his death in Next, we travel to Elgin and visit Elgin Cathedral where we will view the ruins of the cathedral and the Dunbar Aisle, parts of which are still visible today. It is one of the premier medieval cathedrals in Scotland. Buried in the Cathedral are Bishop Columba Dunbar; Sir Alexander Dunbar of Westfield and his children and wife; Sir Robert Dunbar of Grangehill; Dunbars of Bennetsfield and Mefts; Lachlan Shaw, the Moray historian, and others. We will enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral. Elgin Cathedral We then visit the Pitgaveny farm estate which is still owned by Dunbars. The estate covers 2000 hectares, stretching north from Elgin to Lossiemouth, 900 of which are productively farmed. We will be given a tour of this wonderful working farm after being welcomed onto the estate by Crinan Dunbar and his family. Dinner and overnight in Lossiemouth. Spynie Palace

12 21 st August Continuing our exploration of this area rich in Dunbar history, we first visit The Pluscarden Priory. This is the only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited by monks and being used for its original purpose. Founded in 1230 by Alexander II, it is situated below a forested hill in a quiet valley that feels quite untouched by the modern world. It has particular significance because the last pre-reformation prior was Alexander Dunbar who was remembered in the naming of the Dunbar Vestry. While here we can also attend one of the short services, which are very dignified and simple and about 10 minutes long. Next, we stop at Califer Hill Viewpoint for lunch. The Viewpoint has stunning views across Moray to the Firth and Findhorn Bay and so is a very picturesque place to have lunch. Pluscarden Priory We also visit the ruins of Blervie Castle. Built in the 16th Century, it too was a stronghold of the Dunbar family. We then drive through the town of Forres and past the nearby Forres Castle, the principal residence of the powerful Dunbars of Westfield for 300 years. We finish the day with a drive through Kinloss, then past Milton Brodie and Hempriggs, both of which have Dunbar connections, and lastly via the ancient port of Burghead. Dinner and overnight stay in Lossiemouth. Blervie Castle

13 22 nd August This morning we drive through the towns of Dyke and Moy where the Dunbar families of Westfield owned many of the farm estates. We will then move onto the Church of Auldearn, the burial place for the Dunbars of Boath. Onward to the Country Fare Restaurant at Brodie Castle. Located near Forres in Moray, this grand castle was originally erected by Clan Brodie in 1567 and the building s original 16th century character has been retained throughout the years. Our next stop is the town of Duffus where we will meet Edward Dunbar and his family and receive a guided tour of Duffus Castle, Lodge and Estate. Edward Dunbar manages the Duffus Estate and his father-in-law, Sir Archibald Dunbar, is the 11 th Baronet. The family have owned the estate since the early 18 th Century. The Mansion House of Duffus is currently rented to the Gordonstoun School. This was founded by Dr Kurt Hahn who started the school with a handful of pupils and teachers who were refugees from Nazi Germany in Church of Auldearn Return to Lossiemouth for dinner and overnight stay. Duffus Castle

14 23 rd August We leave Moray after breakfast and travel to the Black Isle, north of Inverness. We drive through the Black Isle and continue north through the highland countryside of Caithness to Wick, our destination for the night. On our way there, we will see the town of Avoch, with its view of the bay and Bennetsfield. These lands were the holdings of the sons of Patrick Dunbar, Chancellor of Aberdeen and youngest son of Sir Alexander Dunbar of Westfield. Black Isle We spend the night at Ackergill Tower in Wick. In the evening we will hold our AGM in the Great Hall with its Dunbar family portraits and ancient crossed flags. We will then have dinner at Ackergill Tower. Avoch Harbour

15 24 th August After breakfast at Ackergill Tower, we tour the castle. The Castle, formerly owned by the Keith Family, was the primary residence of the Dunbars of Hempriggs. We see the Dunbar/Sutherland crest on the fireplace and the original Hempriggs of Dunbar Family Tree in the library. After the tour we leave Ackergill and head south. We stop off in the town of Dornoch for lunch, before then continuing onto Drumnadrochit at the south end of Loch Ness. This will provide a place for us to stop and stretch our legs before continuing onto Fort William where we will spend the night. Ackergill Tower We will enjoy some fabulous Scottish entertainment after dinner when we go to the Skipinnish Ceilidh House. Overnight stay in Fort William. Scottish Highlands

16 25 th August After breakfast in Fort William there is a day of travelling. We drive the rest of the way back to Glasgow with a few stops off to stretch our legs. Our first stop will be in Glencoe, the site of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald by Government troops. Not only is the area rich in history, it has been blessed with stunning scenery that captures the heart and mind of all those who come to visit it. We will then drive onto the Auchentoshan Distillery where, with the help of an expert guide we will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturing - all culminating in a dram of your choice! Glencoe Pass We then drive to Glasgow and will have the rest of the afternoon free for shopping or sightseeing. Farewell dinner and overnight stay in Glasgow. Auchentoshan Distillery

17 26 th August After breakfast we regretfully say goodbye to Scotland and head for the airport. Service ends.