Edinburgh
Floors Castle
Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders Monday 03 - Friday 07 October 2016 MONDAY 03 OCTOBER 2016 We will meet at Edinburgh Waverley railway station at 14.30 (Royal Academy representatives will wait for the train arriving from London Kings Cross at 14.20). Our local coach will be waiting for us and after loading our luggage we will walk the short distance to The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the centre of Edinburgh. A distinctive landmark on Queen Street, the gallery is a grand, neo-gothic palace in red sandstone which sits proudly on the city’s skyline. Following a dramatic three-year refurbishment, completed in December 2011, the Gallery now offers 17 new displays each exploring different aspects of the story of Scotland and her people including portraits of famous historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, the Stuart monarchs and Robbie Burns, through to more recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts . Our visit includes a guided tour, focusing on the magnificent exterior and interior architecture and highlights of this exceptional portrait collection. There will be some free time for independent exploration and tea/coffee and cake can be taken in the gallery café. We rejoin our coach for the short journey to the 4 star The Roxburghe Hotel, where we will check in for 4 nights’ accommodation. After some time to freshen up, dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.
TUESDAY 04 OCTOBER 2016 This morning after breakfast we will travel by coach to Bowhill House, in Selkirk. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be served on arrival prior to a private guided ‘connoisseurs’ tour of the house which includes access to the Smoking Room and Library, not usually open to the public. The original Bowhill House was built in 1708 by Lord Bowhill, but was completely remodelled in 1812 and greatly expanded during the 19th century by architects including William Atkinson, William Burn and David Bryce. Today the house is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and is home to a superb series of family portraits by artists such as Gainsborough and Reynolds and fine landscapes by Claude and Ruysdael as well as a set of Italian views by Guardi and Pannini and an exceptional Canaletto of London, which form part of the Buccleuch Collection, one of the greatest private art collections in the world. Lunch will be taken at Bowhill House following our tour. This afternoon we will rejoin our coach and travel to Kelso for a private guided tour of Mellerstain House. One of Scotland’s finest stately homes, Mellerstain is an outstanding Georgian mansion set in acres of parkland and a unique example of Adam design. The house was built in two stages - the two wings completed in 1725 by Scottish architect William Adam and the large central block constructed between 1770 and 1778 by his more famous son, Robert. The extraordinary architecture is complemented by the fine art collection housed within Mellerstain House, including paintings by Aikman, Gainsborough, Ramsay and van Dyck, as well as period furniture, china and embroidery collections. Our tour will focus on the interiors and art collection of this magnificent house, and will be followed by tea/coffee and biscuits. This evening we will visit Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott for a private guided tour. Built with the proceeds of his phenomenal literary career, Scott called it ‘the Dalilah of his imagination’, his ‘Conundrum Castle’ and his ‘flibbertigibbet of a house’ that would ‘suit none but an antiquary’. In it he gathered a large library, a collection of ancient furniture, arms and armour, and other relics and curiosities, especially those connected with Scottish history. Architecture and interior decoration combine to make it an iconic building of the 19th century Scottish Baronial style and a key site in the
history of European Romanticism. During our tour we will explore the house and its collections, and learn about the conservation project that was awarded the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award in 2014. Our visit we be followed by dinner in Abbotsford’s Ochiltree’s restaurant, which offers commanding views over Abbotsford and the surrounding countryside. We return to our hotel for overnight accommodation.
Abbotsford House WEDNESDAY 05 OCTOBER 2016 After breakfast we depart the hotel and travel to Her Majesty The Queen’s official residence in Scotland, The Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Palace has played a central role in Scotland's history since its foundation as an Augustian monastery nearly 900 years ago and has been the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century. The State Apartments continue to be used today by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for State ceremonies and official entertaining, and are renowned for their fine plasterwork and unrivalled collection of Brussels tapestries. The Queen’s Gallery, the Palace’s largest room, is built in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School. The gallery displays a changing selection of works from the Royal Collection and temporary exhibitions. We will be met on arrival by curator Deborah Clark for an introductory talk on the highlights of Holyroodhouse and the 90th birthday exhibition prior to some time to explore the House and for independent viewing of the Queen’s Gallery and Painting Paradise Exhibition. Following our visit there will be free time in Edinburgh.
In the late afternoon we will depart from the hotel and travel by coach to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of The Queen, in service from 1954-1997. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and is the second royal yacht to bear the name. During her 43 year career, the yacht travelled more than a million nautical miles around the globe and today she is permanently berthed at the Ocean Terminal, Leith in Edinburgh.
Our very special private evening tour includes a red carpet welcome via the Royal Brow, an entrance previously reserved for The Queen and the Royal Family. As we tour the yacht our guide will give us a unique insight into the history of the Royal Yacht and how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board. We will finish the tour with a glass of champagne and the gift of an official Britannia guidebook before disembarking to return to our hotel for dinner.
Royal Yacht Britannia THURSDAY 06 OCTOBER 2016 This morning after breakfast we will travel by coach to Kelso for a guided tour of Floors Castle. Located in the heart of the Scottish Border Country, Floors Castle is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. Designed by William Adam for the first Duke of Roxburghe, building commenced in 1721. The Castle was further embellished by the addition of spires and domes by Playfair in 1849 and today houses an outstanding collection of 17th and 18th century furniture, magnificent tapestries, Chinese and European porcelain and many other works of art. The extensive parkland and gardens overlook the River Tweed and provide a variety of wooded walks.
Lunch will be served at The Cobbles restaurant in central Kelso before we continue with an afternoon visit of Paxton House. Designed by John and James Adam for Patrick Home, Laird of Wedderburn, Paxton House was built between 1758 and 1762. The house boasts an outstanding collection of Chippendale furniture, a fine collection of regency furniture and the largest picture gallery in a Scottish country house, created by Robert Reid in 1814. At the time of our visit the picture gallery will feature works by celebrated 18th and 19th century artists Sir Henry Raeburn, William McTaggart and Sir William Allan. The works on loan from the National Galleries of Scotland also include paintings by Scottish colourists Samuel John Peploe and George Leslie Hunter, and Anne Redpath and Sir William Giles, both of whom have local connections to the Borders. We will enjoy a private guided tour of the house led by curator Dr Fiona Salvesen Murrell followed by tea/coffee and cake. This evening we return to our hotel and dinner will be taken in the hotel restaurant. FRIDAY 07 OCTOBER 2016 We check out of the hotel after breakfast and travel to Dalmeny House where coffee/tea and shortbread will be served on arrival prior to a private guided tour. Designed by William Wilkins and completed in 1817, this Gothic revival mansion has been the private family home of the Earl and Countess of Roseberry for over 300 years. The house has been aptly described as one of the greatest treasure houses of Scotland as it boasts superb collections of porcelain, tapestries and fine paintings by Gainsborough, Raeburn, Reynolds and Lawrence together with the exquisite Mentmore Rothschild collection of 18th century French furniture. Works on display in the Dining Room include fine portraits of William Pitt, Dr Johnson, Lord Nelson and a Reynolds of the opera singer, la Contessa della Rena. Lunch will be served at Dalmeny House before we rejoin our coach and travel to Edinburgh railway station for the return journey to London which is due to depart at 14.30 and arrive at Kings Cross at 18.50.
Please note that as this tour has been prepared many months in advance the final itinerary may vary slightly from the above.
PRACTICAL DETAILS TOUR PRICE £1300 per person sharing a twin/double room £285 single room supplement (limited availability) PRICE INCLUDES 4 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4 star The Roxburghe Hotel 3 dinners in the hotel restaurant 1 dinner in Abbotsford’s Ochiltree’s restaurant 3 lunches Guided tour of The Scottish Portrait Gallery Private guided ‘connoisseurs’ tour of Bowhill House Private guided tour of Mellerstain House Private evening tour of Abbotsford House Curator’s talk at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Private evening tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia Guided tour of Floors Castle Private guided tour of Paxton House Private guided tour of Dalmeny House Tea/coffee/biscuits as specified All entrance charges for visits as per the itinerary Local coach transport OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE See enclosed leaflet HOTEL DETAILS 4 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at: The Roxburghe Hotel 38 Charlotte Square Edinburgh EH2 4HQ
MINIMUM NUMBERS The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 25 paying participants. FINANCIAL SECURITY ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in the Financial Protection clause of our Booking Conditions. PAYMENT DETAILS A deposit of £400 per person, plus the relevant insurance premium (if required), is due as soon as possible and no later than Monday 30 May 2016. Please note that as places on the tour are limited, unfortunately there is no guarantee that you will be offered a place, in which case we will return your deposit in full. The final balance will be due by Monday 25 July 2016. BOOKING & FINAL TRAVEL DETAILS To reserve your place on the tour, please send your completed booking form and deposit, together with your insurance premium (if required), to Heritage Group Travel. You will receive a confirmation of your booking combined with an invoice for the final balance, together with your insurance policy if requested. Please note that no reminder will be sent for the final balance. The final travel details (itinerary, hotel details and luggage label) will be available approximately 10-14 days prior to travel.
For further details please visit their website at: www.theroxburghe.com Heritage Group Travel Charlotte House, 12 Charlotte Street Bath BA1 2NE
Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders Monday 03 - Friday 07 October 2016 MONDAY 03 OCTOBER 2016 We will meet at Edinburgh Waverley railway station at 14.30 (Royal Academy representatives will wait for the train arriving from London Kings Cross at 14.20). Our local coach will be waiting for us and after loading our luggage we will walk the short distance to The Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the centre of Edinburgh. A distinctive landmark on Queen Street, the gallery is a grand, neo-gothic palace in red sandstone which sits proudly on the city’s skyline. Following a dramatic three-year refurbishment, completed in December 2011, the Gallery now offers 17 new displays each exploring different aspects of the story of Scotland and her people including portraits of famous historical figures such as Mary Queen of Scots, the Stuart monarchs and Robbie Burns, through to more recent pioneers in science, sport and the arts . Our visit includes a guided tour, focusing on the magnificent exterior and interior architecture and highlights of this exceptional portrait collection. There will be some free time for independent exploration and tea/coffee and cake can be taken in the gallery café. We rejoin our coach for the short journey to the 4 star The Roxburghe Hotel, where we will check in for 4 nights’ accommodation. After some time to freshen up, dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant.
TUESDAY 04 OCTOBER 2016 This morning after breakfast we will travel by coach to Bowhill House, in Selkirk. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be served on arrival prior to a private guided ‘connoisseurs’ tour of the house which includes access to the Smoking Room and Library, not usually open to the public. The original Bowhill House was built in 1708 by Lord Bowhill, but was completely remodelled in 1812 and greatly expanded during the 19th century by architects including William Atkinson, William Burn and David Bryce. Today the house is owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and is home to a superb series of family portraits by artists such as Gainsborough and Reynolds and fine landscapes by Claude and Ruysdael as well as a set of Italian views by Guardi and Pannini and an exceptional Canaletto of London, which form part of the Buccleuch Collection, one of the greatest private art collections in the world. Lunch will be taken at Bowhill House following our tour. This afternoon we will rejoin our coach and travel to Kelso for a private guided tour of Mellerstain House. One of Scotland’s finest stately homes, Mellerstain is an outstanding Georgian mansion set in acres of parkland and a unique example of Adam design. The house was built in two stages - the two wings completed in 1725 by Scottish architect William Adam and the large central block constructed between 1770 and 1778 by his more famous son, Robert. The extraordinary architecture is complemented by the fine art collection housed within Mellerstain House, including paintings by Aikman, Gainsborough, Ramsay and van Dyck, as well as period furniture, china and embroidery collections. Our tour will focus on the interiors and art collection of this magnificent house, and will be followed by tea/coffee and biscuits. This evening we will visit Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott for a private guided tour. Built with the proceeds of his phenomenal literary career, Scott called it ‘the Dalilah of his imagination’, his ‘Conundrum Castle’ and his ‘flibbertigibbet of a house’ that would ‘suit none but an antiquary’. In it he gathered a large library, a collection of ancient furniture, arms and armour, and other relics and curiosities, especially those connected with Scottish history. Architecture and interior decoration combine to make it an iconic building of the 19th century Scottish Baronial style and a key site in the
history of European Romanticism. During our tour we will explore the house and its collections, and learn about the conservation project that was awarded the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award in 2014. Our visit we be followed by dinner in Abbotsford’s Ochiltree’s restaurant, which offers commanding views over Abbotsford and the surrounding countryside. We return to our hotel for overnight accommodation.
Abbotsford House WEDNESDAY 05 OCTOBER 2016 After breakfast we depart the hotel and travel to Her Majesty The Queen’s official residence in Scotland, The Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Palace has played a central role in Scotland's history since its foundation as an Augustian monastery nearly 900 years ago and has been the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century. The State Apartments continue to be used today by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for State ceremonies and official entertaining, and are renowned for their fine plasterwork and unrivalled collection of Brussels tapestries. The Queen’s Gallery, the Palace’s largest room, is built in the shell of the former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School. The gallery displays a changing selection of works from the Royal Collection and temporary exhibitions. We will be met on arrival by curator Deborah Clark for an introductory talk on the highlights of Holyroodhouse and the 90th birthday exhibition prior to some time to explore the House and for independent viewing of the Queen’s Gallery and Painting Paradise Exhibition. Following our visit there will be free time in Edinburgh.
In the late afternoon we will depart from the hotel and travel by coach to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of The Queen, in service from 1954-1997. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and is the second royal yacht to bear the name. During her 43 year career, the yacht travelled more than a million nautical miles around the globe and today she is permanently berthed at the Ocean Terminal, Leith in Edinburgh.
Our very special private evening tour includes a red carpet welcome via the Royal Brow, an entrance previously reserved for The Queen and the Royal Family. As we tour the yacht our guide will give us a unique insight into the history of the Royal Yacht and how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board. We will finish the tour with a glass of champagne and the gift of an official Britannia guidebook before disembarking to return to our hotel for dinner.
Royal Yacht Britannia THURSDAY 06 OCTOBER 2016 This morning after breakfast we will travel by coach to Kelso for a guided tour of Floors Castle. Located in the heart of the Scottish Border Country, Floors Castle is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. Designed by William Adam for the first Duke of Roxburghe, building commenced in 1721. The Castle was further embellished by the addition of spires and domes by Playfair in 1849 and today houses an outstanding collection of 17th and 18th century furniture, magnificent tapestries, Chinese and European porcelain and many other works of art. The extensive parkland and gardens overlook the River Tweed and provide a variety of wooded walks.
Lunch will be served at The Cobbles restaurant in central Kelso before we continue with an afternoon visit of Paxton House. Designed by John and James Adam for Patrick Home, Laird of Wedderburn, Paxton House was built between 1758 and 1762. The house boasts an outstanding collection of Chippendale furniture, a fine collection of regency furniture and the largest picture gallery in a Scottish country house, created by Robert Reid in 1814. At the time of our visit the picture gallery will feature works by celebrated 18th and 19th century artists Sir Henry Raeburn, William McTaggart and Sir William Allan. The works on loan from the National Galleries of Scotland also include paintings by Scottish colourists Samuel John Peploe and George Leslie Hunter, and Anne Redpath and Sir William Giles, both of whom have local connections to the Borders. We will enjoy a private guided tour of the house led by curator Dr Fiona Salvesen Murrell followed by tea/coffee and cake. This evening we return to our hotel and dinner will be taken in the hotel restaurant. FRIDAY 07 OCTOBER 2016 We check out of the hotel after breakfast and travel to Dalmeny House where coffee/tea and shortbread will be served on arrival prior to a private guided tour. Designed by William Wilkins and completed in 1817, this Gothic revival mansion has been the private family home of the Earl and Countess of Roseberry for over 300 years. The house has been aptly described as one of the greatest treasure houses of Scotland as it boasts superb collections of porcelain, tapestries and fine paintings by Gainsborough, Raeburn, Reynolds and Lawrence together with the exquisite Mentmore Rothschild collection of 18th century French furniture. Works on display in the Dining Room include fine portraits of William Pitt, Dr Johnson, Lord Nelson and a Reynolds of the opera singer, la Contessa della Rena. Lunch will be served at Dalmeny House before we rejoin our coach and travel to Edinburgh railway station for the return journey to London which is due to depart at 14.30 and arrive at Kings Cross at 18.50.
Please note that as this tour has been prepared many months in advance the final itinerary may vary slightly from the above.
PRACTICAL DETAILS TOUR PRICE £1300 per person sharing a twin/double room £285 single room supplement (limited availability) PRICE INCLUDES 4 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4 star The Roxburghe Hotel 3 dinners in the hotel restaurant 1 dinner in Abbotsford’s Ochiltree’s restaurant 3 lunches Guided tour of The Scottish Portrait Gallery Private guided ‘connoisseurs’ tour of Bowhill House Private guided tour of Mellerstain House Private evening tour of Abbotsford House Curator’s talk at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Private evening tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia Guided tour of Floors Castle Private guided tour of Paxton House Private guided tour of Dalmeny House Tea/coffee/biscuits as specified All entrance charges for visits as per the itinerary Local coach transport OPTIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE See enclosed leaflet HOTEL DETAILS 4 nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at: The Roxburghe Hotel 38 Charlotte Square Edinburgh EH2 4HQ
MINIMUM NUMBERS The price of the tour is based on a minimum of 25 paying participants. FINANCIAL SECURITY ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in the Financial Protection clause of our Booking Conditions. PAYMENT DETAILS A deposit of £400 per person, plus the relevant insurance premium (if required), is due as soon as possible and no later than Monday 30 May 2016. Please note that as places on the tour are limited, unfortunately there is no guarantee that you will be offered a place, in which case we will return your deposit in full. The final balance will be due by Monday 25 July 2016. BOOKING & FINAL TRAVEL DETAILS To reserve your place on the tour, please send your completed booking form and deposit, together with your insurance premium (if required), to Heritage Group Travel. You will receive a confirmation of your booking combined with an invoice for the final balance, together with your insurance policy if requested. Please note that no reminder will be sent for the final balance. The final travel details (itinerary, hotel details and luggage label) will be available approximately 10-14 days prior to travel.
For further details please visit their website at: www.theroxburghe.com Heritage Group Travel Charlotte House, 12 Charlotte Street Bath BA1 2NE
