Upcoming Journey to Scotland - Wales - Ireland and England for a Friend

[Hawk]

Ladies and Gentlemen of XMTS and beyond that reside in the Scotland/Ireland/Wales and England area, your attention please.

I have a very dear friend from my work, that has gone through some health challenges recently, that is taking a trip to your area starting on the 26th of June, in a few weeks. He and his wife have been planning to do this for awhile now, and he feels he better do it now while they can.

I would appreciate it if at some point during his itinerary, some of our XMTS members could show he and his wife some heartfelt hospitality.

I will be posting his rough itinerary, as it's with an org called "Scottish Dream Tours", and there appears to be an opportunity, here and there, to have a meetup with them.

Please keep viewing this thread, as I'm headed to work now and will post further items in the next few days.

I want to thank each and every one of you that could donate a few moments of your time in extending a welcoming hand to this man and his wife. They will arrive at Heathrow Airport on June 27th and the trip will be through July 12th where they will depart Edinburgh Airport headed back home.

Hawk

[cessna152towser]

OK let us have more details of the itinerary and we'll see what we can do to give your friend a memorable experience. Depending on how they are travelling a meet up may be possible. Most tour buses coming from England take the scenic route through the Scottish Borders and have a stop off either here in Hawick or in the neighbouring towns of Selkirk or Jedburgh.

[Derek]

Hi Hawk ... Please keep me updated too with the itinerary ... Elaine and myself will certainly show them around our little part of the world, if it is possible we are able to meet up.
Derek

[Jock Scot]

It might be possible to help, but it does depend how things go. I see that they are due to stay at Glencoe, could you furnish me with the exact date, approximate time and their names please? PM me if you prefer.

[Hawk]

Alright, as promised, here is the itinerary of my friend and his wife. I will respond in the next few weeks to all PM's with ideas for meetups, with more personal contact info for them, to those interested in squeezing in a moment or two along their route, to show them some local hospitality on their journey. Moderators - this is with full permission of my friend and his wife.

Hawk
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So, without further delay, the itinerary is as follows:

Scottish Dream Tours


Day One - June 27th Starting at Heathrow Airport, to South Wales and Monmouthshire. On the way stopping at the Bridge Tea Room in Bradford-On-Avon for afternoon tea. Then on to Cardiff to spend two nights at Lincoln House Hotel in Cardiff while exploring the area.


Day two - June 28th, visit Castle Coch, afternoon lunch at Pettigrew Tearomms.
Board opentop bus to tour Cardiff City and Cardiff Castle, National Museum and Gallery, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Bay. Dinner on their own in Cardiff (this looks like an opportunity). Stay overnight in Lincoln House Hotel in Cardiff as stated above.


Day three - June 29th, leave Cardiff, visit Caerphilly and Caerphilly Castle. Drive through Breacon Beacons, stop at The Hall at Abbey Cwm Hir, and lunch there.
Afterwards drive to overnight stay in Caersws in mid Wales. Dinner at and Staying overnight at Maesmawr Hall Hotel.


Day four - June 30th, drive north along coast through Barmouth, up to Harlech and Harlech Castle. Lunch at Cemlyn Tearoom in Harlech. Drive through Snowdonia Park to Caernarfon Castle. Dinner and Overnight stay in North Wales at Black Boy Inn in Caernarfon.


Day five - July 1st, After Breakfast, visit Conwy Castle. Afternoon tea in Llandudno. Afternoon visit to Aberconwy House. Dinner on their own (another opportunity here) and overnight stay again at Black Boy Inn in Caernarfon.


Day six - July 2nd, travel to the ferry terminal at Holyhead. Going to Dublin and out to visit Malahide Castle. Dinner and Traditional Music Night. Overnight stay at Roxford Lodge Hotel in Dublin.


Day seven - July 3rd, following breakfast an open top tour bus tour around Dublin.
Afternoon free for shopping and evening free to eat in the Temple Bar area of Dublin ( possible opportunity?). Overnight stay again at Roxford Lodge Hotel in Dublin.


Day eight - July 4th, travel to the Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb. Trip continues to Northern Ireland to Beaghmore Stone Circles outside of Cookstown.
Dinner and overnight stay near Maghera at Ardtara Country House in Upperlands on Gorteade Road.


Day nine - July 5th, tour up the Causeway Coast, stopping in Bushmills and the Old Bushmills Distillery. Lunch stop near Bushmills at the Smugglers Inn. Continuing along coastline to Giants Causeway, and then more stops ending up in Belfast.
Dinner on their own (another possibility) and an overnight stay at Dukes at Queens in Belfast.


Day ten - July 6th, Tour of Belfast on an Open Top Bus, with an open ticket to go anywhere. Lunch wherever but they recommend the Crown Liquor Saloon. After a self tour with the open ticket, they meet for dinner with the tour. Overnight stay again at Dukes at Queens in Belfast.


Day eleven - July 7th, travel to the ferry at Larne, departing for the two hour ferry arriving in Troon Scotland! Stoping for lunch with the tour, making their way north to Glasgow. Tour in an Open Top Bus around city to include the University of Glasgow, George Square and the River Clyde. After tour, they are going to a catered dinner and then an overnight stay Sherbrooke Castle Hotel in Glasgow.


Day twelve - July 8th, After their breakfast, they are going to Stirling and Stirling Castle. An afternoon tea at the Tearoom in Stirling and then a visit to Doune Castle. Continuing north to the Highlands Village of Pitlochry, sampling one of the many eateries and staying overnight at the Craigatin House and Courtyard in Pitlochry.


Day thirteen - July 9th, After breakfast, a trip to the Queens View. A visit to the Tearoom and a piece of millionaires shortbread afterwards. Next is a visit to Blair Atholl and Blair Castle and Gardens. Then on to the Legends of Grantully a chocolate shop. Next a visit to Cluny House and Gardens. Ending the day will be a Dinner and Performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Overnight stay again at the Craigatin House and Courtyard in Pitlochry.


Day fourteen - July 10th, after breakfast, a trip to Perth and Scone Palace. Afterwards they will spend the time in and around St. Andrews. On the tour they will visit St. Andrews Old Course and St. Andrews Castle and Cathedral. Rest of afternoon and evening is free for shopping on Princes Street and the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Dinner on their own (an excellent opportunity to meet up ?) Overnight stay at 23 Mayfield in Edinburgh (?).


Day fifthteen - July 11th, after breakfast, an open top bus tour around Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, old town, new town and then eventually Princes Street. Tour will gather together for a farewell Dinner and a Scottish Evening, with Highland Dances, song, bagpipe and Haggis. Overnight stay again at 23 Mayfield in Edinburgh.


Day sixteen - July 12th, journey ends with trip to Edinburgh International Airport to travel home, back here to the states.

[Calgacus]

Unfortunately I shall be out of the country on the dates of their Scottish visit but I do hope that they have a wonderful time.

[cessna152towser]

Unfortunately your friend's itinerary takes him nowhere near this historic and beautiful area of Scotland where I live so I won't be able to meet him.

[John_Carrick]

I think I may be working away the the week you are in Ireland, but do take in the Titanic Centre in Belfast if possible. The weekday tour of Stormont is quite interesting, even if our politicians are becoming (mercifully) less interesting.
I can recommend some restaurants in Belfast too.

[Derek]

Hi Hawk .... we are in Cardiff so thats looking good if your friends are wanting to meet up ... pm me when you have any info etc ..
Iechyd Da
Derek

[Orionson]

Sorry, Hawk but I'll be in Edinburgh (for the birth of my first grandchild) while they are in Wales. Then back up to Skye for the remainder of their trip. Otherwise, I would have been happy to meet up with them.

They certainly have a packed and varied itinerary, I have no doubt they will have an a wonderful time.

If your friends are into fresh craft brewed beers, I strongly recommend a visit to the WEST Brewery at the Templeton Building on Glasgow Green. https://westbeer.com/

It is a great place to spend a leisurely hour or two. The food is great and the beer is the best in the City. They have tables outside overlooking the People's Palace and the Doulton Fountain. It's an easy level stroll through Glasgow Green from the City Centre.

In Edinburgh, I recommend the Cafe Royal just across from the Registry Office at the East End of Princes Street.

http://www.caferoyaledinburgh.co.uk/