Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, drive northwards with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Your overnight stop, 3* Shap Wells Hotel, is located on the edge of the Lake District where dinner awaits you. DBB
Day 2 - The Devil's Porridge Museum & Dumfries
After breakfast this morning, head across the border for a morning visit to the award-winning Devil's Porridge Museum which tells the story of HM Factory Gretna, the greatest munitions factory on earth in WW1, where the devil's porridge (or cordite, an explosive) was mixed. Gain an insight into the extraordinary lives of the Munitions Girls who worked there, whose contribution to the war effort helped women to achieve the vote. There should be time for a stop for refreshments in historic Dumfries, nicknamed the 'Queen of the South', which sits on the banks of the River Nith. Continue on to Stranraer to check into your hotel, 3* North West Castle, for the next 4 nights. DBB
Credit: The Devil's Porridge Museum
Day 3 - 5 At leisure in Stranraer with three included excursions. Dinner will be served in the main restaurant on tables of 6.
Gateway to the Rhinns of Galloway, Stranraer is a bustling port town with plenty of shops and eateries as well as its main attraction, the Castle of St. John, a ruined tower which sits on a green in the main street.
INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Kitchen Coos & Ewes (may operate by local coach)
Award-winning Kitchen Coos & Ewes at High Airyolland Farm is a truly special place and offers a unique guided experience of Highland Cows (Coos) and sheep in their natural environment. Highland cattle are iconic and beautiful to look at, and the way they graze is very good for the environment too. Tour the farm in a purpose-built passenger trailer to get close to the cattle with plenty of photo opportunities and learn about the history, breeding and lives of the coos before enjoying a delicious home baked cream tea from the farmhouse kitchen. The visit will be a truly memorable highlight.
Credit: Scotland starts hereLogan Botanic Garden & Castle Kennedy Gardens
The day starts with a stop in pretty Portpatrick with its picture-postcard harbour on the Mull of Galloway with superb views on a clear day over the Solway Firth to Ireland and the Isle of Man. Continue to Logan Botanic Garden, Scotland's most exotic garden. Due to the location's almost subtropical climate, Logan is a paradise for plant treasures from South and Central America, Southern Africa and Australasia. Walk through groves of eucalyptus and palm trees or stand in the shade of awesome giant rhubarb-like gunnera. This afternoon visit the magnificent Castle Kennedy Gardens. 75 acres of spectacularly designed loch-side landscape create a romantic garden paradise with something for everyone to enjoy. From stunning fauna to beautiful scenery, sculpted landforms, spectacular walks and popular bird hides, the Gardens are a hidden treasure in Southwest Scotland. The inspiration of the 2nd Earl of Stair in the 1730s, the colourful displays of rhododendrons, azaleas and embothriums are legendary, so too are the many rare and exotic plants, 20 Champion Trees, the walled garden, atmospheric avenues and the romantic ruins of 16th Century Castle Kennedy. The giant lily pond is a truly remarkable sight. There is a tearoom and gift shop.
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum & Culzean Castle
A scenic coastal drive hugging the eastern shore of Loch Ryan takes you into Ayrshire up the Firth of Clyde with views to the island of Ailsa Craig, the 1,114 feet high protruding volcanic rock. Then enjoy a unique encounter with Scotland's favourite son at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in the pretty village of Alloway. This flagship museum is set in 10 acres of the poets' cherished countryside and includes the humble cottage where he was born as well as modern museum which houses artefacts from his life including handwritten manuscripts. The village is also home to the iconic Brig O'Doon, the narrow, arched bridge that Tam o' Shanter raced across on horseback. This afternoon head to the spectacular late 18th century Culzean Castle in its stunning cliff-top location near Turnberry. One of Scotland's best loved castles, Robert Adam's masterpiece is filled to the turrets with treasures and is nestled in a world of woods, terraced gardens, beaches and secret follies. There really is something for everyone in this wildlife-rich estate, which is opulent in the extreme.
Day 6 - After a leisurely breakfast, it's time to leave Scotland but not before a stop at the Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience. Fall in love with the world's greatest love story and dive into the history of true love and marriage at this state-of-the-art immersive attraction that takes you through centuries of Gretna Green, from the 1200s through to the scandal of the traditional Gretna Green elopement wedding to the iconic Blacksmith's anvil that is typical of marriage ceremonies of the modern day. There is also plenty of opportunity for a spot of shopping and refreshments. Continue your journey south for your final overnight stop at 3* Park Hall Hotel in Chorley near Preston. DBB
Day 7 - Time to return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening