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Itinerary
Day 1
We meet at our designated pick up points and transfer by coach to Peterborough Station for our Virgin Trains East Coast journey to Edinburgh in first class coaches. On arrival we are met by our Blue Badge guide who accompanies us throughout the tour, and we travel by coach to the 4* Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld near Glasgow, for a four night stay on half board basis.
Day 2
With our Blue Badge guide this morning we visit the unique House for an Art Lover, which opened to the public in 1996 and was inspired from Mackintosh’s competition entry of 1901. The attraction incorporates a permanent exhibition of decoratively furnished rooms, realised by contemporary artists and crafts people, which allow visitors the opportunity to compare the original drawings against each completed room. We continue to Helensburgh to visit The Hill House. Sitting high above the Clyde, The Hill House is considered one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creations. The feel of the house, which was decorated with the help of Mackintosh’s wife, is of restrained elegance combined with dazzling architecture. This evening we have a lecture by Dr Evelyn Silber.
Day 3
Today we visit Edinburgh for a guided tour of the National Gallery of Scotland. Including paintings by renowned artists such as Van Dyck and Tiepolo, the Gallery is home to Scotland’s greatest collection of European paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance to Post Impressionist eras. The afternoon is at leisure in Edinburgh, or you may choose to accompany our Blue Badge guide on a city tour, taking in sights such as the Castle, Royal Mile and Princes Street. This evening we have a lecture by Dr Evelyn Silber.
Day 4
This morning we enjoy a guided tour at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Scotland’s most visited museum and home to one of Europe’s greatest civic art collections. We continue with our Blue Badge guide to the Hunterian Gallery, safeguarding the Mackintosh Collection, and comprising 800 drawings, designs and watercolours, as well as a small but important archive of correspondence, photographs and periodicals. Whilst at the Hunterian Gallery, you may choose to visit Mackintosh House on an individual basis (entrance fee not included), which is a reconstruction of the principal interiors from the original Glasgow home of the architect. Rooms on display include the hall, dining room, studio drawing room and main bedroom where Mackintosh’s distinctive and contemporary style is evident. Later this afternoon we enjoy an included cream tea at the world famous Willow Tea Rooms, designed in 1904 by Mackintosh.
Day 5
ith our Blue Badge guide we visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. Serving the Royal Family for over forty years, the Royal Yacht played a leading role in some of the defining moments of recent history. The audio tour takes in the State Dining Room, the Bridge and the Queen’s Sitting Room. We return to Edinburgh station for our return Virgin Trains East Coast journey to Peterborough, and then onwards coach travel back to our original pick up points.
NB: Please note we reserve the right to alter the above itinerary if required for operational reasons. Given the historic nature of the places visited, a certain degree of walking will be involved, and this holiday may not be suitable for those with mobility problems. Price based on twin share. Minimum numbers required. Normal booking conditions apply.
Featuring
GUEST LECTURER
Dr Evelyn Silber MA PhD FRSA FMA We are delighted to offer two evening lectures by the NADFAS accredited lecturer. Born in Welwyn Garden City and attended Bishop’s Hatfield Girls Grammar School. Dr Silber was educated at the universities of Cambridge and Pennsylvania. A director of the Hunterian Museum Glasgow and Current Chair of Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society.
4* hotel
Half board accommodation
Return first class train travel from Peterborough to Edinburgh
All excursions & guided tours included
Entrance fees to non-National Trust properties included
Two evening lectures by Dr Evelyn Silber
Return coach transfers to & from Peterborough Station
Blue Badge guide included every day
Executive coach in Scotland
House for an Art Lover
The Hill House (entrance fee not included)
National Gallery of Scotland – guided tour
Edinburgh – guided city tour
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum – guided tour
Hunterian Gallery
Willow Tea Rooms (included cream tea)
Royal Yacht Britannia – audio tour
Hotel
We stay four nights on half board basis at the 4* Westerwood Hotel (www.qhotels.co.uk) in Cumbernauld near Glasgow. Set in its own 400 acres of woodland, the hotel is excellently situated for the itinerary between Glasgow and Edinburgh. Facilities at the hotel include a restaurant, bar, indoor swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room and a gymnasium. All rooms are en suite and feature television, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities.
Extras
Insurance £19
Single room supplement £80
Entrance fee to Hill House (free to National Trust members)
Gratuities
Optional Excursions
All excursions & guided tours included