Scottish Luxury Hogmanay View Full Screen Itinerary

Today you will arrive into Edinburgh Int Airport where you will be met at arrivals by your driver who will take you via private car to the Caledonian Hotel in central Edinburgh. Here you will check-in to one of the city's oldest and grandest hotels with a room complete with Edinburgh Castle views. 

This afternoon we recommend you explore the Old Town, it's myriad of narrow cobbled allyways and lantern lit streets hark back to a historic era that is both magical and special. Discover encharted shops and cosy pubs. Visit the city's free entry museums and soak up the festive atmosphere at the Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens. 

Tonight we have arranged for you to have dinner at the renowned Witchery By The Castle restaurant, just a stones throw from the portcullis of Edinburgh Castle itself. Enjoy the unique atmosphere here in this Harry Potter-esque environment before a night cap in the Ensign Ewart pub playing traditional live Scottish folk music each night. 

Accommodation: The Caledonian Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh. Castle View King Premier Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions complimentary Champagne on arrival. 

Today you will wake up in the majestic heart of Edinburgh city, Scotland's vibrant capital. You will pull back the curtains of your room and have one of the most sought after views in Scotland with Edinburgh Castle looming high above you. After a fantastic traditional Scottish breakfast in the brilliant Caledonian breakfast room you will be checking-out of the hotel and collecting your Land Rover Defender 110 which will be delivered to the doors of the hotel. 

After a quick briefing over this iconic British vehicle, it'll be time to program your GPS and head north to the Highlands. Today you will drive north either via Stirling (visiting Stirling Castle - Scotland's second largest castle) or over the brand new Queensferry Crossing, one of three bridges spanning the River Forth. The Queensferry Crossing sits alongside both the original Forth Road Bridge built in the 1960's but also beside the most iconic Victorian railway bridge in the world. The Forth Rail Bridge can be visited by driving down into the historic and charming wee town of South Queensferry. Here you can drive under the bridge and there is a fantastic place for a few photos. 

Pushing north, you will have about a 2-hour drive into the Highlands. You will notice the landscape changing as you head deeper into the majestic Scottish mountains eventually passing through Glenshee, and right past one of Scotland's ski-stations (Glenshee Ski Centre). Here the road starts to drop, and you will follow this directly down into the charming Victorian village of Braemar. Close by to Braemar is Balmoral Castle, where the British Royal family holiday when in Scotland (several times a year). 

Tonight you are checking-in to your incredible hotel, The Fife Arms is a hotel like none other in Europe, or even the world. A true salute to traditional Scotland but with a modern twist. The owners are the largest private art dealers in the world and this incredible hotel boasts over 14,000 peices of art includeing works by Picasso. You will be staying in the Royal Suite, the hotel's most special suite on the Hogmanay package complete with some unbelieable experiences. 

Accommodation: The Fife Arms - Royal Suites on the Hogmanay Package. 

Three nights in the hotel, Champagne and canapés on New Year’s Eve with a welcoming piper, a 4-course dinner, all guests shall be invited to be seated at 20:30. Fireworks and ceilidh dancing. Traditional Scottish breakfast each morning, including Buck’s Fizz and Bloody Marys on New Year’s Day, a Highland Feast on New Year’s Day, between 13:30 and 16:00 kindly indicate your preferred dining time. 

The Royal Suites offer the most spacious accommodation measuring approximately 57m2 with a separate bedroom and living area. The bedrooms all feature a stunning four poster bed in carved, dark wood. The bathrooms are equipped with standalone copper bathtubs and separate walk-in showers. The Royal Suites offer a unique level of comfort and sophistication with unparalleled views of the Scottish Highlands

Today is yours to discover this most magical part of Scotland. Strike out from the hotel and explore Royal Deeside from it's incredible mountains, to ancient Caledonian Pine forest or head to one of the world's most famous distilleries in Speyside. We recommend you enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings whilst here and absolutely head out for a walk in this prestine environment. Wrap up warm and discover the stunning forest surrounding the area, the most westerly fringe of the European Boreal forest... 

This evening you will most likely find live music in the hotel's cosy and friendly on-site pub, the perfect place to warm up with a dram by the fireside. 

Today is a very special day. The air in charged with excitment as the hotel preparations for Hogmanay celebrations are in full swing. We recommend enjoying relaxing in and around the hotel, the village of Braemar and surroundings today. Why not take a drive to Braemar Castle, or back down Glenshee for a visit to the Ski-Station and a good walk?

Tonight you will be treated at the hotel to a Champagne and canapés New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay) complete of course with a welcoming piper!

Guests of the The Fife Arms will enjoy a fine 4-course dinner and all guests shall be invited to be seated at 20:30 for this sumptious and special occassion.

Following your delicious dinner and at New Year itself, there will be an impressive fireworks display  outside before a ceilidh dance to traditional Scottish music in the main hall of the Fife Arms. Tonight will be a night to remember forever in a dream setting at one of the world's most unique hotels. 

Today is your last in Scotland... We hope you had a superb night celebrating the New Year's arrival...

Today we receommend enjoying a light, late breakfast as around lunchtime you will be invited to sit down in the hotel and enjoy a final Highland Feast before departing on the 2-hour drive south to Edinburgh Airport.

Once back at Edinburgh Airport you will drop off your Land Rover Defender 110 with a representative of Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions who will be waiting to greet you. Check-in to your onward flight before heading to boarding. 

Thank you for choosing to travel with Sandgrouse Travel & Expeditions, Happy New Year to you and we hope to see you soon in Scotland.