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Scotland
ECE has a strong range of products throughout Scotland encompassing outdoor activity centres, educational establishments, service projects and interactive learning opportunities with a variety of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Scottish programmes have included marching with pipe bands, involvement with reforestation projects, meeting local schools and lessons on Scottish history and traditions from re-enactors.
We have managed programmes from Inverness to Aberdeen and from the Isle of Skye to the famous university golf town of St Andrews.
Below are two sample itineraries that can be modified or combined with an English, Irish or Welsh itinerary to extend your programme.
Scottish Fling
Day 1 – Edinburgh/Stirling
Your trip starts in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh, with its wonderful Georgian and Victorian architecture and winding medieval streets, the city richly deserves its title the “Athens of the North”. Enjoy a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle with winding stairs, ruined walls and immense ramparts; visit the National Scottish War memorial as well as the Honours of Scotland and see the crown, the sceptre and the sword of Scotland and as well as the recently returned Stone of Destiny. Enjoy some free time to explore the city on your own - the shops on the historic Royal Mile or visit the new Parliament at Holyrood, close to the Palace of Holyrood House, the British monarchs’ official residence in Scotland. Overnight in Stirling
Day 2 - Stirling/Loch Ness
Start the day with an invigorating climb up the Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland's national hero – William “Braveheart” Wallace. Re-live Wallace’s life and trial, gaze in awe at his sword and visit the Hall of Scottish Heroes. From here we visit Loch Ness and enjoy a cruise over the loch, hoping to catch sight of the legendary monster “Nessie”, as well as the romantic ruin of Castle Urquhart. Overnight Pitlochry area
Day 3 - Blair Atholl/Pitlochry
Blair Castle’s history extends over 740 years. Home to the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, the story of the castle takes you from Mary Queen of Scots to the English Civil War, from Lord George Murray to Culloden, from the Isle of Man to Queen Victoria’s presentation of Colours to the Atholl Highlanders - Europe’s only private army which is still in existence today. Visit the home to a unique, single Highland malt whiskey, produced in Scotland's smallest distillery.Overnight Pitlochry area
Day 4 - St Andrews/Edinburgh
Travel to St Andrews once the centre of religious life in medieval Scotland, now better known now for its university, founded in 1410-11 and of course, golf! St Andrews is the home of golf, the sport having been played here for over 600 years. Enjoy a walking tour of the town and a golf lesson and mini-competition on a local golf-course. Overnight Stirling.
Scottish Explorer
Day 1 – Edinburgh
Your trip starts in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh, with its wonderful Georgian and Victorian architecture and winding medieval streets, the city richly deserves its title the “Athens of the North”. Enjoy a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle with winding stairs, ruined walls and immense ramparts; visit the National Scottish War memorial as well as the Honours of Scotland and see the crown, the sceptre and the sword of Scotland and as well as the recently returned Stone of Destiny. Explore more about the city and its history, with a walking Royal Mile Ramble Quiz – linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House, the British monarchs’ official residence in Scotland.
Day 2 Stirling/Loch Lomond
Start the day with an invigorating climb up the Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland's national hero – William “Braveheart” Wallace. Re-live Wallace’s life and trial, gaze in awe at his sword and visit the Hall of Scottish Heroes. Learn all about the Battlefield of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce defeated the English King Edward II in 1314 at the Bannockburn Heritage site before departing for an afternoon of activities on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.
Made famous in the Jacobite song “The bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond”, this afternoon the loch will play host to an enjoyable afternoon of watersports and team-building activities.
Day 3 Glencoe/Fort Augustus
Travel through the highlands and the steep-sided valley of Glencoe, famous for the massacre of members of the MacDonald clan in 1691. Visit the Glencoe visitor centre and then on to the highland town of Fort Augustus. Enter the Clansman centre, where you will be met by a kilted clansman in a 17th century turf house, the typical abode of the local population at that time and learn about the kilt as well as dressing up in one. An introduction to the full range of highland weapons is also included!
Day 4 Loch Ness/ Cairngorms
Discover the history of the legendary monster “Nessie” with a visit to the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition and enjoy a cruise on the loch before travelling to a forest theme park. Set in 30acres of ancient Caledonian pinewoods, attractions are numerous and include a Wildwatercoaster, runaway Raft Ride, nature and treetop trails, an adventure playground, climbing wall, RopeworX aerial challenge course, 'parachute' jump, a working steam-powered Sawmill, and much more.
Day 5: Kincraig/ St Andrews/Edinburgh
Today visit a working farm and watch as one of the last shepherds in the Highlands demonstrates how his sheepdogs control their flock. As part of the sheep dog demonstrations you will also get to see first-hand sheep shearing, bottle feeding of orphan lambs, duck herding demonstrations and friendly collie pups. Travel on to St Andrews over the famous Tay Bridge. Once the centre of religious life in medieval Scotland, St Andrews is better known now for its university, founded in 1410-11 and of course, golf! From St Andrews travel back to Edinburgh, to prepare for the journey home.
