Peebles, The Edinburgh Tattoo and Floors Castle

Your holiday begins today in Edinburgh where you meet your Tour Manager. From here, your coach takes you to your hotel in Peebles, a little town on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. After settling into your room, your group meets for dinner this evening.

• Dinner

After breakfast, you're at leisure to discover Peebles this morning. With its breathtaking scenery, local shops, charming cafés, and picturesque walking routes, the town is wonderful to explore. If you're a lover of writers, you could visit the John Buchan Story Museum which celebrates the local legend through fascinating artifacts. Or, you could discover the history of Peebles and the surrounding area at the Tweeddale Museum and Gallery.

This afternoon, your group heads by coach to Bo'ness. Here you board the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway for an atmospheric round trip in one of the lovingly-restored locomotives. Gaze out of your window as you journey by the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct. After soaking up the beautiful Scottish countryside by heritage rail, your group rejoins the coach bound for Edinburgh.

On the way, you visit the magnificent Kelpies. These towering sculptures were designed by the talented Glasgow-based artist, Andy Scott to pay homage to the hardworking horses of Scotland that once pulled barges along the canals and worked in the fields of the area. There's time to take some photos before the coach continues to lively Edinburgh. You're at leisure in Scotland's capital to get some dinner and explore before the Edinburgh Military Tattoo experience.

It's easy to find restaurants and pubs anywhere in the city centre, however, for the most interesting areas you could head to the top of the Old Town's Royal Mile, or the charming Rose Street and Princes Street in the New Town. If there's a particular place you'd like to eat, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Meeting up with your group again this evening, you settle into your seats for the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This remarkable event happens every year and brings together music, entertainment, and ceremonial performances. Watch in awe at the Scottish regiments' pipers and drummers performing together, the impressive Massed Bands of the Royal Marines, and a fantastic firework show - all with Edinburgh Castle magnificently illuminated behind them.

After an incredible spectacle, the coach takes your group back to your hotel in Peebles late this evening.

Trains are steam-hauled where possible, however due to timetable changes or weather conditions, heritage diesel locomotives may be running instead.

**Please Note: For departures 14/08/204 & 21/08/2024, we visit the Museum of Scottish Railways instead of The Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Late this morning the coach takes your group to the market town of Kelso. Arriving at the stunning Floors Castle, your group is treated to a traditional afternoon tea on the beautiful grounds. Afterwards, you can explore the house and its Victorian Walled Gardens at your own pace. Enjoy wandering through atmospheric woodland grounds or discover the collection of fine art, porcelain, tapestries, grand rooms and amazing views over the River Tweed. The coach takes your group back to your hotel later this afternoon and you have some time to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

It's time to bid farewell to Peebles after breakfast this morning. Your group gathers on the coach for your journey to Edinburgh, where your holiday ends. Once you've said goodbye to new friends, you can make your way home or take the opportunity to explore more of the area. Britannia, the former Royal Yacht of Queen Elizabeth II, is just two miles from Edinburgh's city centre, or for an extravaganza of plants from around the world, the Royal Botanic Garden is only a 20 minute walk. There's plenty more to discover if you're not ready to leave.

• Breakfast