Hogmanay
- What is Hogmanay anyway?
The origins of the Scot's word for the
celebrations on New Year's Eve are obscure.
Some say it's named after a rich dark cake,
which was eaten at this time, or is it descended
from an old French word for New Year? What
is undoubted is that it has been a very important
festival in Scotland for literally thousands
of years. Several traditions, dating back
to Pagan times are attached to the evening,
the most common of which is of course toasting
the old year with a drink or two and wishing
a happy new year to as many people as possible.
Dancing in the streets, taking tokens of
good fortune to neighbour's homes, and collapsing
in an unconscious heap are also common practices.
Truly there is no other place to be at New
Year and now you have the chance to share
in the full, authentic Scottish experience
as you travel around the Highlands with MacBackpackers.
Hogmanay
in Scotland: the original and the best.............
- departs
30th December - £229
Day
One From
Edinburgh, head north for the serenity of
the Highlands. Our day will take us to battlefields
and hillsides where history comes alive,
as your guide tells of the men and women
who fought and died in the name of clan and
country. The scenery of Scotland is truly
breathtaking, and nowhere more so than Loch
Ness. Stopping on the shores of this famous
lake, we indulge in a spot of 'Nessie hunting',
before heading for the bustling town of Inverness,
our home for the night.
Day
Two Leaving
Inverness we head into one of Britain's last
wildernesses. We travel through the imposing
beauty of the Torridon mountain range as
we head west toward Kyleakin on the Isle
of Skye. Hear of myths and traditions that
have survived through generations in this
forbidding landscape. Pausing by stunning
Loch Carron we then continue on to Skye for
a New Years celebration like no other.
Day
Three There
is no need to get up too early today,
as this is a day for relaxing in the
charming fishing village of Kyleakin.
There are hangovers
to be nursed and resolutions to be made
and maybe even a short revitalizing walk
to be
had before sitting down to a specially
prepared New Years dinner.
Day
Four Suitably
refreshed we head south through the majestic
beauty of the West Highlands, past the world
famous castle of Eilean Donan and on to Fort
William. From there we journey to the legendry
mountains of Glen Coe. Here, in 'the valley
of weeping', we learn of the noble and tragic
clan MacDonald. Then it's off to Oban, our
home for the night, situated on the picturesque
Argyll coast.
Day
Five Leaving
Oban we visit the lands where the great heroes
Rob Roy, Robert the Bruce, and William Wallace
carved their names into history. Kilchurn
Castle, the ancient town of Stirling and
Bannockburn, scene of Scotland's finest hour,
will be among the stops before we return
to Edinburgh, at the end of what will have
been a truly memorable experience.
