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
22nd December - £295
Day
One Departing
Edinburgh, the tour heads first for the town
of Stirling, centre of the conflict between
Scotland and England, immortalized in the
movie Braveheart. Learn the true story of
William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and, as
we head north into the Highlands, of that
other movie hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. Stunning
scenery then accompanies us to our destination,
the beautiful port town of Oban.
Day
Two Journey
back in time as we head for the ancient kingdom
of the Celts. Kilmartin Glen, where Scottish
culture first took root, boasts a collection
of standing stones and prehistoric burial
mounds unrivalled anywhere in Europe. Learn
how a proud warrior race lived, and died,
in this unforgiving land, before we return
for the evening to Oban.
Day
Three Heading
north, we travel through Glen Coe and Glen
Nevis hearing epic tales of the clans who
inhabited these magnificent valleys. Passing
under the shadow of Scotland's highest mountains,
we encounter the famed castle of Eilean Donan
before arriving in Kyleakin, on the fabled
Isle of Skye. Tonight is Hogmanay, so let
your hair down, and have a wild party. You
are sure of a night to remember.
Day
Four Happy
New Year! Spring (or crawl) out of bed and
greet the New Year which has just dawned
and take things at your own pace. Refreshing
walk with your tour guide should shake out
any cobwebs before a massive New Year's Day
dinner and (groan) another evening of celebrations.
Day
Five With
Hogamay still ringing in our ears, we leave
Skye and travel on th
rough
Torridon and Wester Ross, a land of myth
and superstition, little changed since the
passing of the last ice age. Inverness, capital
of the Highlands, is our destination for
today and our home for the next two nights.
Day
Six Today
we explore one of the world's most enduring
mysteries: Loch Ness! Does a monster indeed
lurk in the murky depths, what is the evidence
for and against its existence and what do
the locals think of all the fuss? This is
your chance to discover first hand and, who
knows, catch a glimpse of the elusive beast.
Day
Seven The
last day of our tour begins with a visit
to the battle field of Culloden, to hear
of how a nation changed forever. Heading
south, we make our way through the Cairngorm
and Grampian mountain ranges, through historic
Perthshire, a land made famous in Shakespeare's
MacBeth. A week to remember draws to a close
as we return to Scotland's vibrant capital
city, Edinburgh.
Departure?
Departs
Sunday 22nd December 2004
How much?
£295
GBP Full Package- BOOK
NOW
CHRISTMAS
BOOKING HOTLINE: 0870 225 6263
