Tours in and near Edinburgh

Extend your stay and join us for tours of famous Edinburgh landmarks. Add one or both tours while registering to attend the conference.

Sunday, 18 June 2023 | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Walking Tour of Edinburgh Old Town and Edinburgh Castle

Registrants explored famous landmarks and hidden secrets in Edinburgh’s Old Town on this walking tour. The guide led participants along the famous Royal Mile, giving a fascinating insight into famous writers, philosophers, villains and monarchs who have called the city home. The group discovered landmarks such as St. Giles’ Cathedral and the Mercat Cross.

Edinburgh Castle—with its fortress walls, cobbled promenades, and winding stone steps—has loomed over Scotland’s capital city for more than 1,000 years. Steeped in history, the former State Apartments and Great Hall feature period artifacts, such as the Scottish Crown Jewels. The Castle’ dark dungeons illuminate Edinburgh’s storied past.

Tour included:

• Guided walking tour of Edinburgh Old Town
• Entrance to Edinburgh Castle

Tour Cost:  $75 USD

 

Thursday, 22 June 2023 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Full Day)

Stirling Castle and Glengoyne Distillery

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles – an icon integral to how we understand the nation’s story. The castle peaked in importance in the 1500s, but its volcanic crag has been fortified since ancient times. Generations of Scottish monarchs have enlarged, adapted and embellished Stirling Castle. The palace’s lavish design drew on European Renaissance fashions to show off James V’s power and good taste. Historic Scotland has recreated the palace interiors as they may have looked when the Scottish king’s grand scheme was complete. Costumed characters mingle with visitors, bringing the Royal Stuart Court to life.

Registrants had the opportunity to:

• Explore the castle's main enclosures such as the refurbished Royal Palace. This was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots.
• View the tapestries in the Queen’s Lodgings, replicas of a medieval set held in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Stand in the Great Hall, the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland.
• Admire the Chapel Royal, elaborately redecorated for the coronation visit of Charles I in 1633.
• Visit the Stirling Heads Gallery to see the original oak carvings, and marvel at their painstakingly detailed replicas.
• Enjoy majestic views of the King’s Knot and Royal Park, which were once royal properties associated with the castle.
• Imagine the great battles that took place around the castle as you look towards the southern Highlands and the Ochil Hills.

The group continued west through picturesque Scottish countryside to Glengoyne Distillery, set at the foot of a beautiful wooded valley.

• The Glengoyne tour and tasting highlighted the difference the wood makes to the spirit and how it deepens and intensifies in color over the years.
• In the comfort of Burnfoot Lodge, overlooking the beautiful waterfall and glen, participants tasted whiskies from the Glengoyne Collection.

Tour incuded:

• Entrance to Stirling Castle
• Tour of Glengoyne Distillery including 2 tastings of scotch whisky

Lunch was available for purchase at restaurants in Stirling.

Tour Cost: $200 USD