First Journey of the McNally Robinson Travelling Bookclub
Hosted by Chris Hall, Co-Owner of McNally Robinson Booksellers
April 25 - May 8 , 2025
*Book & Deposit by June 1, 2024 and Receive a $100 McNally Robinson Gift Certificate*
From classic Scottish authors like Walter Scott and Robert Burns to popular modern writers like Ian Rankin and Val McDermid, a journey through Scotland can reveal many literary connections, with its lush rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, tiny villages, to towering fairytale castles. On this literary tour of Scotland, you’ll feel your heart skip a beat as you journey through the breathtaking Highlands, ferry to its most beautiful islands, and immerse yourself in a world of haunting bagpipes, hallowed battlefields, hoppy brews and literary greats.
With visits to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, the legendary golf town of St. Andrews, and a famous whisky distillery for a tour and a wee dram, this Scotland vacation offers countless opportunities to raise a glass to your many passions. Making a spectacular scenic loop from Edinburgh to Glasgow onto literary highlights in Dumfries, Alloway and Abbotsford, this Scotland tour is indeed an affair to remember.
Before we depart we’ll meet as a Bookclub in the McNally Robinson Community Classroom on Jan. 30, Feb. 27, and Mar. 27, 2025 to talk about some books by Scottish authors. A suggested reading list will be provided and improved upon as a group.
PRICE:
Double Occupancy - $6,695 per person
Single Occupancy - $8,695 per person
Deposit is $500 per person.
Final payment due by January 30, 2025.
Disclaimer: All payments are nonrefundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and available through Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg.
If minimum numbers are not met, tour may be modified. Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg acts as the agent for the tour operator and all other service/suppliers that comprise this offering. The agency shall have no liability for the supplier’s acts or omissions and the agency’s liability shall not exceed the supplier’s liability.
Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months past the last date of travel.
For More Information, please contact:
Megan Reimer
Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg
204-954-2095
or toll-free 1-800-530-0131
Itinerary
Day 1: EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Welcome to Edinburgh.
Day 2: EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Free time this afternoon with optional literary tour of Edinburgh. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 3: EDINBURGH
Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town and the Old Town and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon. (Breakfast)
Day 4: EDINBURGH-ST. ANDREWS-PITLOCHRY-INVERNESS
See the home of gold and famous university town of St. Andrews. Walk through the Victorian mountain resort then drive through the scenic Grampian Mountains and Cairngorms National Park. (Breakfast)
Day 5: INVERNESS-CULLODEN MOORD-DUNROBIN-THURSO
Visit the Culloden battlefield site and visitor center. Enjoy the sight of the castle and walled gardens in Dunrobin. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6: THURSO, EXCURSION TO THE ORKNEY ISLANDS
Drive to John O’Groats to board a ferry for a scenic crossing to the Orkney Islands.
Sightseeing includes Scapa Flow, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Kirkwall.
Join a guided tour of The Orkney Brewery, have a light lunch at the Tasting Hall café and then visit Skaill House. Return to the mainland by ferry in the late afternoon. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: THURSO-DURNESS-ULLAPOOL-GAIRLOCH
Take a scenic drive along the spectacular North Coast 500 route cia Durness and Scourie. Visit to the fishing port includes a traditional fish & chips lunch at a local restaurant. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: GAIRLOCH-ISLE OF SKYE-FORT WILLIAMGLENCOE
Drive across the Inner Hebridean island. Return to the mainland by ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig. See the monument to fallen Jacobite clansmen and the famous viaduct. See the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: GLENCOE EXCURSION TO THE ISLES OF MULL AND IONA
Take a scenic drive across the Isle of Mull. At the Isle of Iona, see the burial place of many Scottish kings and chiefs. Visit one of the first Christian monasteries in the British Isles. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10: GLENCOE-LOCH LOMOND-GLASGOW
Depart a scenic drive through Glen Coe, The Trossachs National Park and Visit Lake Lomond. In Glasgow, enjoy a guided tour of a whisky distillery. Enjoy an orientation drive to see the 12th-century cathedral, univeristy buildings, and Georgian squares. Free time this afternoon before a farewell dinner at a local restuarant. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11: GLASGOW. EXCURSION TO DUMFRIES & ALLOWAY
Meet your Globus Tour Director in the lobby of your hotel this morning. Travel to Dumfries where you will experience the Robert Burns House and a tour of the Burns Rooms at the Globe Inn.
Continue to Alloways where you will visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, including the cottage where he was born.
See the Burns Monument, Alloway Auld Kirk and Brig o'Doon.
Dinner this evening. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12: GLASGOW-ABBOTSFORD-EDINBURGH
Head south-east and take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House.
Continue to Edinburgh for free time this evening. (Breakfast)
Day 13: EDINBURGH
Inside visit to Rosslyn Chapel both mentioned by Scott, and more recently playing a crucial role in the plot of the blockbuster novel The Da Vinci Code. Balance of the day is at your leisure.
Enjoy Edinburgh for a farewell dinner. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14: DEPART EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
After breakfast this morning, individual transfers are arranged to Edinburgh Airport. (Breakfast)
Disclaimer: All payments are non-refundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and available through Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg.
If mimum numbers are not met, rou may be modified. Cruise Vacations of Winnipeg acts as the agent for the tour operator and all other service/supplier's acts or omissions and the agency's liability shall not exceed the suppliers liability.
Passports may be valid for a minimum of 6 months past the last date of travel.
