Play Bridge & Explore the Scottish Gems of Loch Lomond & Edinburgh

With our join direct package, you will make your own way to the hotel.

If you have booked our flight-inclusive package, today we fly from London Heathrow to Glasgow Airport. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel.

You will enjoy a welcome drink and dinner, followed by an evening bridge session.

This morning, we depart the hotel by coach and head to Balloch, on the shores of Loch Lomond. On arrival, there will be free time to take a stroll around Balloch before embarking on a captivating two-hour Island Discovery Cruise.

Heading into the tranquil central reaches of Loch Lomond, we journey through the loch’s fascinating history and breathtaking scenery, while discovering the legends and secrets of the islands of Loch Lomond, known as the jewels in her crown.

This leisurely cruise departs from Balloch, passes the world-famous Loch Lomond Golf Club, explores the middle island of Loch Lomond, and sails through an area known to locals as “The Narrows”. This unique passage between the central islands offers views only accessible by boat, before continuing onwards to the village of Luss.

Once the cruise returns to Balloch, we board our coach for the return journey to the hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by evening bridge.

Please note: the boat may have one or two decks depending on the vessel. If there are two decks, there will be five steps to the top deck with a handrail on either side, and three steeper steps to the lower deck with one handrail.

Today, we board the coach and head to the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway and Museum of Scottish Railways. We enjoy a return steam journey from Bo’ness to Manuel, covering 10 miles as we travel along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls, and over the Avon Viaduct before returning to Bo’ness Station.

On returning to the station, you will have included entry to the Museum of Scottish Railways. Here, you can discover the past, present, and future of Scotland’s railways, climb on board the vintage Glasgow subway car, and sort letters in the Travelling Post Office. Explore the museum’s unique collection of vehicles, archives, and small objects.

After leaving the railway, we make a stop to view The Kelpies. Standing at 30 metres tall, these equine sculptures are a magnificent sight to behold. There will be time to take photographs and visit the visitor centre for those wishing to do so.

We then continue by coach for another photo stop at the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift, which connects the Forth & Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. There will be plenty of time to view the wheel, visit the visitor centre, café, and shop, and, if we are lucky, watch the Falkirk Wheel in action.

We now continue our journey back to the hotel, where we enjoy dinner followed by an evening bridge session.

Today, we enjoy a morning bridge seminar and an afternoon bridge session.

Dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by an evening bridge session.

Today, we head by coach to Edinburgh. Our first stop of the day is a morning visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Edinburgh.

Located at the bottom of the Royal Mile, this royal palace has an intriguing history, with associations to Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Explore the State Apartments, including the King’s Bedchamber, and take time to admire the Throne Room, Privy Chamber, and the Great Gallery. After visiting the interior of the palace, there are four hectares of palace gardens to explore.

This afternoon, we include a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Launched in 1953, the Royal Yacht served the Royal Family for over 44 years, travelling more than a million nautical miles. It provided the perfect royal residence for glittering state visits, official receptions, royal honeymoons, and relaxing family holidays.

Now berthed in Leith, just outside Edinburgh, this is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions. An audio handset is included, allowing you to learn more as you explore the five main decks, including the Royal Apartments, Crew Quarters, and Engine Room.

After plenty of time to explore at your own pace, we board the coach and return to the hotel for dinner and an evening bridge session.