Highland Gems Dunkeld The Hermitage and Blair Atholl Castle

Departure Point Meeting Point: Castle Terrace coach bays Edinburgh (EH1 2EW). Find us on the castle side of the road opposite the NCP car park. Identify: White luxury Mercedes mini-coach and guide with a branded umbrella. Check-in: 08:30 Departure: 09:00 (Prompt) Return Details 17:00 The Return Relax on the drive south watching "Big Tree Country" fade back into the Lowlands arriving in Edinburgh by 18:45. Duration 9 hours and 30 minutes Languages Available Human tour guide - English Points of Interest Stop At: Dunkeld Dunkeld 10:15 Dunkeld: The Religious Heart (1 Hour)Your first stop is Dunkeld the ancient ecclesiastical capital of Scotland. In 849 AD King Kenneth MacAlpin moved the relics of St Columba here establishing it as the spiritual centre of the early kingdom.The Cathedral Ruins: Walk the banks of the River Tay to the majestic Dunkeld Cathedral. Here lies the tomb of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch but more importantly for this tour the burial place of John Murray the 4th Duke of Atholl ("Planter John").The Parent Larch: Look for the ancient European larch tree near the church gates. Planted in 1738 by the 2nd Duke it is the sole survivor of the original five "Parent Larches" that seeded the millions of trees covering the surrounding hills.Coffee Stop: Visit one of the artisan bakeries on Atholl Street for a morning coffee and a fresh Scottish pastry. Duration: 1 hour Stop At: The Hermitage Tay Forest Park Old Military Rd Dunkeld 11:30 The Hermitage: Ossian’s Hall and Pine Cone PointJust minutes away lies the Dukes’ 18th-century "pleasure ground."Ossian’s Hall: A 15-minute flat walk through towering Douglas firs leads to this Georgian folly. The original 1757 summerhouse was rebuilt in 1783 as a "hall of mirrors" designed to shock guests by reflecting the thundering Black Linn Falls—a spectacle that remains today.The Cannon Legend: Look up at the craggy cliffs of Craig-y-Barns in the distance. The 4th Duke unable to send men up the dangerous rock faces to plant trees famously used cannons loaded with seed canisters—an idea given to him by the landscape painter Alexander Nasmyth—to blast seeds into the crevices.Pine Cone Point: From the hall take the signposted path uphill toward Craigvinean Forest. A steady ascent leads to the Pine Cone Point lookout a modern timber structure offering a sweeping panorama over the Tay Valley. This view reveals the sheer scale of the 18th-century reforestation efforts. Duration: 2 hours Stop At: Blair Castle & Gardens 8 Blair Atholl Sawmill Yard B8079 Blair Atholl External visit with optional entrance. Must be paid on site.14:00 Blair Castle: The Seat of PowerArrive at the ancestral home of Clan Murray a white-washed castle standing since 1269. With three hours you have ample time to explore the estate in depth:Castle Tour: Explore thirty rooms including the Victorian Ballroom—famous for its 175 pairs of antlers—and the Entrance Hall displaying genuine Jacobite muskets and targes used at the Battle of Culloden.Diana’s Grove: This tranquil two-acre woodland contains some of the UK's tallest trees including a grand fir exceeding 62m (200ft)—living proof of the fertile soil the Dukes cultivated for centuries.Hercules Garden: Fully explore this nine-acre walled garden. Restored to its 1750 Georgian design it features landscaped ponds Chinese bridges and curious statues offering a perfect contrast to the wilder woods of Diana's Grove. Duration: 3 hours Additional Information Wheelchair accessible Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Service animals allowed Public transportation options are available nearby Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Suitable for all physical fitness levels Three steps to enter the vehicle but fold up wheelchairs can be brought. https://atholl-estates! co! uk/blair-castle/ To locate our pickup very easily use What3Words: ///slick! pure! result For more information or frequently asked questions visit www! wanderlusttours! co! uk Optional visits available. For up-to-date booking info and advance tickets check their websites. Inclusions Small Group Tour (Maximum 16 passengers). Mobile Data Hotspot from driver-guide should you need it. Extra legroom compared to others as standard on reclining leather seats. Services of an English speaking driver-guide. Luxury 16 seater Minibus with panoramic Windows glass roof mood lighting and charging points. Voucher Info Mobile or paper ticket accepted The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Wanderlust Tours in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon. This offer is not eligible for promo codes.