Glories of Edinburgh Through the Eyes of its Authors

Glories of Edinburgh Through the Eyes of its Authors

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3 Days From

$729

$695

Glories of Edinburgh Through the Eyes of its Authors

3 Days Starting and ending in Edinburgh, Scotland

Visiting: Edinburgh

Tour operator:

Travel Editions

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

0 - 40

Physical rating:

Medium

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Tour operated in:

English
From: $729 $695 Travel Club discount: -$35

NB: Prices correct on 19-Sep-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Discover the literary heritage of Scotland's capital with the "Glories of Edinburgh Through the Eyes of its Authors" tour. Stay at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport and enjoy a welcome reception, private dinners, and engaging talks by Robin Cairns. Explore iconic sites such as Edinburgh Castle, the Writers Museum, and the National Museum of Scotland. Walk the historic Royal Mile, visit the Elephant House Café, and delve into the stories behind Greyfriars Kirkyard and Rosslyn Chapel. Experience a one-man performance about the infamous Deacon Brodie and tour the settings of Alexander McCall Smith’s novels and Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting. This tour offers a unique blend of history, literature, and culture, all set against the backdrop of Edinburgh's stunning architecture and landscapes.

Highlights

  • Visit the magnificent Edinburgh Castle with its views over the City of Literature

  • Visit the Writers Museum that celebrates the life of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson

  • Enjoy walking tours taking in key literary sites and influences

  • Watch a one-man performance by Robin Cairns telling the story of the Edinburgh Villain – ‘Deacon Brodie – Craftsman, Councilor and Thief’

  • Explore the National Museum of Scotland and learn about the lives of some of Scotland's famous writers

  • Visit the Elephant House Café where JK Rowling famously wrote the first Harry Potter novel

  • See the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens, and The Mound

  • Explore the Scottish Portrait Gallery and the Georgian House

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport

Meals Included: Dinner

: Arrive independently at the Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome drink, private dinner with wine and an introductory talk by Robin Cairns.

Day 2: Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral And The National Museum Of Scotland

Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning start the day with a visit to Edinburgh Castle whose high vantage point offers fantastic views of the city which has featured in many a story. From the castle walk down the Royal Mile, stopping along the way at the Writers Museum (which celebrates the life of writers Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson), the Heart of Midlothian Mosaic, the statue of writer and philosopher David Hume and St. Giles Cathedral. After lunch (not included) visit the National Museum of Scotland and learn about the lives of some of Scotland famous writers including Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louise Stevenson. The afternoon will take you to the streets of Edinburgh with a walking tour taking in places made famous by writers, such as the Elephant House Café where JK Rowling famously wrote the first Harry Potter novel, as well as the Greyfriars Kirkyard, the resting place for many literary greats including Henry McKenzie ( The Man of Feeling ), poet William McGonagall and Allan Ramsay. The final stop of the day will be Rosslyn Chapel, one of the crucial settings for Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. This evening there will be a dinner at the hotel followed by a one-man performance by Robin telling the story of the Edinburgh Villain – ‘Deacon Brodie – Craftsman, Councilor and Thief’.

Day 3: Scottish Portrait Gallery, The Georgian House And Walking Tourplease Note:

Location: Edinburgh

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we will explore Edinburgh by coach and on foot through the settings of Alexander McCall Smith’s novels and scenes from Trainspotting (Irvine Welsh). Robin will also take us to see the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens and The Mound before we arrive at the Scottish Portrait Gallery to explore the superb gallery of Scottish figures. After lunch (not included) there will be a panoramic tour by coach of Calton Hill, St. Andrews House and time permitting a view of Arthurs seat from Holyrood Park. The next stop will be the Georgian House. Enjoy a visit to this elegant 18 th Century house that shows off the magnificence of life in the city during the period.  En route back to the hotel we will stop at the Oxford Bar (external view only) to hear about its history and links to Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus. Return to the hotel for approx. 17.00.

What's Included

  • Two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton Edinbiurgh Airport based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room

  • Welcome reception

  • First night private evening three-course dinner with wine and talk

  • Second night dinner and one man performance by Robin Cairns

  • All talks, guided tours, entrance fees and escorted coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary

  • Tour managers Robin and Karen Cairns throughout

What's Not Included

  • Transport to the hotel is not included

  • Double for sole use supplement

  • Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis

  • Holiday insurance

  • Meals other than those stated

  • Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc

  • Porterage and gratuities

Mode of Transport

Transport to the hotel is not included. All talks, guided tours, entrance fees, and escorted coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary are provided. The tour includes walking tours and coach transfers to various literary sites in Edinburgh.

Accommodation

The four-star Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport is outside of the city centre but close to all sites included on this tour and visited during the itinerary. The hotel provides an indoor pool, spa, fitness centre plus a restaurant and bar. Bedrooms are comfortable with en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Car parking is available at the hotel at a cost of £16 per day which is payable directly to the hotel. If arriving from the airport, the hotel provides a free shuttle bus to the hotel.

MORE INFO

Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel. You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.

The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour package includes a welcome reception, a private evening three-course dinner with wine and talk on the first night, and dinner with a one-man performance by Robin Cairns on the second night. Breakfast is also included for both mornings.

  • What is the itinerary for the third day of the tour?

    On the third day, the tour includes a coach and walking tour of settings from Alexander McCall Smith’s novels and scenes from Trainspotting, visits to the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens, The Mound, and the Scottish Portrait Gallery. After lunch, there will be a panoramic coach tour of Calton Hill, St. Andrews House, and a view of Arthur's Seat from Holyrood Park, followed by a visit to the Georgian House and a stop at the Oxford Bar.

  • What is the itinerary for the second day of the tour?

    On the second day, the tour starts with a visit to Edinburgh Castle, followed by a walk down the Royal Mile with stops at the Writers Museum, the Heart of Midlothian Mosaic, the statue of David Hume, and St. Giles Cathedral. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, a walking tour of literary sites, and a visit to Rosslyn Chapel. The day concludes with dinner at the hotel and a one-man performance by Robin Cairns.

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes two nights' bed and breakfast at the four-star Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room. The hotel offers amenities such as an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant, and bar.

  • What time does the tour start on the first day?

    You can arrive independently at the Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport from 15:00. The welcome reception and first evening dinner/talk will commence at about 18:00.

  • What activities are included in the tour?

    The tour includes visits to Edinburgh Castle, the Writers Museum, St. Giles Cathedral, the National Museum of Scotland, Rosslyn Chapel, the Scottish Portrait Gallery, and the Georgian House. It also features walking tours of key literary sites, a panoramic coach tour, and a one-man performance by Robin Cairns.

  • Is transportation to the hotel included?

    No, transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package. However, the hotel provides a free shuttle bus from the airport.

  • Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?

    Yes, additional costs not covered by the tour package include transport to the hotel, double for sole use supplement, extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, porterage, and gratuities.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.

  • Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?

    Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.

  • Where does the tour manager meet us?

    In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.

Reviews of this operator

Bron Ouni (Google Reviewer)  

Lovely hotel in Ripley near...

31-Aug-2019

Lovely hotel in Ripley near Winsor the Royal Tour looks amazing unfortunately due to a severe knee injury i had to miss most of the tours. Susanna Lipscombes talk on Henry VIII was fascinating highly recommend this tour also thank you to the Travel Editions staff so helpful

Adrian O'Connell (Google Reviewer)  

A Secret War Tour beyond...

29-Oct-2022

A Secret War Tour beyond Outstanding! I have been on many, many battlefield tours over the years but this Secret War Tour with Travel Editions was truly outstanding. Well ahead of the rest and then some. I thought I knew what to expect but my expectations were greatly exceeded. Why? Because everything about it reeked of quality. We stayed in a superb hotel half board, had a comfortable coach with a superb driver, thank you, Oskar! And the tour guide was superb, warm, friendly and highly professional (am I allowed to mention your name, Yvonne?). The guest speakers were the very best available, bar none, and the locations visited left one with a feeling of awe and wonderment. They just could not have been better. So much was packed into the programme that it took me four days to recover! This was a Secret War Tour beyond expectations and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Thank you Travel Editions!

Ed Jacob (Google Reviewer)  

Recently went on a tour...

18-Oct-2023

Recently went on a tour with Travel Editions —what an amazing experience! The tour was well-planned, and the team ensured everyone, regardless of age, had a fantastic time. Highly recommend for an enriching travel adventure!

Liam Butler (Google Reviewer)  

My mother has been a...

26-May-2020

My mother has been a regular customer of Travel Editions. She's always rated this company and has encouraged her friends to also book with them. However, her trip to The Netherlands was cancelled because of Covid 19. I accept that this is not the fault of the company but the way they've dealt with my mother is appalling. They accept that she is due a full refund of the money she's paid and that it is their legal obligation to do so. However, the Managing Director, Ed Coventry has made it clear he intends to break the law and is refusing to refund my mother. Please note, this company is still taking bookings and deposits from new customers on their website and it seems to be the case that if the holiday cancels because of Covid 19, they refuse to return your deposit even though you should be refunded.

Anthony While (Google Reviewer)  

Breaking the law. I would...

17-Sep-2020

Breaking the law. I would like to echo the remarks made by other recent reviews, (see review "My mother has been a regular customer of Travel Editions") This company has broken the law, its contractual obligations, and its word, by refusing to make refunds for cancelled tours until March 2021. It is therefore not to be trusted. I am hoping that the recent ruling against TUI will make them change their minds but I doubt it.

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Friday - Sunday

Oct 04, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024
$729 $695

Travel Club discount: -$35

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