Pre and post Congress tours

Pre and post Congress tours The Royal College of Midwives will be making special arrangements for pre and post Congress tours.

Sunday June 1: Tour of Glasgow, City of Culture
(Morning only £12.00 per person excluding lunch)

Special Price for all Congress Delegates. Before the Congress begins, this is an ideal opportunity to become familiar with the host City, by coach and with guide. A panoramic city coach tour of Glasgow and the West End. Your guide will identify the historic Cathedral and Merchant City, the Georgian grandeur of Blythswood Square, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the University Campus. Then it's off across the River Clyde to the world famous Burrell Art Collection in Pollok Country Park. Back in time for the Multi Faith Celebration and Opening Ceremony.

Option 1: Loch Lomond with Cruise & Distillery visit.
(One day for £68 per person including coffee & two course lunch)

First stop of the day will be Morning Coffee at beautiful Cameron House on the Shores of the Loch and then head for the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. On to Tarbet and board the waiting vessel for a cruise Lunch at the Inversnaid Hotel in Aberfoyle and finish with a glass of malt whisky on a VIP visit to Glengoyne Distillery.

Option 2: Braveheart Country plus Stirling Castle and Falkirk Wheel.
(One day for £46 per person excluding lunch)

This tour heads for the east coast and the village of South Queensferry, overlooking the Firth of Forth. Coffee at the Hawes Inn, associated with Robert Louis Stevenson then to Linlithgow where Mary, Queen of Scots was born in 1542. Arrive at the Falkirk Wheel for a private tour: this is the UK's largest canal restoration project and the Wheel is the spectacular centrepiece of the £84.5 million 'Millennium Link'. Then, continue North and onto the spectacular Stirling Castle, sitting high on its volcanic rock.

Option 3: St Andrews, Home of Golf.
(One day £38 including lunch)

Journey across the Forth Road Bridge, enjoying views of the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge, into the Kingdom of Fife. Then along the scenic coast calling at either Pittenweem or Anstruther, two of the area's most picturesque fishing villages also noted for the best "Fish & Chips" in Scotland. First stop at St. Andrews will be the Heritage Golf Factory where guests will have the chance to see how golf clubs were through the ages. Lunch at the Dolls House brasserie, serving local produce, before a leisurely afternoon in the city, with tips from your guide on where to go and what to see.

Option 4: Glasgow, City of Culture...And Shopping!
(One day £14 per person excluding lunch)

A leisurely coach tour and a panoramic city tour of Glasgow and the West End! Your Guide will highlight the historic Cathedral and Merchant City, the Georgian grandeur of Blythswood Square, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the University Campus. Then it's off across the River Clyde to the world famous Burrell Art Collection in Pollok Country Park. On return to the City Centre, guests will leave the coach behind and complete the rest of the city tour on foot.

Finish up on Buchanan Street - the perfect place to shop until you drop! There are banks of escalators, glass-sided lifts and baroque stairs at the fantastic Princes Square. Even if you don't intend to shop there (the shops are at the luxury end of the market), the development is worth a look!

Option 5: Burns Country and the West Coast
(One day £42 per person excluding lunch)

A visit to the seaside resort of Troon with its wide beaches, Open Championship golf course and vast marina is a genteel start to the day. Then on to the home of one of the World's most loved poets, Robert Burns, and the museum with its collection of unique artefacts and memorabilia. Like a storybook castle, Culzean Castle stands on a cliff with superb views across the sea to the mountains of the Island of Arroyo. You will be able to view the castle's fine paintings and furniture, and the Robert Adam masterpiece, the Oval staircase. The spectacular estate offers a voyage of discovery, including the walled garden and the Victorian vinery.

Option 6: A Day in Edinburgh; Scotland's Capital City
(One day £60 per person including lunch)

The drive to Edinburgh takes in the view of Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. A stop at south Queensferry for morning coffee & shortbread is followed by a tour of Hopetoun House. The City tour starts with the sweeping crescents of the Georgian New Town, and then the historic Royal Mile. The highlight of the day is a visit to Edinburgh Castle, followed by a rustic pub lunch on the Royal Mile. Free afternoon for shopping or more sightseeing.

Option 7: Inverness and Scottish Highlands - 3 Days
(£100 per person based on twin occupancy, single supplement £25pp)

Day One: Monster Spotting: travelling from Glasgow to Glen Coe, Scotland's most famous Glen and then onto the striking scenery of Fort William. Loch Ness is the overnight stop and an opportunity to search for 'Nessie' the world reknowned Loch Ness Monster. Overnight in Inverness.

Day Two: An excursion to Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite Army was defeated, the last ever fought on British soil. Time for shopping or sightseeing and then on to the gentle Spey Valley. A stop at the popular Victorian resort of Pitlochry before heading homewards.

Option 8: Scotland Highlights - 3 Days
(£200pp based on twin occupancy, single supplement £50pp)

Day One: Details as for Post Congress Tour at Option 7 to Glen Coe with overnight stop at Inverness.

Day Two: On to one of the remotest areas of Scotland, the Applecross Peninsula. Across the Black Isle then the dramatic 2,000 feet climb over the Pass of the Cattle - the third highest road in Scotland. Spectacular seascapes and wildlife and a local heritage centre with the amazing history of the clearances.

Day Three: Details as for the second day of Post Congress Tour at Option 7 above to Culloden Moor and Spey Valley.

Option 9: Highlands and Skye - 3 Days
(£226pp based on twin occupancy, single supplement £50pp)

Day One: Details as for Post Congress Tour at Option 7 to Glen Coe with overnight stop at Inverness

Day Two: A full day excursion to the beautiful island of Skye by mini-coach. This includes a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, perched on its island with marvelous views of Skye from the ramparts.
Crossing by road bridge 'over the sea to Skye' and a visit to the beautiful gardens of the Clan Donald Centre before enjoying the dramatic scenery of the famed Cuillin Mountains. Time for some beachcombing before returning to Inverness.

Day Three: Details as for the second day of Post Congress Tour at Option 7 above to Culloden Moor and Spey Valley.

Note to delegates: all tours and prices are dependent on a minimum number of subscribers.
To book any of these tours, please contact Hello Scotland:
Telephone: 00 44 (0) 141 944 7224
Fax: 00 44 (0) 141 944 7320
Email: ICMCongress@helloscotland.com