2014 World Rotary Curling Championships: Partners Programme


Monday 31 March 2014:– 09.30 to 13.00 hrs.
	Aberdeen City Showcase Travelling in a comfortable coach, you’ll drive from your hotel along the coast with panoramic views of the North Sea, miles of sandy beach, a short visit to the charming village of Footdee followed by a fascinating trip round Aberdeen Harbour, one of the busiest modern ports in Europe. Moving south and west, your itinerary now continues with a short drive along the tranquil River Dee with spectacular sights of an intriguing and distinct skyline before a welcome coffee stop at Duthie Park and the opportunity to visit the David Welch Winter Gardens Rejoining the coach you’ll head off through the bustling city centre with its many elegant granite buildings, visit Old Aberdeen, the home of the university (founded 1495) where the Chair of Medicine is the oldest in the English-speaking world. Moving on from the university area, your route takes you along the High Street - the commercial heart of the old city with its traditional market place - to the Chanonry with its stately houses and gardens and St. Machar Cathedral, one of the finest examples of a fortified church surviving in Western Europe. St. Machar’s, dating back to the 6^th century, houses a splendid heraldic ceiling and some fine stained glass windows, notably the ‘Saints’ Window’ at the west of the building generally regarded as the finest feature of the building with ‘a wonderful symmetry, strength and dignity’. Today’s tour with commentary by an award-winning Tourist Guide, gives an insight into this vibrant cosmopolitan city with its population comprising of around 40 different nationalities. www.aberdeencity.gov.uk
	St. Machar Cathedral	*Aberdeen* *skyline at sunset*	*His Majesty’s Theatre*
	09.30 09.30 to 11.00 11.00 11.00 to 11.45 11.45 11.45 to 13.00	Itinerary Depart Hilton Doubletree Hotel Tour of Aberdeen Beach / Walk round Footdee / Harbour /Riverside Drive / Duthie Park Arrive Duthie Park Coffee stop / Visit David Welch Gardens Depart Duthie Park Tour continues:- Aberdeen’s West End / city centre / shopping facilities / His Majesty’s Theatre / Marischal College / Gallowgate. Old Aberdeen – visit to St. Machar Cathedral / Return to Hilton Doubletree Hotel

Tuesday 1 April 2014: – 09.30 to 17.00
	Balmoral Castle - Ballater - Royal Deeside Balmoral Castle Travelling due west from Aberdeen your route this morning follows the winding path of the sparkling River Dee as you drive through superb wooded countryside and enjoy the delightful towns of Royal Deeside – Banchory, Aboyne, Ballater – as you head for this beautiful castle the Scottish home of the Royal Family deep in the Scottish Highlands. Looking out over a scenic landscape of outstanding beauty, Balmoral Castle was purchased by Prince Albert in 1852 and then adapted for his ever-growing family. There is much to discover in this magical setting - the ballroom with its paintings, artefacts and examples of the Royal tartan, the Carriage Hall Exhibition and a wonderful variety of walks, gardens and trails, many offering superb views of the surrounding countryside. After revelling in the peace and tranquillity of this magnificent estate, enjoy lunch and perhaps some shopping in the restaurant and gift shop. www.BalmoralCastle.com After an enjoyable visit to Balmoral in its magical setting you’ll retrace steps on Royal Deeside to Ballater with all its Royal connections. Here you’ll have time to browse among the local retail outlets - many with Royal Warrants - and visit Ballater Station where you can step aboard Queen Victoria’s Royal Train and feel like Royalty. As a town Ballater profited from the tourist boom instigated by Queen Victoria’s purchase of Balmoral. Due to the Queen’s desire for peace and privacy, the railway terminus was the town of Ballater thus affording the local residents glimpses of the comings and goings of royalty, Prime Ministers and other VIPs. Today it remains a much visited town not only because of its location but also the fascinating shops, exhibitions and general ambiance. www.royal-deeside.com An award wining ‘Blue Badge’ tourist Guide will accompany you during this tour
	*Balmoral* *Castle*	*Deeside in spring time*	*Royal Deeside*
	9.30 09.30 to 11.15 11.15 to 12.30 12.30 to 14.00 14.00 14.00 to 14.30 14.30 to 15.30 15.30 15.30 to 17.00 17.00	Itinerary Depart Double Tree Hotel, Aberdeen Transfer from Aberdeen to Balmoral Castle Visit to Balmoral Ballroom / grounds / exhibitions Lunch at Balmoral / Shopping Depart Balmoral Castle Transfer from Balmoral Castle to Ballater Leisure time in Ballater Depart Ballater Transfer Ballater to Aberdeen via North/South Deeside Roads Arrive Double Tree Hotel, Aberdeen

Thursday 3 April 2014:-:09.30 to 17.30
	Johnstons of Elgin - Glengarioch Distillery Johnstons of Elgin Travelling north from Aberdeen your route today heads towards Huntly and Elgin through entirely different countryside from Royal Deeside earlier in the week – a gentler landscape of rounded hills, woodland, rich agriculture and fast flowing salmon rivers. Elgin, closer to the Moray coast and on the banks of the River Lossie, has been a Royal Burgh since the 12^th century and is now home to Johnstons a name synonymous with the finest quality luxury cashmere in the world. Today Johnstons is the only mill in Scotland where cashmere is totally transformed from fibre to the finished article. Here you’ll be able to see something of the manufacturing, browse in the superbly appointed shop for that special cashmere sweater, or stroll over to the Courtyard and Heritage Centre and Home & Gift shop to choose from the excellent range of throws, blankets, rugs and cushions and so much more in the Johnstons’ Home Collection. Johnstons is also your lunch stop today and you’ll have the chance to relax in the bright, airy coffee shop and enjoy a menu of tempting Scottish cuisine choosing from homemade soups, fresh salads or perhaps some award-wining salmon. www.johnstonscashmere.com Glengarioch Distillery As you wend your way back towards Aberdeen your route takes you south to the historic town of Oldmeldrum and Glengarioch Distillery, a small granite distillery named after the valley of the Garioch, traditionally one of the best barley growing areas in Scotland. For more than 20 years, Glengarioch Distillery has been producing a beautiful range of single malt scotch whiskies acclaimed worldwide. Here after an opportunity to view the AV presentation on the distillery’s background enjoy a tour starting in the original cooperage where casks were built and then on through the distillery to discover first hand the traditional art of distilling. This tour will undoubtedly whet your appetite for a ‘dram’ and ‘nosing’ session before browsing in the distillery shop where you’ll find lots to tempt you. www.glengarioch.com An award-winning ‘Blue Badge’ Tourist Guide will accompany you on today’s visits.
	*Glengarioch Malt Whisky*	Traditional Shortbread	Snow in Springtime
	09.00 09.00 to 11.00 11.00 to 14.00 14.00 to 15.45 15.45 to 17.00 17.00 to 17.45 17.45	Itinerary Depart Hilton Doubletree Hotel Transfer from Aberdeen to Johnstons of Elgin Chance to explore / tour factory / shop / lunch Transfer from Johnstons to Oldmeldrum and Glengarioch Distillery Distillery Tour / Shop Transfer from Oldmeldrum to Aberdeen and Double Tree Hotel Arrive at Double Tree Hotel