TOUR FULL Midwifery in Scotland (FULL)

Itinerary at a glance

• Day 1: Edinburgh (Sat, 16 Sept) Arrive in Edinburgh and check into Ten Hills Place Hotel. Welcome dinner at the Snug.
• Day 2: Edinburgh (Sun, 17 Sept) By special arrangement we have a guided walking tour of Old Town Edinburgh and the historic buildings of the city with historian, Sheila Szatkowski, author of Enlightenment Edinburgh. Learn of the histories of the women scientists, doctors, midwives and nurses in Scotland. Visit the Birth Centre at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Optional whisky tour and dinner with whisky parings at the Whisky Experience.
• Day 3: Edinburgh / Inverness (Mon, 18 Sept) Drive to Inverness via a visit to the birthing centre in Perth. Hear a talk from Lindsay Reid, author of Midwifery in Scotland: A History and learn of the history of Scottish midwifery and maternity care, much of it based on oral histories, collected by Lindsay. Journey through the landscapes of the Cairngorms - home to lush forests, charming Highland villages, wild open spaces and an Arctic Mountain plateau - to Inverness. Check into the Mercure Inverness Hotel and have dinner at the hotel.
• Day 4: Inverness (Tues, 19 Sept) Visit Culloden Battlefield with a local expert on a battlefield tour of this atmospheric site. Following lunch by Loch Ness take a cruise on Loch Ness and visit the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle.
• Day 5: Inverness / Plockton (Wed, 20 Sept) Drive across the highlands via a visit to a small highland midwifery unit. Drive to Attadale and meet with the Lady Laird of Attadale House, Joanna MacPherson, one of a new breed of lady landowners challenging tradition in Scotland. Take a guided tour of the gardens followed by tea. Overnight at the Haven Guest House, located in the attractive coastal village of Plockton across the water from Skye. Fish and chips dinner by the sea.
• Day 6: Plockton and the Isle of Skye (Thurs, 21 Sept) Travel across the Kyle of Lochalsh to the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Skye. The largest of the Inner Hebrides islands, it is known for its dramatic landscapes. Visit the capital Portree and the attractive birthing unit there. Explore the dramatic landscapes of the Isle of Skye before returning to Plockton, which is known for its excellent seafood restaurants. The evening is at leisure to dine at one of the village’s many acclaimed restaurants.
• Day 7: Plockton / Inveraray (Fri, 22 Sept) An early start and travel down the west coast and see Eilean Donan Castle, situated on the small tidal island of Eilean Donan, where three sea lochs meet - Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. Continue to Glencoe and its visitor centre to explore and learn of its dark and tragic history. Onto to the pretty port of Oban and visit the midwifery led unit. There is the option of a whisky tour and tasting at the historic Oban Distillery or further explore Oban. Drive to Inveraray Inn on the shores of Loch Inveraray with dinner at the Inn.
• Day 8: Inveraray (Sat, 23 Sept) Visit Inveraray Castle, home of the Dukes of Argyll and the seat of the Clan Campbell sincethe 18th century. Take a tour of the castle, including the staterooms, armoury, kitchen and gallery. Explore the gardens, woods and parkland which extend to 180 hectares and form one of the most important designed landscapes in Scotland.At leisure. Dinner at the Inveraray Inn.
• Day 9: Inveraray /Glasgow (Sun, 24 Sept) Drive through the Trossachs National Park and along the shores of Loch Lomond. Stop at the lochside village Balloch and visit their midwifery-led unit. Arrive and check into the Glasgow Grosvenor Hotel. There is an optional visit to Glasgow Botanical Gardens, opposite the hotel. Farewell dinner in the evening.
• Day 10: Glasgow (Mon, 25 Sept) Option to visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Depart Glasgow.