Adventures by Disney {Scotland: Kelso – The Royal Treatment}

Today we ventured to the Scottish Borders where we spent the day at the stunning Floors Castle. I am very much loving my first Adult Exclusive Adventures by Disney vacation. Of course, I miss my boys, but I can now vouch for the fact that the adult departures and itineraries are just as perfectly designed as the family trips. But, I digress, here’s more about our ROYALLY fun day…

Adventures by Disney Scotland
Day 1: Edinburgh – Failte!
Day 2: Edinburgh – Wrapped Up in Edinburgh
Day 3: Kelso – The Royal Treatment
Day 4: Inverness & The Highlands – History of the Highlands
Day 5: Inverness – Monsters & Dark Waters
Day 6: Inverness – Alba gu brath
Day 7: Inverness – Caledonian Escapades
Day 8: Inverness – Turas Math Dhut!

The Scottish Borders

Before heading out to the Scottish Borders, we sat down to a lovely breakfast spread at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian. Then we boarded our motorcoach and set off on our 1 hour and 20 minute adventure.

Coffee and Tea Reception at Floors Castle

Our day began at Floors Castle with a delightful reception. Here, I quite thoroughly enjoyed the exclusive experience of being served tea and cookies by the Private Butler of the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, who call Floors Castle their home. Talk about the royal treatment!

Floors Castle Tour

Next we were off in two small groups, each with a private guide, to tour Floors Castle—the largest inhabited country house in Scotland—and its stunning gardens. Photos were not allowed inside, which I hate because this was the most elegant, current and welcoming castle we’ve see yet. You can tell a young modern family lives here!

Private Lunch in the Castle’s Courtyard Cafe

After our morning tour, we sat down in the Courtyard Cafe, open just for our party, for lunch. It was absolutely delicious and everyone raved about their meal.

Floors Castle Garden Tour

After lunch we set off with the head gardener and his assistant on a tour of the spectacular Walled Garden. I’ll be honest, before setting off this wasn’t something I thought I’d love. But, the head gardener was such a funny Scotsman with a great dry sense of humor and the tour was an absolute delight. In fact, most of our guides on this trip have had a similar personality – Disney does pick the best. :-)

Shortbread-Making Lesson

Next we retreated to the Castle’s Courtyard Café for a shortbread-making lesson taught by the Private Chef of the Duke and Duchess. I absolutely LOVE shortbread and was thrilled to try my hand at creating this buttery treat. In a castle. In Scotland. Taught by the Duke and Duchess’ private chef. EEK!

While the kitchen staff baked our creations, we had a little time on our own. We opted for hot tea and a scone!

On the drive back to Edinburgh we watched the old Disney movie Greyfriars Bobby. It was so cute and I love how Disney weaves the story together so compellingly! (Remember, we learned about Bobby yesterday.)

Privately-Guided Underground Edinburgh Tour

After a break at the hotel we looped back in with our fellow adventurers to discover the true stories of Edinburgh’s dark side tonight! On our privately guided tour we got a peek into the city’s ghostly past and a visit to the underground vaults of Old Town Edinburgh. It was such a fantastic tour, with a great mix of history, lore and spooks.

The underground vaults were so creepy and when I came back after and was looking at photos, I swear I see a the profile of a face in one – the bottom left corner of photo two.

The Edinburgh Vaults, also known as the South Bridge Vaults and even as the Blair Street Underground Vaults are located on Blair Street, Edinburgh. The construction of South Bridge started in 1785, when the 19 arches to support it were built. The vaults, chambers and tunnels underneath it were walled in and sectioned off the descending levels. By 1788, when South Bridge was officially opened, approximately 120 vaults, or rooms, were ready. From workshops to wartime shelters, from illicit whisky stills to the bodysnatcher secret stores, here you discover what life underground was like 200 years ago.

The Witchery

At the historic heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Witcher takes it name from the hundreds of women and men burned at the stake as witches on Castlehill during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It is reputed that more witches were put to death on Castlehill during the reign on James VI than anywhere else in Scotland. The area around The Witchery by the Castle remains steeped in history, and dining in the restaurant is a magical experience!

All About Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney are expertly planned and guided group tours visiting over 40 destinations across 7 continents.  You can visit the world’s most iconic locations with Disney as your guide and your storyteller, and enjoy experiences, activities, dining and adventures in a way that only Disney can do.  This is not a theme park tour with Mickey Mouse and popcorn buckets.  These are trips around the world where you experience the service and VIP treatment that Disney is known for. 

Now Booking through 2024! Here are just a few of the destinations you can visit with Disney:

• AFRICA – Egypt & South Africa
• ASIA PACIFIC – Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia
• CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA – Costa Rica, Galápagos Islands, Peru
• EUROPE – British Isles, Poland / Austria / Czech Republic, England and France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal, Sicily (NEW!), Spain
• NORTH AMERICA – Alaska, Canadian Rockies, Disneyland® Resort and Southern California, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona / Utah, New England

There are so many ways to follow along on our trip and see why I am so passionate about Adventures by Disney!

• What Makes AbD SO Special – blog post here
• Private AbD Facebook Group – join me here
• Dixie Travels Business Page on Facebook – like it here
• Dixie Travels Instagram – follow here
• My Germany AbD Trip Report – read on here
• My Montana & Wyoming AbD Trip Report – read on here
• My New England AbD Trip Report – read on here
• My Italy & Switzerland AbD Trip Report – read on here
• My Scotland Adult Exclusive AbD Trip Report – read on here

If you’re ready to learn more, I’d LOVE to talk your ear off about YOUR adventure! :-) My job is to handle all of the details so you can enjoy the anticipation of your trip without the stress and time commitment of “figuring everything out”.  I am one of very few travel advisors that personally travels with Adventures by Disney – having taken FIVE different trips in just 6 years – and can guide you every step of the way.  On top of that, family vacations are expensive and my experience and attention to detail make it possible to get the most out of your vacation dollars.  Best of all, booking through me does not cost one cent more than doing it on your own. 

DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED