A break to Loch Lomond
The village of Drymen, near Loch Lomond in Scotland, was the recent base for 77 people from Essex-based Shirley Tours. GTO Shirley Ward explains, “We stayed at the Winnock Hotel, an 18th century Best Western hotel, where I have taken a group before, and the establishment provided excellent food, good service, a free bar each night, packed lunches and nightly entertainment including a talk on Rob Roy. We even had our own dining room, complete with ballroom.”
During the 5-day break, the group packed plenty in including a boat trip on Loch Lomond with Sweeney’s Cruises. “I had the whole boat just for my group and it was a relaxing outing, which gave us lovely views of the Loch,” says Shirley.
The chance to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia was also enjoyed by nearly all of Shirley’s group and she comments, “I found the attraction fascinating and we should have allowed more time.”
Another highlight was a visit to Drummond Castle Gardens near Crieff. “We had paid for a private visit so we had the gardens all to ourselves and they were beautiful and tranquil,” states Shirley.
She continues, “My thanks to Wiltshire-based Success Tours, who organised the trip for me and also helped arrange for one of my members who had a fall to return a week after the rest of the group with his wife. Throughout our stay, we were accompanied on our excursions by two excellent Scottish guides and thanks also to my group, who are lovely. I enjoyed the holiday and I know they did too!”