Want to go to Scotland?

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

For the last few years, the Monticello-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has hosted an annual trip to an international destination. This exciting fundraising event is made possible through a partnership with Collette Travel, and for every seven trips the Chamber sells, an eighth trip or the cost of an eighth trip is donated to the Chamber.
The Chamber is highly dedicated to furthering the interests of businesses and commerce ventures in Monticello, and they use their reach in the community to network and connect local businesses to new revenue, hosting events, organizing charitable fundraisers and increasing commerce traffic through the local economy. Although members of the Chamber benefit from their wide net of connections and affiliations, any individuals wishing to attend the annual trip do not need to be a member to sign up!
This October, the Chamber took a group of 29 individuals to Greece on an 11-day excursion. This trip featured three days in Athens, three days in Mykonos and three days in Santorini, and the price of the trip included round trip air fare from Tallahassee, 13 meals, tips and all transfers from island to island. Guests enjoyed the sights as well as the education of the trip, and their travels through the three cities included exciting ventures, including a Taverna dinner show, Acropolis, The Parthenon, Ancient Akrotiri, Oia Village, wine tasting and climbing a volcano! Katrina Richardson, executive director of the Chamber, says that the trip to Greece was everything the group could have hoped for, and excitement is building already for next year's trip, which will take passengers to beautiful Scotland.
“After our first trip, to Ireland, I asked the group where they wanted to go next,” says Richardson. “Scotland and Italy seemed to be the top picks. Italy is probably next,” she adds.
The Discover Scotland trip is going to be Aug. 13 through Aug. 22, 2023. They currently have 34 spaces reserved, and already many people have shown interest in the trip. Richardson says if there is enough interest and spaces get limited, the Chamber may opt to add a second group to the first.
The Discover Scotland trip is going to be an incredible experience. Here's what you can expect:
Your tour will open in Glasgow, Scotland’s Victorian city. You will begin your Scottish adventure with a visit to the National Piping Centre. After a demonstration and lesson with a renowned piper, you'll be given a chance to give it a go! Then, join your fellow travelers for a lively welcome-dinner at the Centre’s farm-to-table restaurant.
The following morning, you must bid Glasgow farewell as you travel to Loch Lomond, located in the Trossachs National Park, with its breathtaking scenery, and on to Fort William. Here you will visit one of Scotland’s renowned whiskey distilleries. Taste and see for yourself why Highland malt whiskey is considered the world’s finest. Admire the verdant green hills and mountainside waters as you arrive at your remote countryside hotel situated on lovely Loch Linnhe.
The next day, you will take a stunning drive along the “Road to the Isles,” past Eilean Donan Castle and over the Skye Bridge to the legendary Isle of Skye, also known in poetry and song as Eilean a' Cheò (The Misty Isle). Enjoy dramatic views of the Sound of Sleat. Afterward, visit Armadale Castle & Gardens and the Museum of the Isles to learn about island life and the history of Skye. Conclude your visit with views of the isle from yet another vantage point during a ferry crossing back to the mainland at Mallaig. Returning to Ballachulish along the same road, you will pass through Glenfinnan, where Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied the clansmen for battle during the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.
On the next day, you can look forward to enjoying stunning and unspoiled landscapes as you journey further into the Highlands. Travel through the Great Glen, famous for its many lochs (lakes). Visit the striking ruins of Urquhart Castle before enjoying a cruise on Loch Ness, one of Britain’s most scenic bodies of water. Keep your eyes open — you never know when Nessie will appear! Travel off the beaten path to Thurso, one of Scotland’s most remote towns on the North Coast. Embrace the rustic environment of the Scottish Highlands as you settle in for your 2-night stay.
The fifth day, you're going to want to grab your windbreaker; time for an adventure on the Orkney Islands. Ferry to this former Viking stronghold off the northernmost coast of Scotland, where artists admire the ever-changing clouds rolling across the sky like a time-lapse at double speed. On the crossing, you will feel the wind in your hair as you view the abundant bird life and, if you are lucky, porpoises and seals. A local guide introduces this ethereal place that few visitors to Scotland get to experience. Visit Skara Brae and discover the remains of a Neolithic village built at the same time as the Great Pyramids in Egypt. Continue on toward the prehistoric Standing Stones of Stenness, reported to be older than Stonehenge. You will then make your way through the town of Viking Kirkwall before returning to the mainland.
As you make your way back from the northern coast, you will have the chance to visit the majestic Dunrobin Castle which dates back to the 1300s. The castle is built in the style of a French château and is home to the Duke of Sutherland. Take in the breathtaking views as you drive along the windswept cliffs of Scotland’s east coast. Enjoy an overnight stay in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.
Begin the next day with a visit to a family-run farm set in the heart of the Highlands. See sheepdogs at work while surrounded by the mountain wilderness of Cairngorms National Park. Continue on to the vibrant Victorian town of Pitlochry for some time at leisure to explore on your own. End your day in Scotland’s capital city: Edinburgh. This evening, give traditional Scottish ingredients a modern twist. Enjoy a lively and interactive cooking experience at one of Scotland’s premier culinary institutions.
The next day, you will visit Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels. Then, it’s your choice! Choose to get acquainted with this regal capital on a locally guided tour of the Old Town and New Town via coach, or, for a different perspective you may join a local expert and explore the Old Town and Royal Mile on foot. Later this evening, take your seat at the spectacular, world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of Scotland's greatest events. The following morning, the tour of Scotland will come to a close and the group will return home.
If that sounds like a fantastic time to you, contact Katrina via email at info@monticellojeffersonfl.com with the subject, “Interested in Scotland.” There will be an informational meeting with the Collette representative, Jack Brinson on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023 at the Chamber, located at 420 W. Washington St.