tours – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

What’s On at National Museums of Scotland

LISTINGS

Exhibitions & displays
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania
Until 14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free

Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Rising-Tide

Uniquely Scottish Silver
Until 26 May 2024
Grand Gallery
Free

Uniquely Scottish Silver brings together five distinct Scottish silver object designs: mazers, quaichs, thistle cups, ovoid urns and heart brooches.

Discover some of the earliest and rarest survivals within the Scottish silver smiths’ craft.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Uniquely-Scottish-Silver

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024
20 Jan – 6 May 2024
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Ticketed

In this world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, see exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

Book now nms.ac.uk/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year

Events
National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Morning Curator Tour: Rising Tide
1 & 9 Nov
09:15-10:00
Ticketed

On a tour which takes place before the museum opens to the general public, join the exhibition’s curator, Dr Ali Clark, as she delves into the stories behind the exhibition and explores innovative and artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.

Book now nms.ac.uk/morning-curator-tour

Annual Open Evening
23 Nov
18:00 – 19:30
Free, booking required

Join us for the Annual Open Evening to find out more about our collections, the work that we do, and to hear about our plans for the future across all our museums. The event will be hosted by Ian Russell, our Chair, and Dr Chris Breward, our Director.

Book now nms.ac.uk/annual-open-evening

Curiosity Club
25 Nov – 24 Feb 2024
10:30 – 12:00
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)

Unleash your creativity and curiosity topic each month, we’ve captured some of the museum’s most exciting and child friendly collections and themes, for kids to explore through games, activities, and visits to some of our most interactive galleries.

Book now nms.ac.uk/curiosity-club

Traditional Tunes for Tiny People: St Andrew’s Special
29 Nov
11:00-11:40 & 14:00-14:40
Level 1, Kingdom of the Scots Gallery
Free, booking required

Bring your wee ones to celebrate St Andrew’s Day with music and stories. Join musicians Roo and Neil for live music and storytelling. Through fiddle, accordion, and voice, Roo and Neil will lead an interactive and fun performance, specially designed to introduce traditional Scottish tunes, stories and songs to young children and their families.

Book now nms.ac.uk/traditional-tunes-st-andrews

Sensory Sunday: Arctic Animals
03 December
10:30-12:00
Level 4, Studio 2, Learning Centre
Free, booking required

Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families.  Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun and hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating.

You are welcome to come and go at any point during a session. These sessions are suitable for children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities. The content is aimed at ages 5-10 but is not set – we welcome all families who think they might enjoy these sessions

Book now nms.ac.uk/sensory-sunday

Magic Carpet Minis
Until 20 Dec
10:30 & 14:00 (Wednesdays)
£15 per child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.

Book now nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet-minis

Friday Friends
Until 28 Jun 2024
Selected Friday afternoons
14:00 – 16:00
Free, pre-booking required

Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families. The groups meet monthly and explore the themes of the museum through objects, music, art and activities.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/friday-friends

National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Bugs and Beasties Trail
Until 17 Nov
Outdoors
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Find big bugs and beasties, and learn some fun bug facts, on your way to our working farm.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/bugs-and-beasties-trail

Festive Weekend
09 – 10 Dec
10:30 – 15:00
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Celebrate the festive season at the National Museum of Rural Life with family-friendly crafts and live music.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/festive-weekend

Traditional Tunes for Tiny People
09 – 10 Dec
10:30 – 11:15 & 11:30-12:15
Theatre
Adult with one child (under 5) £5
Additional (under 5) £3

Get into the festive spirit with traditional live music sessions for under-fives and their adults at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Book now nms.ac.uk/traditional-tunes

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

Only way is up as Port of Leith Distillery project completes

Whisky fans are invited to scale new heights as the UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith, opens its tour bookings and reveals first-look images of the finished interior ahead of opening to the public on Wednesday October 11th.

More than a decade since the ‘pipe-dream’ idea was first conceived by wine merchant Ian Stirling and finance director Paddy Fletcher over a dram in Milroy’s whisky bar, London, the £12m nine-storey distillery is complete and ready to welcome visitors.

Bookings are now live for Port of Leith’s tour and tasting experience, with tours running 12-8pm Wednesday to Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturdays and 12pm-5pm on Sundays.

Over the course of 90 minutes fans will be guided through the story of the distillery’s unlikely conception, fill their own miniature bottle of new make spirit and taste their way through the distillery’s production process in its purpose built Quality Control Tasting Laboratory.

Reservations are now also available for the top floor mezzanine bar, also opening on October 11th, a one of a kind space boasting panoramic 360 views over the city, a floor to ceiling back whisky bar and a menu of small plates designed to showcase Scotland’s world class ingredients.

Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Port of Leith Distillery said: “Building a distillery of our own has been an ambition of Paddy and mine for over 10 years so to see the project finally come to fruition is a surreal moment for us.

“We never set out to build a vertical distillery – the shape and size of the building is a product of the tiny site we were able to secure. We wedged our distillery tower into Edinburgh’s historic harbour to make our building as accessible as possible to people who, like us, love whisky.

“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the Port of Leith tour as special as we possibly can and look forward to welcoming fans across the globe to a whisky experience like no other.”

Port of Leith is set to be the biggest tourist attraction to be built in Leith for decades, with a projected 25,000 visitors in its first year, increasing to 160,000 by 2025.

Paddy Fletcher, Co-Founder of The Port of Leith Distillery added: “Coming from Edinburgh, we were always confused as to why there were no single malt distilleries operating in the city.

“Being able to build something modern and different has been an enormous treat; hopefully it will encourage people to take a second look at Scotch whisky as there’s huge amounts of innovation and excitement going on within the industry.”

The distillery is creating up to 50 long term local jobs, with the capacity to produce one million bottles of whisky per year.

Priced at £26 per person, Port of Leith Distillery tours will be available from Wednesday 11th of October. They can be booked online here.

The Port of Leith Distillery Bar can be booked separately online here.

National Museums Scotland: What’s On

Exhibitions & displays
   
National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

Beyond the Little Black Dress 
Until 29 Oct 2023 
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 
Ticketed (concessions available)

From design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, this exhibition deconstructs the little black dress and examines the radical power of the colour black in fashion. The exhibition will chart a century of fashion in a series of themed, immersive displays. Iconic early pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Jean Muir will be juxtaposed with recent looks by ground-breaking contemporary designers and brands like Gareth Pugh, Simone Rocha and Off-White. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Beyond-the-Little-Black-Dress

Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania
Until 14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free

Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This urgent issue is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic. Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Rising-Tide

Uniquely Scottish Silver
Until 26 May 2024
Grand Gallery
Free

Uniquely Scottish Silver brings together five distinct Scottish silver object designs: mazers, quaichs, thistle cups, ovoid urns and heart brooches. Discover some of the earliest and rarest survivals within the Scottish silver smiths’ craft.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Uniquely-Scottish-Silver

Events 

National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

Audio-Described Access Evening: Beyond the Little Black Dress
12 Sep
17:30 – 19:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Age 8+

Explore the Beyond the Little Black Dress exhibition supported by an audio-described tour of key objects, for those who are blind, partially sighted or visually impaired.

Book now nms.ac.uk/audio-described-access-evening

Film Screening: Fashion Reimagined
16 Sep
14:00 – 16:30
Auditorium, Level 1
Tickets £6 – £10
Age 14+

Join us for a screening of this 2022 documentary film following fashion designer Amy Powney of cult label Mother of Pearl, a rising star in the London fashion scene. Documentary Fashion Reimagined follows designer Amy Powney as she embarks on a three-year journey to create a sustainable clothing collection and transform the way we engage with fashion.

Book now nms.ac.uk/fashion-reimagined

Medieval to Modern: Animal Illustration Workshop
16 Sep
10:15 – 16:00
Studio 2, Level 4
Tickets £5 – £6
Age 16+

Join natural history artists Rebecca Jewell and Sandy Ross Sykes to create your own artwork in the style of a Medieval Book of Beasts, inspired by our Library Archives and Natural History collections.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Medieval-to-Modern

Maths in Motion: Family Fun
25 Sep – 1 Oct
10:00 – 17:00
Around the Museum
Free
Drop-in and ticketed activities

Discover Maths in Motion with our Maths Week Scotland family activities.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Maths-in-Motion

Magic Carpet: Maths in Motion Special
27 Sep
10:30 – 11:00 and 14:00 – 14:30
Grand Gallery, Level 1
Free with booking required

Bring your little ones for a fun session on the Magic Carpet exploring maths in motion. Discover shapes, numbers, time and more through songs, action rhymes, objects and sensory play. Suitable for children ages 2–4 and their adult helper.

Bookings open 4 Sep

Find out more nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet

In Conversation: Black British Design
27 Sep
19:00 – 20:30
Auditorium, Level 1
Tickets £6 – £10
Age 14+

Join Maria Casely-Hayford and Sequoia Barnes in a conversation exploring Black British fashion. Discover the trailblazing career of fashion designer Joe Casely-Hayford OBE in this conversation with Sequoia Barnes and Maria Casely-Hayford.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Black-British-Design

Fashionably Late
06 Oct
19:30 – 22:30
£16 – £22 including exhibition entry
Strictly 18+

Our legendary Museum Lates return in October restyled for one night only as Fashionably Late. Join us for an evening of fun, frolics and fashion in the beautiful setting of the National Museum of Scotland at night.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Fashionably-Late

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open daily 10:00 – 16:00

Brick Sundays
03 – 17 Sep
12:00 – 16:00
Free with museum admission

Inspired by our current Brick History display, each Sunday we will have a different build theme. Choose to make something inspired by the theme or build your own creation. For something a bit more energetic, take part in our speed build challenge and see if you can make it to the top of the champions’ board.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/brick-sundays

Doors Open Day 2023
23 & 24 Sep
10:00 – 17:00
Free

Visit the museum for free over Doors Open Days East Lothian weekend and learn about the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day. Immerse yourself in interactive galleries, supersonic experiences and our historic hangars and airfield.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/Doors-Open-Day

Brick History
Until 05 Nov
10:00 – 17:00
Free with museum admission

Journey through history in our latest LEGO display by brick artist Warren Elsmore and his team.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/Brick-History

Conservation Hangar Tours
Until 31 Mar 2024
Free with museum admission
Booking required

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with a guided tour and find out more about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Conservation-Hangar-Tours

National Museum of Rural Life   
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR  
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

MooFest
16 & 17 Sep
10:20 – 15:30
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Join us for a celebration of all things cattle at the National Museum of Rural Life.New for 2023, this weekend of cattle-inspired activities, talks and tastings for young and old alike.

Book your visit now nms.ac.uk/moofest

Adult Workshop: Natural Dyeing
23 Sep
10:15-16:00
Learning Centre
Age 16+
Tickets £50 – £55
Advance booking required

Join artist Elizabeth Viguie-Culshaw for a hands-on natural dyeing workshop at the National Museum of Rural Life using locally cultivated plants.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Natural-Dyeing

Lewis’s Scottish Adventure Trail
Until 6 Oct 2023
Trail
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Go on an adventure around the museum with a new family trail at the National Museum of Rural Life.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/lewis-s-scottish-adventure-trail

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789  

Tomorrow: Tram Welcome Party celebration at Heart of Newhaven

FRIDAY 23rd JUNE: 1 – 3pm

New For Spring 2023: Rabbie’s launches brand new tours departing from Bristol & Belfast

Award winning, small tour company Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) has announced two new departure points in the cities of Bristol and Belfast.

From these cites, new tours will explore all West England, Wales, and Northern Ireland has to offer, providing the opportunity for both the cities’ natives and visitors from the world over to explore the regions. The new tours start from April 2023 and are available to book now.

In their luxury mini-coaches, all Rabbie’s tours venture off-the-beaten path to show guests hidden gems, like Carreg Cennen Castle in Wales and Northern Ireland’s beautiful Lough Erne, without missing out on much-loved sights like Stonehenge and or Giant’s Causeway.

By venturing beyond the guidebook, Rabbie’s tours support the local economies of the places they visit, supporting family-owned restaurants, attractions, giftshops, hotels, and more.

Bristol provides the perfect point to set off and explore the far reaches of the Southwest and the unspoilt terrain of Wales. Natural wonders like Dartmoor National Park and the Wye Valley, as well as man-made sensations like Tintern Abbey await.

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast, is a vibrant and historically resonant city, and offers the perfect introduction to the stunning sights of the rich and diverse region, like the gorgeous Causeway Coastal Route and the hilltop fort Grianan of Aileach.

Tours departing from Bristol and Belfast start from April 2023 and include:

Four-day Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge tour from Bristol

A drive through Exmoor, a National Park which offers a mix of moorland, woodland, coast, and rivers is the perfect tour introduction. The road will take you to the clifftops of North Cornwall and the ruins of Tintagel Castle, famed for its links to King Arthur. The castle is a unique mix of fact, myth and natural beauty.

Explore Cornwall’s beloved St. Ives and walk along the cobbled streets of the idyllic fishing town before hitting the road and arriving at Land’s End.

Walk the rugged landscape of Dartmoor National Park and visit the rocky granite outcrops before enjoying the lively city of Exeter. Witness one of the UK’s most remarkable national landmarks, Durdle Door and visit Shaftesbury, a quaint English village over 1000 years old. Conclude this adventure at Stonehenge, one of the world’s most iconic sights and most puzzling mysteries.

Join Rabbie’s four-day Cornwall, Devon & Stonehenge tour from Bristol from £325 per person based on a 23 April 2023 departure.

Three-day Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakelands tour from Belfast

History, legend, culture, and nature all unite on this stunning tour that celebrates the very best of Northern Ireland. The Causeway Coastal Route is the perfect beginning to the tour. Driving from Belfast, the road winds past steep cliffs, ancient castle ruins and the magnificent Glens of Antrim.

Journey through the Dark Hedges, the haunting beech avenue that is over 300 years old and explore the wonders of Derry’s growing cultural and artistic scene. Take in the charming island town of Enniskillen and cruise on its beautiful Lough Erne.

Travel inland to the ecclesiastical city of Armagh to explore the two cathedrals dedicated to St. Patrick and taste the local ciders and legendary Irish Black Butter. Finally, walk the ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands and charming glens of the Hillsborough Castle.

Join Rabbie’s three-day Causeway Coast, Derry & Fermanagh Lakelands from Belfast from £299 per person based on a 1 May 2023 departure.

Other tours departing Bristol include:

The one-day Stonehenge & Cotswold Villages tour. A day out exploring myths, history, and the quintessential villages of the Cotswolds.
The one-day Flavours of Somerset & Glastonbury tour. Explore the flavours of Somerset, renowned for its cheddar cheese and cider, and marvel at the history and legends of Glastonbury.
The two-day Stratford–upon–Avon, Oxford & the Cotswolds tour. Discover Great Britain’s history as you explore the world-famous Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
The four-day South Wales, Cotswolds & Oxford tour. A coastal drive in the south of Wales. A medieval town with an interesting past. A photo-worthy mountain range. A book-lovers paradise. And much, much more.

Other tours departing Belfast include:

The four-day Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way. An escape to county Donegal famed for its wild, rugged coast and warm welcomes.
The six-day The Wild Coasts of the North. A combination of both of Rabbie’s Northern Ireland tours provide the ultimate Northern Ireland experience.

From April 2023, Bristol and Belfast expand Rabbie’s departure city options. UK and Ireland tours also depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester and Dublin.

For more information about Rabbie’s and to book, visit www.rabbies.com.

Enjoy 10% Savings on Guided Tours Across Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland

For a limited time only, award-winning, small-group tour specialist, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com), are offering a 10% saving for tours in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.

Rabbie’s mini-coach tours travel on mini-coaches and stay in hand-picked accommodation. Thanks to Rabbie’s expert drivers and guides, guests travel beyond the guidebooks, off the beaten map and on the trodden track, with every new trial uncovering the hidden gems of Europe’s finest destinations.

Guests can get 10% off of tours departing in April in Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland with the promo code EUAPRIL10 when booking before 14 February 2023.

Highlights include:

6-day The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer

This 6-day tour takes a roundtrip from Milan, visiting the beautiful Italian lakes and the impressive peaks of the Swiss Alps. Gain the best views of the shimmering Italian lakes with boat rides on the stunning Lake Como and the azure-blue Lake Maggoire. Ride into the heart of the Swiss Alps and face the imposing and iconic Matterhorn and journey to the mountain’s ‘base camp’.

Meet aspiring mountaineers and revel in an unforgettable view of a seemingly insurmountable mountain. Journey back in time with a visit to Chillon Castle, a mighty fortress that sits on the expansive shores of Lake Geneva before walking the trails of 72 waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen.

Conclude the adventure in the town of Bellinzona, a fortress town that once stood guide to the North of Italy, now a beautiful UNESCO World-Heritage site.

Join Rabbie’s Six-Day The Italian Lakes & Swiss Alps Explorer from Milan from €2,119 per person based on a 24 April 2023 departure.

6-day The Charms or Portugal & North West Spain

Journey to the edge of ancient Europe to discover the hidden gems of Portugal and the treasures of Spain on this 6-day tour. Soak up Portuguese history in the cities of Óbidos and Coimbra.

In Óbidos, walk quaint streets and navigate the imposing walls of the Moorish Castle before, in Coimbra, exploring the city’s 13th-century university, which is one of the oldest in the world. Next, select between indulging in the cuisine and cathedrals of Porto, or journeying through the heart of the Duoro valley before enjoying an evening rich with performances of Fado, Portugal’s live, emotionally-resonant music.

Summit Mount Espinho, by staircase or by elevator, to visit the famous neoclassical church atop the mountain before visiting Guimarãe, the ‘birthplace of Portugal’ and a famous UNESCO World-Heritage sight. Notorious for shipwrecks, ‘the Coast of Death’ is waiting to be driven along and admired before travelling to the ‘End of the World’ at Cape Finisterre, which offers incredible views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Be transported back to Roman times in Lugo and Las Médula; complete with city wall defences. Marvel at the golden landmarks of Salamanca’s Old Town and visit the home of Spanish royalty, El Escorial.

Join Rabbie’s Six-day The Charms or Portugal & North West Spain from Lisbon from €1,959 per person based on a 17 April 2023 departure.

For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.

Scotland’s secret snowy peaks are waiting to be discovered this New Year

While Europe’s ski resorts remain snowless, Scotland provides plentiful icy white peaks

Snowy peaks await in Scotland this new year with small-group tour specialist Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com). Snow is in rare supply across Europe, but on the stunning peaks across Scotland’s iconic mountain ranges, the white stuff is in good supply!

Europe’s snowless ski resorts have hit the headlines in recent weeks, but unbeknownst to many, snow can be found closer to home. Scotland enjoys the most snow in the UK and the nation’s mountain ranges are seasonally coated in snow, with the nation’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, covered all year round. Scotland’s secret snowy peaks are waiting to be discovered this year with Rabbie’s.

Highlights include:

2-day Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands Tour

On this 2-day tour, visitors will wander through the valleys and spy the icy heights of Scotland’s most beautiful mountain passages.

The majestic mountains at the wild heart of the Highlands are synonymous with Scotland and visitors will witness this wild beauty at Cairngorms National Park – here, snow-covered mountain tops await. After, warm up with a strong brew, or an even stronger whisky while exploring the streets of the Capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

Join Rabbie’s Two-Day Loch Ness, Inverness & the Highlands tour departing from Edinburgh from £115 per person.

3-day The Isle of Skye Tour

On this 3-day tour, visitors will visit Scotland’s most beautiful sights, oldest castles, and most iconic island.

The spectacular views of Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and Ben Nevis are the perfect introduction to this unforgettable tour, and this is all before the majestic Eilean Donan Castle.

You’ll also have the chance to explore the stunning Isle of Skye; the wonders of the Old Man of Storr and the pass of the Quiraing which come alive during winter, when Scotland’s mist and colder weather bring the myths and legends alive.

Join Rabbie’s Three-Day The Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh from £199 per person.

4-day Isle of Skye & West Highlands

On this 4-day tour, visitors will venture into a rich land of mountains, lochs, and legends. Learn the fascinating myths and tragic bloody past at Glencoe before admiring the impressive Glenfinnan viaduct, the famed route of the Hogwart’s Express.

During January, the snow-capped Cullin Mountains of Elgol are bound to take your breath away. Take in the beauty of Skye before visiting the famous stronghold, Eilean Donan castle.

Join Rabbie’s Four-Day 4-day Isle of Skye & West Highlands from £259 per person.

For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.

Step into Lord of the Rings’ Middle Earth on a Rabbie’s Tour

With the long-awaited Lord of the Ring’s prequel, The Rings of Power, transporting viewers back to Middle Earth on screen this autumn, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) is offering fans the chance to step into J. R. R. Tolkien’s beloved land and truly experience Middle Earth.

Inspired by Tolkien’s masterpiece The Lord of the Rings and its appendices, The Rings of Power is set thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, during the Second Age of Middle Earth. Peace reigns over Middle Earth, but darkness lurks on the horizon with the rising of the Dark Lord Sauron, the forging of the Rings of Power and the ever-growing rift between the races of elves and men.

A Land of Legends and Myths

J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendary work of fiction relies heavily on the seascape. The sea evokes feelings of loss, exile, longing and the immortal elves cross the western sea to the Undying lands at the trilogy’s end. Tolkien’s experience of the Cornwall Sea and the legend of lost lands under the sea inspired the great writer’s incredible imagination.

Head into the land of folklore with Rabbie’s five-day Devon and Cornwall tour. Explore ancient castle ruins and centuries old cathedrals and uncover the Arthurian legend that defines Cornwall.

Reach and trek along Land’s End and travel to the tidal island of St. Michael’s Mount. Experience a land written by legends and made by natural beauty on Rabbie’s five-day Devon and Cornwall tour, which departs from London three times per week with costs starting from £329 per person.

The Misty Mountains in the Misty Isle

The Lord of the Rings is famous for its beautiful realm of Middle Earth. From the stunning city of Gondor to the sleepy and hidden village of the Shire, to the dark lands of Mordor and the heights of the Misty Mountains. In Scotland the ‘Misty Isle’, travelers can walk into the mountains of Middle Earth and be inspired by the crumbling castles, dark lochs and haunting myths.

Travel into the land of legends, landscapes, and landmarks with Rabbie’s 3-day The Isle of Skye tour. Learn of bloody battles on Scottish soil and step into the past to explore centuries-old castles.

Keep an eye out for Britain’s most famous monster at Loch Ness and journey along the ‘Winged Isle’ of Skye. At the Old Man of Storr, where rocks spike out of the ground like daggers, learn of the legend Five Sisters of Kintail, and the local wizard who sought to preserve their beauty for eternity.

Rabbie’s three-day Isle of Skye departs from Edinburgh seven days a week with costs starting from £189 per person.

For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offering, visit www.rabbies.com.

Summer Day Trips to every corner of the UK with Rabbie’s

There has never been a better time to book an unforgettable day out with small-group tour provider Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com).

Rabbie’s has a wide range of day trips full of exploration and adventure. Whether you fancy roaming the Scottish Highlands, exploring ancient castles and lakes in England, or taking in the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, Rabbie’s tours are an excellent way to explore Britain in just one day:

Mythical, Magical Scotland

Scotland is a land defined by myths of monsters, legendary lochs, and majestic mountain ranges. Stories and landscapes that characterize the great nation are spread far and wide, up and down, and one would be forgiven for thinking that it would take weeks to see the true face of Scotland, let alone one day.

But on Rabbie’s Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands tour you really can explore the heart of Scotland in just one day. Learn the tragic history of beautiful Glencoe before visiting the monumental fault line Great Glen. Choose between a boat tour or leisurely stroll at world-famous Loch Ness and try to spot the legendary monster said to lurk beneath its surface.

Witness the wonderous Grampian Mountains and spot crumbling castles in Highland Perthshire. Rabbie’s one-day Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands tour departs from Glasgow seven days a week and costs from £57 per person.

Discover Hidden England

West England is a location of historical fascination. Built on the ruins of the past and defined by stones laid by people hundreds of years ago, join Rabbie’s to experience the rich history of this corner of England.

Rabbie’s Bath, Avebury & Lacock Village tour guides you through thousands of years of history in one day. Witness the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world in Avebury and ponder why the Neolithic inhabitants erected these mighty rocks. Stop off at Lacock Abbey, historically serving as a nunnery, bakery, brewery, and more recently Hogwarts on the silver screen!

Journey onwards to the beautiful ancient city of Bath and soak up the history as you walk the 2,000 year-old streets and visit the world-famous Roman baths. Rabbie’s one-day Bath, Avebury & Lacock Village tour departs from London, with prices starting at £62 per person.

Castles, Peaks and National Parks

Northwest England and Wales are renowned for their natural beauty and hidden treasures, but myths and legends of ancient Kings and frightening monsters too mark the land. In an area of the world where every turn offers a new fable or presents a stunning view, Northwest England and Wales is the land where imagination comes to life.

Rabbie’s one day Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester tour takes you to Conwy Castle, a stunningly preserved 13^th century fortress guarding a harborside town. Find the jagged peaks of Snowdonia National Park and learn the tale of how King Arthur slayed a giant on the mountainside.

Step into Chester, a medieval city that has been built using the stones of Roman, Medieval and Tudor towns, with an incredible cathedral. Rabbie’s one day Snowdonia, North Wales & Chester tour departs from Manchester throughout the summer from £45 per person.

For more information about Rabbie’s and its tour offerings, visit www.rabbies.com.

Tour Scotland’s Outlander history with Rabbie’s

This weekend the smash hit Outlander returns to our TV screens, and Scottish touring company, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) is offering fans of the historical drama the opportunity to visit some of its most famous filming locations.

Step aboard a luxury mini-coach and be transported to a fictional, mystical world.

Travel back with Claire to the Jacobite revolution on the Outlander Trail

Outlander first hit our screens in 2014, when millions of us watched Claire Fraser fall unknowingly into the violent world of 18^th century Scotland. Since then, she, and her soulmate Jamie, have adventured with Pirates in the West Indies and fought for survival in revolutionary America – but the show has never forgotten its Scottish roots, nor the dramatic wild highlands that inspired this story of rebellion and romance.

The Rabbie’s Outlander Trail sets off from Edinburgh and soon arrives at Culross, where cobbled streets lead to the historic Culross Palace.

This charming town posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir in Outlander, the home of Geillis Duncan and her ill-fated husband Arthur. Continue to the small town of Falkland where fans can relive the show’s first ever episode, recognizing familiar sights such as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouse and the Bruce Fountain, where Claire’s husband Frank first saw the ghost of Jamie.

Elsewhere, visit Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum, which houses replicas of 18th-century turf-roofed Highland crofts, which were used in the show’s earliest episodes.

After resting overnight in the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, Inverness, the tour visits Culloden, a town drenched in history as it sits not far from the Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on British soil.

Viewers watched Outlander’s Claire and Jamie say their tearful goodbyes here before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. You have the opportunity to explore the visitor centre and site, and pay tribute to those real soldiers who lost their lives fighting for their freedom.

On the third day of this Outlander adventure, guests visit the majestic Glen Affric, a beautiful spot with high mountains and dense pine forests. Landscapes like these were once the perfect hiding spots for Jacobite soldiers evading the English redcoats.

Next, travel along the entire length of Loch Ness to reach Glenfinnan, and the tall stone monument which proudly commemorates the beginning of the last Jacobite rising.

On your final day exploring the sites and scars of 18^th century Scotland, get ready to discover the iconic fortresses which projected power and dominance over the Highlands.

First up is Doune Castle, an extensive ruin that represented Castle Leoch, home of Colum and Clan MacKenzie in Outlander. Later it’s Blackness Castle (above), a heavily fortified stronghold perched on the shore of the Firth of Forth. Your final destination is Jamie’s lovely Lallybroch home – Midhope Castle.

An essential photo opportunity for fans of the show to remember their journey through locations synonymous with Outlander and Scottish history itself.

Prices for this four-day Outlander Trail start at £265 with the first tours departing in April. A one-day Outlander Adventure which visits Culross, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness and Midhope Castles and more departs during March, with prices starting at £46. Both tours depart from Edinburgh.

This isn’t the only tour offered by Rabbie’s which transports fans to their favourite fictional worlds:

Lacock Village has long been a favourite of Hollywood location scouts, and when guests step off the bus and explore the beautiful village they will soon see why.

Productions as diverse as Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and Pride and Prejudice have all been shot in this rural Wiltshire village.

Appropriately enough, the nearby Lacock Abbey was where William Henry Fox Talbot created the earliest surviving photographic negative in 1835, and kick-started popular photography!

The Abbey’s peaceful cloisters have since portrayed Hogwarts, and its antechambers doubled as the place that young Harry Potter stumbled upon the Mirror of Erised.

Visit Lacock, along with other gorgeous locations on the Bath, Avebury & Lacock Village tour departing from London. Prices start from £56.

As with all Rabbie’s tours, guests are transported in luxury 16-person mini-coaches and treated to the stories and services of a friendly-driver guide. The mini-coaches mean Rabbie’s tours can reach the smaller, independent destinations, ensuring your trips supports local communities and independent businesses.

To book a Rabbie’s Tour and for more information, visit www.rabbies.com.