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Our tour is based in Aberdeenshire and Moray, a magnificent and unspoilt part of North-East Scotland, and an area rich in architectural delights. Foremost is the great concentration of romantic turreted tower houses, dating from mediaeval times to the 16th century, known for their excitingly varied silhouettes and their rich Renaissance plasterwork and painted ceilings. Such are Crathes, Craigevar, Fyvie and Monymusk. The tower theme continues into the early 18th-century with the dramatic Baroque splendour of William Adam’s Duff House, and in the 19th century is revived in the castellated Gothic of Drumtochty Castle and superbly sited Castle Forbes. By contrast, Haddo House (1732) is a restrained classical Palladian country house, with Adam Revival interiors. Many of our visits will be to private houses, some like Arbuthnott House, still in possession of the same family since the 12th century. Here the plaster ceilings are some of the finest in Scotland. Most houses have important contents, such as Kemnay, where the original 18th-century furniture survives together with the related furniture bills, whilst Fyvie holds a magnificent collection of Old Master paintings and works of art.
Important historic gardens to be visited include the rare Renaissance garden of Edzell, the restored Victorian gardens of Haddo and the outstanding early 20th-century gardens of Crathes, whilst Castle Forbes is set in a magnificent landscape park with spectacular views.
In June the countryside is at its most beautiful and we shall enjoy spectacular drives through the mountains and moors of the Cairngorm National Park.
Tour Leaders
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The tour will be led by the distinguished author and historian, Dr David Jones, formerly lecturer in Furniture History at St Andrews University, who has an intimate knowledge of the area.
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 Vikki Duncan, MA, MLitt, National Trust Curator for the North and North East regions will accompany our private visits to National Trust houses.
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 Barbara Peacock MA FRSA is founder and director of the long-established Wessex Fine Art Study Tours and has led numerous successful tours in Britain and overseas. Her particular interest is the country house and its associated historic landscape. She lectures internationally for organisations such as the National Trust, the Art Fund and the Arts Society.
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The Full Programme
Download the brochure for full details of the daily schedule, visits, costs, how to book and terms and conditions.
Hotel
We shall be based at the charming Macdonald Pittodrie House Hotel**** near Inverurie, one of Scotland’s most historic hotels. Situated about 20 miles from Aberdeen in 2,400 acres, it has stunning views of the surrounding countryside, lovely rooms all with views and a fine restaurant (AA rosette).
Booking and Fees
The 7-day tour, limited to 22 participants, will cost £2545 per person in a twin-bedded or double room, £350 single supplement. This will include accommodation B/B/D for 6 nights, most lunches, all coach transport, entrance fees and gratuities, detailed course notes and the services of the lecturers.
A £200 deposit guarantees your place on the tour, with the balance of the course fee payable by 15 April, 2022.
The cost does not include travel to the Hotel.
Travel
We recommend arrival in the early afternoon June 12. British Airways and easyJet operate flights to Aberdeen. Airline tickets can be obtained on-line or through your local travel agent or through WEXAS Travel. Contact Alex Crosby at Alex.crosby@wexas.com 0207 251 7437 (add £27 booking fee). The BA flight schedule is available in late June 2021. We will return participants to Aberdeen in time for an afternoon flight on 18 June. Further flight information will be posted here, as and when it becomes available.
Registration will begin at 4 pm. Please allow plenty of time for transfer and checking in.
Terms and Conditions
Cancellation charges are as follows:
56 days or more before start of course - loss of deposit
55 - 43 days before start of course - 50% of the total
42 - 29 days before start of course - 60% of the total
28 - 22 days before start of course - 85% of the total
21 - 0 days before start of course - 100% of the total
In the unlikely event of cancellation by WFASC, all course fees will be refunded.
It is a condition of booking that you arrange travel insurance to protect yourself against loss.
If exceptional Covid-related circumstances force the cancellation of the tour, WFASC guarantees a full refund of fees. In other cases of force majeure we regret no refunds can be made.
Coronavirus Safety
If Covid 19 is still an issue, we shall follow all the necessary procedures to keep you safe and will work with the Hotel and Coach company and all our venues to ensure your safety and wellbeing.
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