Railtrail Main Brochure 2024

H arris & L ewis I sland D iscovery

NEW TOUR

Treat yourself to a new Railtrail tour offering the stunning experience of visiting the Outer Hebrides Island of Harris & Lewis. Discover an area of unspoilt natural beauty offering spectacular scenery, impressive mountain ranges, and miles of golden beaches.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Travel the glorious West Highland Line ★ Take a relaxing cruise on Loch Linnhe ★ Visit picture perfect Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye ★ Stroll along unspoilt, white sandy beaches ★ Glimpse whales, dolphins, and sea eagles as you cruise between outstanding island seascapes ★ Discover a birdwatcher’s paradise and view amazing island wildlife ★ Learn about the Hebrides unique and fascinating history spanning back 5,000 years ★ Explore the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris with expert local guides ★ Journey through the Cairngorms enjoying spectacular Highland scenery Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ Dinner every evening ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ Hotel Porterage DAY 1 We spend our first night in Glasgow at the contemporary Radisson Blu Hotel ideally located close to the central railway station. Spend time admiring Glasgow’s Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture or explore the city using the ‘Clockwork Orange’, Glasgow’s underground system, before our first dinner together this evening. (D) DAY 2 This morning we travel north on the stunning West Highland Line , admiring the watery landscapes of the Firth of Clyde and Gareloch. With scenery becoming ever more dramatic, we trundle beside Loch Long and skirt the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond before climbing into the western Highlands. At Crianlarich we continue northwards over Rannoch Moor towards our destination of Fort William . In the afternoon we enjoy a relaxing cruise on Loch Linnhe – a lovely sea loch – looking out for seals and porpoises, diving birds, and perhaps a golden eagle. Following our cruise, we return to the Onich Hotel for dinner. (B,D) DAY 3 After an early breakfast we continue our journey by private coach travelling through stunning Highland scenery passing the famous Eilean Donan castle on the way. As we reach the coast at the Kyle of Lochalsh we cross the marvellous Skye bridge, our entrance to the Western Isles. We travel via Broadford and over the famous Cuillin Hills to the capital Portree , where we enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon we travel the shores of Loch Snizort to Uig for our early afternoon ferry cruise to Tarbet on the Isle of Harris & Lewis . Our journey takes us past numerous lochans and beautiful beaches before we arrive at our base The Caladh Inn, Stornoway for the next two nights. (B,D) DAY 4 Today we explore the most northerly island of the Hebrides and the largest island of the Outer Hebrides. Lewis has a history that goes back thousands of years and ancient stone circles and standing stones can be found everywhere.We learn about the dramatic landscape on a

Fares From £1819

8 DAYS

Fort William

© Shuttersrtock

DEPARTS Wednesday 1 May 2024

full day tour in the company of our island guide, including the impressive standing stones of Callanish , a traditional thatched blackhouse settlement, and the ancient broch at Carloway , one of Scotland’s best preserved defensive structures dating back 2,000 years. (B,D) DAY 5 This morning we depart our hotel for our guided tour of the Isle of Harris & Lewis , a rugged landscape of moorland, deep-sea lochs, mountains, and a proud history. We meet with an expert local guide to explore Harris. We begin by travelling to the tiny island of Scalpay which is connected to Harris via a single-track bridge and is popular for fishing, diving, and walking. In the afternoon we visit the port of Ness and the butt of Lewis lighthouse, the most northerly point on the island. During the day we pass numerous unspoilt, white sandy beaches and some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the Western Isles.We arrive back at the capital Stornoway and our hotel in time for our evening meal together. (B,D) DAY 6 We depart the Hebrides this morning by ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool before our spectacular journey through to Inverness . We have a little free time in Inverness before boarding our train to Stirling , journeying through the glorious Cairngorms . We stay at the Stirling Highland Hotel for the next two nights. (B,D) DAY 7 We spend today relaxing in our hotel and exploring the stunning city of Stirling . Why not visit the impressive Stirling castle with its rich history. Stirling old town jail gives a fascinating insight into life inside the infamous correction facility or, for the more energetic, why not visit the famous national Wallace monument which offers amazing city views and the story of Scotland’s most famous son William Wallace. We reconvene for our final evening meal together. (B,D) DAY 8 We bid farewell to Stirling as we make our way homeward. (B)

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST* £2215 £2245 £2285 £2299 £2255 £2125 £2075 £2025 £1979 £2025 £2155 £2079 £1959

STANDARD

London: Out - Euston Rtn - Kings Cross Greater London South of England

£2019 £2039 £2075 £2075 £2059 £1969 £1955 £1935 £1915 £1915 £1989 £1949

East Anglia South West Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales Heart of England

HOTELS • Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow • The Onich Hotel, Fort William • Caladh Inn, Stornoway • Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling For further details of our Harris & Lewis Island Discovery hotels, please visit our website www.railtrail.co.uk Scotland £1899 £10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards Join & Leave at Hotels £1829 Single Room Supplement £480 *Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey. 7 nights’ bed, breakfast & table d’hôte evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described All excursions & admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel Porterage

Book now – online at www.railtrail.co.uk or telephone: 01538 382323

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