Railtrail Annual Brochure 2018 UK

Scottish Highlands Steam & Malt Trail

N E W I T I N E R A R Y

The Western Highlands offer amazing views and this tour promises an action packed few days. Explore both branches of the West Highland Line, ride the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig, and visit two distilleries for a tour and a ‘wee dram’. Not forgetting a cruise on the steamship Sir Walter Scott on idyllic Loch Katrine and Drummond Castle’s famous gardens.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 Arrive in Tyndrum and transfer to our hotel for four nights, the Ben Doran Hotel, a Highland village with two stations, serving both branches of the West Highland Line. Tonight we enjoy our first evening meal together. (D) DAY 2 After breakfast this morning our coach transfers us to Fort William , in the shadow of Ben Nevis, through some of the country’s most dramatic scenery, mighty Glencoe . At Fort William we change onto the Jacobite Steam Train , which hauls the final leg of the West Highland Line northern branch past Loch Linnhe into breathtaking Glenfinnan and onwards towards Mallaig , with the Small Isles looming tantalisingly close offshore. After free time in Mallaig to sample the local catch, we make the return journey by steam to Fort William. Here we rejoin the stunning northern branch of the West Highland Line , with the railway taking a different route to this morning’s coach through terrain often inaccessible by road. As you cross Rannoch ★ ★ 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 ★ ★ Enjoy a day in the scenic Trossachs hills ★ ★ Cruise aboard the steamship Sir Walter Scott ★ ★ Explore both branches of the West Highland Line all their glory ★ ★ Travel through Glencoe to Fort William, returning over Rannoch Moor ★ ★ Reach Mallaig at the end of the northern branch by Jacobite Steam Train ★ ★ Pass through lochs and glens en route to Oban ★ ★ Explore Drummond Castle’s exquisite gardens ★ ★ Learn about the distilling process and have a ‘wee dram’ at the Oban and Glenturret distilleries Also included in your Tour Fare:

Fares From £545

Jacobite Steam Train

© N McNab

5 DAYS

Moor look out for Corrour Station, the highest mainline station in the UK, before our descent to Tyndrum. (B,D) DAY 3 Lochs, glens and malt await today, as we explore the western branch of the West Highland Line. After yesterday’s heather- framed wilderness, today is a contrast of quintessential Highland lochs and glens. Reaching Oban , we enjoy free time to explore the harbour and bay before a fascinating tour of the Oban Distillery , culminating in a ‘wee dram’. After the return journey past Loch Etive and the appropriately named Loch Awe , relax in our hotel’s Highland setting. (B,D) DAY 4 Today we head east to explore the Trossach Range by coach, enjoying a LochKatrine cruise on board the Steam Ship Sir Walter Scott . Our return journey to Tyndrum is punctuated with a visit to the Drummond Castle Gardens , considered amongst the finest formal gardens in Europe, and the Glenturret Distillery , where we learn about their Glenturret single malt, as well as the history of their Famous Grouse blend, culminating with two drams from their range. (B,D) DAY 5 Our hotel in Tyndrum bids “Haste ye back,” as we make our way home from the majestic Western Highlands. (B)

DEPARTS

Thursday 3 May 2018 Thursday 28 June 2018 Thursday 27 September 2018

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST STANDARD RC £860 £715 -£25

London: Euston Greater London

£905 £735 -£30 South of England £915 £755 -£30 East Anglia £925 £755 -£30 South West £885 £745 -£30 Heart of England £795 £675 -£25 Midlands £755 £665 -£25 Yorkshire £710 £645 -£20 North East £675 £625 -£15 North West £715 £630 -£20 South Wales £820 £695 -£25 North Wales £760 £660 -£25 Scotland £615 £599 -£10 Join & Leave at Hotel £545 JUNE & SEPTEMBER Departure Supplement £30 Single Room Supplement £85 4 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 and admissions as detailed Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager Hotel Porterage

HOTEL

The Ben Doran Hotel, Tyndrum Tyndrum is blessed with two stations, one serving each branch of the West Highland Line, whilst the Ben Doran is surrounded by forests and mountains views. The hotel’s sheltered 7 acre garden has lawns and lilyponds, and the restaurants and lounges are situated on the hotel’s upper floor, affording lovely views of the surrounding scenery.

Drummond Castle Gardens

SS Sir Walter Scott

© Adobe Stock

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

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