Railtrail Annual Brochure 2020

R omantic H ighlander 40 th A nniversary C elebration T our

Railtrail founder, Dave Felstead’s, very first railtour is revisited four decades on! A delightful tour inspired by the original 1979 BBC “Great Railway Journeys of the World” TV series which saw Sir Michael Palin travelling through the spectacular Scottish Highlands to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Whilst returning to that original journey to Kyle of Lochalsh we have also added a whiff of steam nostalgia that wasn’t possible 40 years ago at the Strathspey Steam Railway and aboard the Jacobite steam train, along with many other Highland attractions including a relaxing cruise ‘monster spotting’.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 For those on our rail inclusive package the wonderfully picturesque Highland Line takes you through Perth, Pitlochry and over Cairngorm Mountains to Inverness and our hotel on the banks of River Ness. (D) DAY 2 A fabulous circular day touring Speyside including a whiff of nostalgia as we travel by steam on the Strathspey Steam Railway with light refreshments served en-route. We continue by coach through the beautiful Spey Valley where no visit to Speyside would be complete without a tour and tasting of one of the many Whiskys produced in the area at a traditional Speyside distillery . A little free-time in Dufftown , the whisky capital of the world, after which we have a traditional afternoon tea served in the buffet carriage at the Keith and Dufftown Railway . Our amazing day concludes with our private charter heritage diesel railcar taking us along their scenic and rural line to the terminus at Keith before re-boarding our coach to complete this wonderful circular tour back to Inverness. (B,LR,L,D) DAY 3 A relaxing morning of ‘monster spotting’ as we cruise along Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle . The sheer expanse of this loch with the steep valley side sheer to ★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Hotel Porterage ★ ★ Sir Michael Palin’s ‘Great Railway Journey’ to the Kyle of Lochalsh ★ ★ Spectacular Scottish Highlands scenery ★ ★ Nostalgic steam train ride on the Strathspey Railway ★ ★ Vintage diesel rail charter on the Keith and Dufftown Railway ★ ★ Enjoy a ‘wee dram’ tour and tasting at a Speyside Distillery ★ ★ ‘Monster spotting’ Loch Ness cruise ★ ★ Historic Urquhart Castle ★ ★ Visit the picturesque Eilean Dornan Castle – the ‘castle in the loch’ ★ ★ Take the Jacobite steam train on the ‘West Highland Line’ between Fort William and Mallaig Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ ★ Dinner each evening, plus light refreshments on the Strathspey Railway and 1 afternoon tea lunch

Fares From £1089

Eilean Donan Castle

6 DAYS

© Lukassek

the water’s edge combine to give a true understanding of minds drifting to what may lie in the depths below. We have time to explore the brooding ruins of the castle before we continue back along the lochside to Inverness for an afternoon at leisure to explore the capital of the Highlands. (B,D) DAY 4 After breakfast we board the train for the journey of a lifetime, Scotland’s Kyle Line . Simply one of the world’s finest coast to coast rail adventures, it is a heady cocktail of dramatic scenery and romantic legend. After crossing the great mountain plateaux and its wonderful vistas we arrive on the west coast at Kyle of Lochalsh . Here we board our private coach which takes us to Eilean Donan Castle for a visit to one of Scotlands most pictured scenes – ‘the castle in the loch’. We return to the Kyle of Lochalsh for our train back to Inverness and we suggest sitting on the opposite side of the train to the outward journey so that no stunning vista is missed. (B,D) DAY 5 Travelling through the Great Glen to Fort William we journey on another of Scotland’s most scenic railway journeys as we join the Jacobite Steam Train on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig. The line takes us over the impressive Glennfinnan Viaduct, capturing the views of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s monument standing proudly at the head of Loch Shiel. The viaduct is now famous for its association with the Harry Potter movies. Circumnavigating Loch Eilt with the small island home to the remnant of the original Caledonian Forest the steam train continues with astonishing vistas of the Atlantic coastline before arriving at Mallaig overlooking the Isle of Skye. We have a short break for sightseeing in Mallaig before journeying back to Fort William and onto Inverness for a celebration gala dinner. (B,D) DAY 6 Today we bid farewell to Inverness and, if travelling by train, return over the mountains to Edinburgh and homeward stations. (B)

DEPARTS

Monday 28 September 2020

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST STANDARD

London: Kings Cross

£1340 £1359 £1390 £1405 £1489 £1390 £1380 £1319 £1289 £1339 £1430 £1379 £1219

£1230 £1239 £1255 £1260 £1315 £1255 £1239 £1219 £1199 £1225 £1279 £1249 £1169

Greater London South of England

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotel £1099 £10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards Single Room Supplement £300 5 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal, 1 afternoon tea 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

Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness Overlooking the River Ness, a short stroll from the city centre, this superior quality, traditional Scottish hotel has well appointed bedrooms all en-suite with hospitality tray, radio, TV and free Wi-Fi. Leisure facilities include indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and beauty salon.

Strathspey Steam Railway

© PJT

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

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