Railtrail Main Brochure 2022

T ranquil L ochs & S erene S kye

N E W T O U R

Discover the delights of the Trossachs National Park and the serene Isle of Skye on our new Railtrail circular Scottish tour. Experience wonderful rail journeys including the West Highland line and Kyle Line and admire the contrasting vistas of tranquil lochs, idyllic isles, and spectacular mountains ranges.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 We arrive at Arrochar & Tarbet station and transfer the short distance to The Arrochar Hotel, our base for the next two nights, scenically located overlooking Loch Long. (D) DAY 2 Today we explore the Trossachs National Park where we start the day with a cruise on Loch Katrine on board cruise boat ‘Lady of the Lake’. When we are back on dry land, we head to a local distillery for a tour and tasting of Scotland’s biggest export – Whisky . (B,D) DAY 3 We journey north on the stunning West Highland Line our magnificent train journey begins as we leave the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond before climbing into the western Highlands. At Crianlarich, we travel northwards, over remote Rannoch Moor to Fort William before continuing alongside Loch Eil and across the Glenfinnan Viaduct overlooking the Highlander Monument at the head of Loch Shiel, then circumnavigating Loch Eilt we burst out onto the Atlantic coastline with distant views of the isles of Eigg and Rhum before reaching the port of Mallaig. At Mallaig we head to the harbour to board our ferry to the Isle of Skye and then transfer across the Garden of Skye to the Dunollie Hotel for two nights. (B,D) ★ ★ Journey on the beautiful West Highland line to Mallaig over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct ★ ★ Relax on a Loch Katrine Cruise ★ ★ Enjoy a scenic tour of the Trossachs National Park ★ ★ Sample of wee dram on a guided whisky distillery tour ★ ★ Stay on the beautiful Isle of Skye, the largest island in the Inner Hebrides ★ ★ Visit Dunvegan Castle & Gardens the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland ★ ★ Take an original ‘Great Rail Journey of the World’ on the spectacular Kyle of Lochalsh Line ★ ★ Explore historic Inverness ★ ★ Admire magnificent scenery as you journey through the Cairngorms National Park 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

Fares From £869

Portree, Skye

6 DAYS

© Shutterstock

DAY 4 Today we make our way to the north-west corner of Skye to visit famous Dunvegan Castle & Gardens . Built on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Loch Dunvegan (once entirely encircled by the sea), Dunvegan is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland and has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for 800 years. After our visit here, we enjoy a scenic drive to the Trotternish Peninsula , home to the Old Man of Storr, before returning over the Cuillin Hills to our hotel via the picturesque harbour town of Portree . Set around a natural harbour and fringed by high ground and cliffs, the island’s colourful capital is a picture-perfect stop. (B,D) DAY 5 This morning we depart scenic Skye via the bridge and transfer to Kyle station. From here we travel on one of the world’s finest railway journeys from the Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness immortalised in Sir Michael Palin’s original “Great Railway Journeys of the World” TV series. We enjoy a little free time in Inverness before boarding our train over the Central Highlands to Pitlochry, journeying through the glorious Cairngorms. We arrive in Pitlochry station and make your way to our very conveniently located hotel, the Fishers and enjoy our last evening meal together. (B,D) DAY 6 We bid farewell to Pitlochry as we make our way homeward. (B)

DEPARTS Thursday 5 May 2022 Thursday 6 October 2022

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST* £1179 £1199 £1229 £1245 £1215 £1095 £1125 £1069 £1035 £1089 £1209 £1129

STANDARD

London: Out: Euston Ret: King’s Cross

£1045

Greater London South of England

£1055 £1079 £1079 £1095 £1035 £1009

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

£989 £975 £985

£1059 £1029

Scotland

£995

£949

Join & Leave at Hotels £899 £30 tour discount for holders of National Railcards Single Room Supplement £120 MAY Departure Supplement £50 *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. 5 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

HOTELS Arrochar Hotel, Arrochar

Built in the 19th century, the 3-star Arrochar Hotel located at the very foot of the Arrochar Alps’ on the shores of Loch Long, only two miles from Loch Lomond. The comfortable bedrooms have TV, free Wi-Fi and tea & coffee making facilities. The hotel has an elegant restaurant and spacious lounge bar with stunning loch views. Dunollie Hotel, Isle of Skye Set in a stunning location by the serene waterside of Broadford Bay. The 3-star hotel offers restaurant with lovely views across the bay, a comfortable bar and lounge with open fire. The bedrooms have TV, free Wi-Fi and tea & coffee making facilities. Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry This friendly 3-star Victorian hotel is situated in the heart of picturesque Pitlochry. The train station is accessible through the hotel gardens and is literally a minutes’ walk. All bedrooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, TV, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a bright, spacious restaurant and two bars, one of which is a pub-style bar and one a smaller, more intimate bar, an elegant lounge and outside seating area in the lovely gardens.

Loch Long

© N. McNab

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

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