Railtrail Main Brochure 2023 FULL PROOF

O rkney & S hetland E xplorer

Discover the peace, tranquility, and rich heritage of the beautiful islands of Orkney & Shetland on our mini-cruise to the northernmost reaches of the UK, part of a wider grand tour visiting John O’Groats, historic Stirling and Edinburgh, Scotland’s proud capital.

DAY 1 We arrive in Stirling and check into the Stirling Highland Hotel, an attractive, historic building and formerly the city’s school. Why not explore the Old Town and take in the view from the castle before dinner? (D) DAY 2 Leaving Stirling, our train journey heads through the scenery of Per thshire, a taster of what lies in store on day 5.Today’s views just become more and more beautiful, however, as we hug the North Sea coastline on our way to Aberdeen . Here we join our Nor thlink ship, enjoying dinner on board before retiring to our en-suite cabins. (B,D) DAY 3 Disembark and step into an entrancing mixture of history with amazing flora and fauna, on our guided tour of Shetland . More Scandinavian than Scottish in many ways, the Viking heritage is still strong in this world of magnificent wild beauty, steeped with internationally renowned archaeological sites. We visit remarkable Jarlshof , along with historic town of Scalloway and its fascinating museum, capital Lerwick, seabird colonies and the famous Shetland ponies. Back on board ship, we sail this evening to the Orkneys, with dinner on board. We arrive late evening and check into our hotel for two nights, the Kirkwall Hotel. (B,D) Station toTour Base (Standard or First Class) ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ Hotel Por terage TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ★ Explore historic Orkney at a gentle pace from our base on the Orkneys ★ Visit the Italian Chapel, Churchill Barriers and Skara Brae ★ Tour idyllic Shetland Isle and discover its Viking past ★ Rich archaeology and history ★ Dramatic scenery of the Highland Lines ★ Photo-stop at John O’Groats ★ Fantastic seascape coastline of the Far Nor th ★ One night’s relaxing cruising with modern, en- suite cabins ★ Scenic rail journey to Aberdeen along the Nor th Sea coast ★ Spend time in historic Stirling, a shor t walk from the castle and Old Town ★ Visit Edinburgh, with a guided walking tour of the ‘Royal Mile’ Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ Dinner every evening ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home

Fares From £1389

7 DAYS

Jarlshof, Shetland

© AdobeStock

DAY 4 Staying on Orkney allows us to tour the island at leisure. Our guided tour of Orkney includes the Churchill Barriers , the wonderful Italian Chapel , built by prisoners of war ; Skara Brae, the astonishingly well-preserved Neolithic village, and the awe-inspiring Ring of Brodgar stone circle. After a day exploring this unspoilt region of natural beauty, we settle down to dinner in our hotel. (B,D) DAY 5 Today begins with a cruise from Stromness to Scrabster. Make sure you have your cameras ready on por t side, as there are fabulous views of Old Man of Hoy , at 450 ft one of the UK’s tallest sea stacks. Our coach then continues the journey southwards, calling in at John O’Groats , before taking the lovely coastal route through Caithness and Sutherland, skir ting the Fir ths of Beauly and Cromar ty en route to Inverness . Here we join the Highland Line , one of the country’s most beautiful, climbing into the Cairngorms before descending through Per thshire to our hotel for two nights, the Stirling Highland. (B,D) DAY 6 A shor t rail journey whisks us to Edinburgh Waverley, where our Blue Badge Guide awaits to introduce the highlights of the city’s ‘ Royal Mile ’. An afternoon at leisure in Scotland’s proud capital enables you to visit the castle, relax on the Grassmarket or indulge in a little retail therapy on Princes Street. (B,D) DAY 7 We bid farewell to Stirling and our Scottish grand tour. (B)

DEPARTS

Wednesday 29 March 2023 Wednesday 2 August 2023

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST* £1625 £1645 £1679 £1699 £1769 £1679 £1655 £1579 £1529 £1605 £1695 £1645 N/A

STANDARD

London: Kings Cross Greater London South of England East Anglia SouthWest Midlands Yorkshire Nor th East Nor thWest SouthWales Nor thWales Hear t of England

£1519 £1529 £1545 £1559 £1599 £1545 £1525 £1495 £1469 £1485 £1555 £1515 £1445

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotel £1399 £10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards Single Room Supplement £340 AUGUST Depar ture Supplement £100 *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 6 nights’ bed, breakfast &Table d’hôte evening meal Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station toTour 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 por terage

HOTELS

Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling Just a shor t walk from Stirling Castle, is the historic 4-star Highland Hotel. The hotel’s Scholars restaurant offers quality locally sourced food and the comfor table bar is the perfect place to enjoy a wee dram! The leisure club, including swimming pool is a great place to relax. Built in the 19th century as the city’s High School, this characterful building still houses a working observatory in its roof. Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall This 3-star Victorian hotel is located on Kirkwall’s picturesque harbour front, close to the marina and the main shopping area. The comfor table bedrooms are equipped with TV, free Wi-Fi and tea & coffee making facilities. Single travellers have sole occupancy of a double room.The recently refurbished, stylish Harbour View Restaurant serves excellent local produce and the new Highland Park Bar and traditional Skippers Bar provide the perfect place to sample a glass of Orkney’s famous whisky. Northlink Ferries Modern, fully equipped cabins with en suite washbasin, toilet and shower facilities plus individual temperature control and tea/coffee making facilities.

Italian Chapel, Orkney

© Shutterstock

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