Touring the UK by Rail 2019

L ord of the I sles

N E W T O U R

We have resurrected one of Dave’s original tours, giving it a few tweaks here and there, to create a grand tour of Scotland. Combine the great railway journeys of the West Highland Line and the Kyle Line through the majestic Highlands with a hop across its islands. Eight days of memorable Caledonian contrasts.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

DAY 1 Arriving in Glasgow , we spend our first night at the Radisson Blu Hotel. (D) DAY 2 We sail to Arran , affectionately known as ‘Scotland in Miniature’, touring the north island before catching the ‘wee boat’ at Lochranza onto Kintyre . Driving along the shores of Loch Fyne , we arrive at the Grey Gull Hotel in Ardrishaig for two nights. (B,D) DAY 3 We board an early morning sailing bound for Islay, with breakfast on board. Considered one of the most beautiful islands, we view some of its lovely 130 miles of coastline, with a tour and tasting at one of the distilleries for which the island is equally famous. (B,D) DAY 4 Leaving Ardrishaig, we transfer along scenic Loch Fyne to Arrochar at the head of Loch Long to board our train on the northern branch of the West Highland Line over remote and breathtaking Rannoch Moor , descending into Fort William under the gaze on Ben Nevis. What follows is the stunning final leg of the railway , crossing ★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base in your choice of Standard or First Class ★ ★ Services of an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager ★ ★ Sail to Arran, known as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ ★ ★ Take the ‘wee boat’ to Kintyre ★ ★ Stay on Loch Fyne at Ardrishaig ★ ★ Tour the beautiful island of Islay ★ ★ Sample a wee dram with whisky tours on Islay and Speyside ★ ★ Take the West Highland Line Fort William branch across Rannoch Moor ★ ★ Continue through great scenery to Mallaig ★ ★ Tour the mystical Isle of Skye and Dunvegan Castle ★ ★ Experience the magic of Railtrail’s original inspiration – the Kyle Line ★ ★ Stay in Grantown on Speyside ★ ★ Enjoy the Keith & Dufftown Railway ★ ★ Steam on the Strathspey Railway (September date) or soar up Cairngorm Mountain (May date) Also included in your Tour Fare: ★ ★ Dinner every evening plus one lunch

Fares From £1245

Lamlash Bay - Isle of Arran

8 DAYS

© AdobeStock

DEPARTS

the Glenfinnan Viaduct on our way to Mallaig, with the Small Isles dotting in and out of view in the distance. A short ferry crosses to the Isle of Skye , from where we transfer to the Lochalsh Hotel or the Kings Arms Hotel for two nights. (B,D) DAY 5 We spend today with a scenic tour of the Isle of Skye through Broadford to Portree with views to the brooding Cullin Hills . We make our way to the west of the island, where we visit the spectacular Dunvegan Castle , the historic ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod. (B,D) DAY 6 After breakfast we board the train for another 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 we descend to Inverness, changing for Aviemore. From here we transfer to the Craiglynne Hotel in Grantown on Spey for two nights. (B,D) DAY 7 A wonderful excursion, commencing with either a journey on the Cairngorm Mountain funicular (May date) or a steam train ride on the Strathspey Railway (September date) before continuing by road to Dufftown . We include light lunch in the buffet carriage at Dufftown station before our privately charterd heritage railcar ride on the Keith & Dufftown Railway. We then re-board our road coach bound for the Glen Grant whisky distillery and, after our tour of their fine malts, we return through Speyside to Grantown. (B,L,D). DAY 8 If travelling by train enjoy the scenery of the Highland Line en route to Edinburgh and homeward stations. (B)

Saturday 11 May 2019 Thursday 26 September 2019

FARES

FARE REGION

FIRST STANDARD RC

London: Depart Euston Return Kings Cross

£1545 £1405 -£25

Greater London South of England

£1590 £1435 -£30 £1600 £1445 -£30 £1615 £1450 -£30 £1635 £1465 -£30 £1535 £1395 -£20 £1500 £1380 -£20 £1445 £1360 -£15 £1410 £1340 -£15 £1460 £1355 -£15 £1565 £1420 -£30 £1505 £1385 -£20 £1340 £1295 -£10

East Anglia South West

Heart of England

Midlands Yorkshire North East North West South Wales North Wales

Scotland

Join & Leave at Hotel

£1245

Single Room Supplement £215 7 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal, plus one lunch 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

Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow A modern hotel perfectly situated across the road from Glasgow Central station. Grey Gull, Ardrishaig The Grey Gull Hotel was originally built in 1872 as a Hunting Lodge for the Poltalloch Estate. It sits in a prime location bordered by the historic Crinan Canal and Loch Gilp, close to where they both flow into Loch Fyne. Lochalsh Hotel (May) or Kings Arms (Sept) Convenient hotels in a region with very few accommodations suitable for touring groups, the Lochalsh sits in Kyle, overlooking the Isle of Skye, whereas the Kings Arms is in Kyleakin across the water on the island itself. Craiglynne Hotel, Grantown on Spey Set within its own grounds and close to the town centre, a traditional Highland hotel surrounded by mountain scenery.

Dunvegan Castle

Glenfinnan Viaduct

© AdobeStock

© Scotrail

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

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