| The Royal Scotsman
- Classic Journey (4 nights) |
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Journey Highlights:
The quintessential Royal Scotsman
experience and certainly one of our most
popular journeys. After following the
east coast up to Keith you head across
to the picturesque west coast village of
Plockton, before making your way to
Inverness and then south to Perth. A
private ceilidh at Strathisla and your
personal invitation to visit
Ballindalloch, with its magnificent
house and gardens, are just two of the
highlights. Along the way there is time
and opportunity for fishing, clay pigeon
shooting or guided walking along
Caledonian pine forest trails.
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Itinerary:
Day One: Edinburgh - Keith
The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh
Waverley Station early afternoon, and
travels north across the Firth of Forth
by means of the magnificent Forth
Railway Bridge. This is one of the first
cantilever bridges, designed and built
by Benjamin Baker in the late 1880s. It
is considered one of the greatest
achievements of the Victorian Age, and
known as the eighth wonder of the world.
Enjoy your afternoon tea as you journey
through the former Kingdom of Fife and
across the Tay Bridge.
Follow the east coast, passing through
Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen before
arriving in Huntly, where you will
disembark for a traditional Scottish
ceilidh at Strathisla. You then rejoin
the train in market town of Keith for an
informal dinner and overnight stabling.
Day Two: Keith - Kyle of Lochalsh
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the train
departs Keith and travels west towards
Inverness, capital of the Highlands,
passing through Dingwall before
continuing north to the village of Tain
where you disembark and visit
Glenmorangie Distillery.
Returning to the train, lunch will
served as you travel towards Kyle of
Lochalsh, on what is arguably the most
scenic route in Britain.
You pass through Dingwall and Garve,
which lies under the shadow of Cnoc na
h-Iolaire. The line passes Loch Luichart
and the Torridon mountains, which are so
old they contain no fossils. Geologists
believe that they were formed before any
life began. On through Achnasheen, then
the climb to Luib summit and
Achnashellach forest before descending
to Strathcarron. The train then follows
the edge of Loch Carron through Attadale,
Stromeferry and Duncraig.
At Plockton you will have an opportunity
to become your own guide and explore
this picturesque Scottish Highland
village. Be at one with nature, as you
take a boat trip to see the colony of
wild seals, and relish the magnificent
views across the Isle of Skye to the
Applecross Mountains. There is also a
woodland walk, which leads to a
viewpoint overlooking the loch.
Alternatively visit the local art
gallery or simply wander through this
charming village. Afterwards rendezvous
at the Plockton Hotel, where there is
time to enjoy a dram or two before
rejoining the motorcoach.
You return to the train in Kyle of
Lochalsh for overnight stabling. Dinner
this evening is formal and afterwards
there is entertainment in the
Observation Car. Marvel at the view from
the train’s veranda as you gaze over
Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye.
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Day Three: Kyle of Lochalsh -
Boat of Garten
After your breakfast the train departs
Kyle and you retrace part of yesterday's
route as far as Dingwall. Have your
cameras ready for the views of Plockton
across the bay to the left, where you
can see whitewashed cottages with
fishing boats and yachts riding at
anchor. Travelling round the edge of the
Beauly Firth, you cross the northern end
of the Caledonian Canal shortly before
reaching Inverness.
The train continues south to Carrbridge
where you disembark for your visit to
Ballindalloch, one of Scotland's most
romantic castles, with wonderful
gardens. Set in the magnificent
surroundings of the Spey valley,
Ballindalloch has been the home of the
Macpherson-Grant family since 1546. The
family have adapted their castle with
the twists and turns of fortune and
history into the elegant and comfortable
seat at the heart of their working
estate that we see today.
You return to the train at Boat of
Garten on the private Strathspey Railway
for overnight stabling. A formal dinner
is served and afterwards you meet Ray
Owens, a Highlander who brings to life
the stories of Scottish heroes.
Listening to Ray, you will gain a true
sense of the past and learn how life in
the Highlands has changed over the
centuries.
Day Four: Kyle of Lochalsh - Boat
of Garten
After breakfast you disembark the train
at Boat of Garten and take the
motorcoach to Rothiemurchus Estate where
you can choose from a number of
activities which may include fishing,
clay pigeon shooting, a guided walk or
alternatively, you may simply prefer to
relax by the fire at Drumintoul Lodge
and admire the stunning scenery while
enjoying some time on your own.
You rejoin the train in Aviemore and
enjoy lunch as you journey south through
Blair Atholl and Pitlochry to Dunkeld,
where you disembark for your visit to
Glamis Castle, Seat of the Earl of
Strathmore and Kinghorne, and childhood
home of the late HM Queen Elizabeth, The
Queen Mother. The Bowes Lyon family have
lived at Glamis since 1372, when Sir
John Lyon was granted the thaneage of
Glamis by King Robert II. Since then the
castle has been visited and lived in by
many members of the Scottish and British
Royal Families and has stunning gardens.
Rejoining the train in Perth you will
enjoy an informal dinner on the move
before stabling for the evening.
Day Five: Perth – Edinburgh
After breakfast, the train leaves Perth
you travel through the former Kingdom of
Fife crossing the Firth of Forth by
means of the Forth Railway Bridge to
arrive in Edinburgh Waverley station
where your journey ends.
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**Schedule & Pricing 2008:
$6,250 Per person (based on 2 people per
cabin)
$10,000 Single occupancy
**Rates are per person per journey in
Twin or Single cabins and are fully
inclusive of accommodation with en suite
bathrooms, meals, wines, alcoholic and
other beverages, visits and
entertainment. |
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Monday |
21-April |
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Monday |
28-April |
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Monday |
05-May |
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Monday |
12-May |
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Wednesday |
21 May |
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Monday |
26-May |
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Monday |
02-June |
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Monday |
09-June |
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Monday |
16-June |
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Wednesday |
25-June |
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Monday |
30-June |
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Monday |
07-July |
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Monday |
21-July |
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Monday |
28-July |
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Monday |
11-August |
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Monday |
18-August |
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Monday |
25-August |
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Monday |
01-September |
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Friday |
05-September |
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Monday |
15-September |
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Monday |
22-September |
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Monday |
29-September |
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Friday |
03-October |
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Wednesday |
15-October |
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Monday |
20-October |
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