The
Royal Scotsman - Grand North West (7
nights) -
combined Classic & Western journeys |
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Journey
Highlights:
It's always hard to say
farewell to the Scottish Highlands.
That's why we've made it possible for
you to join us for a much longer
journey. Enjoy the magnificent scenery
of the West Highland Line and an
exclusive view of Mount Stuart, a
spectacular Victorian Gothic house. Then
experience the wild beauty of the
Scottish Highlands as you head north,
stopping along the way for a private
visit to the Highland Folk Museum and to
try your hand at some outdoor activities
on the Rothiemurchus Highland Estate.
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Itinerary:
Day One: Edinburgh - Spean Bridge
The Royal Scotsman departs from
Edinburgh early afternoon and heads west
through Falkirk, Clydebank and Dumbarton
to skirt Glasgow and so reach the
northern bank of the Clyde.
Near the mouth of the Clyde estuary lies
Craigendoran, the starting point for the
majestic West Highland Line.
Enjoy afternoon tea as you travel along
the edge of Gare Loch. Loch Long comes
into sight to your left, and after
vanishing for a while, returns with a
view of Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) with
its distinctive peak.
Passing Arrochar you will get your first
view of Loch Lomond. The train descends
almost to the water's edge at Ardlui,
and then has a hard climb up Glen
Falloch, whose many waterfalls provide
an impressive display.
As you continue north you will pass
through Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy.
There are spectacular views of Rannoch
Moor before arrival in Spean Bridge
where the train stables overnight. After
a formal dinner 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 Two: Spean Bridge – Bridge of
Orchy
Breakfast is served as your journey
continues west, passing through Fort
William with views of Ben Nevis
(Britain's highest mountain). Travelling
by the side of Loch Eil you then pass
Glenfinnan and Lochailort, before
turning north along this stunning
coastline until reaching Arisaig. Here
you can disembark for a romantic walk
along the beautiful Morar Sands, a
magnificent expanse of gleaming white
sand, where you can enjoy excellent
views across the Sound of Sleat to the
beautiful Isle of Skye with its
awe-inspiring Cuillin Mountains.
Rejoining the train your lunch is served
as the train retraces the route towards
Fort William. Here you will disembark
and enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on Loch
Linnhe. While taking in the breathtaking
scenery you may also spot some of the
local wildlife.
After your leisurely boat cruise you
will return to the train and enjoy an
informal dinner as you head south
towards Bridge of Orchy where you stable
overnight.
Day Three: Bridge of Orchy –
Wemyss Bay
Leaving Bridge of Orchy this morning
enjoy breakfast on route south towards
Glasgow and Gourock. At Wemyss Bay,
board the ferry across to the Isle of
Bute. The island embraces a variety of
landscapes; seashore, moorland, farmland
and forest. The natural history,
geography, geology and ancient history
of the island are revealed at every
turn. From St Blane's Chapel at the
south of the island to the abandoned
townships in Glen More at the north, it
seems that every stone has its tale to
tell.
Mount Stuart is Britain's most
spectacular Victorian Gothic house. This
was the architectural fantasy of the 3rd
Marquess of Bute and his architect Sir
Robert Rowand Anderson. Stunning,
mysterious interiors reflect the
romantic and scholarly Marquess' passion
for art, heraldry, astrology, mythology
and religion. At Mount Stuart, there is
arguably the finest privately held
collection of family portraits in
Scotland.
Following your afternoon tea, you will
have time to explore this magnificent
house, its tranquil Rock Garden, the Wee
Garden containing rare plants from the
southern hemisphere, the Kitchen Garden
and the Victorian Pinetum. The Limetree
Avenue leads you to a secluded stretch
of coastline and one of the most
beautiful beaches in Scotland.
You return to the mainland and rejoin
the train in Wemyss Bay where a formal
dinner is served and the train stables
for the night.
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Day Four: Wemyss Bay – Edinburgh
– Boat of Garten
During breakfast you depart Wemyss Bay
to arrive in Edinburgh where the first
part of your journey ends.
Now there is an opportunity to explore
the beautiful city of Edinburgh, known
as the 'Athens of the North'. Explore
the historic Royal Mile, visit the
Castle, take in an art gallery or simply
relax with a coffee.
You rejoin the train The Royal Scotsman
early afternoon and head west through
Linlithgow to Stirling, and past
Gleneagles on your way to the "Fair
City" of Perth. You then continue north
on the Highland line through Dunkeld,
Pitlochry and Blair Atholl. Once past
the station you can catch a glimpse of
Blair Castle.
Druimuachdar, the summit of this line,
lies six miles south of Dalwhinnie,
which is dominated by the pagodas of a
nineteenth century distillery. You pass
through Dalwhinnie to reach Kinguisse
where you disembark to visit The
Highland Folk Museum.
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 will be
reacquainted with a familiar face for
your evening entertainment.
Day Five: Boat of Garten - Perth
Leaving Boat of Garten after breakfast
you travel by motorcoach to
Rothiemurchus. The history of this
estate is as varied as most of the
Highlands of Scotland. Its diverse
landscape comprises low-lying fields on
the river flood plain, open heather
moorland, forestry plantations and
majestic Caledonian pine forest. Here
you can enjoy a variety of activities
including clay pigeon shooting or a
guided tour of the Estate with one of
the Park Rangers where you can learn
about the local flora and wildlife.
You rejoin the train in Aviemore and
head north to Inverness. Enjoy lunch as
you pass Culloden, site of the last
battle on mainland British soil in 1746.
You then continue east following the
Moray coast through Nairn and Elgin
before arriving in Keith where you
disembark for an exclusive visit to
Strathisla distillery “The Home and
Heart of Chivas Regal”.
You return to the train in Keith and
enjoy a formal dinner as you travel
south towards Perth, for overnight
stabling.
Day Six: Perth - Edinburgh
After breakfast, the train leaves Perth
and travels through the former Kingdom
of Fife. You cross the Firth of Forth by
means of the magnificent Forth Railway
Bridge to arrive in Edinburgh Waverley
station where your journey ends.
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**Schedule & Pricing 2008:
$7,530 per person (based on 2 people
per cabin)
$12,048 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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Friday
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16-May |
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Friday
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20-June |
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Friday |
11-July |
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Friday
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01-August |
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Wednesday |
06-August |
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Wednesday |
10-September |
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Wednesday |
08-October |
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Friday |
10-October |
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