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Journey
Highlights:
There is simply no better way to
experience the drama and wild beauty of
the Scottish Highlands. Heading north on
the Highland Line through Dunkeld and
Blair Atholl to Inverness, passing
Culloden, site of the 1746 battle, on
the way. This journey is ideal for those
who like outdoor activity - at
Rothiemurchus Estate for example, there
will be the opportunity to try your hand
at clay pigeon shooting, venturing out
with the Estate's rangers on a Highland
safari or just enjoying a Highland walk. |
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Itinerary:
Day One: Edinburgh - Boat of
Garten
The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh
early afternoon and heads 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 will
depart the train at Dalwhinnie and take
the motorcoach to Kingussie where you
visit The Highland Folk Museum. Opened
in 1944, the Museum hosts a fantastic
array of Highland artefacts and relics
allowing you the opportunity to
appreciate the former way of life in
this unique area.
You return to the train at Boat of
Garten on the private Strathspey Railway
for overnight stabling. An informal
dinner is served and afterwards you meet
Ray Owens, who brings to life the
stories of Scottish heroes. His
storytelling gives you a true sense of
the past and you learn how life in the
Highlands has changed over the
centuries.
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Day Two: 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 Three: 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
where your journey ends. |
