Romantic Railways & Lochs

Monday 17 July - 5 days away from £619pp
Single supplement - £118
Door-to-door pick-ups available

Travel around the spectacular Scottish Highlands in style, taking in picturesque views at every turn.

Price includes:

Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast.
Entertainment in the hotel on one evening.
Scenic train journey on the Kyle Line.
Enjoy a cruise of the legendary Loch Ness.
Ride the Strathspey Steam Railway.
Entry to Urquhart Castle.

Itinerary:

Day one:
We make our way to the hotel with a couple of comfort stops on the journey.

Day two:
Today, we enjoy a one-way scenic train journey on the spectacular Kyle Line from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Our Scotrail train travels through the spectacular scenery of the Highlands in the shadows of mountains and forests, beside bright lochs and wide-open moors, as we head for the final stretch towards the Kyle of Lochalsh, which offers beautiful views of Skye. We have time to do a spot of sightseeing on the island before returning by coach, passing the famous Eilean Donan Castle and the stunning views at Loch Cluanie.

Day three:
This morning, we embark on a scenic journey to Loch Ness. We attempt to track down the world’s shyest monster on a 50-minute cruise of legendary Loch Ness, departing from Fort Augustus on the southern shores. Brimming with history and monster tales, the real stars of the loch are its castles, monuments, and scenery. Afterwards we head up the west side of Loch Ness to visit Urquhart Castle, who occupies a scenic spot on a headland overlooking the famous loch. The ruined castle dates to the 13th century, though the history of the site goes back further. Urquhart was passed back and forth during the Scottish Wars of Independence, raided several times, abandoned and deliberately blown up.

Day four:
After breakfast, we head off for a return journey on the Strathspey Steam Railway from Aviemore to Broomhill, taking in glorious views of heather-clad moors, Caledonian forest and the Spey River. Upon return to Aviemore we have some free time to explore this popular Cairngorms resort, famous for its
winter sports and hill-walking, before heading south to step back in time at the open-air Highland Folk Museum. Here, we experience life in the Highlands from the 1700s to the 1950s, exploring 35 historical buildings as we discover how people lived, worked, went to school, and enjoyed their leisure time.

Day five:
On our final day, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading home, arriving late afternoon.

Your Hotel:

Highlander Hotel, Newtonmore (***)
Located off the A9, on the outskirts of Newtonmore in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park, the Highlander Hotel offers friendly service and is famous for its welcome to coach groups. The hotel consists of two separate buildings, one housing the public areas and one housing the bedrooms, with external access between the two. All 80 bedrooms are comfortable and equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. Although the hotel does not have a lift, all the public areas and many of the bedrooms are on the ground floor, with the remaining bedrooms being situated on the first floor. There is an informal restaurant, a relaxing, authentic bar, a lounge and an outside seating area.

Book today:

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