The Cock O’The North
Three Tours - June to September 2008
This tour allows us to explore Scotland, avoiding busy roads, by making the journeys to and from the north by fast trains, made more enjoyable by travelling first class. Highlights of the tour include visiting preserved steam railways, the spectacular train journeys from Inverness to Kyle and from Mallaig to Fort William, and two nights on the Isle of Skye. We are accompanied in Scotland by a coach that will handle our luggage.
Last but not least is the quality of the two hotels we stay at, providing food and accommodation of a very high standard.
Last but not least is the quality of the two hotels we stay at, providing food and accommodation of a very high standard.
Thursday
Highland Chieftain to Inverness
At midday the Highland Chieftain train leaves London Kings Cross bound for Inverness stopping at Peterborough and York to collect further passengers. As we quickly glide along the East Coast Main line a two-course lunch will be served at our seats. Continuing northwards we pass through Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth to Inverness. Dinner will be served as we speed through Scotland. At Inverness, we check into The Royal Highland Hotel, located at the station, for two nights. This grand hotel is in the centre of Inverness and prides itself with its unmistakable hospitality and classical culinary experience. (L D)
Friday
The Strathspey and the Keith and Dufftown Railways
Our coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a steam hauled train on the Strathspey Railway to Broomhill and back. Our steam locomotive will take us slowly through the countryside. With the Cairngorm Mountains close at hand the area is a favourite tourist attraction for its natural beauty. On arrival back at Aviemore, our coach takes us to Dufftown where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a restaurant car. The Keith and Dufftown Railway, called The Whisky Line, runs for eleven miles passing through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery, with forest and farmland, lochs and glens, castles and distilleries. We make the return trip in a vintage diesel multiple unit. To wind up the day, we have a visit to a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness.
(B L D)
Saturday
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by Train
After a traditional Scottish breakfast, we leave Inverness for Kyle of Lochalsh by train. It passes through forests, alongside numerous lakes, overlooked by mountains and finally runs along the shores of Loch Carron, an inlet of the sea. This is without doubt one of the most scenic lines in Britain. Our luggage will be transported by our privately chartered coach, which shadows us over the next four days. A light lunch will be arranged for us at the Lochalsh Hotel before our coach takes us over the Skye Bridge to the excellent Duisdale Country House Hotel, our base for the next two nights. This hotel is one of the highlights of the tour. A former hunting lodge with character and charm it is set in magnificent grounds overlooking the magnificent scenery across the Sound of Sleat to the mountains on the mainland. It has a designer, but traditional interior, with real log fires and relaxing environment. We will have a drink in the library before dinner. (B L D)
Sunday
Tour of Skye
We meet our guide for the day, who will take us on a fascinating tour of the island. We will see the Black Cuillins, mountains of bare rock, jagged in outline with twelve summits above 3,000 feet. Our coach will continue to the main town and capital of the island, Portree, which is known for its picturesque harbour. There will be time to explore and have lunch. We will also visit the north of the island, including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods. Skye is renowned for its spectacular scenery, vibrant culture and heritage, as well as its abundant wildlife including the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter. As always we will stop the coach to take pictures when appropriate.
(B D)
Monday
Ferry to Mallaig for Jacobite Steam Train Trip
After breakfast we say farewell to The Duisdale Hotel and head south the short distance to Armadale where we catch the ferry to Mallaig,
a journey of thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there will be time to enjoy a picnic lunch before joining the steam hauled Jacobite for another unforgettable journey, to Fort William.
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world the Jacobite steam train takes us for forty two miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views it crosses the twenty one arches of Glenfinnan Viaduct.
We arrive at Fort William at 16:00 where our coach will take us to Inverness through the Great Glen with its many lochs, including travelling the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. We stay again at the Royal Highland Hotel.
(B L D)
Tuesday
The Highland Chieftain back to London
The Highland Chieftain leaves around 08:00.
We have first class seats, and we will be served Scottish breakfasts as we pass through the Highlands, a wonderful experience. Our train continues through Perth, Edinburgh and Newcastle back to York and London arriving in Kings Cross just before 16:00. A three-course lunch will also be served on our journey south. (B L)
Highland Chieftain to Inverness
At midday the Highland Chieftain train leaves London Kings Cross bound for Inverness stopping at Peterborough and York to collect further passengers. As we quickly glide along the East Coast Main line a two-course lunch will be served at our seats. Continuing northwards we pass through Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth to Inverness. Dinner will be served as we speed through Scotland. At Inverness, we check into The Royal Highland Hotel, located at the station, for two nights. This grand hotel is in the centre of Inverness and prides itself with its unmistakable hospitality and classical culinary experience. (L D)
Friday
The Strathspey and the Keith and Dufftown Railways
Our coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a steam hauled train on the Strathspey Railway to Broomhill and back. Our steam locomotive will take us slowly through the countryside. With the Cairngorm Mountains close at hand the area is a favourite tourist attraction for its natural beauty. On arrival back at Aviemore, our coach takes us to Dufftown where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a restaurant car. The Keith and Dufftown Railway, called The Whisky Line, runs for eleven miles passing through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery, with forest and farmland, lochs and glens, castles and distilleries. We make the return trip in a vintage diesel multiple unit. To wind up the day, we have a visit to a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness.
(B L D)
Saturday
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by Train
After a traditional Scottish breakfast, we leave Inverness for Kyle of Lochalsh by train. It passes through forests, alongside numerous lakes, overlooked by mountains and finally runs along the shores of Loch Carron, an inlet of the sea. This is without doubt one of the most scenic lines in Britain. Our luggage will be transported by our privately chartered coach, which shadows us over the next four days. A light lunch will be arranged for us at the Lochalsh Hotel before our coach takes us over the Skye Bridge to the excellent Duisdale Country House Hotel, our base for the next two nights. This hotel is one of the highlights of the tour. A former hunting lodge with character and charm it is set in magnificent grounds overlooking the magnificent scenery across the Sound of Sleat to the mountains on the mainland. It has a designer, but traditional interior, with real log fires and relaxing environment. We will have a drink in the library before dinner. (B L D)
Sunday
Tour of Skye
We meet our guide for the day, who will take us on a fascinating tour of the island. We will see the Black Cuillins, mountains of bare rock, jagged in outline with twelve summits above 3,000 feet. Our coach will continue to the main town and capital of the island, Portree, which is known for its picturesque harbour. There will be time to explore and have lunch. We will also visit the north of the island, including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods. Skye is renowned for its spectacular scenery, vibrant culture and heritage, as well as its abundant wildlife including the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter. As always we will stop the coach to take pictures when appropriate.
(B D)
Monday
Ferry to Mallaig for Jacobite Steam Train Trip
After breakfast we say farewell to The Duisdale Hotel and head south the short distance to Armadale where we catch the ferry to Mallaig,
a journey of thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there will be time to enjoy a picnic lunch before joining the steam hauled Jacobite for another unforgettable journey, to Fort William.
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world the Jacobite steam train takes us for forty two miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views it crosses the twenty one arches of Glenfinnan Viaduct.
We arrive at Fort William at 16:00 where our coach will take us to Inverness through the Great Glen with its many lochs, including travelling the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. We stay again at the Royal Highland Hotel.
(B L D)
Tuesday
The Highland Chieftain back to London
The Highland Chieftain leaves around 08:00.
We have first class seats, and we will be served Scottish breakfasts as we pass through the Highlands, a wonderful experience. Our train continues through Perth, Edinburgh and Newcastle back to York and London arriving in Kings Cross just before 16:00. A three-course lunch will also be served on our journey south. (B L)
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19th June 2008 to 24th June 2008
7th August 2008 to 12th August 2008
4th September 2008 to 9th September 2008
7th August 2008 to 12th August 2008
4th September 2008 to 9th September 2008
Price
| Price per person Kings Cross Peterborough |
£895 £895 |
| Price per person York |
£825 |
| Single supplement | £99 |
Price includes:
- London, Peterborough or York to Inverness and back with at-seat dining
- 5 nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at good quality three star hotels
- 5 lunches
- Our own coach for the duration in Scotland to carry the luggage while you enjoy the train rides
- All train travel, transfers and tours
- Reserved seats
- The services of a tour manager
Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner