The Cock O’The North

This tour lets you explore Scotland avoiding busy roads, using fast trains and travelling first class to and from the North. Highlights of the tour include 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. A special coach handles our luggage, accompanying us throughout the Scottish part of our trip. Last but not least, the sheer quality of the two hotels we stay at is a pleasure in itself, both of which offer food and accommodation to an extremely high standard.

Thursday

Highland Chieftain to Inverness

The Highland Chieftain train leaves London Kings Cross, bound for Inverness via Peterborough and York. As we speed 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 head through Scotland. At Inverness we check into our 3 star hotel for 2 nights. (L D)

Friday

Strathspey Railway and the Keith & Dufftown Railway

Our coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a steam hauled train on the Strathspey Railway to Broomhill and back. With the Cairngorm Mountains close by, the area is a favourite tourist attraction because of it’s natural beauty.

Our coach takes us from Aviemore to Dufftown, where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a restaurant car. The Keith and Dufftown Railway’s Whisky Line runs for eleven miles through some of Scotland’s most picturesque scenery, taking in beautiful forests, farmland, lochs and glens, castles and distilleries. We make the return trip in a vintage diesel with multiple units. To finish the day, we visit 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.

Passing through forests alongside lakes overlooked by mountains then running along the shores of Loch Carron, a sea inlet, this line has been voted one of the most scenic in Britain.

Our luggage is transported via privately chartered coach, which follows our progress over the next four days. We’ll have a light lunch at the Lochalsh Hotel before a coach journey 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 stunning Sound of Sleat to the mountains on the mainland. The Duisdale has a traditional ‘designer’ interior with real log fires and a relaxing feel, a great venue for drinks in the library before dinner. (B L D)

Sunday

Tour of Skye

Our tour guide for the day will take us on a fascinating tour of the island. We will see the Black Cuillins, mountains of jagged bare rock 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 a 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 the Glenfinnan Viaduct. We arrive at Fort William at approximately 16:00 where our coach will take us to Inverness through the Great Glen with its many lochs; we will travel the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. Once we return to Inverness we check into our hotel. (B L D)

Tuesday

The Highland Chieftain back to London

We depart onboard the Highland Chieftain, in first class seats, to be served a Scottish breakfast as we pass through the Highlands; a wonderful experience. Our train continues through Perth, Edinburgh and Newcastle back to York and London Kings Cross. A three course lunch will also be served on our journey south. (B L)

Thursday 15th July to Tuesday 20th July 2010

Thursday 23rd September to Tuesday 28th September 2010

Meals included each day are shown as:
B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D= Dinner