The Western Isles

Scotland is just on your doorstep and it’s so beautiful! This wonderful tour explores the north west of Scotland, avoiding busy roads by making the journeys to and from the north by fast trains, Travelling in comfortable first class. Highlights of the tour include visiting areas that other tours do not normally go, such as the Isles of Harris and Lewis, the beautiful region beyond Ullapool, and a trip on the Jacobite steam train. A coach handling our luggage will accompany us throughout Scotland. Last but not least, the quality of the hotels we stay at is simply superb, with many providing food and accommodation that can only be classed as completely luxurious.

Monday

To Scotland in Style

We wave goodbye to London Kings Cross, picking up passengers from Peterborough then enjoying three course lunch, with silver service, at our seats. We collect more passengers at York and serve their lunch on departure. The train continues its journey along the East Coast main line via Newcastle and Edinburgh and on to Glasgow. From there, a coach takes us to

The Inverbeg Inn for dinner and overnight accommodation. It sits in beautiful countryside on the banks of Loch Lomond and enjoys stunning views of both the loch and Ben Lomond, priding itself on its excellent customer service. (L D)

Tuesday

Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and perhaps a stroll by the Loch, before our coach takes us the short distance to Tarbet where we have a private cruise with lunch on Loch Lomond. We rejoin our coach for the short distance to Arrochar station to catch our train to Fort William, passing over the remote Rannoch Moor and arriving at 16:30 to check into our hotel. Pretty Fort William enjoys an enviable position on Loch Linnhe with the majestic Ben Nevis, at 4,406 feet Britain’s highest mountain, as its backdrop. (B L D)

Wednesday

The Jacobite and over the Sea to Skye

Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, the Jacobite steam train takes us for 42 miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views it crosses the world famous twenty one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The final destination is Mallaig, where we have a couple of hours to explore the town and fishing port, find lunch and board the ferry for the Isle of Skye. At Armadale we rejoin our coach which, as always, has followed us with our luggage, to travel the short distance to the luxurious Duisdale Country House Hotel. (B D)

Thursday

Skye and Harris Islands

Our coach takes us across Skye to Uig, pausing a few times to take in the scenery and with a short visit to Portree, the island’s capital. Our ferry departs at around 14:00 for the one and half hour crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris, where there’s a restaurant. We travel onwards through the bleak landscape of Harris and Lewis to the island’s capital, Stornoway, where we stay at The Caladh Inn for two nights. (B D)

 

Friday

The Isle of Lewis

We will tour the entire Isle of Lewis, including the Butt of Lewis with its lighthouse and the Callandish stones. These spectacular prehistoric standing stones form dramatic avenues with a circle of large monoliths at the centre, almost totally covered with peat until the mid-19th century. We stop for lunch on our journey. (B L D) 

Saturday

Lochinver

This morning we have time to explore Stornoway before enjoying an early lunch at our hotel, or a packed lunch for later. We join the ferry for Ullapool to travel back to the mainland. We have an hour in Ullapool before travelling on to Lochinver, a pleasant village with a beautiful harbour and a magnificent mountain backdrop. We stay here for two nights at the luxurious Inverlodge Hotel, set on a hillside overlooking the bay. Deer often appear outside. All rooms have splendid ocean views. (B L D)

Sunday

North West Scottish Highlands

A coach takes us to discover the remote, impressive landscape of the North West Highlands, offering deserted sandy beaches and spectacular mountain scenery. The tour passes through Scourie and Laxford Bridge before arriving at Durness where there will be time for lunch. (B D)

Monday

Dunrobin Castle and Inverness

We depart by coach along mountain roads to Lairg and Dunrobin Castle. Dunrobin Castle,

from its high terrace, looks out across wonderful gardens to the sea beyond. A highlight of the visit will be the falconry display. We have lunch in the Castle before transferring to Golspie station where we board the train to Inverness. Upon arrival we check into our hotel, leaving time to explore Inverness. (B L D)

Tuesday

The Highland Chieftain back to London

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

Friday 11th June to Saturday 19th June 2010

Friday 20th August to Saturday 28th August 2010 

Please note, First Class is NOT available on the other trains within our programme.

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