Railtrail Annual Brochure 2020

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DAY 1
For those on our rail inclusive package the wonderfully
picturesque Highland Line takes you through Perth,
Pitlochry and over Cairngorm Mountains to Inverness
and our hotel on the banks of River Ness. (D)
DAY 2
A fabulous circular day touring Speyside including
a whiff of nostalgia as we travel by steam on the
Strathspey Steam Railway with light refreshments
served en-route. We continue by coach through the
beautiful Spey Valley where no visit to Speyside would
be complete without a tour and tasting of one of the
many Whiskys produced in the area at a traditional
Speyside distillery . A little free-time in Dufftown, the
whisky capital of the world, after which we have a
traditional afternoon tea served in the buffet carriage
at the Keith and Dufftown Railway. Our amazing day
concludes with our private charter heritage diesel
railcar taking us along their scenic and rural line to
the terminus at Keith before re-boarding our coach
to complete this wonderful circular tour back to
Inverness. (B,LR,L,D)
DAY 3
A relaxing morning of ‘monster spotting’ as we cruise
along Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle . The sheer
expanse of this loch with the steep valley side sheer to
DEPARTS
HOTEL
Monday 28 September 2020
Railtrail founder, Dave Felstead’s, very first railtour is revisited four decades on! A
delightful tour inspired by the original 1979 BBC “Great Railway Journeys of the
World” TV series which saw Sir Michael Palin travelling through the spectacular
Scottish Highlands to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Whilst returning to that original journey to
Kyle of Lochalsh we have also added a whiff of steam nostalgia that wasn’t possible 40
years ago at the Strathspey Steam Railway and aboard the Jacobite steam train, along
with many other Highland attractions including a relaxing cruise ‘monster spotting’.
© Lukassek
© PJT
Eilean Donan Castle
Strathspey Steam Railway
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Fares
From
£1089
6
DAYS
the water’s edge combine to give a true understanding
of minds drifting to what may lie in the depths below.
We have time to explore the brooding ruins of the
castle before we continue back along the lochside to
Inverness for an afternoon at leisure to explore the
capital of the Highlands. (B,D)
DAY 4
After breakfast we board the train for the journey of a
lifetime, Scotland’s Kyle Line. Simply one of the world’s
finest coast to coast rail adventures, it is a heady
cocktail of dramatic scenery and romantic legend. After
crossing the great mountain plateaux and its wonderful
vistas we arrive on the west coast at Kyle of Lochalsh.
Here we board our private coach which takes us to
Eilean Donan Castle for a visit to one of Scotlands
most pictured scenes – ‘the castle in the loch’. We
return to the Kyle of Lochalsh for our train back to
Inverness and we suggest sitting on the opposite side
of the train to the outward journey so that no stunning
vista is missed. (B,D)
DAY 5
Travelling through the Great Glen to Fort William we
journey on another of Scotland’s most scenic railway
journeys as we join the Jacobite Steam Train on the
West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig.
The line takes us over the impressive Glennfinnan
Viaduct, capturing the views of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s
monument standing proudly at the head of Loch
Shiel. The viaduct is now famous for its association
with the Harry Potter movies. Circumnavigating Loch
Eilt with the small island home to the remnant of the
original Caledonian Forest the steam train continues
with astonishing vistas of the Atlantic coastline before
arriving at Mallaig overlooking the Isle of Skye. We
have a short break for sightseeing in Mallaig before
journeying back to Fort William and onto Inverness for
a celebration gala dinner. (B,D)
DAY 6
Today we bid farewell to Inverness and, if travelling
by train, return over the mountains to Edinburgh and
homeward stations. (B)
Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness
Overlooking the River Ness, a short stroll from the city
centre, this superior quality, traditional Scottish hotel has
well appointed bedrooms all en-suite with hospitality
tray, radio, TV and free Wi-Fi. Leisure facilities include
indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and
beauty salon.
★ ★ Sir Michael Palin’s ‘Great Railway Journey’ to
the Kyle of Lochalsh
★ ★ Spectacular Scottish Highlands scenery
★ ★ Nostalgic steam train ride on the Strathspey
Railway
★ ★ Vintage diesel rail charter on the Keith and
Dufftown Railway
★ ★ Enjoy a ‘wee dram’ tour and tasting at a
Speyside Distillery
★ ★ ‘Monster spotting’ Loch Ness cruise
★ ★ Historic Urquhart Castle
★ ★ Visit the picturesque Eilean Dornan Castle –
the ‘castle in the loch’
★ ★ Take the Jacobite steam train on the ‘West
Highland Line’ between Fort William and
Mallaig
Also included in your Tour Fare:
★ ★ Dinner each evening, plus light refreshments
on the Strathspey Railway and 1 afternoon tea
lunch
★ ★ Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home
Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
★ ★ Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
★ ★ Hotel Porterage
R omantic Highlander
40th A nniversary Celebration T our
FARES
FARE REGION FIRST STANDARD
London: Kings Cross £1340 £1230
Greater London £1359 £1239
South of England £1390 £1255
East Anglia £1405 £1260
South West £1489 £1315
Heart of England £1390 £1255
Midlands £1380 £1239
Yorkshire £1319 £1219
North East £1289 £1199
North West £1339 £1225
South Wales £1430 £1279
North Wales £1379 £1249
Scotland £1219 £1169
Join & Leave at Hotel £1099
£10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards
Single Room Supplement £300
5 nights’ bed, breakfast & Table d’Hôte evening meal, 1 afternoon tea
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base
(Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions and admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage