Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Rail holidays |
|---|---|
| Country |
United Kingdom |
| Resort |
Scotland |
| Travel type |
Coach |
| Price range | From £385 |
| Travel partner | Brightwater Holidays |
| Duration | 3 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6701 |
Scenic Scottish Railways
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The north of Scotland is blessed with some wonderfully scenic railway lines. The challenge of building railways through some of the most difficult terrain in the British Isles was taken up by the great engineers of the Victorian age. Their legacy is in the sweeping curves and majestic viaducts of the single-track lines which cross wild moors and lonely glens and continue to provide important links to the north and west Highlands.
We will travel northwards to Wick, following the coast as far as Helmsdale before sweeping inland through the wild and empty country of Sutherland and Caithness, and westwards to Kyle of Lochalsh, by Strath Bran and Strath Carron to the shores of Loch Alsh. We have the added attraction of steam haulage for our two other journeys. The Jacobite ensures that the haunting sound of a steam whistle continues to echo around Glenfinnan, as the train crosses Concrete Bob McAlpines magnificent viaduct on its way from Fort William to Mallaig. At Aviemore we take the train to Boat of Garten on the preserved Strathspey Line, which provides an authentic taste of the Golden Age of rail travel in the Highlands.
We will travel northwards to Wick, following the coast as far as Helmsdale before sweeping inland through the wild and empty country of Sutherland and Caithness, and westwards to Kyle of Lochalsh, by Strath Bran and Strath Carron to the shores of Loch Alsh. We have the added attraction of steam haulage for our two other journeys. The Jacobite ensures that the haunting sound of a steam whistle continues to echo around Glenfinnan, as the train crosses Concrete Bob McAlpines magnificent viaduct on its way from Fort William to Mallaig. At Aviemore we take the train to Boat of Garten on the preserved Strathspey Line, which provides an authentic taste of the Golden Age of rail travel in the Highlands.
Included
- 3 nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the comfortable Highland Hotel, Strathpeffer (or similar).
- All rooms have private facilities.
- Comfortable coaching throughout.
- Rail journeys from Dingwall to Wick (single) and Kyle of Lochalsh (return); from Fort William to Mallaig (return) on the Jacobite and from Aviemore to Broomhill (return) on the Strathspey Line.
- Services of a Brightwater Holidays tour manager.
Not included
- Rail/air connections and/or overnight accommodation in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth before or after the tour available on request at a supplement.
Day 1
Depart from your chosen pick up point and travel by coach to Aviemore and the Strathspey Railway. We will board the maroon-liveried coaches which will evoke memories of train journeys in the 1950s and 60s and the train will be hauled by a lovingly restored steam locomotive from the collection which is housed in the engine shed adjacent to the station here. The line crosses heather covered moorland with the Cairngorm Mountains beyond, scenes which have changed little in the last hundred years. The train stops at Boat of Garten, a village created by the former railway companies that served the area, before continuing to Broomhill, which doubles as Glenbogle in the popular BBC TV series, Monarch of the Glen. The train will then return to Aviemore, and we continue our journey by coach to our accommodation in Strathpeffer, where dinner will be served on arrival.
Day 2
Today following breakfast we will travel the short distance to Dingwall where we board the morning train to Wick. The line takes us along the shores of the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, looping round by Lairg and back to the coast, passing the former junction with the Dornoch branch at The Mound. From Golspie the line follows the spectacular coastline as far as Helmsdale, where it turns inland, pausing at remote stations such as Forsinard and Altnabreac, before reaching Georgemas Junction, the most northerly railway junction in Britain. The driver changes ends here to take the train to Thurso before we continue to the terminus at Wick. On arrival here we will re-join our coach and return to our hotel by the more direct but equally scenic coastal route. Dinner will be served in the evening, which will be followed by a video presentation on railways in Scotland in the 1950s and 60s.
Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast today we will return to the station at Dingwall, this time heading west to Kyle of Lochalsh. Our route takes us through Strath Bran and the isolated little station at Achnasheen, on into Strath Carron to the head of Loch Carron, passing Stromeferry, the one-time terminus of the line, before we reach the current terminus at Kyle of Lochalsh. We have time here to stretch our legs and enjoy the views across Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye before re-boarding the train for the return journey to Dingwall. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 4
After an early breakfast we check out of the hotel and travel through the Great Glen to Fort William, where we join The Jacobite steam train and experience one of the most memorable and spectacular railway journeys in the world to Mallaig on the famous Road to the Isles. The Jacobite combines the romance of the steam era with the opportunity to drink in the stunning views of this wild and historic part of Scotland. From the slopes of Ben Nevis the line runs through rugged mountains, past sea and inland lochs and onto the shores of the Atlantic at Mallaig. The route takes you over the massive Glenfinnan viaduct overlooking Loch Sheil, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. After some free time in Mallaig we rejoin the train and return to Fort William. Thereafter we continue by coach to our original departure points where we expect to arrive late evening.
Depart from your chosen pick up point and travel by coach to Aviemore and the Strathspey Railway. We will board the maroon-liveried coaches which will evoke memories of train journeys in the 1950s and 60s and the train will be hauled by a lovingly restored steam locomotive from the collection which is housed in the engine shed adjacent to the station here. The line crosses heather covered moorland with the Cairngorm Mountains beyond, scenes which have changed little in the last hundred years. The train stops at Boat of Garten, a village created by the former railway companies that served the area, before continuing to Broomhill, which doubles as Glenbogle in the popular BBC TV series, Monarch of the Glen. The train will then return to Aviemore, and we continue our journey by coach to our accommodation in Strathpeffer, where dinner will be served on arrival.
Day 2
Today following breakfast we will travel the short distance to Dingwall where we board the morning train to Wick. The line takes us along the shores of the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, looping round by Lairg and back to the coast, passing the former junction with the Dornoch branch at The Mound. From Golspie the line follows the spectacular coastline as far as Helmsdale, where it turns inland, pausing at remote stations such as Forsinard and Altnabreac, before reaching Georgemas Junction, the most northerly railway junction in Britain. The driver changes ends here to take the train to Thurso before we continue to the terminus at Wick. On arrival here we will re-join our coach and return to our hotel by the more direct but equally scenic coastal route. Dinner will be served in the evening, which will be followed by a video presentation on railways in Scotland in the 1950s and 60s.
Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast today we will return to the station at Dingwall, this time heading west to Kyle of Lochalsh. Our route takes us through Strath Bran and the isolated little station at Achnasheen, on into Strath Carron to the head of Loch Carron, passing Stromeferry, the one-time terminus of the line, before we reach the current terminus at Kyle of Lochalsh. We have time here to stretch our legs and enjoy the views across Loch Alsh to the Isle of Skye before re-boarding the train for the return journey to Dingwall. We return to our hotel for dinner.
Day 4
After an early breakfast we check out of the hotel and travel through the Great Glen to Fort William, where we join The Jacobite steam train and experience one of the most memorable and spectacular railway journeys in the world to Mallaig on the famous Road to the Isles. The Jacobite combines the romance of the steam era with the opportunity to drink in the stunning views of this wild and historic part of Scotland. From the slopes of Ben Nevis the line runs through rugged mountains, past sea and inland lochs and onto the shores of the Atlantic at Mallaig. The route takes you over the massive Glenfinnan viaduct overlooking Loch Sheil, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. After some free time in Mallaig we rejoin the train and return to Fort William. Thereafter we continue by coach to our original departure points where we expect to arrive late evening.
Highland Hotel, Strathpeffer (or similar)
Peacefully set in its own grounds with lovely views over the colourful village square which is just steps away, this chateau style hotel's traditional features have been carefully retained to strike just the right Highland note. All bedrooms have private facilities, tea and coffee making facilities and colour television.
Peacefully set in its own grounds with lovely views over the colourful village square which is just steps away, this chateau style hotel's traditional features have been carefully retained to strike just the right Highland note. All bedrooms have private facilities, tea and coffee making facilities and colour television.
This holiday is booked by phone. Click 'book now' to make a reservation request to our travel partner who will call you back to confirm your booking details and take payment. To speak to a representative now please call 0330 333 6701.
3 results
| Departure date | Nights | Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-Jun-2013 | 3 | 385.00 | reserve | |||
| 12-Jul-2013 | 3 | 385.00 | reserve | |||
| 13-Sep-2013 | 3 | 385.00 | reserve |
3 results
Well organized – feel very well cared for
Mr H
