Three Great Scottish Railways plus a Cruise

8 Days - Sat 8th July 2023

Single rooms now sold out - call to add to wait list.

Includes Mallaig to Fort William, Strathspey Railway, Bo’Ness & Kinneil Railway and a Loch cruise!

Maybe it has heightened due to Harry Potter, but the idealistic riding on trains is synonymous with Scottish Highland scenery. On this tour we take three train rides, two in the highlands and one near Edinburgh. But that’s not all! We also have a ninety-minute loch cruise and visit some of Scotland’s beautiful scenic spots and traditional towns. Our main hotel is in Kingussie, a lovely town beside the river Spey in the midst of the beautiful Cairngorms. We travel to and from Kingussie on a circular route, so you get to see as much Scottish scenery as possible!

Saturday Into Scotland and on to our overnight hotel, the 3-star Watermill in Paisley.

Sunday We travel up the west side of Scotland taking in Loch Lomond, Glencoe & Ben Nevis before finally climbing into the Cairngorms to our hotel for four nights in Kingussie. We make stops on Loch Lomond and in Fort William.

Monday A dramatic day in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Harry Potter and the Jacobite rebellion! To Loch Sheil, Hogwart’s Lake in Harry Potter, for a ninety-minute cruise. As part of this cruise we get to witness the famous scene in the film where the Hogwart’s Express crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. The Hogwart’s Express is in fact The Jacobite. Later we travel on that famous train line, from Mallaig to Fort William, on a diesel train experiencing the great scenery.

Tuesday A well-deserved free day in our resort of Kingussie. If you wish to explore further afield there is a trainline that travels to either Inverness or Newtonmore.

Wednesday Along the Spey Valley to Aviemore, a year-round destination with beautiful scenery. Here we catch the Strathspey Steam Railway to Broomhill, a ride that enables you to travel back in time to an era when steam whistles blew, carriage doors slammed and there was a familiar click-clack rhythm on the rails. Later we travel further into the Highlands and visit Grantown on Spey.

Thursday A wonderful day’s drive through the Cairngorm mountains. We travel via Tomintoul to our lunch time stop in Braemar, known as the ‘Royal Village’ due to its proximity to Balmoral. We also make a short stop in the village of Balmoral itself. We continue later through the Pass of Glenshee to the Station Hotel in Perth, our base for the next two nights.

Friday Across the Firth of Forth and our final train ride on the Bo’Ness & Kinneil Steam Railway. Afterwards we have free time in the city of Edinburgh.

Saturday We return home.

Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie

Great hospitality and food in this hotel that dates back to the 18th century and the days of the stage coach. LIFT | BAR dukeofgordonhotel.co.uk

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel

• Tours as indicated (including three train rides and one cruise)

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

The Aberdonian Tornado Steam Train with a Premier Dining Experience | Peebles

5 Days - Mon 24th July 2023

+£100 Single Supplement

The Aberdonian whisks us away and lets us take in some of the best that Scotland has to offer, both on the train and off. It is a four-hour steam journey both ways and whilst in Aberdeen we visit a famous distillery. We have premier dining for the journey, so we enjoy two silver service meals cooked by onboard chefs. A bubbly breakfast on the way and a four-course dinner on our return. There are also inclusions on our other days in resort as we visit a famous house and a seabird centre.

Monday North and over the border to our hotel in Peebles.

Tuesday We visit Abbotsford House for a guided tour. It’s the former home of Sir Walter Scott and our tour will uncover an extensive woodland estate with amazing gothic architecture. Then to the world-famous town of Hawick which is home to five premium products and where cashmere and tweed were invented! We have a tour and tasting at Borders Distillery and free time to explore the other shops including Lockies, Hawico & Lovat Mill.

Wednesday The Scottish Seabird Centre is a 5-star attraction and allows us a unique view of the marine environment through interactive cameras showing wildlife in its natural habitat. We also spend time in the charming seaside resort of North Berwick before returning to our hotel.

Thursday We board the Aberdonian Tornado steam train in Edinburgh for the four-hour journey to Aberdeen. We cross the UNESCO world heritage Forth Bridge, then along the Fife coastline as we enjoy a bubbly breakfast. In Aberdeen we visit Glen Garioch for a tour and tasting, it’s true what they say – you can never fully enjoy a dram until you’ve seen how and where it is made. Then we return to our train for the journey home and enjoy a four-course meal while scenic lush countryside, rugged cliffs and coastal panoramas open out through the large picture windows. Friday We return home.

•

•

• as indicated (including premier dining on the Aberdonian, Abbotsford and Seabird Centre)

Scottish Sensations

5 Days - Sun 3rd September 2023 +£90 Single Supplement

Absorb the contrasting scenery and natural beauty of Perthshire whilst staying at the 4-star Crowood House Hotel. Rise into the air on the unique Falkirk Wheel boat lift, marvel at the extraordinary, monumental Kelpies, visit the world-famous Royal Yacht Britannia and also visit Pollok House, a grand country house where we have a private tour and a cream tea. This really is an action-packed tour based at a superb 4-star hotel and is always a huge success.

Sunday North to our hotel in that lies between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Monday To Pollok House, a grand country house in the heart of Glasgow with an impressive collection of Spanish art. We have a private tour and afterwards are treated to a cream tea. Later we cross the famous Erskine Bridge and visit Loch Lomond. We make a stop at the Loch Lomond Shores Centre, with shops, eating options and walks on the banks of the loch.

Tuesday In the morning we experience the Falkirk Wheel, one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions that will leave us stunned at the staggering feat of engineering. The world’s first rotating boat lift is an engineering marvel that connects the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal. Then we make our way to the unique sight of The Kelpies, the world’s largest, equine sculptures. They are monumental tributes to the horsepower heritage vital to the early industries of central Scotland. During our time here we have a thirty-minute guided tour where we can see the sculptures up close.

Wednesday To Edinburgh for a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia to follow in the footsteps of not only the late Queen Elizabeth II, but Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and many more. The remainder of the day is free to explore Edinburgh. Thurday We return home.

Crowwood House Hotel

Newly refurbished awardwinning hotel with a stylish modern décor. GROUND FLOOR ROOMS (PLEASE REQUEST)

BAR | WIFI | FREEVIEW TV crowwoodhotel.co.uk

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel

• Tours as indicated (including Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel, Pollok House & Royal Yacht Britannia)

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

Discovering Dundee, Fife and Angus, Scotland

Includes five experiences and a local guide!

The city of Dundee is one of contrasts, from the state-of-the-art Victoria and Albert Museum to the heritage of the Jute Mills and historic ships with great stories to tell. Dundee also makes an excellent base to explore Angus to the north and Fife to the south.

•

•

Sunday North over the border and we cross the Forth Estuary on our way to Dundee.

Tours whilst at resort

A | We have a local guide on board as we journey along the glittering coastline and tour the East Neuk area. We make stops in St Andrews and, after passing through charming fishing villages, Pittenweem where traditional houses surround the harbour. Finally, we have a guided tour of the lovingly restored Teasses Estate. There are formal and walled gardens, greenhouses and afterwards we enjoy a hot drink and some home baking.

B | We stay in Dundee and visit Captain Scott’s ship, the RRS Discovery. Explore the ship and relive the hardships and triumphs of the remarkable expedition to the Arctic. Later, we visit Glamis Castle and have a guided tour of the childhood home of the Queen Mother.

C | Into Angus and our first stop is the traditional seaside town of Arbroath, home to the famous ‘Arbroath Smokie’. Then to St Cyrus and the National Nature Reserve with stunning views over swathes of beaches and cliffs. There is a variety of wildlife, and we may be lucky enough to see seals. Finally, we visit the House of Dun, an elegant Georgian country house where costumed guides lead you through its fascinating history.

Thursday We return south, for home.

Grand Tour of Scotland

10 Days - Mon 10th July 2023

+£230

Single Supplement

4 resorts and 10 included experiences!

If you’re not sure what part of Scotland to visit, then take this tour! It includes four bases and allows the completion of a figure of eight tour taking in lots of highlights. It’s also action-packed with ten included visits ranging from boat cruise to whisky and castles to sheepdogs! All hotels are either 3 or 4-stars, so we will always be able to relax in comfort in the evenings and reflect upon all that we have seen. This tour was a huge success in 2021, then we were unable to get accommodation in 2022, so take advantage in 2023!

Monday Over the border and we spend our first night in Stirling at the 4-star Highland Hotel, in a charming Victorian building providing a perfect base for exploring the city. The hotel has a pool and a gym, and we are met with hot drinks and biscuits.

Tuesday Through the Trossachs and passing Loch Tay we make a lunch time stop in Pitlochry with its clear, sparkling air, beautiful scenery, and rich clan history. Then it’s into the Scottish Highlands and the Cairngorm National Park on our way to Grantown on Spey, our hotel for the next three nights. This is a fine Scottish country town, not far from the famous Spey River in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park and our hotel specialises in bird watching and wildlife.

Wednesday After two days of travelling we stay local today but still have two great experiences. First, we delve into the past and discover Highland living at the Highland Folk Museum. Set over eighty acres, live actors plus restored buildings bring Highland history to life. Then a completely unique experience as we see up to eight sheepdogs working as a team maneuvering sheep through various obstacles over a forty-five-minute demonstration, all amidst beautiful scenery.

Thursday To Inverness for free time in the capital of the Highlands where the river Ness flows into the Moray Firth. The afternoon is spent on Loch Ness and we take a one-hour cruise from Dochgarroch to Urquhart Castle with breath-taking scenery. We then have entry to Urquhart Castle, magnificently situated on the shore of the loch, with over 1,000 years of history. We return by a different route so we can travel the length of the loch and thus complete a wonderful circular tour.

Friday We have a relaxing morning with time to explore Grantown on Spey before our early afternoon departure. We make a stop at Whisky Castle which has been selling whisky from the same shop for over 100 years. It is based in the highest village in the Highlands and we have a brief talk followed by a tasting. Then we drop down to the coast and Aberdeen, our base for the next two nights at the 4-star Mercure Caledonian Hotel.

Saturday Two National Trust of Scotland properties today as we first head to Fyvie Castle for a guided tour followed by hot drinks and shortbread. Fyvie is an imposing 800-year-old fortress with Raeburn portraits on the walls and wildfowl in the loch, all brought to life by our guide. Then to Pitmedden Gardens, a re-created Scottish Renaissance walled garden with unique floral designs and over 30,000 bedding plants making up the colourful designs. Following a guided tour of the gardens we complete a circular route for the day by following the coast road back to Aberdeen with views across the North Sea.

Sunday We leave Aberdeen and head south to Dundee where we make a lunch time stop. Dundee is enjoying a resurgence and is a UNESCO City of Design and home to the only V&A Museum outside of London. It is also home to Captain Scott’s ship the RRS Discovery. From here we cross the Forth and continue to our final hotel, The Riverside Lodge in Irvine, where we have drinks and shortbread on arrival.

Monday Wonderful costal views of the Isles of Bute and Arran, then to Loch Lomond for a one-hour cruise on this famous loch immortalised by writers, poets, and artists. It is one of the most enchanting and romantic beauty spots in the British Isles. Following free time for lunch at Loch Lomond Shores, we have a guided tour of the Glengoyne Distillery including a tutored tasting of two Highland style malt whiskies with complex flavours.

Tuesday We do not venture far today and our first stop is Culzean Castle where we have a guided tour followed by drinks and biscuits. The castle is a cliff-top master-piece which rises above beaches, and secret follies. On our way back up the Ayrshire coast we make a short stop in Troon, most famous for its golf course but also a popular seaside town with a bustling harbour and beach.

Wednesday Our final enjoyment of Scottish scenery as we travel across Dumfries and Galloway to Gretna Green and then home.

3-star hotel in the heart of the Highlands that provides a modern standard of comfort.

It dates from 1765 and Queen Victoria stayed here in 1860.

LIFT | WIFI grantarmshotel.com

Caledonian Hotel

Elegant 4-star hotel overlooking the famous Union Terrace Gardens in the centre.

LIFT | BAR | WIFI all.accor.com

Riverside Lodge Hotel Irvine

4-star hotel just outside Irvine with its own golf course.

GROUND FLOOR ROOMS

(PLEASE REQUEST) | BAR | WIFI theriversidelodgehotel.co.uk

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel

• Tours as indicated (including ten experiences)

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

North Coast 500

8 Days - Wed 30th August 2023

Single rooms now sold out - call to add to wait list.

Showcasing Northern Scotland with all its beautiful beaches, historical ruins and pretty fishing villages, the North Coast 500 coastal road is a journey like no other. Scotland’s answer to Route 66 is now a designated tourist route around the Northern Highlands taking in amazing coastal scenery full of lochs and uninhabited islands. We also travel to and from the most northern part of Scotland on different routes to see as much as possible. Heading north we head through the Cairngorms National Park and on the way south we pass Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Loch Lomond. A fabulous ‘bucket list’ tour that was hugely successful in 2022 when we operated it for the first time.

Wednesday Into Scotland and on to our overnight hotel, the 4-star Courtyard by Marriott Glasgow Airport with free WIFI & gym.

Thursday Beautiful scenery today as we pass Stirling and Perth, then climb into the Highlands with views of the Cairngorm National Park. We make a stop in Pitlochry and then a lunch time stop in Aviemore, a highland base with plenty of shops and food options. Then onto Strathpeffer and our hotel for two nights, the Ben Wyvis Hotel.

Friday We stay local today and have free time in Inverness before skirting the banks of Loch Ness to the visitor centre. There’s a multi-media presentation leading you through seven themed areas and 500 million years of history and mystery. Then we take a cruise on the famous loch so have your camera ready!

Saturday We start our journey on the North Coast 500 enjoying stunning scenery from the start. En route we make a stop at Dunrobin Castle, the most northerly of Scotland’s great castles and with a resemblance to a French chateau. There is time to enjoy the castle and the gardens with fantastic views over the Moray Firth. Later on, to Thurso and our hotel for the night.

Sunday Miles and miles of costal scenery as we head along Scotland’s most northern coast and enjoy dramatic ocean views. We will take plenty of photo stops where the impressive white sand beaches are at their most impressive. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Royal Hotel in Ullapool, a pretty fishing village.

Monday A final part of the North Coast 500 takes us by more dramatic scenery on our way to Attadale Gardens. The gardens were built in 1755 and its gardens include a water garden, rhododendron walk, sunken garden and a Japanese garden.

Tuesday We return to the Courtyard Hotel taking in the west of the country and passing Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Loch Lomond. Wednesday We return home with a final stop at Gretna Green.

Situated in idyllic woodland in the Victorian spa town of Strathpeffer, this 3-star hotel is a grand Victorian mansion full of character and charm.

BAR | WIFI

strathmorehotels-thebenwyvis.com

Located in a breathtaking location on the shores of Loch Broom offering unspoilt views of the surrounding landscape. Plus, just 5-minutes from the town centre. BAR royalhotel-ullapool.com

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel

• Tours as indicated (including Dunrobin, Attadale, Loch Ness Visitor Centre & cruise)

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

Guernsey by Sea

Including half-day familiarisation tour!

7 Days Sat 1st July 2023 £629

Sat 23rd September 2023 £589

OR

8 Days Sun 13th August 2023 £699

All 2023 dates now sold out - call to add to wait list. See page 82 for our 2024 dates!

Guernsey is a place where you can escape the ordinary and discover an island bursting with local charm and inspiring nature. There are daily connections to Herm, Sark, and Alderney if you wish to explore further. Our hotel is the Pandora. All tours include a half-day familiarisation tour of the island! We travel with Condor on one of their high-speed vessels so the journey time to Guernsey is just three hours and ten minutes. Everyone is guaranteed a seat on board and there is a restaurant, bar, duty-free shop and Wi-Fi.

First Day We transfer you to Poole for the Condor to Guernsey. On the island you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Whilst at resort A half-day familiarisation tour is included and a good selection of other tours are available through your representative at the hotel.

Last Day There will be a transfer to the Condor from the hotel and we will meet you on the mainland for the journey home.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to access on and off the ferry, which is 100m walk up an incline, this holiday may not be suitable for all customers.

Pandora Hotel

Conveniently situated in an elevated position a ten-minute stroll from St Peter’s Port. BAR pandorahotel.co.uk

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel to/from Condor crossings

• Half day trip on island

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

Jersey by Sea

Including full-day island coastal tour!

6 Days

Mon 16th October 2023 £539

Single rooms now sold out - call to add to wait list.

See page 83 for our 2024 dates!

7 Days

OR

Sat 15th July 2023 £749

Single rooms now sold out - call to add to wait list.

Sat 19th August 2023 £749

Single rooms now sold out - call to add to wait list.

Sat 16th September 2023 £659

Single rooms now sold out - call to add to wait list.

Jersey is an island shaped by the sea where some of the most astonishing tides in the world circle the coast and feed the land. It is an island small on size but big on personality, where country lanes open to cliff top views and the sea is never more than ten minutes away. We used the Monterey Hotel for the first time in 2022 and it was a great success. All holidays include a full-day island coastal tour. We travel with Condor on one of their highspeed vessels so the journey time to Jersey is just four hours and ten minutes. Everyone is guaranteed a seat on board and there’s a restaurant, bar, duty-free shop and Wi-Fi.

First Day We transfer you to Poole for the Condor to Guernsey. On the island you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.

Whilst at resort A half-day island coastal trip is included and a good selection of other tours are available through your representative at the hotel.

Last Day There will be a transfer to the Condor from the hotel and we will meet you on the mainland for the journey home.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to access on and off the ferry, which is 100m walk up an incline, this holiday may not be suitable for all customers.

Monterey Hotel

3-star hotel a short walk through Millennium Town Park to the town centre. LIFT | WIFI SPA | SAUNA | GYM | FREEVIEW

TV STEAM ROOM INDOOR & OUTDOOR POOL morvanhotels.com

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel to/from Condor crossings

• Half day trip on island

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal

River & Rail in Ireland | Enniskerry

5 Days - Sun 9th July 2023

+£95 Single Supplement

Includes guided train ride and boat trip!

This short break to the east coast of Ireland is filled with treats including a guided rail tour and a scenic river cruise. We also include a visit to Kilkenny, where the modern and the mediaeval fuse. This year we stay at the Summerhill House Hotel in Enniskerry where glamour and the countryside blend in one of Ireland’s prettiest villages. It also has one night of entertainment and a quiz on another evening.

Sunday We take the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and on to our hotel in Enniskerry where we are met with a welcome drink.

Monday We make our way to Kilkenny. As Ireland’s mediaeval capital, it has a mixture of rich cultural heritage, beautiful streetscapes, and great shopping to offer. On our return we travel through the scenic Wicklow Mountains via Glendalough.

Tuesday We begin today with a journey on Ireland’s oldest railway, following the coast from Bray, through Dublin to Malahide. We are accompanied by a local tour guide and enjoy a panorama of city, coast and countryside. Upon arrival at the seaside resort of Malahide we are served tea and scones. Following free time in Malahide we return on a scenic journey via Howth.

Wednesday To Dublin for a one-hour river cruise that glides under Dublin’s historic bridges whilst we gaze at iconic buildings from a unique vantage point and our expert guide describes the highlights of Irish history. In the afternoon we are free to enjoy Dublin. Maybe visit the home of a monumental Irish success story, The Guinness Storehouse which is a seven-storey visitor experience dedicated to Ireland’s world-famous stout and has itself become Ireland’s most popular visitor attraction with over a million visitors a year (entry not included). Our evening meal is followed by an Irish coffee.

Thursday Time for the morning ferry from Dublin back to Holyhead. Breakfast will be served on board and then home.

Holiday Inclusions

• Return coach travel

• Ferry crossings

• Tours as indicated (including guided train ride and boat trip)

• Hotel accomodation of bed, breakfast (except on last morning when included on boat) and evening meal