The Summer Highlander 14

the North Sea beyond. There’ll be time to visit the castle and its grounds, including a falconry display, before lunch at the Golspie Inn. To end an eventful day, you visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to the hotel in Inverness (B L)

Thursday 8th June The Far North Today there’s a trip by road coach to the iconic village of John O’Groats. The route from Inverness follows the A9 trunk road, which hugs the North Sea coast for much of the way from Golspie to Wick, giving spectacular views. John O’Groats is the well-known starting point for charity events travelling the greatest length of Britain to Land’s End. It has a tiny harbour and, if the weather is good, there are views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands. You continue a few miles west to the Castle of Mey, where a light lunch will be served. The castle was restored from a near ruin by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother for use as a holiday home. Further on, at Thurso Railway Station, you join a ScotRail service train for Inverness. The railway takes a different route to the road, initially crossing isolated moorland, thus providing a fresh perspective on the region’s wonderful scenery. The railway line meets the North Sea coast at Helmsdale and follows the coastline, often running between the road and the sea. It’s not uncommon to see seals basking on the shore on this section of the route. On arrival at Inverness you return to your hotel where dinner is served. (B L D) Friday 9th June The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways This morning you travel by road coach to Aviemore to join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway. This heritage railway line shares the main line railway station at Aviemore and runs to Boat of Garten and Broomhill (‘Glenbogle’ in the BBC series Monarch of the Glen). The return trip affords outstanding views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join your road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, and have lunch in the ‘Buffer Stop’, a railway restaurant car. The return trip by vintage diesel rail car takes you on the 11-mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. This so-called ‘Whisky Line’ passes through dense pine forests, by the tranquil waters of Loch Park, and along the winding valley of the River Isla. You re-join your coach and return to the hotel in Inverness for dinner. (B L D)

Saturday 10th June The ‘Highland Chieftain’ to London There’s an early breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to Inverness Railway Station and join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ express for the return journey to London. Relax in your FirstClass seat as you travel once more through the scenic Highlands. You climb to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and follow the valley of the River Tay to Perth and then to Edinburgh to join the ECML onwards to Newcastle, York and London’s King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on your journey south. (B L)

Tour Summary

Tour price £1625 Single supplement £295

Price includes:

• First Class rail travel on the ‘Highland

Chieftain’ and on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train • Standard Class rail travel between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness and between

Thurso and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains) • 5 nights accommodation in hotels • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners • All visits, train and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary • The services of a tour manager

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

June 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2

Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 12:00 15:48 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:57 Kingussie 19:15 ------Inverness ------- 07:55

*Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

The Emerald Explorer

Thursday 8th June to Friday 16th June 2023

From Dublin to Westport, Waterford to the Cliffs of Moher, this new rail tour distils Ireland’s proud culture, heritage, and history into 9 days of memorable highlights. Starting and ending in Dublin, you’ll cover the length and breadth of this stunning country by rail and coach and discover first-hand the legends, traditions and outstanding hospitality Ireland is renowned for. • Enjoy a guided tour of Dublin and the Teeling Whisky Distillery. • On the Atlantic seafront tour Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, Connemara Celtic Crystal and explore Galway. • Travel highlights include the Waterford Suir Valley Railway and a cruise on the River Shannon. • Marvel at the wild Cliffs of Moher and visit West Clare Railway and Museum. • Savour a Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle. • Experience the mysteries of Blarney Castle and Clonmacnoise Monastery. • Finish the tour on a high with traditional Irish music and dancing at Dublin’s famous Arlington Hotel.

Thursday 8th June First Class Avanti Service to Holyhead and Ferry Crossing to Dublin Meet your Tour Manager this morning in the First Class Lounge at London Euston, before you travel First Class on an Avanti Service to Holyhead. On arrival, you transfer to Holyhead Ferry Terminal for a ferry crossing over the Irish Sea to Dublin. On arrival, you transfer to a comfortable hotel where you’ll stay for the next two nights. There will be a welcome dinner at the hotel this evening. (D)

Friday 9th June Guided Tour of Dublin and Whiskey Distillery Visit Today after your hotel breakfast you’ll enjoy a thrilling guided coach tour of Dublin, with a refreshment break in Phoenix Park. One of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city, it was originally designed for royal hunting in the 1660s. After the tour you’ll have time for lunch before a scheduled tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery. Dublin was once home to over 37 distilleries, and this is the first new distillery here for over 125 years. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the city at leisure. Dublin has a compact centre, so most attractions are within walking distance of each other. Walk in ‘Stephen’s Green’ or check out the shops and cafes on Grafton Street, perhaps stopping to take a picture alongside Molly Malone, one of Dublin’s most famous statues. Visit Leinster House, where the current parliament sits, or Dublin Castle, the seat of English rule from the 13th Century. Dinner will be served at your hotel this evening. (B D) Saturday 10th June Guided Tour of Athlone Castle, River Shannon Cruise and Visit to Clonmacnoise Monastery Following breakfast, you transfer from Dublin to Athlone and enjoy a guided tour of Athlone Castle. Here the Great Siege of Athlone is brought to life through interactive exhibits and an immersive 360-degree cinematic experience. Climb the steps to the castle keep and enjoy the views across the majestic River Shannon. After lunch you leave Athlone Castle for a private charter cruise along the River Shannon. Named after the Celtic goddess ‘Sionna’, the Shannon is a series of lakes, rivers, and canals almost 200 miles in length and is Ireland’s longest river. Later you transfer by coach to Clonmacnoise Monastery. St Ciarán founded this ancient monastery on the banks of the Shannon in the