The Far North and Orkney 24

Sunday 9th July At leisure in Kirkwall and a visit to the Highland Park Distillery You are free to relax and explore the quaint town of Kirkwall at your own pace. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by its vibrant artisan scene, diverse galleries and craft shops. Orkney’s capital boasts many historical buildings, such as the 12th century St. Magnus Cathedral, the most northern cathedral in the British Isles. In the afternoon you visit the Highland Park whisky distillery, where world-famous Scotch has been produced since 1798. Dinner is served at your hotel. (B D)

Monday 10th July Exploration of Neolithic Orkney You embark this morning on an exciting exploration of mainland Orkney by coach. Among the highlights are the wonderful and fascinating landmarks that form the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ World Heritage Site to the west of Kirkwall. You’ll have plenty of time to discover the tremendous natural beauty and cultural legacy at Maes Howe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. You’ll visit the delightful fishing port of Stromness, where you can explore and purchase lunch. In the afternoon, following your visit to Skara Brae, you’ll see the breathtaking sea cliffs at Yesnaby before returning to Kirkwall. (B)

Tuesday 11th July Orkney Beaches, Italian Chapel, Broch of Gurness and Brough of Birsay Today you’ll discover the pristine beaches of the Orkney shores and the so-called ‘Churchill Barrier’ causeway roads, built for defensive purposes during World War II. En route you’ll visit the iconic Italian chapel, one of the most loved cultural attractions on Orkney. In South Ronaldsay you venture south to the fishing town of Burwick, with fine views across the Pentland Firth to John O’ Groats. After lunch back in Kirkwall it’s time to explore the archaeological site at Broch of Gurness, just across the water from the sparsely populated Orkney island of Rousay. You end the day by experiencing the natural beauty of the Brough of Birsay, on the northern tip of mainland Orkney. At low tide you can walk to the uninhabited island of Birsay. Dinner is served in the hotel restaurant.(B D)

Wednesday 12th July Ferry Crossing over the Pentland Firth, Train Journey to Inverness This morning you return to the Scottish mainland. Your coach takes you from Kirkwall to Stromness for the ferry crossing over the famed Pentland Firth, past the Old Man of Hoy and St. John’s Head to Scrabster, near Thurso. From Scrabster you continue by coach to the iconic village of John O’ Groats, the most north eastern village on the British mainland, where you can buy lunch. Afterwards you continue to Wick and board a ScotRail service train on the stunning Far North Line for the spectacular railway journey via Thurso to Inverness. Initially the tracks cross over moorland, passing through isolated mountain landscapes, before hugging the coast again and running within sight of seals basking on the rocky shores. Numerous firths are navigated before the train eventually reaches Inverness, hub of the Scottish Highlands. You’ll spend two nights at the Best Western Hotel and Spa in the heart of the city, with ample time to explore in the evening. (B)

Thursday 13th July Strathspey Steam Railway and Fort George Today you travel by coach to nearby Aviemore before joining a steam train on the Strathspey Railway. This heritage 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 provides wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join the coach to travel from Aviemore into the heart of the nearby Cairngorms National Park, where you stop for a short stroll along the banks of Loch Morlich. You return back to the hotel, where lunch will be served, before enjoying an afternoon visit to Fort George. Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. Afterwards, you enjoy a Farewell meal at the hotel. (B L D)

Friday 14th July Return to London on the Highland Chieftain After an early breakfast you transfer to Inverness Railway Station to join the ‘Highland Chieftain’ express train for your return journey. Relax in your comfortable First-Class seats as you travel through the scenic Highlands. The train climbs to Drumochter summit, the highest in the UK, and then follows the valley of the River Tay to Perth. You continue to Edinburgh where you join the ECML onwards to Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L)

Tour Summary

Tour price £1895 Single supplement £325

Price includes:

• 8 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels • 5 lunches and 4 dinners • All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary • All rail, bus and boat journeys as detailed in the itinerary • All visits as detailed in the itinerary • Rail travel from London to Aberdeen and from Inverness to London • All seat reservations and transfers • 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

July 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 26 27 28 29 30 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 31 1 2 3 4 5 6

Approx. timings Outward Return London King’s Cross 10:00 15:49 York 11:54 13:58 Aberdeen 17:07 ------Inverness ------- 07:55

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

The Isle of Man Adventure

Friday 7th July to Thursday 13th July 2023

The Isle of Man has a story for every season, but late summer is one of the best times to enjoy this idyllic destination. Discover glens and lush plantations on relaxed walks and visit sun-kissed beaches alive with wildlife. The island stretches 32 miles north to south and 14 miles east to west, and is packed with scenery, history and industrial gems, including a horse tram, the largest working waterwheel in the world, miniature railways and an offshore Viking castle. Humans have lived here since 6500 BC, and smugglers, pirates and Nordic invaders have all been common at various times in Manx history, with the evidence for them all about. • You’ll be based in a 3-star hotel in Douglas for the extent of your holiday. • Enjoy charter trips on the Manx Electric Railway, Groudle Glen Steam Railway, and the Isle of Man Railway. • Visit the Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world, built by Victorian engineers in 1854. • Ascend to the summit of Snaefell, the island’s only mountain, on its Mountain Railway. • Follow the scenic roads of the famous Isle of Man TT course on a coach trip covering the length of the island. • Visit the island towns of Ramsey in the north, and the seaside resort of Port Erin on the south of the island. • Use your complimentary Visitor’s Pass AND Rail Rover tickets to explore all the island has to offer on your free days.

Friday 7th July Avanti West Coast from London Euston to Heysham, ferry to Isle of Man Your holiday will start from London’s Euston station. You’ll be greeted by the Tour Manager before departing on the West Coast Avanti service to Lancaster, at Lancaster you change trains and join a Northern rail service to Heysham. The Heysham train station is a few minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal, from where you travel in *premium lounge onboard the ferry to Douglas. Here you check in to the 3-star Hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to investigate Douglas at your leisure. Douglas is situated on the east coast of the Isle of Man and has been the island’s capital since 1863. The sea front is lined with picturesque hotels and restaurants and there are plenty of shops to visit. A welcome dinner will be served in your hotel restaurant this evening. (B D)

Saturday 8th July Great Laxey Wheel, Snaefell Mountain Railway After breakfast you transfer to Derby Castle Station. On arrival, you take the historic Manx Electric Railway to Laxey. The railway was built between 1893 and 1899 and connects Douglas with Laxey in the east and Ramsey in the north. It’s also the longest narrow gauge vintage electric railway system in the British Isles and still uses original Victorian and Edwardian rolling stock. From Laxey station it’s a short walk to the Great Laxey Wheel, the largest working waterwheel in the world. She was built by Victorian engineers in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mines. A climb to the top is rewarded with panoramic views across the Laxey Valley. After the Wheel you’ll enjoy a return trip on the nearby Laxey Mine Railway. This restored railway runs along the surface section of the tramway which once carried lead and zinc ores from deep inside the Great Laxey Mine. Snaefell is the IOM’s only mountain, and its Mountain Railway will next take you to the summit where you can enjoy the views and buy refreshments. You then descend back to Douglas to take the Horse Tram to the Villa Marina stop, The horse tram is a quiet, eco-friendly way to enjoy the trip around the bay and seafront of Douglas. You then have a short walk back to your hotel where