The Cock O’the North 30

the Isle of Skye and on to Portree. On the way there are spectacular views inland of mountains and seaward of the islands in the Sound of Raasay, which boasts the deepest water in the UK Continental Shelf at 1,062 feet, Portree is the island’s main town and is known for its picturesque harbour. Here you check in to your 3* hotel on Skye, your base for the next two nights. (B D)

Sunday 16th July Tour of Skye You have the benefit of a tour guide today as you explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach. The island’s peninsulas radiate from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin, the rocky slopes of which provide some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. The Black Cuillin mountain range is the only truly alpine environment in Britain and has twelve summits above 3,000 feet. Returning to Portree there’ll be ample time to look around and enjoy lunch. Afterwards you’ll visit the north of the island, with highlights including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods. Skye is rightly renowned for its vibrant culture, spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife, examples being the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter, and your coach will stop whenever possible for film and photo opportunities. After an exciting day you return to your hotel in Portree. (B L D))

Monday 17th July Ferry to Mallaig; ‘The Jacobite’ Steam Train After breakfast, say farewell to Portree as you head south by road coach to Armadale to catch the ferry to Mallaig, a boat journey of around thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there’ll be time to explore the village and have lunch before joining ‘The Jacobite’ steam train to Fort William. This unforgettable 42-mile route has been described as one of the great railway journeys of the world. ‘The Jacobite’ takes you through some of Scotland’s most outstanding scenery, beginning with the sea views to the islands of Eigg and Rum. It crosses the world famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, built entirely of concrete, and offers a spectacular vista down Lochaber’s Loch Shiel. On arrival at Fort William you rejoin the road coach for the journey to Inverness. En route you pass through the many lochs of the Great Glen and travel the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. At Inverness you once again check in to The Best Western Hotel and Spa for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Tuesday 18th July Leisurely Morning, Loch Cruise and Inverness After a leisurely breakfast you embark on a Canal & Loch cruise with an inclusive visit to the Urquhart Castle. After a short transfer from the hotel, your journey starts at Dochgarroch Lock, sailing through the famous man-made part of the Caledonian Canal onto the world-famous waters of Loch Ness. Once ashore you have the opportunity to explore the ruin of the historic Urquhart Castle. After your visit, you’ll have ample time to explore the town of Inverness with an opportunity to enjoy some retail therapy. To end the day, you visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to the hotel in Inverness for a Farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Wednesday 19th July The ‘Highland Chieftain’ back 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. You continue to Edinburgh to 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 £1795 Single supplement £345

Price includes:

• First Class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining • 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast at The

Best Western Hotel and Spa in Inverness • 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast at a good quality 3-star hotel in Portree • 4 lunches • Our own road coach to transport luggage for the duration in Scotland leaving you free to enjoy the train rides and other journeys • First Class rail travel on ‘The Jacobite’ from

Mallaig to Fort William • Standard Class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train) • All visits, train travel, transfers and tours as detailed in the itinerary • Reserved seats • The services of a tour managerr

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 12:00 15:49 Peterborough 11:58* 15:26* York 13:54 13:54 Inverness 20:04 07:55

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

The Far North and Orkney

Thursday 13th July to Friday 21st July 2023

The rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and Islands take centre-stage on this popular tour to one of the most extraordinary places in Northern Europe. • Explore both of Northeast Scotland’s steam traction heritage railways, the Royal Deeside Railway west of Aberdeen and the Caledonian Railway at Brechin. • Experience a midsummer ‘White Night’ when the sun never entirely sets, on a sea ferry trip to the enchanting island of

Orkney. • Explore Orkney’s pristine beaches, stunning coastline and mystical rock formations during your 3-day visit, including a distillery visit and a trip to the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ World Heritage Site. • Journey back to the mainland over the most northerly railway in the UK, taking in lunch at John O’ Groats before travelling on the spectacular Far North Line via Thurso to Inverness. • Cap your memorable holiday with a trip on the nostalgic heritage Strathspey Steam Railway and a visit to the formidable artillery fortification at Fort George.

Thursday 13th July London to Aberdeen Your adventure begins in the First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a mid-morning departure from London to Aberdeen. Travelling along the East Coast Main Line aboard the HST 125 train, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as you travel north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh, crossing the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges. You arrive in Aberdeen late afternoon and check into your city centre hotel. The rest of the evening is spent at leisure. (L)

Friday 14th July Steam at the Royal Deeside Railway and Crathes Castle You’ll visit both of Northeast Scotland’s steam traction heritage railways during the next two days, starting with the Royal Deeside Railway. This delightful standard gauge railway features a two-mile round trip through rural scenery and gentle rolling hills, running close to its namesake river. There’ll be photo opportunities en route and a ‘false arrival’ staged at the station. Afterwards, lunch is taken at the Milton Crathes Brasserie followed by a visit to Crathes Castle, replete with turreted towers and walled gardens. There’ll be plenty of time to explore this stylish estate before your road coach takes you back to Aberdeen. (B L)

Saturday 15th July Steam at the Caledonian Railway and Ferry Crossing to Orkney After breakfast your coach transfers you to Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway. A privately chartered steam train takes you on the eight-mile round trip from Brechin to Bridge of Dun and back. Light snacks and refreshments are provided, afterwards there’s time to visit Brechin’s historic Cathedral and Round Tower. You then return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for a six-hour evening crossing to Kirkwall. The ferry sails within sight of the north-eastern coast of Scotland before entering the open North Sea. Dinner is served on board. You reach Kirkwall at 11pm, as the sun is setting, an experience common to the far north during summer solstice. You disembark and transfer to your centrally located hotel. (B L D)