Heart of Scotland 38

Monarch of the Glen). The return trip on the railway offers wonderful views of the Cairngorm Mountains. You re-join the road coach to travel from Aviemore into the heart of the nearby Cairngorms National Park and stop for a short stroll along the banks of Loch Morlich. From here it’s just a short onward journey to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, a 2 km long funicular and Britain’s highest mountain railway. In appearance and design it’s reminiscent of the famed Alpine funiculars in Switzerland. Enjoy the magnificent views of the snow-capped Scottish mountains as the line ascends CairnGorm. After an equally enjoyable descent on the mountain railway, your road coach returns you to Stirling, where dinner will be served at your hotel. (B L D)

Saturday 29th July Clyde Cruise and Isle of Bute aboard Paddle Steamer ‘Waverley’ After breakfast you transfer by road coach from Stirling to Glasgow. The coach drops you off at the steamboat pier and continues with your luggage by motor ferry to your next hotel at the Isle of Bute. You then enjoy an all-day cruise aboard the iconic, double-funnel steamer ‘Waverley’, the last ocean-going paddle steamer in the world. You go ‘doon the watter’ on a sail from Glasgow over the Clyde to Rothesay and Tighnabruaich. The steamer has multiple bars and galleys, and a restaurant where you can buy drinks and meals. You can watch the fully visible marine steam engine as it works, the largest of its kind still in operating condition. You can also go ashore at Tighnabruaich, a lovely coastal village dominated by grand villas built in Victorian times for wealthy merchants, for a one-hour visit before the steamer drops you off again at Rothesay, the principal town of Bute. You’ll stay at an elegant hotel here for the rest of the tour to enjoy the exotic island charm of the ‘Madeira of Scotland’. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Sunday 30th July Mount Stuart and the scenery of South Bute Today you discover the outstanding natural and cultural highlights on the Isle of Bute south of Rothesay. Bute is only 33 miles from Glasgow and is the most accessible of the westerly isles from the Scottish Central Belt. Highlights include the impressive Victorian Gothic Revival estate at Mount Stuart and the scenic beaches and coves at Kilchattan Bay. The spirit of nineteenthcentury invention is embodied in Mount Stuart, and this neo-gothic mansion was one of the most technologically advanced houses of its age. It was the first home in the world to have a heated swimming pool and be purpose-built with electric lights and central heating. Kilchattan Bay is a settlement of Victorian houses and villas that lies on the south west shore of a largely east facing bay with a mile-wide mouth offering views to the isle of Great Cumbrae, three miles to the east. After your rewarding day, dinner will again be served at your hotel in Rothesay. (B D)

Monday 31st July Ferry crossing to Wemyss Bay In the morning you’ll have some leisure time in Rothesay before taking the lunchtime CalMac ferry from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay. From Wemyss Bay you will transfer by coach to Fort William for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Tuesday 1st August Jacobite Today a major tour highlight awaits with a trip on ‘The Jacobite’ steam train, one of the great railway journeys of the world. The train runs from Fort William to Mallaig through magnificent Scottish scenery. Mountains, glens, streams, lochs and the sea combine in an unending collage of outstanding views. On arrival in Mallaig, you will have time to purchase lunch before enjoying the return journey back to Fort William. Once again, you will enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers at your hotel. (B D)

Wednesday 2nd August Free time in Inverness After a leisurely breakfast, your coach will transfer you to Inverness, sit back and relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel north to Inverness. On arrival, you will have time to explore this interesting city before a final dinner with your fellow passengers. (B D)

Thursday 3rd August Train travel from Inverness There’s an early breakfast at your hotel before you transfer to Inverness Railway Station for your return journey to London. Relax in your First-Class 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 £1895 Single supplement £345

Price includes:

• First Class rail travel from London King’s

Cross to Stirling by East Coast express train and from Inverness to London King’s Cross • 8 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast • 3 lunches and 8 dinners • All rail and boat trips as detaile in the itinerary • All road coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary • 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

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The Emerald Explorer

Thursday 27th July to Friday 4th August 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 27th July 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 28th July 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 29th July 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