The Summer Highlander 54

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 14th September 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 15th September 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 16th September 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

September 2023

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 28 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

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 Shetlander

Wednesday 20th September to Wednesday 27th September 2023

Discover the timeless beauty of the remote Shetland Islands on this ever-popular tour to the most northern outpost of the United Kingdom. • Following a high-speed trip north to Aberdeen, you cross to Shetland for a 4-day exploration of its rugged shorelines, windswept rolling hills and rich cultural heritage. • Visit the island’s outstanding natural and historical attractions and discover its stunning rock formations, unspoiled beaches and ancient archaeological sites. • Enjoy the local arts and crafts, breath-taking landscapes and local wildlife, with highlights including trips to ancient

Scalloway Castle, St Ninian’s Isle and Isbister, the most northerly point on Shetland accessible by coach. • On your return to the Scottish mainland you’ll cap this fascinating holiday with a relaxing stay at St Andrews, one of

Scotland’s most historic and elegant cities, steeped in golfing lore and crammed with beautiful architecture. • With added extras including a trip to Dundee to visit Captain Scott’s ship HMS Discovery and a steam trip on the

Caledonian Railway at Brechin, this highlight-packed Scottish holiday is not to be missed!

Wednesday 20th September London to Aberdeen Your adventure begins in the plush First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a midmorning departure from London to Aberdeen. Travelling along the East Coast Main Line LNER service, you’ll enjoy complimentary drinks and a light lunch as the train travels north via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. You cross the stunning Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges and arrive in Aberdeen in late afternoon, checking into your conveniently located city centre hotel. The rest of the evening will be spent at leisure in the ‘Granite City’, exploring this hub of Northeast Scotland. (L) Thursday 21st September Steam at the Caledonian Railway and Ferry Crossing to Shetland After breakfast, a road coach transfers you to Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway. A privately chartered steam train then takes you on the eight-mile round trip from Brechin to Bridge of Dun and back. Freshly prepared sandwiches will be provided at the railway buffet. After lunch you return to Aberdeen and visit the ‘Fitties’, a charming old fishing village nestling on the north side of the harbour. In the afternoon you return to Aberdeen and board the modern ferry for an overnight crossing to Lerwick. The ferry sails within sight of the northeastern coast of Scotland before passing through the open North Sea. After dinner you retire to your private cabin for the night. (B L D) Friday 22nd September Tour of the Central Shetland Mainland; Scallaway Castle and Museum After an all-night sail you reach Lerwick on the Shetland mainland and have breakfast on the ship before disembarking. Your tour of the Central Mainland of Shetland starts with a brief coach tour of Lerwick before heading west to Tingwall, where you’ll enjoy a guided visit to ‘Carol’s Ponies’, a local crofter who breeds Shetland ponies. Moving on, you head to the island of West Burra to view the beautiful sandy beach of Banna Minn, after which you make your way back to visit Scalloway Castle and museum. In early afternoon you have a scenic drive to Lerwick to visit the Iron Age tower ruins of the Broch of Clickimin on its outskirts. To round off a feature-packed day, you’ll visit the impressive