Build up a head of steam, uncovering Scotland's heritage from a different angle. Enjoy the Bo'ness & Kinneil Steam Railway, soar above the canals by boat on the remarkable Falkirk Wheel, cruise Loch Katrine by steamship and steam through the Highlands on the Strathspey Railway, this great Railtrail holiday that also features a distillery and a brewery tour.
DEPARTS
Thursday 16 April 2020
Thursday 14 May 2020
Thursday 25 June 2020
Thursday 24 September 2020
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy the Boness & Kinneil Steam Railway
Soar 35 metres into the air by boat at the engineering masterpiece Falkirk Wheel
Experience a tour and tasting at Deanston Distillery
Steam on the former Highland Railway with the Strathspey Steam Railway
Marvel at the vistas as we travel by train to Aviemore
Enjoy a cruise on Loch Katrine aboard the Steamship Sir Walter Scott
Tour and tasting at the Cairngorm Brewery
Also included in your Tour Fare:
Dinner every evening
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
DAY 1
We arrive in Perth and make your way to our hotel for four nights, the Salutation Hotel. Tonight we enjoy our first evening meal together.
DDAY 2
Today we head northwards to explore the beautiful Trossach Range by coach, enjoying a Loch Katrine cruise on board the historic Steamship Sir Walter Scott. It is extraordinary to consider that the SS Sir Walter Scott completed her maiden voyage as far back as 1900. We complete the day with a visit to the Deanston Distillery, a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located on the banks of the River Teith.
B, DDAY 3
One of Scotland's great railway journeys awaits today as we head north into the Cairngorms, passing dense forests and wild moors, flanked by the Grampians, on our way to the mountain resort of Aviemore. Here we enjoy a return rail steam excursion from Aviemore to Broomhill on the preserved section of the Highland Line known as the Strathspey Steam Railway. Back in Aviemore, we visit the small, local Cairngorm Brewery, whose tour takes in their fermentation room the Mash Tun in their Brewhouse and conditioning room, before we enjoy a taste of their bottled ales.
*amended itinerary*
DAY 4
Today our Railtrail tour reaches its peak with a short coach transfer to the Falkirk Wheel. The Forth & Clyde Canal was originally built to link sea to sea across Scotland's central belt, however, not long after its construction it was usurped by the railways. After falling into disrepair, volunteers began restoring the canal to its former glory with similar vigour to the pioneers of railway preservation. The Falkirk Wheel is the final piece in the jigsaw, an incredible feat of engineering and design. Our boat is lifted 35 metres by the world's only rotating boat lift, before sailing seamlessly onto the Union Canal. We continue to the Bo'ness & Kinneil Steam Railway for a return rail ride along the line.
B, DDAY 5
Our hotel in Perth bids "Haste ye back," as we make our way home.
BB=Breakfast, D=Dinner
HOTEL
Salutation Hotel
Situated in the heart of the historic City of Perth, the Salutation is the oldest established hotel in Scotland, having welcomed guests through its doors since 1699, including Bonnie Prince Charlie who stayed here in 1745. Meals are served in the elegant Adam Restaurant with its original barrel vaulted ceiling and the cosy Reids Bar offers a large selection of malt whiskies.
FARES
Fare Region | First | Standard |
London: King's Cross | £690 | £590 |
Greater London | £710 | £600 |
South of England | £745 | £620 |
East Anglia | £750 | £620 |
South West | £820 | £655 |
Heart of England | £720 | £600 |
Midlands | £705 | £600 |
Yorkshire | £650 | £570 |
North East | £605 | £545 |
North West | £675 | £570 |
South Wales | £770 | £630 |
North Wales | £715 | £600 |
Scotland | N/A | £515 |
Join & Leave at Hotel £475
Single Room Supplement £85
MAY Departure Supplement £50
JUNE & SEPTEMBER Departure Supplement £90
£10 tour discount for holders of National Rail cards
4 nights bed, breakfast & Table dHôte evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions and admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
Steam Tours 2020 - More to be added weekly