| The Lakes and Scotland Trains and Treasures |
| 14 to 23 August 2012 |
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| Page updated on: 08 March 2012 |
| Scotland is our focus on this part of the tour, but we will make a brief detour past England's lake district because it is one of the most attractive locations in the land – and because it is there! There is also a standard gauge steam train to ride, and an historic boat on Lake Windermere. Scotland needs no introduction, but be warned – the movie Braveheart was not particularly accurate and the real story is far more fascinating. Also, the scenery must be experienced – no movie screen can portray the drama of the vast valleys, deep locks, castles and coasts. Once more, Geoff Cooke will be along to make sure that you get the most out of this unforgettable journey. Wednesday, 15 August 2012 Steam to The Lakes (B, D) After breakfast, our coach will motor past Manchester Airport before continuing to the southern lakes. Join a steam train at Havethwait for a journey to Lakeside on the Lakeside and Havethwaite Railway. Continue your journey aboard a vintage lake steamer on Lake Windermere as we make our way to Bowness. Our coach will meet us at Bowness to take us though Windermere and Ambleside to the quaint village of Grasmere, home of William Wordsworth. From there we motor over the dramatic Kirkstone Pass, at 1,489 feet, the highest pass open to motor traffic in the Lake District. Continue past the picturesque Ullswater Lake to our hotel near Penrith. Our hotel tonight is the four star North Lakes Hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel. Thursday, 16 August 2012 Gretna Green, Stirling and William Wallace (B, D) This morning, motor to Scotland. Cross the border at Gretna Green, gateway to Scotland and since 1712 popular with couples fleeing to marry at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop. Visit Stirling to see two of Scotland's most important historic landmarks, Stirling Castle and the nearby Wallace Memorial that commemorates the battle of Stirling Bridge where William Wallace defeated the English Army in 1297. Continue to our hotel at Dunkeld. Our hotel tonight is the Hilton Dunkeld House Hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel. Friday, 17 August 2012 Whisky at Edradour, Blaire Castle and a steam train at Aviemore (B, D) This morning we will motor to Pitlochry to visit Scotland's smallest distillery, Edradour, where three men still make fine whisky in a tradition that goes back over 150 years. Continue to Blaire Castle to see 740 years of history and find out about Britain's only private army. There will be time for lunch before continuing to Aviemore to join the Strathspey Railway for a steam train ride to the Boat of Garten and back. Continue this afternoon to Inverness. Our hotel for two nights in Inverness is the three star Royal Highland Hotel. Dinner is included at the hotel. This hotel is well located for the centre of Inverness, adjacent to the railway station. Saturday, 18 August 2012 Isle of Skye and a scenic train journey (B, D) Motor down the length of Loch Ness as we travel to Eilean Donan Castle. As one of the most iconic images of Scotland, Eilean Donan is recognised all around the world. Situated on an island at the point where three great sea lochs meet, and surrounded by some majestic scenery, the castle is now one of the most visited and important attractions in the Scottish highlands. Continue over the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye, where we will stop at Portree. Built around its natural harbour and fringed by hills, Portree is the island’s main town and a popular destination for visitors. Return to the Kyle of Lochalch to catch a Scotrail train over the famously scenic railway to Inverness. Sunday, 19 August 2012 Looking for monsters on Loch Ness (B, D) Today we look for monsters. Cruise down Thomas Telford's impressive Caledonian Canal that links Loch Ness to the east coast of Scotland at Inverness to the west coast at Fort William. Continue into Scotland's largest Loch, Loch Ness, looking for Nessie as you go. Leave the boat at Urquhart Castle to explore the castle and visitor centre before a short ride to the Loch Ness Exhibition. Visit the Corrimony Cairns before continuing to Fort William by coach. Our hotel in Fort William for the next two nights is the three star The Moorings, located a short distance from town beside Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian Canal. Dinner tonight is included at the hotel. Laundry: The Moorings hotel does not have laundry facilities on site. They can however send laundry out that is returned the next day. Laundry is charged at £12.00 per bag. Monday, 20 August 2012 Steam train to Mallaig (B, D) Take a steam train from Fort William to the fishing port of Mallaig, where there will be time to explore the village, harbour and enjoy lunch before taking the train back to Fort William. The Jacobite steam train journey is recognised as one of the most scenic steam train rides in the world. Tuesday, 21 August 2012 Boat lift, steam train and a Tattoo (B) Motor through Glen Coe and the Trassocks to Falkirk, where you will have an opportunity to ride the famous rotating boat lift that lifts boats the 115 feet between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. Continue to the Bo'Ness Railway for our last Scottish steam train journey and to see the Scottish Railway Museum. Later this afternoon, motor to our Edinburgh hotel. This evening, see one of Scotland's great events – the Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. Dinner is not included tonight, leaving you free to enjoy your night in the City. Our hotel in Edinburgh for two nights is the four star Apex Waterloo Place Hotel. This hotel is a short walk from the main Waverley railway station, and an easy walk up the Golden Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Laundry: There are bags in the room which if you take to reception before 8.30am it will be back the same day. It is charged per item. Wednesday, 22 August 2012 A Castle, a Royal Yacht and a very big bridge (B, D) This morning, take an open top bus tour of Edinburgh. Visit the Castle, the Golden Mile and the Royal Yacht Britania. There will be time to see some of the other attractions in Edinburgh, including the National Gallery of Scotland and the Museum of Edinburgh. This evening, visit Queensferry for dinner and to see the impressive Forth Bridge. The 2.5 km. (1.5 mile) Forth Railway Bridge was the world’s first major steel bridge. Its gigantic girder spans of 521 m. (1710 ft.), ranked as one of the great feats of civilization. It was begun in 1883 and formally completed on 4 March 1890 when HRH Edward Prince of Wales tapped into place a ‘golden’ rivet. Thursday, 23 August 2012 Southward bound (B) After breakfast this morning we will stop at Edinburgh Airport for anyone joining or leaving the tour. Continue to Yorkshire and London on the English Trains and Treasures tour. |
| Joining the tour in Manchester No problem - Manchester Airport is well connected. Let us know if you need a night or two in an hotel. Carrying on No problem there either - Edinburgh Airport is also well connected. |
| Tour confirmed Space available Book soon! |