FRIDAY 4th JULY
You are welcomed aboard the special train at Swindon, Chippenham, Bath,
Bristol, Cheltenham, Worcester, Birmingham and Wolverhampton before
setting off for the North. The Great British Breakfast will be Silver
Served 'at seat' after joining the train. After passing through Crewe
and Preston we skirt the Lake District, climb Shap Fell, drop down into
Carlisle, then head over Beattock to Edinburgh, where we enjoy a short
break.
Departure from Edinburgh is in the hands of two
heritage diesel locomotives, a brace of Class 37s. These veteran
machines, long associated with the railways of Highland Scotland, will
take us across the magnificent Forth Bridge on our way to Perth and
onwards through the wonderful scenery of the Central Highlands. A Four
Course Dinner will be served through the stunning mountain landscape
en-route to the Highland Capital of INVERNESS, where we check
into our selected hotels for three nights.
SATURDAY 5th
JULY
A Full Scottish Breakfast is available in our hotels and the morning is
then free for you to explore Inverness, perhaps to visit the impressive
castle overlooking the River Ness, or to browse through the interesting
shops in the compact centre (visit
www.inverness-scotland.com
for more information).
OPTIONAL VISIT TO THE STRATHSPEY RAILWAY : As
an alternative to spending the morning in Inverness, an executive road
coach will take you over Slochd Summit to the Strathspey Railway, with
runs delightfully between Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill.
Supplementary fare £17 per person to include
the scenic road coach journey and steam-hauled trip over the this
preserved line.
Our main train then departs Inverness at around 1300,
with a Light Lunch being served upoin as we leave, taking the
spectacular railway to the KYLE OF LOCHALSH, where there should
be around two hours to explore this fascinating fishing town, with its
views across to the Isle of Skye. The more energetic may find there is
time to cross the Skye Bridge to reach the legendary island.
Upon departure from Kyle, we enjoy a splendid Four
Course Dinner on board the train before arrival back at Inverness at
around 2100.
SUNDAY 6th JULY
This morning there is a Full Scottish Breakfast on the train as we head
for the wild terrain of the Far North. After several stops for
signalling purposes, we arrive at DUNROBIN which was the Duke of
Sutherland's private station and where a piper will lead us down the
drive to the Castle, perched high above the sea shore. A tour of the
Castle and its fascinating grounds, with a falconry display, will take
place before we rejoin the train.
A Light Lunch will then be served as we make our way
north, out into the wilderness. At Wick, road coaches will be waiting to
take us to JOHN O'GROATS, with its tiny harbour and views over
the Orkneys.
OPTIONAL VISIT TO THE CASTLE OF MEY : Instead
of visiting John O'Groats, we can offer the alternative of a visit to
the Castle of Mey, one of the residences of the late Queen Mother.
Rescued from dereliction in the 1950s, the Castle was lovingly restored
as a personal retreat for the Queen Mother, where she entertained her
closest friends. Nowhere else in Britain will you be able to better see
the person behind the Royal figure, and the staff will be delighted to
tell you stories that bring this well loved person to life.
Supplementary fare £15 per person, to include
coach transfers and entry to the Castle of Mey.
We all rejoin the train at Thurso, the most northerly
railway station in Britain, and head back to Inverness, with a Four
Course Evening Dinner served as we wind our way through the wilds of
Caithness and Ross.
MONDAY 7th JULY
Another Full Scottish Breakfast will be served on board our train as we
return south through the Highlands, over Slochd summit to Aviemore, then
on via Dalwhinnie to the highest point on a British main line, at
Druimuachdar. From there it is downhill by way of Pitlochry to Perth,
and on through Stirling and the Lowlands for the return to Edinburgh,
where there will be a 'leg-stretch' break whilst a locomotive change
takes place. A Light Lunch will be served as the train leaves Edinburgh
and, later on, you will enjoy Afternoon Tea before we leave the train at
our joining points and the conclusion of a magnificent weekend away,
with so many memories to treasure.
THE ABOVE FARES INCLUDE ;-
• All First Class rail travel as shown, visits and tours
(except Strathspey Railway and the Castle of Mey options).
• Three nights accommodation in a twin, double or single room
(single supplement applies as shown).
• Four Breakfasts, four Lunches, three Dinners, and one
Afternoon Tea, all served on board our special train, other than
one Breakfast which will be served at your hotel Saturday
morning.
• Road transfers from Inverness station to the selected
hotels as required.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TRAIN IS BEING ORGANISED
BY THE RAILWAY TOURING COMPANY, FOR WHOM PATHFINDER ARE ACTING
SOLELY AS
BOOKING AGENTS.
