POSTPONED Friday to Monday

Join us for a memorable trip to the scenic splendours of Western Scotland, travelling in classic First Class carriages. Enjoy freshly prepared on-board meals served at your seat, a choice of off-train options and a comfortable overnight hotel.

The fare includes:

• First class rail travel aboard our special train, your choice of optional activity each day, hotel transfers and three nights hotel accommodation in a shared twin or double room (a supplement applies for single room occupancy).
• On train meals and refreshments as described. Breakfast is taken at the hotel on both Saturday and Sunday morning.

Itinerary

We ask that your choice of off-train option for each day is advised at the time of booking.

Friday

The weekend starts with a champagne English Breakfast as we set off northwards(something lighter will be served to those joining us later). There will be a light Luncheon before a journey break mid afternoon. Then we cross into Scotland, and enjoy Evening Dinner as we head into the West Highlands on our way to Fort William and the comfortable hotels for our three night stay.

Saturday

The day begins in leisurely style with breakfast at the hotel before we all step out to enjoy a day of exploration in this beautiful and rugged area. Choose from one of the options below:

• Option A – Rails to Mallaig and back
  The morning is yours to explore Fort William. Then, at lunchtime, our special train starts out along the 41 twisting and undulating miles to line’s end at Mallaig (a light luncheon will be served en-route). The magnificent scenery along the way includes mountains, sea, lochs, moors and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. There should be a good two hours to explore before the return journey.
• Option B – Sunart and Loch Shiel Cruise
  By road coach with local guide, travel firstly on the Corran ferry into Sunart and along its namesake loch to Acharacle. After a spot of lunch join the mv Sileas for the cruise of Loch Shiel, culminating in the panorama of the Glenfinnan Monument and viaduct. Look out for eagles!
  Rejoin the coach along the ‘Road to the Isles’ for a short afternoon break in Mallaig.
• Option C – Moidart and Loch Shiel Cruise
  Leave Fort William by coach, with a guide, along the ‘Road to the Isles’, making for Glenfinnan Pier to join the mv Sileas. for the Loch Shiel cruise – you may see eagles. Lunch will be taken in Acharacle. Your coach will then transport you around the Sound of Arisaig to Mallaig for a short afternoon break.
• Option D – Across the Sea to Eigg 
  The distinctive island of Eigg lies 10 miles off the mainland. One of the Small Islands (along with Muck, Rum & Canna), it has a small community, craft shop and tea room. It is quiet and natural.
  A road coach with local guide will take you to join the mv Sheerwater at Arisaig for the cruise to Eigg, with around two hours ashore. The afternoon is rounded off with a short break in Mallaig.
  Stout footware and waterproofs are recommended!

With everyone back on board at about five o’clock, we leave Mallaig for the fabulous rail journey back to Fort William. A three course dinner will be enjoyed along the way and we should be back at our hotels around 8pm.

Sunday

Today, after breakfast in your hotel, we head west for more exploring of this wonderful part of the world via one of the options below:

• Option F – Rails to Oban and back 
  This very special train journey features the West Highland Line in all its glory, climbing and twisting from sea level up onto desolate Rannoch Moor, before arrival into Crianlarich, then along the mountain passes to Oban for an afternoon visit of several hours. This small port serves as a lifeline to the offshore islands. Our return journey re-traces the outward route.
• Option G – Ferries to Mull & Oban 
  This alternative way to Oban is by a road coach with a local guide, going via Strontian and taking three ferries. On the Isle of Mull you will visit Duart Castle, seat of Clan Maclean, before crossing back to the mainland for an afternoon break in Oban.
• Option H – Isle of Iona 
  Iona sits off the western tip of Mull, and is an important religous centre. You will travel there on a coach, with a guide, direct to Oban, to take the Mull ferry and cross the island to Fionnphort for the foot ferry to Iona, where you will have 2-3 hours to explore and relax.
  The return journey will follow the outward route, and will include a stop for Evening Dinner at The Creagan Inn.
• Option J – Lochaber Coach Tour 
  This road coach tour (with a local guide) enjoys a leisurely itinerary, travelling via the ‘old road’ around Loch Leven to Glencoe for a visit to this historically important location, with its towering landscape.
  The visit is followed by a scenic journey alongside Loch Linnhe and the coast to Oban, arriving late lunchtime for a three hour do-as-you-please visit.

By late afternoon everyone (except Option H) will be in Oban ready to rejoin our special train for our return to Fort William. Evening Dinner will be served whilst you journey through the grand vistas, arriving back at your hotel at about 9:30pm.

Monday

Sadly, it’s time to head home, so we leave Fort William and enjoy the on-board breakfast as our train climbs south through lonely landscapes and along lochs to Clydeside. Then we skirt around Glasgow and through the Southern Uplands to England, with a four course luncheon on the way. If you are travelling into the evening a supper will be served later on.

Wherever you leave us we genuinely hope you will have a weekend full of delightful memories to look back on.

Estimated Timings

* A discount of £25 per person applies for joining at these stations due to missing part of the catering service Friday morning (full breakfast) and Monday evening (supper).

2019 prices have been held for 2020.

A non-refundable deposit of £150 per person is payable at time of booking, with the balance payable six weeks before the day of running. For parties of 3, a deposit of £600 is taken to reserve the fourth seat. If you book a party of 4, you will automatically be seated together.