april, 2025
Event Details
FRIDAY 18th to MONDAY 21st APRIL 2025
A MEMORABLE WEEKEND AWAY TO THE SCENIC SPLENDOUR
OF THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
The Itinerary
Friday
You will be warmly welcomed aboard our special private train, by one of our friendly stewards. From pick-ups in South Wales, the South-West and Central England, you will enjoy a welcoming glass of champagne followed by a hearty Full English Breakfast. Those joining from later pick-ups will enjoy a lighter offering.
From Preston, with a pair of venerable class 37 diesel locomotives at the helm, we will head north across Lancashire and over the formidable Settle and Carlisle Railway during which a light luncheon will be served. A short break will be offered at Carlisle with time to explore the historic border city (subject to confirmed timings).
With everyone back on board, a late afternoon departure will commence with a journey over the former Glasgow and South Western Railway. As the sun begins to set over Galloway you will be served a four course dinner. Arrival will be into the magnificent Paisley Gilmour Street station where road coaches will transfer you to the four star Golden Jubilee Hotel at Dalmuir, our base for the weekend.
Saturday
The day begins with a road coach transfer to Dumbarton Central, from where a filling breakfast will be served as we travel along the spectacular West Highland Line to Oban. On arrival, join your choice of activity below:
Option A | Sail to Tobermory
Sail across the Firth of Lorne to the scenic Isle of Mull, where awaiting coaches will offer a guided tour to the island capital of Tobermory. Here, there will be time for sightseeing at leisure, with its houses, shops and eateries painted in various bright colours.
Option B | Oban & Dunstaffnage
After time for sightseeing in Oban, we will meet back at the train station, early afternoon, for a guided road coach transfer to Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel, where you can admire the mighty stronghold of the MacDougalls. In due course, the road coach will take you back to Oban where you will rejoin the special train.
Option C | Explore Oban
A quiet afternoon exploring the port, and town, of Oban. Perhaps visit the distillery, which put the town on the map in the 18th century. Or take a stroll up to McCaig’s Tower, or relax in one of the many eateries. The ruined Dunollie Castle is an easy stroll away around the bay, and there is a small ferry service to the island of Lismore.
With everyone refreshed and back on board the train at Oban, we will return to Dumbarton Central, with a four course evening dinner served amidst the wonderful moving scenery. Road coaches will transfer you back to the Golden Jubilee Hotel.
Sunday
Following the road coach transfer to Dumbarton Central, your exploration of the Scottish Highlands will continue with a full Scottish breakfast served at your seat. After making our way through the bustling Glasgow suburbs, our class 37 locomotives will tackle the Highland mainline beyond Perth, passing over the highest point on the national rail network – Drumochter Summit. We will call first at Aviemore and then Inverness, where you can choose one of the following options:
Option E | Rails of Aviemore
Alight at Aviemore, for a tranquil, steam hauled, return journey along the Strathspey Railway, with the foreshadowing Cairngorm mountains providing the back drop. Arriving back at Aviemore, road coaches will transfer you to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, the highest railway in the UK! A return journey will be enjoyed along this funicular railway within the largest national nature reserve in Britain. Free time can be enjoyed afterwards in Aviemore while awaiting our return special train.
Option F | Cruise Loch Ness
Alight at Inverness where road coaches will take you on a guided tour on the way to your cruise along the largest freshwater Loch in Scotland (in terms of water volume). After your search for the Loch Ness Monster, you will rejoin the road coach for the journey back to Inverness where there will be time for sightseeing, before rejoining the special train.
Please note that this option is not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility.
Option G | The Highlanders’ Museum and Culloden Battlefield
Alight at Inverness for a road coach transfer and an afternoon steeped in history. First, visit the intriguing Highlanders’ Museum before visiting the nearby Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre. Rejoin our special train at Inverness.
Option H | Explore Inverness
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in the capital of the Highlands, with its castle and riverside walks, botanical gardens, diverse shops and eateries. You will have plenty to enjoy.
Returning from Inverness and Aviemore, we retrace our outward routing back to Dumbarton Central. Enjoy a four course evening dinner as you absorb the ever changing scenery through your carriage window.
Tour guides will accompany you on all road coach options.
Monday
Start the day well, with a hotel buffet breakfast, before transferring by coach to Dumbarton Central station for the rail journey back. A four course luncheon will be served further south, before reaching the first set down at Preston. A light supper will be available for guests travelling well to the south. A full weekend of wonderful scenery, memories and friendships reluctantly then comes to a close and we will wish you a fond farewell. ‘Mar Sin Leibh’.
ESTIMATED TIMINGS
| Fares | Adult | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Seat | £1525 | Book Now |
| Table for Two Supplement | £225 | Book Now |
| Premier Table for Three | £5100 | Book Now |
| Premier Table for Four | £5850 | Book Now |
| Single Hotel Room Supplement | £125 | Book Now |
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Included in our fare are all meals as described, First Class rail travel aboard our special train, your choice of optional activity each day, hotel transfers and three nights’ accommodation in a shared twin or double room – a supplement applies for single room occupancy.
We request that individuals with limited mobility give serious consideration when booking our weekend excursions. Although every adjustments possible will be made to meet accessibility requirements, our itineraries do consist of full days, where some itineraries may not have step free access, which some individuals may find tiring. Please contact the booking office if you have any questions or queries in regards to this issue.
A non-refundable deposit of £200 per person is payable at time of booking, with the balance payable six weeks before the date of departure. For parties of three, a deposit of £800 is taken to reserve the fourth seat. Seating in the carriages is arranged at tables of four, with two seats facing two. There are also a limited number of ‘Tables for Two’, with single seats facing each other (supplementary fare applies). Once your deposit is received we will send you a printed booking confirmation, along with the terms and conditions of travel for this four day excursion.
Passengers will be able to enjoy the comfort of travelling in blue and grey liveried 1970’s BR Mk2 carriages.
Dietary requirements: If you have any specific dietary requirements, please advise when you book
Operating within the constraints of the national rail network, confirmed times are normally advised to us 7 to 10 days before the date of departure. You will receive a letter from us with your reserved seat number(s), the confirmed timings and other details relating to the excursion, once the itinerary is finalised. These times may vary by up to an hour in either or both directions – the times quoted above are for guidance only.
Locomotives: We will be in the capable hands of West Coast Railway Company class 47’s or 57’s from the pick-up stations to Preston, where a pair of West Coast Railway Company class 37’s will take over for the duration of the itinerary in Scotland. The class 47’s or 57’s will return us from Preston on the Monday.
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Main Photo: Tobamory, Scotland
