The Cock 'O 'The North

Thursday 16th to Tuesday 21st May, Thursday 4th to Tuesday 9th July
and Thursday 5th to Tuesday 10th September 2013

This tour explores the north of Scotland and avoids busy roads by using fast trains and travelling First Class to and from the North. Highlights of the tour include visits to preserved steam railways, the spectacular train journeys from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and from Mallaig to Fort William, plus two nights on the Isle of Skye.
A special coach handles our luggage, accompanying us throughout the Scottish part of our tour. We take advantage of the contemporary First Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station which provides a peaceful space in which to relax prior to our journey.

Thursday
Highland Chieftain to Inverness
We join the Highland Chieftain train for the journey from London King’s Cross Station to Inverness via York. En route, a light lunch will be served at our seats. We speed along the East Coast Main Line, as we head north, passing through Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth. At Inverness we check in to our 3-star hotel for two nights. Dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant. (L D)

Friday
Strathspey Railway and the Keith & Dufftown Railway
Our road coach takes us to Aviemore where we join a Strathspey Railway steam train for the journey to Broomhill and back. With the Cairngorm Mountains close by, the area is a favourite tourist attraction because of its natural beauty. We rejoin our road coach to travel from Aviemore to Dufftown, where lunch will be served in the Buffer Stop, a railway restaurant car. We take a return trip by vintage diesel rail car on the 11 mile long Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. It passes through spectacular scenery, with glimpses of the varied wildlife, along a river valley and climbing through dense pine forests. To end the day, we visit a traditional Highland whisky distillery before returning to our hotel in Inverness. (B L D)

Saturday
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by Train
After a traditional Scottish breakfast, we have the morning to explore or relax in Inverness before boarding the early afternoon service train bound for Kyle of Lochalsh. Our luggage is transported by privately chartered road coach, which follows our progress over the next three days. We pass through forests, alongside lakes overlooked by mountains, then run along the shores of Loch Carron, a sea inlet. The line has been voted one of the most scenic in Britain. From Kyle of Lochalsh, we take a coach journey over the Skye Bridge and on to the Isle of Skye. We travel to Portree, the main town and capital of the island, which is known for its picturesque harbour. We check in at The Royal Hotel which will be our base for the next two nights. (B D)

Sunday
Tour of Skye
Today, we have a tour guide for the day as we explore the fascinating Isle of Skye by road coach. We shall see the Black Cuillins, mountains of jagged bare rock with twelve summits above 3,000 feet. We return to Portree where there will be time to look around and there will be time to enjoy a picnic lunch. We shall also visit the north of the island, including the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the romantic and historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods. Skye is renowned for its spectacular scenery, vibrant culture and heritage, as well as its abundant wildlife, which includes the golden eagle, sea eagle, red deer and otter. As always we will stop the coach for photography and filming when appropriate. (B L D)

Monday
Ferry to Mallaig for Jacobite Steam Train Trip
After breakfast, we say farewell to Portree and head south by road coach to Armadale where we catch the ferry to Mallaig, a boat journey of around thirty minutes. On arrival at Mallaig there will be time to explore the village and find lunch before joining The Jacobite steam train to Fort William, for another unforgettable journey. Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world, the Jacobite takes us for forty two miles through some of the most magnificent scenery that Scotland has to offer. Apart from the mountain and sea views, it crosses the world famous twenty-one arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. On arrival at Fort William we rejoin our road coach for the journey to Inverness, passing through the Great Glen with its many lochs. We shall also travel the whole length of the famous Loch Ness. At Inverness we check in to our hotel. (B D)

Tuesday
The Highland Chieftain back to London
We enjoy an early breakfast at our hotel before transferring to the railway station to join the Highland Chieftain for our return journey. We can relax in our First Class seats as we leave Inverness and pass through the Highlands, a wonderful experience, en route to Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King’s Cross. A light lunch will be served on the journey south. (B L)

*Passengers from Peterborough change trains at York on both outward and return journeys.

Train Timings

Approximate timings shown

Price

Price per person: London £1230 – Peterborough £1195 – York £1160
Single supplement: £145

Price includes

• First class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining
• 5 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3 star hotels
• 5 dinners
• 4 lunches
• Our own road coach to transport luggage for the duration in Scotland leaving you free to enjoy the train rides and other journeys
• First class rail travel on The Jacobite from Mallaig to Fort William
• Standard class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train)
• All train travel, transfers and tours
• Reserved seats
• The services of a tour manager

Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner