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Amazing Arran

Allison Sanders • Nov 13, 2020

Located southwest of Glasgow, off the coast of Ayrshire, the Isle of Arran has often been described as 'Scotland in Miniature'. On the north side of the island, wild landscapes and dramatic mountain peaks shape the imagery, mimicking the Highlands, while the south is marked by gentle meadows, lush greenery and sandy beaches. All around the island, Celtic ambiance and archaeological landmarks such as standing stones can be found. Warm Scottish hospitality is complemented by rich local tastes, including the famed Arran Malt distillery near Lochranza.


For visual impressions of Arran, here are some attractive images, including aerial footage: 

The principal town of Brodick is conveniently reached by CalMac ferry crossing from Ardrossan Harbour, which in turn has a direct, electric ScotRail service to Glasgow Central. In Brodick, the quaint High Street is located along the quayside and there's also a waterfront golf course, just as one would expect from a Scottish coastal town! 


Our attractive 'Arran and Kintyre' holiday spends 4 nights on the island at the smart, 4-star Auchrannie Resort and really covers all corners and all scenic roads of Arran.


Click on the following link to view the full itinerary of this wonderful tour. The next departure is in mid-June 2021, just when the days are longest and the 'White Nights' in Scotland are an attraction in their own right. 


Arran and Kintyre


Our relaxing tour to Arran is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, bird watchers and connoisseurs of all things Scottish. It will allow you to see the iconic peak Goat Fell, the isle's tallest point with an elevation of 874 m (2866 ft). Goat Fell rises sharply above the rest of the meadows and woodlands and on a clear day will already be noticed during the ferry crossing from the Scottish mainland. Best of all, our Arran holiday also includes the nearby Kintyre peninsula and the famed destination of Campbeltown. To reach Kintyre we use the short CalMac crossing from Lochranza to Claonaig and the longer sail from Campbeltown to Ardrossan on the return to Glasgow.

For a Scottish holiday that ticks all the boxes and is full of unexpected highlights, look no further than Arran and Kintyre!

News and Updates

British Travel Awards Winners 2023

by Kelly Osborne • 29 Nov, 2023
Railway Touring Company Scoops Top Travel Award

Flying Scotsman in Scotland

by Rachel Jackson • 12 Oct, 2023
Flying Scotsman completes Centenary tours in Scotland

Silver Travel Awards Nominee

by Rachel Jackson • 04 Aug, 2023
Silver Travel Awards Nominee

British Travel Awards 2023

by Rachel Jackson • 19 Jun, 2023
Exciting News - we need your help!

St Blazey turntable back in action for Flying Scotsman

19 May, 2023
The Railway Touring Company would like to say a Big Thank You to MPower Kernow and all involved in refurbishing the St Blazey turntable in time for our Royal Duchy on April 30, 2023, which was hauled by 60103.

Winners at British Travel Awards 2021-22

by Rachel Jackson • 30 Nov, 2022
Further success for The Railway Touring Company at The British Travel Awards - thank you for the votes.

Flying Scotsman Centenary

by Rachel Jackson • 14 Oct, 2022
Daytrips hauled by Flying Scotsman launched for 2023

Beautiful Gorlitz, Germany

by Allison Sanders • 02 Feb, 2021
Görlitz, Germany Located right along the River Neisse and the Polish frontier, Görlitz is the easternmost city in Germany. It also boasts an exceptionally well preserved old town with soaring spires, red rooftops, cobblestone streets and spacious squares. Having been spared much damage during World War II and radiating a ton of Gilded Age charm, Görlitz has become a very popular filming location for major Hollywood movies as well as television productions. These circumstances have given rise to the popular nickname "Görliwood" and indeed such well known films as "The Grand Budapest Hotel" with Ralph Fiennes, "The Reader" with Kate Winslet or "Monuments Men" with George Clooney were all filmed on location in Görlitz, using the city's beautiful architecture as the perfect backdrop. Indeed the city is frequently used to stand in for larger European cities for period pieces, including the depiction of Berlin at the turn of the 20th century. Here are just some clips and glimpses of these famous films, including scenes from "Görliwood":

Beautiful Austria

by Allison Sanders • 12 Jan, 2021
Salzburg and Salzkammergut As the land of Mozart, the Sound of Music and marzipan chocolate balls, Salzburg is a world famous destination and a truly charming medieval city with an impressive hilltop fortress, framed by Alpine peaks. cobblestone alleys, soaring spires and spacious squares actually give Salzburg's old town much flair and sophistication. Just as delightful as the city is the nearby hinterland and the Austrian lakes district known as the Salzkammergut. This pastoral area takes its name from the centuries-old tradition of salt mining and is dotted by over a dozen small yet spectacular lakes. The Wolfgangsee, Hallstättersee and Zeller See are probably the best known bodies of water here, not least because they are home to such famous mountain villages as Zell am See, Hallstatt and St. Wolfgang. The lakes also form a delightful contrast to the steep mountain peaks or green panoramic hills that surround them. Indeed the famous Schafbergbahn rack railway is located in St. Wolfgang, one of Austria's three mountain railways with steam traction and ancient rack tank locomotives dating from the late 19th Century. See for yourself and get a visual impression of both the cityscape and countryside in Salzburg and Salzkammergut:

Good Old Orkney

by Allison Sanders • 27 Nov, 2020
Home to some of the most famous archaeological remains in the UK, such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney is steeped in ancient history and endowed with an idyllic, green landscape. These isles offer a wonderful combination of Scottish heritage, maritime flair, rural farming and northern spirit. As the site of two Whisky distilleries, Scapa Flow and St. Magnus Cathedral, the Orkney capital Kirkwall is a cute fishing village graced with cultural attractions and pleasant stone architecture. Have a look for yourself at the landscape of Orkney and gain a measure of inspiration from these moving images:
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