Railways of the Scottish Lowlands

Join us for a seven-day journey through Scotland, combining scenic rail travel, historic attractions, heritage railways, spectacular landscapes and some of Scotland’s most fascinating cultural experiences.

• First Class rail travel on service from London. 
• Enjoy memorable rail journeys aboard LNER, ScotRail and TransPennine Express, including heritage steam travel on the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.
• Discover Scotland’s history with visits to Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Dumfries House.
• Explore RRS Discovery in Dundee and uncover the ancient Lundin Stones.
• Experience Scotland’s stunning landscapes with a cruise on Loch Lomond and spectacular scenery throughout the journey.
• Marvel at the engineering brilliance of the Falkirk Wheel and the magnificent Kelpies.
• Experience Scotland’s whisky heritage with the Scotch Whisky Experience Gold Tour, including a tasting of regional
  single malts.
  

Friday 2 July

London to Dundee

Our Scottish adventure begins at London King’s Cross, where we board the LNER service to Dundee. From the comfort of the First-Class Lounge at London’s King’s Cross Station, you travel the scenic journey to Scotland. Your train follows the route of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) via historic connections and through magnificent landscapes. A light lunch will be served at your seat as you speed on in First Class comfort. The train will call at a number of stations on route including Peterborough, Newark Northgate, Doncaster, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh among other stations to Dundee, in order for passengers to join the tour. From there, you will check into your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (D)

Saturday 3 July

Dundee, Fife and Glasgow

After breakfast, meet in reception before our luggage is transported by road to Markinch. Our first visit is to the HMS Discovery, a British research ship best known for the 1901–1904 Discovery Expedition to Antarctica, led by Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. Significant time is allowed to explore before taking a Scotrail service from Dundee to Markinch, over the Tay railway bridge. On arrival there is a short coach transfer to Lundin Stones, one of Fife’s fascinating historic landmarks and then on to Leven, there will be time to purchase lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the Fife Heritage Railway for a tour of the railway heritage site. We return by coach back to Markinch for a further Scotrail service to Perth. We have a short pause in Perth before boarding the service to Glasgow Queen Street. Here you transfer to your hotel for overnight accommodation. (B D)

Sunday 4 July

Dumfries House, Doon Valley Railway & Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway

After breakfast in the hotel, you board a Scotrail service from Glasgow Central to Ayr, from where the coach will be waiting to transfer you to Dumfries House. You will have a tour of the house alongside time to purchase lunch.

You then board the coach and head to the Doon Valley Railway here you will get to enjoy a return trip along the heritage industrial line. Following the return trip you board the coach once again, to the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway, for a trip on the miniature railway line, from Leadhills to Glengonnar, the line sits on the trackbed of the former Leadhills and Wanlockhead branch of the Caledonian Railway. After arriving back into Leadhills, you board the coach for the final time today, for a transfer over to Lockerbie Railway Station. At Lockerbie, you board a service train back to Glasgow Central, travelling up the challenging Beattock Summit. Dinner will be served in your hotel this evening. (B D)

Monday 5 July

Loch Lomond cruise and Stirling Castle

After a leisurely breakfast we depart Glasgow Queen street on a Scotrail service to Arrochar and Tarbet. A short transfer brings us to the shores of Loch Lomond where we board a cruise on the picturesque Loch Lomond.

Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Loch Lomond from the water, with a light lunch taken on board. Following the cruise your coach will take you through the scenic Scottish countryside towards Stirling. The afternoon, you visit to the magnificent Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important historic sites, for a guided tour of the grounds. After the visit we transfer to Stirling Railway Station where you will board a Scotrail service back to Glasgow. Dinner will be served in your hotel this evening. (B L D)

Tuesday 6 July

Falkirk Wheel, Kelpies, Bo’ness and Kinneil railway

After breakfast, you have a short transfer to Glasgow Queen Street, where you board a Scotrail service to Falkirk High. The coach will be waiting to take you to the Falkirk Wheel, where you can enjoy a rotation on the world’s only rotating boat lift of its kind. We travel on to the Kelpies, where you enjoy a tour of the impressive structure. There will also be time to purchase lunch here. After lunch, your coach will transfer you over to the Bo’ness and Kinneil railway where you can enjoy a return trip along the railway. There is also time to explore the Museum of Scottish Railways, before your return journey. You board the coach for the final transfer of the day, to Linlithgow railway station, where you will enjoy a Scotrail service to Edinburgh. On arrival you walk to your city centre hotel, where you will check in for the next two nights. Dinner will be served in your hotel this evening. (B D)

Wednesday 7 July

Edinburgh at leisure & Scottish Whisky

Enjoy breakfast at leisure along with a free morning in Edinburgh, before reconvening at Edinburgh Castle for a guided tour, also allowing time to explore the castle grounds, the defender of Scotland. After your castle visit, continue to the Scotch Whisky Experience for a guided tour and tasting. Explore the glass vault of their world-famous Scotch Whisky Collection.

Their expert guides will introduce you to the art of blending, explaining how geography and weather all combine to create the unique characteristics, aromas and flavours of this iconic drink. At the end of the tour there will be the opportunity to sample 4 regional single malts in their private whisky bar. This evening dinner will be served at your hotel. (B D)

Thursday 8 July

First Class rail travel from Edinburgh to London

This morning, after breakfast and a leisurely morning, we say goodbye to Edinburgh and walk the short distance to Edinburgh Waverley. Travelling by LNER Azuma train in First Class for the return journey back to London King’s Cross, calling at the same stations as your outward journey. Refreshments will be included whilst on board the train. Arriving London King’s Cross late afternoon. (B)