West Highland & Jacobite Statesman

A spectacular long weekend tour to the West Highlands of Scotland at this most delightful time of year with the Autumnal colours on full display. We travel aboard the renowned ‘Statesman’ private charter train, where the journey is as much a delight as arriving.

Sit back and relax aboard this wonderful heritage train and let the dramatic and beautiful scenery of the West Coast and the West Highland lines drift past your window.

A memorable return journey to Mallaig on the steam hauled ‘Jacobite’ train (voted ‘Top rail journey in the World’) is also included, along with two nights’ bed & breakfast accommodation at a quality hotel in the Fort William area and also a three-course dinner on the Saturday evening.

Choose to travel on board the Statesman train in Standard or First Class reserved seats - or opt to also include “On Train Meals” when travelling in Premier or Pullman Class.

The train also includes a Buffet Bar selling hot & cold beverages, light snacks & alcoholic drinks.

CHOICE OF DEPARTURES The times after each station name are the departure time on the Friday, followed by the arrival time back on the Sunday.

Swindon (07.00/22.45);Kemble (07.25/22.15); Stroud (07.40/21.55)
Stonehouse (07.50/21.45); Cheltenham Spa (08.10/21.25); Worcester Shrub Hill (08.40/20.55); Kidderminster (09.00/20.35); Stourbridge Jct (09.15/20.30); Stafford (10.10/19.30); Crewe (10.40/19.00)

ENJOY AN EXTENDED BREAK!Connecting rail travel tickets from any UK station to the tour departure points, along with overnight accommodation where necessary, are available from us at a supplementary fare.

YOUR TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION CHOICES
Pullman Class: Accommodation in twin or double rooms in the baronial 3 star “Ballachulish Hotel” situated in a breathtaking setting on the shores of Loch Leven at the foot of Glencoe. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner on Saturday is included, with all other meals taken on the train. Seating is in air conditioned ‘Pullman’ style carriages with panoramic windows, wide seats and extra legroom at tables of 4 or 2. Included in the meal services on board the train (where appropriate) is a glass of bucks fizz with breakfast, glass of chilled champagne and ¼ bottle of house wine served with 3 & 4 course lunches or dinners. An ‘at seat’ drinks service is available for purchase throughout the journey.

Premier Class: Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms in the 3 star “Isles of Glencoe Hotel” situated on a loch side peninsula at the foot of Glencoe. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner on Saturday is included, with all other meals taken on the train. Seating is in 1st Class Carriages with wide windows at tables of 4 or 2. A full wine & drinks list is available with an ‘at seat’ service during the meals.

First Class: Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms in the 3 star “Alexandra Hotel” directly opposite Fort William station. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner (Sat only) is included. Seating is arranged in groups of 4 or 2 around a table in open carriages with additional legroom, wide seats and panoramic windows.

Standard Class: Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms in either the 3 star “Ben Nevis Hotel” just outside Fort William or “Alexandra Hotel” directly opposite the station. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner (Sat only) is included. Seating is in standard class carriages with wide windows around a table of 4.

DAY 1 Friday: We take the West Coast line with views of the Lakeland mountains as we pass through Oxenholme. At Carlisle there will be a short break for a leg stretch before we continue over the border at Gretna Green and the climb to Beattock, before taking the route around the north of Glasgow and along the banks of the Clyde to join the West Highland line at Craigendoran. Passing Loch Long and Loch Lomond we climb into the mountains for a memorable journey over the wild expanse of Rannoch Moor. We arrive in Fort William around 20.30 hrs. DAY 2 Saturday: Following a traditional, hearty Scottish breakfast at your hotel, we make our way to Fort William station where we step back in time with the maroon carriages (standard class only) of the steam hauled ‘Jacobite’ train waiting to take us on the magnificent 84 mile round trip over the ‘Rails to the Isles’. We pass the foot of Ben Nevis and over the Caledonian Canal swing bridge, following the shoreline of Loch Eil and into the high mountains. At Glenfinnan we cross the viaduct which offers magnificent views down Loch Shiel - the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, and more recently the location for the flying car scene in the Harry Potter movies. Continuing through memorable scenery our engine works hard to haul the train up Beasdale Bank and past the white sands of Morar before our arrival in the fishing village of Mallaig. With views across to the Isle of Skye and numerous eateries there is plenty to see and do in the two hours before our return journey. On arrival back into Fort William there is time for sightseeing and shopping before returning to the hotel. DAY 3 Sunday: Following breakfast at your hotel, our train will depart from Fort William for the journey up the Great Glen and Monessie Gorge passing the falls of Orchy. Time permitting a stop will be made at Rannoch where the views are truly spectacular and herds of wild deer roam - then homeward with magnificent views of Loch Long and via Glasgow, Beattock, Carlisle and Shap summit. Pullman Class Accommodation in twin or double rooms in the baronial 3 star “Ballachulish Hotel” situated in a breathtaking setting on the shores of Loch Leven at the foot of Glencoe. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner on Saturday is included, with all other meals taken on the train. Seating is in air conditioned ‘Pullman’ style carriages with panoramic windows, wide seats and extra legroom at tables of 4 or 2. Included in the meal services on board the train (where appropriate) is a glass of bucks fizz with breakfast, glass of chilled champagne and ¼ bottle of house wine served with 3 & 4 course lunches or dinners. An ‘at seat’ drinks service is available for purchase throughout the journey. On Train Meals: Friday - Full English breakfast or Brunch, Luncheon and three course Dinner. Sunday – Four course ‘Taste of Scotland’ Luncheon and Afternoon Tea. The transfer between Fort William station and the Ballachulish Hotels will be by road coach and takes around 20 minutes for the journey down the shore of beautiful Loch Linnhe. Premier Class Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms in the 3 star “Isles of Glencoe Hotel” situated on a loch side peninsula at the foot of Glencoe. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner on Saturday is included, with all other meals taken on the train. Seating is in 1st Class Carriages with wide windows at tables of 4 or 2. A full wine & drinks list is available with an ‘at seat’ service during the meals. On Train Meals: Friday - Full English breakfast or Brunch, Luncheon and three course Dinner. Sunday – Four course ‘Taste of Scotland’ Luncheon and Afternoon Tea. The transfer between Fort William station and the Isles of Glencoe Hotel will be by road coach and takes around 20 minutes for the journey down the shore of beautiful Loch Linnhe. First Class Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms in the 3 star “Alexandra Hotel” directly opposite Fort William station. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner (Sat only) is included. Seating is arranged in groups of 4 or 2 around a table in open carriages with additional legroom, wide seats and panoramic windows. The ‘Alexandra Hotel’ is located directly opposite the station and no road coach is involved. Standard Class Accommodation will be in twin or double rooms in either the 3 star “Ben Nevis Hotel” just outside Fort William or “Alexandra Hotel” directly opposite the station. Breakfast (Sat & Sun) and three course dinner (Sat only) is included. Seating is in standard class carriages with wide windows around a table of 4. The ‘Ben Nevis Hotel’ is situated on the outskirts of Fort William and transfer takes c.3 minutes by road coach. The ‘Alexandra Hotel’ is located directly opposite the station and no road coach is involved.