Picturesque Pitlochry & The Enchanted Forest

DAY 1

We arrive in Pitlochry station and make our way to our very conveniently located hotel, the Fishers. Tonight, we enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

This morning we travel to Dundee by rail where we visit Discovery Point, an award-winning attraction which tells the story of RRS Discovery and Captain Scott's remarkable Antarctic expedition. After our visit, we can stroll next door and explore the impressive V&A museum (free of charge although some exhibitions carry a separate charge) or enjoy some free time to walk around Dundee. The city is home to the publishing house of DC Thomson and has statues of famous Beano and Dandy characters dotted around the city. After lunch at leisure, we travel to Montrose by rail, enjoying magnificent views of the coast during our 35-minute scenic journey. On arrival, we transfer the short distance by coach to the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, home of Britain's first operational military airfield and dedicated to aviation history dating back over 100 years. After our fascinating visit we transfer back to Pitlochry by coach.

DAY 3

Our day begins by travelling the short distance to the Queen's View Visitor Centre which lies in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Perhaps named after its links with Queen Isabella of Scotland, the first wife of Robert the Bruce, or Queen Victoria, who visited in 1866, the view from here is regarded as Highland Perthshire's most iconic. We travel past Loch Tummel and continue our scenic journey by road to Glamis Castle, renowned for being Scotland's most beautiful castle. During our guided tour we learn about the castle which is famous for being the legendary setting of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. When we arrive back in Pitlochry, we enjoy a guided tour of the Blair Athol Distillery, one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland and the spiritual home of Bell's. After sampling a warming wee dram, we return to our hotel. Following our early evening meal, we transfer to nearby Faskally Wood and experience the spectacular Enchanted Forest, Scotland's premiere light and sound experience set amidst a stunning woodland wonderland.

DAY 4

After breakfast we can enjoy exploring our base, the picture-postcard town of Pitlochry. Popular for over 150 years as a holiday destination, the town boasts Queen Victoria as one of its original visitors. Enjoy a stroll along Main Street in this charming resort with many attractive shops, bars, and tearooms. We begin another great rail journey this morning as we head north into the Cairngorms, passing dense forests and wild moors, flanked by the Grampians, on our way to the mountain resort of Aviemore. Here we have free time for lunch at leisure before we enjoy a return steam excursion from Aviemore to Broomhill on the preserved section of the Highland Line known as the Strathspey Steam Railway. Following our wonderful nostalgic steam journey, we return to Pitlochry by rail.

DAY 5

Our hotel in Pitlochry bids "haste ye back," as we make our way home.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner