Romantic Highlander

DAY 1

For those on our rail inclusive package the wonderfully picturesque Highland Line takes you through Perth, Pitlochry and over Cairngorm Mountains to Inverness and our hotel on the banks of the River Ness.

DAY 2

Travelling through the Great Glen to Fort William we journey on one of Scotland's most scenic railway journeys as we join the Jacobite Steam Train* on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig. The train line takes us over the impressive Glennfinnan Viaduct, capturing the views of Bonnie Prince Charlie's monument standing proudly at the head of Loch Shiel. The viaduct is now famous for its association with the Harry Potter movies. Circumnavigating Loch Eilt with the small island home to the remnant of the original Caledonian Forest the steam train continues with astonishing vistas of the Atlantic coastline before arriving at Mallaig overlooking the Isle of Skye. We have a short break for sightseeing in Mallaig before journeying back to Fort William and onto Inverness in time for dinner.

DAY 3

This morning we travel by train to Cairngorms National Park and the mountain resort of Aviemore. Here we enjoy a wonderful whiff of nostalgia on the Strathspey Steam Railway with refreshments served en route as we steam along the whole length of the line from Aviemore to Broomhill (renowned as Glenbogle in the old TV series 'Monarch of the Glen'). When we arrive back in Aviemore we board our return train and travel through stunning Highland scenery as we complete our journey back to Inverness.

DAY 4

After breakfast we take the wonderful Kyle Line train, Scotland's original "Great Railway Journey of the World", simply one of the world's finest coast to coast rail adventures through stunning scenery and across the great mountain plateau. Look out for wild deer, eagles and the palm trees of Plockton village, before dramatic sea vistas are revealed as we arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh. Here we enjoy a light lunch at Lochalsh Hotel and admire the superb views across to the Isle of Skye, just as Michael Palin did before retracing our steps to Inverness.

DAY 5

Today we bid farewell to Inverness and, if travelling by train, return over the mountains to Edinburgh and homeward stations.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, LR=Light Refreshments, D=Dinner