Scottish Steam, Malt & Ale Trail

DAY 1

We arrive in Perth and make your way to our hotel for four nights, the Salutation Hotel. Tonight we enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

Today we head northwards to explore the beautiful Trossach Range by coach, enjoying a cruise on Loch Katrine on board the 'Lady of the Lake'. We complete the day with a visit to the Deanston Distillery, a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located on the banks of the River Teith.

DAY 3

One of Scotland's great rail journeys awaits today 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 enjoy a return steam excursion from Aviemore to Broomhill on the preserved section of the Highland Line known as the Strathspey Steam Railway. Back in Aviemore, we visit the small, local Cairngorm Brewery, where we are joined by one of their guides for a presentation of the brewery and brewing process, before we enjoy a taste of their bottled ales.

DAY 4

This morning we travel by private coach to The Kelpies, here we enjoy a brief tour of the world's largest equine sculptures and get to go inside to marvel at the complexity and engineering that created these fantastic pieces of art. Following our visit, we reboard our coach for the short transfer to the nearby Falkirk Wheel. The Forth & Clyde Canal was originally built to link sea to sea across Scotland's central belt, however, not long after its construction it was usurped by the railways. After falling into disrepair, volunteers began restoring the canal to its former glory with similar vigour to the pioneers of railway preservation. The Falkirk Wheel is the final piece in the jigsaw, an incredible feat of engineering and design. Our boat is lifted 35 metres by the world's only rotating boat lift, before sailing seamlessly onto the Union Canal. We continue to the Bo'ness & Kinneil Steam Railway for a return ride along the line.

DAY 5

Our hotel in Perth bids "Haste ye back," as we make our way home.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner