Welcome to Railtrail Tours
A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.
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Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm
The West Highland Line, the Kyle Line & the Cairngorms Line - experience a truly magical pre-Christmas circular rail tour of the Scottish Highlands in all their wintry glory, followed by a relaxing and homely Christmas in Stirling with all the trimmings and an excursion to the Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh.
View Dates & Book8 days from £1169
DEPARTS
Friday 20 December 2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the beautiful West Highland Line to Fort William
Tour the Ben Nevis Distillery with a wee dram
Take an original "Great Rail Journey of the World" on the spectacular Kyle Line
Cut through the Grampians on the Cairngorm Line
Enjoy a relaxing Christmas in the 4-star Stirling Highland Hotel with an entertainment programme and a visit to Stirling Castle
Boxing Day excursion to The Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh with time to explore its fabulous Christmas Market*
Also included in your tour fare:
Dinner every evening plus 2 lunches
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
DAY 1
Travelling by train to Stirling, we meet at the Stirling Highland Hotel, enjoying a welcome tea or coffee. Explore the handsome city or enjoy the hotel's leisure facilities ahead of dinner.
DDAY 2
An early start this morning, as we depart Stirling for Glasgow. Here we change onto the West Highland Line. Catching the railway during the seasonally limited daylight hours, we skirt the shores of Gareloch, Loch Long, and Loch Lomond, with scenery becoming ever more dramatic, before we climb high across the heather of Rannoch Moor, whose splendid isolation can only be experienced by train or on foot (no roads lead here). One of the world's greatest railway journeys then descends into Fort William, in the shadow of brooding Ben Nevis. On arrival a coach takes us the short distance to the Nevis Gondola cable car which whisks us high up Aonach Mor for incredible views. The Ben Nevis Distillery then awaits for a tour and a warming 'wee dram' before checking into the Alexandra Hotel for two nights.
B, DDAY 3
Today we rejoin the West Highland Line for the final part of the epic journey to Mallaig. Trundling first past the Caledonian Canal's locks, we head through rocky mountain landscapes, crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's monument and Loch Shiel are viewed before bursting out onto the Atlantic coastline of golden white sands with distant views of Rhum and Eigg. Enjoy time in Mallaig with views across the sea to Skye before returning to Fort William.
B, DDAY 4
A truly stunning coach journey heads through untouched lochs and glens, past the romantic Eilean Donan Castle en route to Kyle of Lochalsh, overlooking Skye. Here we join the original "Great Railway Journey of the World" made famous from Michael Palin's trailblazing programme - The Kyle Line. Leaving the western seascapes behind, our train climbs past lochs and forests, stopping briefly in small hamlets, before descending to Inverness, where we stay for a night at the Mercure Hotel in the city centre.
B, DDAY 5
Christmas Eve
Our morning train once again allows incredible daylight views of the Grampians which we cut through on the Cairngorm Line. Passing the ski resort of Aviemore and the charming town of Pitlochry, we arrive back in Stirling for included lunch at the Stirling Highland Hotel. In the afternoon we can walk to nearby Stirling Castle (entrance tickets included) or relax in the hotel, which will show a festive movie on the big screen with popcorn. Dinner is followed by live music this evening and we are treated to mulled wine and mince pies later in the evening as Christmas Day approaches.
DAY 6
Christmas Day
Merry Christmas! After an action packed few days, unwind in the homely surroundings of the Stirling Highland, enjoy its leisure facilities and, above all, relax. At lunchtime, a sparkling wine reception precedes a sumptuous Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. The hotel organises a treasure hunt around Stirling in the afternoon or enjoy watching a festive movie. A light buffet ends the day with entertainment.
DAY 7
Boxing Day
Our coach excursion takes us to the Royal Yacht Britannia, voted Scotland's best visitor attraction for the past 12 years. During our visit the famous floating royal residence will be proudly decorated in all its festive finery. The Royal Yacht served the Royal Family for over 44 years and travelled over one million nautical miles on 968 state visits, hosting world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Ronald Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi. Following our fascinating visit we enjoy free time in Edinburgh, Scotland's proud capital. Take in the glorious architecture of the Royal Mile, enjoy the Boxing Day sales on Princes Street or explore Edinburgh's Christmas Market*. Back in Stirling, dinner is followed by lively Scottish entertainment to round off our festive Christmas holiday.
DAY 8
We bid you farewell and 'haste ye back'.
*Important Note: Edinburgh Christmas market dates are subject to change and cancellation and have not been confirmed for 2024 at the time of tour compilation. We do reserve the right to make substitutions and changes to the tour itinerary should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
HOTELS
The Stirling Highland Hotel
Just a short walk from Stirling Castle is the historic 4-star Highland Hotel. The hotel’s Scholars restaurant offers quality locally sourced food, and the comfortable bar is the perfect place to enjoy a wee dram! The leisure club, including swimming pool, is a great place to relax. Built in the 19th century as the city’s High School, this characterful building still houses a working observatory in its roof.
The Alexandra Hotel, Fort William
Situated in the heart of Fort William close to the railway station, this traditional 3-star Victorian hotel offers comfortable bedrooms with TV and radio, telephone, and hospitality tray. The hotel has a homely bar with an open fire and a spacious restaurant offering locally sourced dishes.
Mercure Hotel, Inverness
Situated in the centre of Inverness, the 4-star Mercure hotel boasts an excellent waterside setting overlooking the River Ness. The railway station is conveniently located just a short walk from the hotel. The recently refurbished, stylish bar and restaurant have fantastic views. The hotel also has a gymnasium. The modern bedrooms are well equipped with free Wi-Fi, TV, hairdryer, and tea/coffee making facilities.
FARES
| Fare Region | First | Standard |
| London: Kings Cross | £1,575 | £1,399 |
| Greater London | £1,595 | £1,409 |
| South of England | £1,649 | £1,445 |
| East Anglia | £1,655 | £1,445 |
| South West | £1,795 | £1,525 |
| Heart of England | £1,649 | £1,445 |
| Midlands | £1,555 | £1,385 |
| Yorkshire | £1,499 | £1,359 |
| North East | £1,415 | £1,315 |
| North West | £1,485 | £1,339 |
| South Wales | £1,659 | £1,445 |
| North Wales | £1,555 | £1,375 |
| Scotland | £1,329 | £1,245 |
*Please note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class only, so First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of journeys.
Join & Leave at Hotel £1,189
£20 tour discount for holders of National Railcards
Single Room Supplement £180
7 nights’ bed, breakfast & table d’hôte evening meal plus 2 lunches
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
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