North of England & Scotland

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrival and York

Travel by rail to York for a 2-night stay at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel, located overlooking the city’s Roman walls and opposite York Railway Museum with the historic centre just a 10 minute walk away. After checking in, the afternoon is free to enjoy the city or visit the famous National Railway Museum, a 5 minute walk from the hotel.

Day 2 – North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Today begins with a short one hour journey by private transport to Pickering to enjoy a steam-hauled return trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Whitby. Arriving in Whitby late morning there is plenty of time to enjoy this lovely seaside town. Whitby is famous for its ruined Gothic Abbey, inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula”. The nearby Church of St. Mary can be reached by 199 steps and at The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, in the house where Cook once lived, there are lots of paintings and maps on display. West of town is West Cliff Beach, lined with beach huts.

Day 3 – National Railway Museum

A day to spend at the National Railway Museum, home of Britain’s locomotive history with an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance. You will board a late afternoon train to Leeds, your base for the next 3 nights at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, situated in the waterside Granary Wharf area, a 2 minute walk from Leeds Railway Station and a 7-minute walk from the city centre shops.

Day 4 – The Middleton Railway

A short 30 minute journey by private transport to the Middleton Railway - the world's oldest working railway. Return to the hotel after lunch.

Day 5 – Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

A morning train to Keighley to spend the day at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway which includes a return journey on the train. Return to Leeds by train late afternoon.

Day 6 – To Glasgow via Settle & Carlisle Line

Travel by rail to Glasgow, via Carlisle in order to enjoy a scenic journey on the Settle and Carlisle line. Arrive in Glasgow mid-afternoon for a 2-night stay at the Ibis Styles Glasgow Centre in George Square, just a 7-minute walk from Glasgow Central Train Station. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the nearby Buchanan Galleries or explore the city via its subway system - it only takes 24 minutes to do a full circuit of all 15 stations.

Day 7 – Explore Glasgow

A day at leisure to explore Scotland’s second city – ride its subway and visit some of its impressive art galleries and museums.

Day 8 – West Highland Line

After a leisurely morning you travel along the West Highland Line across Rannoch Moor to Fort William. Considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world, the West Highland Line leaves Glasgow behind and delves deep into the wild west coast. En route to Mallaig the train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct – famous for its appearance in the Harry Potter films.

You see parts of Scotland that can only be seen from the train – this scenic railway journeys north along the west coast, through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The line splits at Crianlarich, carrying you either past Loch Awe to Oban, or high up to Rannoch Moor, through remote wilderness and on to Fort William and Mallaig. You will arrive in Fort William late afternoon for an overnight stay at the Travelodge.

Day 9 – The Jacobite

Return to Fort William railway station this morning where you will leave your luggage before taking the famous Jacobite steam train to Mallaig and back. There is time in Mallaig to enjoy lunch (not included) before returning to Fort William late afternoon. A private transfer will take you to Inverness for a 3-night stay at the Best Western Palace Hotel, located on the banks of the River Ness and only a 5-minute walk from Inverness city centre.

Day 10 – Kyle of Lochalsh

A return journey on the famous Kyle of Lochalsh line today. The rail journey takes you coast to coast across the Highlands, in the shadows of mountains and forests, beside bright lochs and wide open moors.

The Kyle line draws a wide arc from Inverness to the shores of Loch Alsh, taking in spectacular Highland scenery – and finishing with magnificent views of Skye. Just outside Inverness lies Dingwall, a pretty market town that’s perfect for a stop off or a connection to the Far North Line. From there, the train takes you past lochs and moors as you travel through the Highlands. Keep an eye out for one of the most distinctive mountain ranges in Scotland, the Torridon Peaks, looming out of the north. On the final stretch of the journey, the train picks its way along the coast south to Loch Alsh. Arrive back in inverness late afternoon.

Day 11 – The Far North Line to Thurso & Wick

This return journey ventures north from Inverness, tracing the North Sea coast past distilleries, salmon rivers and golf courses to Thurso and the once-mighty fishing port of Wick. The journey shows how wild and remote Scotland can be. The peat bog stretches for miles and the train stops at the most unlikely stations on its way to the country’s northernmost train station, Thurso. You’ll see the vast expanse of the Flow Country, one of the RSPB’s prize peat habitats – and cross the finest salmon fishing rivers in Scotland. Arrive back into Inverness late afternoon.

Day 12 – Via Aberdeen & Dundee to Edinburgh

Morning departure by train to Aberdeen, arriving early lunchtime and, after storing luggage at the station, spend a few hours exploring the town. The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is only a 5-minute walk from the railway station and free to enter. It tells the story of the city's long relationship with the sea and houses a unique collection covering shipbuilding, fast sailing ships, fishing and port history. It is also the only place in the UK where you can see displays on the North Sea oil and gas industry. The award winning museum offers visitors a spectacular viewpoint over the busy harbour. Alternatively, walk down the mile long Union Street (also steps away from the station), which is lined with classic granite buildings. Depart Aberdeen mid-afternoon for Dundee.

There will be time in Dundee to see The Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery which is moored at Discovery Point, just steps away from the railway station. Built in the city in 1900, RRS Discovery carried Captain Scott on his first expedition across the Antarctic. She was constructed in Dundee and returned home in 1986. Audiovisual shows, computer-based interactive experiences and displays transport you to Antarctica. Follow in the footsteps of Captain Scott and his crew on one of the most heroic voyages ever undertaken. Depart Dundee late afternoon and arrive in Edinburgh early evening and transfer to the Jurys Inn Hotel in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, right beside the Royal Mile and less than a 5-minute walk from Waverly Train Station.

Day 13 – Explore Edinburgh

A day at leisure to travel on Edinburgh’s trams, visit the castle, its various museums or take a look around the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Day 14 – Return Home

Morning check out to travel home by rail.