The Royal Caledonian

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To book or for more information please call: 0303 330 0892 and quote RTA

Take to the tracks on a remarkable Highland rail journey, discover Scotland's royal heritage sites, and delight in a selection of exquisite natural vistas. This pleasant taster of the Highlands showcases the United Kingdom’s imperial heritage in the form of visits to Balmoral Castle, Crathie Kirk church, and the Victorian village of Ballater. Train travel is embraced as a hassle-free mode of transport from the beginning, with an overnight journey on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston, Birmingham International or Crewe Train Station and a ride on the heritage Strathspey Railway through the countryside. Further nods to the past are seen in outings to a whisky distillery and the Culloden Battlefield. The hearts of the territory’s prominent towns are also explored, with guided tours across Nairn, Inverness, Aviemore and Edinburgh. Opportunities to immerse yourself in the wilderness encompass a stop-off to view Cairngorm Mountain, a chance to learn about the local reindeer herds, and a cruise across the legendary waters of Loch Ness.

Holiday Highlights

Visit the Royal Family’s Scottish holiday home, Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk, their regular place of worship
Travel on the heritage Strathspey Railway to the resort town of Aviemore, a reminder of the golden days of steam
Make the most of a guided Edinburgh tour, ticking off the city’s historical highlights
Cruise across the mysterious waters of Loch Ness and call at the local whisky distillery
Journey on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London, Birmingham or Crewe to the heart of the Scottish Highlands
Explore the small market town of Nairn, with its unspoilt beaches
Stroll around the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park
Visit Inverness, a cultural capital, and the moving Culloden Battlefield
Stop off at the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre to take in the surrounding views

What's Included

Six nights’ accommodation at the three-star Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie (4 nights), and aboard the Caledonian Sleeper Train (2)
Five breakfasts and five dinners
A tour of Nairn
A tour of Inverness
A visit to the Battlefield of Culloden
A tour of Balmoral Castle
View Crathie Kirk
A tour of Ballater
A journey on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway
A visit to the Highland resort of Aviemore
A visit to Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre
A visit to Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre
A cruise across Loch Ness
A visit and tasting at the renowned Glen Ord Distillery
A tour of Edinburgh
Tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia
Farewell dinner at the renowned Royal Scotsman Hotel
Return travel on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London Euston to Inverness
Transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
All mandatory local taxes and charges

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart from London Euston, Birmingham International or Crewe Railway station on the overnight train service - There is no need for security queues or travelling from the airport to a city during this tour. Instead, you’ll board the Caledonian Sleeper Train at either London Euston, Birmingham International or Crewe Railway station, get settled into your cosy, well-equipped cabin, and travel to Scotland. Please note: On the return journey, passengers will be unable to disembark at Birmingham International or Crewe Railway station, and will need to transfer from London Euston.

Day 2

Arrival in Inverness and included visit to Nairn, Inverness and the Culloden Battlefield - After a relaxing night aboard the train, you’ll arrive at Inverness in the morning. Enjoy a light continental breakfast in your cabin before you disembark and meet your tour manager at the station. From here, you’ll head to the small market town of Nairn, an ancient fishing port and seaside resort known for its unspoilt beaches and wealth of wildlife. Keep an eye on the water, and you might just catch a glimpse of the seals, whales, and dolphins that dwell beneath the surface. The tour will then continue to Inverness, a city on Scotland’s northeast coast and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands near Loch Ness. You’ll be guided around the old town, with its 19th-century cathedral, charming indoor Victorian Market, and hilltop castle, overlooking the Ness River. Your final excursion of the day will be to the Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising. During your visit here, you’ll learn about this moving location in the interactive visitor centre, with artefacts and informative displays. In the late afternoon, you'll check into your hotel, where you can unwind until dinner

Day 3

Included visit to Balmoral Castle & Estate, Crathie Kirk, Ballater - Enjoy breakfast this morning before venturing on a morning drive to the famous Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family since 1852. You’ll get to enter the castle to see the ballroom (the largest room in the castle), view the exhibitions and wander the gardens. The castle’s ballroom is the only area open to the public and where many members of the Royal Family have been pictured hosting events. Near the castle is Crathie Kirk, a small parish church in the village of Crathie. Best known for being the regular place of worship of the Royal Family, this church was built in 1895 and looks over the Dee River. The tour will then continue to the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park. You can stroll around the speciality shops and seek out one of the delightful cafés for lunch (on your own account). This evening, you’ll have time for dinner and to relax.

Day 4

Included Strathspey Railway journey to Aviemore, Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre, and Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre - After breakfast, you’ll head to Aviemore for another rail journey. You’ll join your tour manager and fellow guests to board the Strathspey Railway, a splendid reminder of the golden days of steam. This scenic run takes you through unspoilt Highland scenery, passing great sweeps of the Spey River, moorland, and ancient forest. You’ll then return to Aviemore, where you’ll explore this famous resort town backed by the Cairngorm Mountain Range and have lunch (on your own account). The next stop is the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre, home to around 150 reindeer, which you can see up close with their handlers. After this excursion, you’ll drive through twisting mountain roads to the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre, where you can take in spectacular views of the surrounding region. Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.

Day 5

Included visit to Loch Ness - Tuck into breakfast before travelling to the famed and mysterious Loch Ness. You’ll then board a two-hour cruise across the legendary waters, learning about the loch’s intriguing history and observing the historic Urquhart Castle and wildlife on the banks. You can even keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster with the vessel’s onboard sonar. Back on land, you’ll pay a visit to the Glen Ord Distillery – the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle. You’ll then tour the distillery, learning about the art of whisky-making and the Singleton’s signature ‘Slow Craft’ process before tasting three unique Singleton expressions. You’ll then return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 6

Included Edinburgh city tour, Royal Yacht Britannia visit and farewell dinner at the Scotsman Hotel - You’ll have breakfast, check out of the hotel and be driven to Edinburgh, Scotland’s cosmopolitan capital and the ‘World City of Literature’. The first visit of the day will be to the Royal Yacht Brittania. This former yacht of the Royal family served from 1954 until 1997. Continue to Edinburgh city centre for a guided city tour. This excursion will cover the atmospheric, cobbled streets, lined with famous sights and landmarks. Roam along the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and pass by the Castle, St Giles Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Sir Walter Scott Monument. In the evening, you'll have dinner at the renowned Scotsman Hotel, before taking the Caledonian Sleeper Train back to London.

Day 7

Arrive at London Euston Station - This morning, the train will arrive back at London Euston Station, concluding your Scottish Highlands escape.

Caledonian Sleeper Train

Accommodation on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper Train is based on the Classic Room type, which includes twin bunk beds in a cozy and compact cabin, an in-room wash basin, Wi-Fi, charging points, temperature control, and dimmable lights.

Please speak to a consultant for upgrading to the Club Cabin. Customers for this tour can board the Caledonian Sleeper service to Inverness from London Euston, Birmingham International, and Crewe Train Station.

On the return journey, passengers will be unable to disembark at Birmingham International and Crewe Railway station, and will need to transfer from London Euston.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting.

For this tour specifically, it is important to note:

- Overnight cabin space is limited on the Royal Caledonian train and there is a ladder to access bunk beds

- There is a need to step on and off coaches / trains on several days

- Walking can involve uneven terrain and there is a steep slope of approx 100 yards to walk up at the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre

If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you would like any further information on the suitability of this tour, please call us for a chat prior to booking.

Train journeys

In the unlikely event of a steam locomotive breaking down on the Strathspey Railway, we reserve the right to substitute the engine with a diesel locomotive.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Balmoral Castle

The Balmoral Castle and Estate is a Royal residence and can be closed without prior notice. If this is the case a suitable replacement will be included as an alternative.

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Caledonian Sleeper Train

Disabled access

Train journeys

Special requirements

Itinerary changes

Balmoral Castle

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