Travel with Blakes, travel with friends! - Blakes Coaches
Travel with Blakes, travel with friends! - Blakes Coaches
Travel with Blakes, travel with friends! - Blakes Coaches
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20<br />
SCOTLAND…THE TROSSACHS &<br />
GREAT HIGHLAND RAILWAYS<br />
8 DAY TOUR<br />
Departure: Wednesday 26th June – Wednesday 3rd July<br />
The Trossachs an area of outstanding beauty <strong>with</strong> spectacular mountains,<br />
stunning scenery and picturesque lochs which straddle the boundary between the<br />
Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland.<br />
Inverness is an attractive and historic city, the capital of the Highlands and<br />
Scotland's most northerly city. It is beautifully situated at the head of the Great<br />
Glen, at the mouth of the River Ness, on the shores of the Moray Firth.<br />
A warm welcome awaits at this 3* hotel, situated in the centre of Blairgowrie, a<br />
picturesque country town nestled at the foot of the Sidlaw Hills. Each individually<br />
decorated room is ensuite, <strong>with</strong> tea & coffee making facilities, telephone, iron, and<br />
TV. The restaurant offers outstanding traditional cuisine as well as more<br />
contemporary dishes and a lift serves all floors. There is also a modern, fullyequipped<br />
leisure club <strong>with</strong> indoor pool and Scottish entertainment is provided on<br />
some evenings.<br />
The Palace Hotel & Spa<br />
Inverness<br />
This luxury 3* hotel benefits from its location in the heart of Inverness, opposite the<br />
River Ness and the castle and only two minutes’ walk from the city centre. Each of<br />
the comfortable rooms is ensuite, <strong>with</strong> TV, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffeemaking<br />
facilities. There is a lift to all floors. The restaurant offers a mouth-watering<br />
menu and the hotel’s leisure facilities include a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna<br />
and gym.<br />
Itinerary<br />
Angus Hotel<br />
Blairgowrie<br />
The Palace Hotel & Spa<br />
Inverness<br />
WEDNESDAY – After an early departure, we leave the West Country and make<br />
our way north, <strong>with</strong> regular comfort stops en route, to our hotel in Blairgowrie,<br />
arriving <strong>with</strong> time to settle in before evening dinner.<br />
THURSDAY – Join is for a “Royal” day as we begin <strong>with</strong> a scenic drive through<br />
the Cairngorm National Park to the spa town of Ballater. A Royal Burgh, many of<br />
the shops here display “By Royal Appointment” notices! You may like to visit the<br />
old Royal Station; used by Queen Victoria and five other reigning British<br />
monarchs. We continue on past Crathie Church, where the Royal Family attend<br />
whilst at Balmoral as we begin our return journey, <strong>with</strong> a stop in Braemar, a village<br />
in Upper Deeside, famous for the Highland Games, attended by members of the<br />
Royal Family.<br />
TELEPHONE 01398 341160<br />
FRIDAY – Join us today as we take a wonderful tour of the Trossachs, through<br />
some picturesque villages and stunning scenery, stopping in Aberfoyle for coffee.<br />
We then continue over the stunning Duke’s Pass, <strong>with</strong> a stop at Loch Katrine for<br />
lunch and time to admire the wonderful scenery and the views. We return to our<br />
hotel <strong>with</strong> a stop for tea in Callander and time to explore this lovely town.<br />
SATURDAY – We leave our hotel and Blairgowrie after breakfast and make our<br />
way further north, to Aviemore <strong>with</strong> time to explore the pretty town, or <strong>travel</strong> a<br />
short distance further to the Cairngorm Funicular Railway for an 8-minute ride up<br />
the mountainside, from which you can enjoy the spectacular views in comfort and<br />
safety. There is an exhibition area, restaurant and shop at the summit, in addition<br />
to a viewing terrace… Don’t forget your camera! After lunch we take a ride on the<br />
Strathspey Steam Railway, to Broomhill where our coach and driver will be waiting<br />
to complete the journey to Inverness and our hotel, <strong>with</strong> time to settle in before<br />
dinner.<br />
SUNDAY – The whole day is free for you to explore Inverness <strong>with</strong> its Victorian<br />
Castle which dominates the town’s centre. The Museum and Art Gallery provide a<br />
good introduction to the history of the Highlands <strong>with</strong> exhibits including a lock of<br />
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hair. You may also like to take a boat cruise on Loch Ness<br />
or a bus trip to one of the nearby attractions for example Eilean Donan Castle. If<br />
you’re looking for tartans, knitwear or interesting gift ideas, look no further than<br />
James Pringle Weavers and there are, of course, all the usual shops and plenty of<br />
places to enjoy coffee, lunch… and afternoon tea!<br />
MONDAY – This morning we <strong>travel</strong> by coach along the banks of Loch Ness, and<br />
through some stunning scenery to the Kyle of Lochalsh, located at the entrance to<br />
the Isle of Skye. With time to explore, browse the shops and lunch, we return to<br />
Inverness by train, <strong>with</strong> an opportunity to relax and enjoy more spectacular<br />
scenery not seen by road.<br />
TUESDAY – Sadly this morning we leave our hotel, and begin our journey south,<br />
<strong>with</strong> stops for coffee and lunch en route, arriving at our overnight hotel in Carlisle<br />
in time for dinner.<br />
WEDNESDAY – After breakfast, we continue our return journey, stopping for<br />
coffee and lunch en route and reaching the West Country early evening.<br />
TOUR PRICE £535.00<br />
Price includes:<br />
7 nights’ dinner, bed breakfast<br />
Ticket for Strathspey Steam Railway<br />
Train ticket from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness<br />
All excursions<br />
Supplements:<br />
Single supplement £90.00<br />
Cairngorm Funicular Railway, Aviemore<br />
<strong>Travel</strong> insurance £16.00
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