The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018 - 53

tHe tours

Bagpipes, intimate musical
events, the grand sweep of the
moors and the gorges: Belmond
Royal Scotsman Classic Splendors Tour is a journey straight
to the heart of the Scottish
Highlands. Life on the train is
indulgent, with the freshest, finest local produce served in the
dining cars. Two highlights: a
private tour and tasting at Glen
Ord Distillery and a personal
tour of the magnificent Ballindalloch castle and gardens.
We highly recommend combining the Classic with the Western
Scenic Wonders journey. These
are just two of the train's many
great itineraries.

Mike Reed

tHe HigHligHts

scotland's classic
splendors itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh-Keith
Depart Edinburgh, traveling
north across the magnificent
Forth Railway Bridge. Relax with
afternoon tea; arrive in the market town of Keith. Enjoy dinner
on board.
Day 2: Keith-Kyle of Lochalsh
Spend a leisurely breakfast
and lunch as you travel west
towards the Kyle of Lochalsh
along one of Britain's most
scenic lines. At Plockton, enjoy
a boat trip to view seals and admire the Isle of Skye; or choose
to take a woodland walk.
Return to Plockton Hotel for a
dram or two. Or, if your prefer,
visit one of Scotland's most
iconic sights: Eilean Donan
Castle. This evening, enjoy a
formal dinner aboard the train.
Day 3: Kyle of Lochalsh-Boat
of Garten
Today, visit Glen Ord, one of
Scotland's oldest distilleries.
Then it's on to the romantic
Ballindalloch castle. Tour the
16th-century home and gardens of the Macpherson-Grant
family. (Golf options available).
Overnight at Boat of Garten on
private tracks of Strathspey Railway. After dinner, a Highlander
regales you in the bar car with
Scottish tales and fables.

Day 4: Boat of Garten-Dundee
Your excursion today at
Rothiemurchus Estate offers
tantalizing options: fishing,
clay pigeon shooting or a tour
of the estate. Continue south
to Dunkeld for a visit to Glamis
Castle, childhood home of the
late H.M. Queen Elizabeth, The
Queen Mother. Save time in
your tour to visit the gorgeous
gardens. Rejoin the train in
Perth for an informal dinner en
route to Dundee.
Day 5: Dundee-Edinburgh
After breakfast depart for Edinburgh, arriving mid-morning.

western scenic
wonders itinerary

This tour includes Scotland's
scenic West Highland Line.
Day 1: Edinburgh-Spean
Bridge
Depart Edinburgh early afternoon. Travel west to Craigendoran-starting point for the
majestic West Highland Line.
Enjoy afternoon tea while
passing Gare Loch and Loch Lomond, with views of waterfalls,
moors and mountains. Enjoy an
informal dinner, then on-board
entertainment.

Day 2: Spean Bridge-Bridge
of Orchy
Breakfast is served as you head
west, past Britain's highest
mountain, Ben Nevis, and the
stunning coastline. Stop at
Arisaig for a walk along the
Morar Sands, with views of Isle
of Skye. This afternoon, disembark at Fort William, where a
Highlander accompanies you
to Glenfinnan Monument and
narrates the area's fascinating
history. Then enjoy tea at Inverlochy Castle. Or choose instead
to walk to beautiful Steall Waterfall (we loved this choice!),
the UK's second highest.
Day 3: Bridge of
Orchy-Kilmarnock
Head south to Wemyss Bay,
then board ferry to the scenic
Isle of Bute. Visit Mount Stuart,
Britain's most spectacular
Victorian Gothic house. View
the fine private collection of
family portraits, lush gardens
and secluded beach. (We loved
the bracing, ranger-led hike
through the woods.)
Day 4: Kilmarnock-Edinburgh
Depart Kilmarnock. Following
breakfast on board, arrive Edinburgh mid-morning.

* Before-dinner drinks in the
cozy lounge car, all included
* Wind-in-your-face viewing
from the open-air platform
* Breathtaking views of moors,
mountains, lakes and sea
* Intimate setting with just 40
passengers total
* Highest levels of dining and
service on board
* Fabulous off-train tours to distilleries and castles, often with
the owners as tour guides
* Inspiring dramatic and musical
events by Highlanders
* IRT Virtuoso Difference: Private
transfers, sightseeing and The
Balmoral Hotel with complimentary breakfast, upgrades
(average added value $450 per
booking)

THEMED TOURS

Scotch Malt Whisky Trail;
Heritage Homes and Gardens;
more at www.irtsociety.com

"My husband said: 'I don't
know what we paid those
people (IRT), but I will
never take another trip
without having that kind of
assistance. It is just worth its
weight in gold.'"
- V. Blaine, Venice

Simplon-Orient-Express

Visit our website for dates, prices,FOR
moreDATES,
tours * www
PRICES:
.irtsociety.com
WWW.IRTSOCIETY.COM
* (800) 478-4881, u.s. &*canada;
(800) (502)
478-4881
897-1725,*elsewhere
TOURDESK@IRTSOCIETY.COM
* tourdesk@irtsociety.com

|| 53
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The IRT Society's Best-Loved Railway Journeys 2018

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