Rail & Sail in the Western Highlands

5 days from £599*

Rail & Sail in the Western Highlands 

5-days Coach Holidays

 Rail & Sail in the Western Highlands

A wonderful mix of rail and loch, this great Scottish holiday explores some fine scenic railway journeys and a lovely loch cruise.  

Based at the popular Winnock Hotel in the centre of the hillside village of Drymen, near the shores of beautiful Loch Lomond, enjoy a steamship cruise on Loch Katrine, a trip on the mechanical marvel of the Falkirk Wheel, a nostalgic journey on the Bo’ness & Kinneil steam railway and one of the most breath-taking Scottish train journeys from Dumbarton to Oban

• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast and dinner
• Porterage included
• Welcome drink on arrival
• Tea /coffee after dinner
• Included excursions and entrances as stated
• Boat Trip on Falkirk Wheel
• Trip with afternoon tea on the Bo’Ness & Kinneil Steam Railway
• 2-hour cruise on Loch Katrine on SS Sir Walter Scott
• One-way ScotRail journey from Dumbarton to Oban
• Evening entertainment on 2 nights

Itinerary

Day One :

After joining your holiday coach, drive northwards with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive at your hotel in Drymen early evening, ready for your first evening meal together. DBB

Day Two - Four :

Days 2 - 4 At leisure in Winnock Hotel, Drymen with three Included excursions. Two evenings’ live entertainment in the hotel

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

Loch Katrine Steam Cruise on SS Sir Walter Scott

Travel into the Trossachs National Park via Aberfoyle to lovely Loch Katrine where you will enjoy a 2-hour relaxing cruise as you watch the natural wonder of the beautiful countryside gently slip by from aboard the steamship SS Sir Walter Scott. Named after Scotland’s much loved poet and author, this famous steamship captivates visitors with its intriguing 100 year history. Afterwards visit Callander, a pretty town on the River Teith, often described as the gateway to the Highlands

Falkirk Wheel & Bo’Ness & Kinneil Steam Railway

The iconic Falkirk Wheel is the world’s only rotating boatlift which connects the Forth & Clyde and Union canals. It was constructed to replace a series of 19th century lock gates and is the showpiece of the Millennium Link project which re-established coast-to-coast navigation of the canals. You will make the ascent and descent through the wheel with the entire boat trip lasting approx. one hour. Continue to Bo’Ness station for a trip on the heritage Bo’Ness & Kinneil steam railway with a traditional afternoon tea served on board. Relax and enjoy the scenic 10-mile return train journey to Manuel along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct.  Bo’Ness station is also the site of the Museum of Scottish Railways (Note: there is a 500m level walk from the station to the museum buildings (or shorter route over a footbridge). Wheelchair users may find parts of the path challenging)

West Highland Line from Dumbarton to Oban

Head to Dumbarton this morning to board the ScotRail train to Oban to enjoy one of Scotland’s most scenic rail routes. This spectacular train journey (just over 2 1/2 hours) travels along Gare Loch through the Trossachs National Park.  The train sweeps along the north edge of Loch Awe, in the shadow of Ben Cruachan. Look out for Kilchurn Castle, a 15th century ruin at the head of Loch Awe. The train then leaves the loch and pushes on along the River Awe towards Loch Etive. An unmissable adventure! There will be leisure time in Oban, a captivating harbour town full of Victorian charm and affording wonderful views of the hills of Mull

Day Five  :

- After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening

Hotel information

Further Information

Coach seating arrangements

Your seats on the main coach will be allocated for you in advance, taking into consideration any special requests wherever possible. Your Tour Manager or driver will advise you where to sit as you board the coach. This will be your seat for the duration of the tour. (Seats are not allocated on any connecting services to and from the main coach.)

Joining your holiday

Your final travel documents, including the exact time and place of departure, will be sent to you approximately 7 days prior to departure, providing all payments have been made. We are unable to give exact departure times before this.

Meal arrangements

Where meals are not included, your Tour Manager will ensure there are suitable stops made for you to purchase and enjoy lunch and/or dinner each day.

Triple rooms

The majority of these consist of a double bed and an extra bed that is often only suitable for children. If this is a concern, you may wish to consider booking more than one room for your group.

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.

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

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

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