Page 10 - 2024 Anniversary Brochure

UK

GRAND TOURS

Railway route to Aberdeen

Orcadian Odyssey

Thursday 9 May to Thursday 23 May 2024

A leisurely rail journey north from Glasgow to Orkney, with Royal Deeside sightseeing en route. Enjoy stays in Stromness and Kirkwall, taking in the
must-see highlights of this magical isle with a local guide. Visit the Castle of Mey and overnight in Inverness before returning south to Edinburgh.

Day 1 - Welcome to Glasgow Day 4 - North to Inverness Day 7 - Heart of Neolithic Orkney
We meet in Glasgow for a welcome dinner and a We take the former Great North of Scotland & Today we focus on the UNESCO Heart of Neolithic
1-night stay. If you’ve never been to this lively cultural Highland Railway lines to Inverness this morning for Orkney World Heritage Site. This encompasses
city, why not arrive a day or two early? We would be a 2-night stay. This afternoon is yours to explore this 4 monuments and around 5,000 years of history.
happy to arrange this for you. pretty riverside city or to relax at the hotel’s spa. Our local guide will take us around the famous
archaeological treasures of Skara Brae, the Ring of
Day 2 - Aberdeen Day 5 - Inverness at Leisure Brodgar, the Standing Stones of Stenness and the
A morning train takes us to Aberdeen for an There is plenty to see and do here. Stroll around Maeshowe chambered tomb. A stop at Skaill House
afternoon at leisure and a 2-night stay. This compact the botanic gardens, embark on a Loch Ness Cruise will also be included.
city is located on the coast and there is plenty to see, (pre booking is essential) or take the spectacular rail
from sand dunes to ships which dock right up to the journey out to the Kyle of Lochalsh - this is one of the Day 8 - Birsay Birdlife & Sea Stacks
city streets. Admire the sparkling granite architecture most breathtakingly scenic lines in the world. If you Visit the tidal island of Birsay if tide times allow - it’s
or walk the cobbled streets of the old town. prefer history, visit Inverness Castle, Museum & Art only accessible via a concrete causeway for around 2
Gallery and take a bus out to Culloden Battlefield & hours either side of low tide. This small island hosts
Day 3 - Royal Deeside Visitor Centre. the remains of a substantial Pictish settlement, with
Royal Deeside is an area that captivated Queen evidence of Viking buildings visible too. The sheer cliffs
Victoria with its characteristic Scottish blend of Day 6 - Orkney Bound fall off into the Atlantic Ocean and are full of birdlife -
moody mountains, lofty crags, tumbling rivers and We travel by road north to Scrabster on the Pentland it’s one of the best places to see puffins in the spring
moors and forests. We have a private tour by bus and Firth where we board the lunchtime Northlink ferry and summer months. Back on the mainland, we take
visit some of the castles which the area is famous for. over to Stromness for an evening meal and 3-night a coastal walk to view the Yesnaby Sea Stacks and
If the Royal Deeside Railway is operating today, we stay. enjoy a tour of Orkney Brewery.
will also incorporate a return journey on this short
but charming line.

Stromness coastline on Orkney

Inverness

3 50 Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys