2023 Rail & Sail In The Western Highlands

Itinerary

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, drive northwards with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive at your hotel in Drymen this evening, ready for your first evening meal together. DBB

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

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Loch Katrine Cruise 
Travel into the Trossachs National Park via Aberfoyle to lovely Loch Katrine with its many charms and rich heritage where you will enjoy a 2-hour relaxing cruise as you watch the natural wonder of the beautiful countryside gently slip by from the deck of your boat. The cruise takes in the best this stunning loch has to offer - from the atmospheric Ben Venue and Ellen’s Isle to the historic site of Queen Victoria’s Royal Cottage, the cruise instils the beauty and heritage of the Trossachs perfectly. Cruise may be operated by SS Walter Scott Steamship if its restoration project is complete or an alternative vessel. 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 19^th 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 Helensburgh to Oban
Head to Helensburgh 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 5 - After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening

Accommodation

Winnock Hotel, Drymen

Situated on the pretty village green in the conservation village of Drymen, the family-run 3* Winnock Hotel is situated just 4 miles from Loch Lomond. It offers excellent customer service,
cosy log fires and hearty Scottish cuisine. There is a traditional bar area with an extensive range of speciality malt whiskies. All 74 en-suite bedrooms come with TV, hairdryer and drinks facilities.

There is no lift but ground floor rooms are available (NB Dinner is served in the Capercaille Room on tables of 8)