The Royal Caledonian Journey: Scotland’s Regal Adventure

Embark on a remarkable train journey through the Scottish Highlands, where you can immerse yourself in royal heritage and explore Scotland’s most celebrated natural wonders.

Duration

06 Days

Max People

12

Min Age

12+

Pickup

London Heathrow Airport

Description
Included/Excluded
Tour Plan

Travel Along Scottish Railway Tracks with Jain Voyagers Ltd

Embark on a remarkable train journey through the Scottish Highlands, where you can immerse yourself in royal heritage and explore Scotland’s most celebrated natural wonders.

This charming introduction to the Highlands combines Scotland’s imperial history with visits to iconic sites such as Balmoral Castle, Crathie Kirk, and the picturesque village of Ballater. Enjoy a seamless travel experience starting with an overnight journey on the Caledonian Sleeper from London and a scenic ride on the heritage Strathspey Railway.

Delve into Scotland’s past with visits to a whisky distillery and the historic Culloden Battlefield. Explore vibrant towns like Nairn, Inverness, Aviemore, and Edinburgh, and soak up the region’s natural beauty with a stop at Cairngorm Mountain, insights into local reindeer herds, and a cruise on the legendary Loch Ness—all with the expert guidance of Jain Voyagers Ltd.

Tour Highlights

  • Journey on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London to the heart of the Scottish Highlands
  • Explore the small market town of Nairn, with its unspoilt beaches
  • Visit Inverness, a cultural capital, and the moving Culloden Battlefield
  • Experience the Royal Family’s Scottish holiday home, Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk, their regular place of worship
  • Stroll around the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park
  • Travel on the heritage Strathspey Railway to the resort town of Aviemore, a reminder of the golden days of steam
  • Stop off at the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre to take in the surrounding views
  • Cruise across the mysterious waters of Loch Ness and call at the local whisky distiller
  • Make the most of a guided Edinburgh tour, ticking off the city’s historical highlights

 

 

Included/Excluded

  • Breakfast and Dinner
  • Six nights’ accommodation at the three-star Carrbridge Hotel (four nights) and aboard the Caledonian Sleeper Train (2)
  • A tour of Nairn
  • A visit to the Battlefield of Culloden
  • A visit to Crathie Kirk
  • A journey on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway
  • A visit to Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre
  • A cruise across Loch Ness
  • A panoramic city tour of Edinburgh
  • Transfers throughout
  • A tour of Inverness
  • A tour of Balmoral Castle
  • A tour of Ballater
  • A visit to the Highland resort of Aviemore
  • A visit to Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre
  • A visit and tasting at a renowned local distillery
  • Return travel on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London Euston to Inverness and return from Edinburgh
  • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Tour Plan

01 Depart from London on Overnight Sleeper Train

There is no need for security queues or travelling from the airport to a city during this tour. Instead, you’ll board the Caledonian Sleeper Train at London Euston Station, get settled into your cosy, well-equipped cabin, and travel to Scotland.

02 Arrival in Inverness

After a relaxing night aboard the train, you’ll arrive at Inverness in the morning.* A light breakfast can be enjoyed in your cabin before you disembark and meet your tour manager at the station.

From here, you’ll head to the small market town of Nairn, an ancient fishing port and seaside resort known for its unspoilt beaches and wealth of wildlife – keep an eye out for seals, whales, and dolphins.

The tour will then continue to Inverness, a city on Scotland’s northeast coast and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands near Loch Ness. You’ll be guided around the old town, with its 19th-century cathedral, charming indoor Victorian Market, and hill-top castle, overlooking the Ness River.

Your final excursion of the day will be to the Culloden Battlefield – the site of the last battle of Jacobite Rising. During your visit here, you’ll learn about this moving location in the interactive visitor centre, with artefacts and informative displays.

In the late afternoon, you’ll check into the old-world, family-run Carrbridge Hotel set in a pretty village, where you can unwind until dinner.

*The 17 September 2023 departure will arrive in Edinburgh.

03 Visit to Balmoral Castle and Estate , Cathie Kirk, Ballater

Enjoy breakfast this morning before venturing on a morning drive to the famous Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family since 1852.

You’ll get to enter the castle to see the ballroom (the largest room in the castle), view the exhibitions and wander the gardens. The castle’s ballroom is the only area open to the public and where many members of the Royal Family have been pictured hosting events. Near the castle is Crathie Kirk, a small parish church in the village of Crathie. Best known for being the regular place of worship of the Royal Family, this church was built in 1895 and looks over the Dee River.

The tour will then continue to the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park. You can stroll around the speciality shops and seek out one of the delightful cafés for lunch (on your own account). This evening, you’ll have time for dinner and to relax.

04 Strathspey Railway - Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Center

After breakfast, you’ll head to Aviemore for another rail journey. You’ll join your tour manager and fellow guests to board the Strathspey Railway, a splendid reminder of the golden days of steam.

This scenic run takes you through unspoilt Highland scenery, passing great sweeps of the Spey River, moorland, and ancient forest. You’ll then return to Aviemore, where you’ll explore this famous resort town backed by the Cairngorm Mountain Range and have lunch (on your own account). The next stop is the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre, home to around 150 reindeer, which you can see up close with their handlers.

After this excursion, you’ll drive through twisting mountain roads to the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre, where you can take in spectacular views of the surrounding region. There will also be time to ride the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, Scotland’s only funicular railway and the highest in the UK. Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.

05 Visit to Lochness

Tuck into breakfast before travelling to the famed and mysterious Loch Ness.

You’ll then board a two-hour cruise across the legendary waters, learning about the loch’s intriguing history and observing the historic Urquhart Castle and wildlife on the banks. You can even keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster with the vessel’s onboard sonar.

Back on land, you’ll pay a visit to the Glen Ord Distillery – the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle. You’ll then tour the distillery, learning about the art of whisky-making and the Singleton’s signature ‘Slow Craft’ process before tasting three unique Singleton expressions. You’ll then return to the hotel for dinner.

06 Edinburgh City Tour

You’ll have breakfast, check out of the hotel and be driven to Edinburgh, Scotland’s cosmopolitan capital and the ‘World City of Literature’ for a guided city tour.

This three-hour excursion will cover the atmospheric, cobbled streets, lined with famous sights and landmarks. Roam along the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and pass by the Castle, St Giles Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Sir Walter Scott Monument.

There will also be plenty of time for you to mosey around on your own, discovering the galleries, quirky shops, Arthur’s Seat, and perhaps visiting the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Scotland and the home of Scottish royal history. In the evening, you'll have dinner at your leisure before taking the Caledonian Sleeper Train back to London.

07 Arrival to London

This morning, the train will arrive back at London Euston Station, concluding your Scottish Highlands escape.

Tour Map

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