720 miles, including Edzell Castle, Keith, Plockton, Kyle of Lochalsh, Logie House, Rothiemurchus Estate and Pitmuies Garden • Tour some of Scotland's finest homes and gardens with respected British gardening writer Sue Chivers and photographer Patsy Floyd.
Departure Dates 2012 :
| June 7. |
Itinerary
Day One : Edinburgh - Keith
You are welcomed aboard by respected gardening writer Sue Chivers and photographer Patsy Floyd before an early-afternoon departure (13.42). Head north, crossing the splendid Forth Railway Bridge.
Disembark at Montrose for Edzell Castle, an enchanting ruin with a delightful walled garden, which was the seat of the Lindsays for several generations.
Rejoin the train at Stonehaven and continue into Speyside, stopping at Keith for an informal dinner and overnight stabling.
Day Two : Keith - Kyle of Lochalsh
During a leisurely breakfast, the train makes its way to Inverness and north to Invergordon, where guests alight for a visit to the 18th-century Foulis Castle, seat of the Clan Munro for 700 years. Mrs Munro of Foulis and her son, Hector, the Clan Chief, welcome you, after which you can explore the grounds and courtyard garden.
Return to the train for lunch as you travel towards Kyle of Lochalsh on the sublimely scenic line past the Torridon mountains, Achnashellach forest and Loch Carron. Disembark at Plockton for a visit to Attadale on the west coast. Home to the Macpherson family since the 1950s, this magnificent estate boasts a Water Garden, Japanese Garden and Sunken Garden among other treasures.
The night is spent in Kyle of Lochalsh, where a lavish dinner is followed by entertainment in the Observation Car, where you can also gaze across Loch Alsh to Skye.
Day Three : Kyle of Lochalsh - Boat of Garten
The day begins by travelling back to Dingwall, skirting the Beauly Firth and crossing the northern end of the Caledonian Canal to Inverness. You leave the train at Carrbridge to visit Ballindalloch, one of Scotland's most romantic castles, with its wonderful gardens.
Rejoin the train at Boat of Garten for a formal dinner, then be regaled with entertaining stories of Scottish heroes.
Day Four : Boat of Garten - Dundee
A coach takes you to the Rothiemurchus Estate, where you can tour the hunting lodge and parkland or enjoy some of the many outdoor activities on at this breathtakingly beautiful site beneath the Cairngorm Mountains. After reboarding the train at Aviemore, you journey south to Dunkeld and alight for a visit to Pitmuies Garden, near Forfar, with its two semi-formal walled gardens, a long border of herbaceous perennials, old-fashioned roses and many rare plants.
Return to the train in Dundee for dinner and a final night on board.
Day Five: Dundee - Edinburgh
After breakfast, the train leaves Dundee you travel through the former Kingdom of Fife crossing the Firth of Forth by means of the Forth Railway Bridge to arrive in Edinburgh Waverley station at 09:46 where your journey ends.
Prices (Per Person) 2012 :
|
Twin / Single |
Single Occupancy |
2012 |
£4,660 | £7,460 |
Prices are per person and include all table d'hôte meals, all alcoholic and other beverages, all sightseeing excursions as shown in the itinerary and accommodation on board based on two people sharing a twin compartment or one person in a single compartment.
Itineraries and timings shown may be changed for seasonal or operational reasons.
