Waverley Station Globetrotters is pleased to offer the first scheduled low carbon guided tour of Scotland. A very varied four day trip exploring Scotland’s towns and countryside by train, expertly guided from beginning to end by an experienced Scottish tour guide. Covering both the more populated east coast and the dramatic west highlands, this trip offers a fascinating insight to what this beautiful country has to offer.
Includes all guiding services and bookings, where appropriate.
July Departures: 12/7/23 full
Further departures throughout October – phone for details
To book call Peter Brown on +447717718498 or email globetrotters@waverleystation.scot
We recognise that customers may have different requirements in terms of accommodation, and may plan add-ons before or after the core itinerary. Accordingly, we have not included entrances, accommodation or rail passes to allow maximum flexibility.
Four day guided tour cost £150 pp
Hotels 3 nights @ Circa £100 per room £300; Rail pass £100-£150 pp
Day 1. Edinburgh to Aberdeen.
Leaving the beautiful World Heritage Site of Edinburgh behind, we set off over the world famous Forth Bridge, also a world heritage site, built to replace the world’s first roll-on roll-off train ferry between Granton and Burntisland.
We travel so close to the shores of the North Sea we could almost go for a paddle on the beach!
Our first stop will be in Kirkcaldy, birthplace of Adam Smith, famous for his seminal work ‘An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’.
Here we visit the outstanding Art Gallery and Museum, whose Scottish art collection has grown to become one of the best held anywhere,
or head down to the harbour to the historic merchant‘s house.
Leaving Kirkcaldy, we travel through the fertile green farmlands of East Fife, finally crossing the Tay Bridge to arrive at Dundee, home of Discovery, the ship built in Dundee for Captain Scott’s famous expedition to the Antarctic. There will also be an opportunity to visit the new V&A Gallery of Art & Design (luggage lockers), stroll round the city centre or visit HMS Unicorn, the oldest military ship in Britain.
Free time for lunch.
Leaving Dundee heading north we pass Carnoustie, a championship links golf course used for the Open, before arriving at Arbroath. We visit Arbroath Abbey, where the declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320, widely regarded as the first document describing the conditional sovereignty of the sovereign over the people.
We will also have the opportunity to sample the famous Arbroath Smokie by the harbour.
Leaving Arbroath, we pass through Montrose, with its extensive tidal salt flats, before skirting the cliff-girt coast south of Aberdeen.
Station Hotel, Aberdeen (50m from station)
Day 2. Aberdeen to Inverness.
A short walking tour of central Aberdeen. Before we leave the city, you will have free time to visit the Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum, or take in the shops.
And we won’t leave the city before sampling a rowie or buttery.
After lunch we depart Aberdeen; our route takes us away from the coast past the airport perimeter and into the hill country of Buchan, land of grazings, barley, timber, castles and of course whisky.
Continuing along the fertile coastline we arrive at the historic Royal Burgh of Forres
It speaks of slightly jaded past glory, but consistently wins both Scotland in Bloom and Britain in Bloom for its beautiful floral displays. There is also the opportunity to see the magnificent Sueno’s Stone, the largest engraved Pictish stone in the Britain & Ireland.
Our route then passes through mixed farming country, featuring crops, sheep, cattle, horses and even pigs. As we approach Inverness along the Moray coast we skirt the perimeter of Inverness Airport and its brand new station. Apart from Prestwick, Inverness is the only airport to have its own station.
Royal Highland Hotel (20m from Station)
Day 3. Kyle of Lochalsh day trip.
Inverness is reputed to be the capital of the highlands, so it is appropriate we head west on the renowned West Highland line for a day trip to Kyle of Lochalsh, the historic crossing point to the Isle of Skye.
We leave Inverness heading northwest, crossing the River Ness with fine views of Inverness, then crossing the Caledonian Canal. We then follow the fertile coast of the Beauly Firth, passing the prosperous towns of Beauly, Conon Bridge and Dingwall. From Dingwall we head into the highlands, leaving the rich farmland behind. We sit back and enjoy the magnificent vistas of 3000 foot mountains, interspersed with lochs and native woodland.
We skirt the shores of picturesque Loch Carron, a branch of the Sea of the Hebrides
Situated opposite the Isle of Skye, Kyle has open views across the narrows to Kyleakin, the Cuillin hills and the modern Skye Bridge.
After lunch we head back to Inverness. The same route, yes, but it all looks very different facing the other direction!
Day 4. Inverness to Edinburgh.
Leaving Inverness through the centre of the highlands, we pass through open countryside, now used principally as shooting estates. As we travel through Perthshire, the countryside softens, with woods and broad rivers eventually giving way to prosperous agriculture further south.
Our destination is Stirling, where we visit the magnificent castle, pausing to admire the views over the town, the famous bridge and the surrounding flat countryside from the castle’s lofty perch.
Finally, on our return trip to Edinburgh we will see Linlithgow Palace from the train. This is where Mary Queen of Scots was born, and one of her favourite palaces.
Ends Waverley Station