Braemar Gathering & Highland Steam
BY RAIL
v22.10
6 Days £689pp
The Queen, Prince Charles and the Duchess
of Cornwall enjoying the Breamar Gathering
The Braemar Gathering
DATES - PRICES - CODES
Since 1848 the Braemar Gathering has
been regularly attended by the reigning
Monarch (Chieftain of the gathering)
and members of the Royal Family. We
will visit the gathering and tour the
Trossachs - gateway to the Highlands;
cruise on Loch Katrine and ride the
Strathspey Steam Railway through
gorgeous Highland scenery.
The Braemar Highland Gathering has
been an annual Highland highlight
since the days of King Malcolm
Canmore, 900 years ago. International
athletes will be among those taking part
in the "heavy" and "track" events. Pipers
and dancers will be of the usual high
standard while teams from HM Forces
will compete in the Inter-Services Unit
Tug of War Championship and in the
Services Medley Relay Race. The whole
event is an unbeatable spectacle of
Scottish tradition and folklore.
Pitlochry is set in the heart of Scotland
with real hospitality, clear sparkling air,
beautiful scenery, rich clan history, fine
food, plenty of space and lots to see and
do. The area has been a tourist
destination for well over 150 years,
counting Queen Victoria among its
earlier visitors. One of the town's best
attractions is the Pitlochry Dam and Fish
Ladder which allows salmon to reach
Loch Faskally to spawn.
Loch Katrine, with its many charms and
rich heritage, is truly one of Scotland’s
special places and has won the heart of
countless visitors. Just as special as the
magnificent scenery is the famous
steamship – the “Sir Walter Scott” which has sailed the loch for more than
100 years. Our visit will include a cruise
on this wonderful ship or on “Lady of the
Lake”, the perfect way to experience the
beauty of Loch Katrine.
The Trossachs are where the Highlands
and Lowlands meet. The gateways to
this startling landscape, rich in
mythology and folklore, are the villages
of Callander and Aberfoyle.
The Strathspey Railway, the line that
now runs from Boat of Garten to
Aviemore, was restored in 2002 and
extended to Broomhill so visitors can
relax away from the bustle of everyday
life, while this lovely old steam train
chugs happily through some of the
most gorgeous scenery.
Aviemore is best known as a winter
sports resort but there is plenty to do
and see here all year round. You can
enjoy an optional mountain train
experience on a funicular train up Cairn
Gorm (fare payable locally). The Base
Station has numerous facilities for
visitors, including a mountain shop and
café bar, an informal eating and drinking
place that looks a bit like its Alpine
equivalents. The main attraction at the
top of the funicular is the Ptarmigan
Restaurant, which offers panoramic
views over Cairn Gorm.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - London to Pitlochry by train:
Join the train from Kings Cross London
(see travel options) for the journey to
Pitlochry. On arrival we transfer to our
hotel where we check-in before dinner.
Day 2 - Queens View on Loch Tummel
& Pitlochry:
Day visit to Queens view set high above
Loch Tummel. This is one of the most
famous views in Scotland. The
panorama west to the peak of
Schiehallion and Rannoch Moor is
breathtaking. There is also an
informative visitor centre, which is the
focal point of the Tay Forest Park and has
an excellent audio-visual film, tearoom
and forest shop. During the afternoon
we continue to Pitlochry for some free
time.
Day 3 - Braemar Highland Gathering:
Today we visit the best spectacle of
Scottish tradition on the Highland
calendar. The Braemar Highland
Gathering, as it is properly called, is
invariably attended by the Royal Family
- the Queen is patron of the games.
Enjoy the famous Highland sports of
tossing the caber, hammer throwing
and tug of war as well as Highland
dancing and pipe bands. This is a not-tobe-missed spectacle in the Highlands
each September.
Day 4 - Aviemore and Strathspey
Railway:
Enjoy a ride on the area’s spectacular
heritage railway, taking in picturesque
Loch Katrine cruise
Dancing at the Braemar Gathering
views and stops along the line from Boat
of Garten to Aviemore. In Aviemore you
can ride the funicular railway to the
summit of Cairn Gorm (fare payable
locally).
Day 5 - Trossachs & Loch Katrine:
Drive through the Trossachs to enjoy a
relaxing cruise on Loch Katrine on the
steamship Sir Walter Scott, or sister ship
Lady of The Lake.
Day 6 - Pitlochry to London by train:
After breakfast we check out of the hotel
and transfer to Pitlochry station for the
return journey south.
Note: Order of excursions may be
subject to change.
Your hotel
The Angus Hotel - 3-star - Blairgowrie
Blairgowrie’s premier leisure hotel with a
modern indoor pool and health spa.
Here you can relax and unwind in a
modern and comfortable family owned
hotel, one of Perthshire's best known
hotels for over 100 years, situated right
at the heart of the pretty county town of
Blairgowrie..
The restaurant is stylish and friendly and
serves tasty Scottish fayre.The Leisure
Club is where you can swim in a
modern heated swimming pool, warm
up those tense muscles in the sauna,
clear the head in the steam room or sit
back and while the time away in the
modern spa bath.
Each bedroom is individually decorated
using high quality fabrics and modern
furnishings to guarantee your comfort
and relaxation. All feature en-suite
bathrooms, TV,
telephone
and
tea/coffee making facilities
Note: The Queen is the patron of the
Gathering and regularly attends, but her
attendance is not guaranteed.
2015
3 September - Tour GB9
DEPOSIT: £100pp
INCLUDED:
• Escorted from Kings Cross and
throughout
• Return rail travel from London Kings
Cross to Pitlochry - see other options
below left
• 5 nights sharing a twin/double room at
The Angus Hotel, Blairgowrie
• 5 breakfasts & 5 dinners
• All coach travel & touring in Scotland
• Loch Katrine Cruise
• Ride on the Strathspey Railway
• Entry to Braemar Games - seated in
open stand
EXCURSION OPTIONS:
• Aviemore Funicular Railway (payable
locally)
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS:
Travel options:
Board/Join at:
Supplement
Kings Cross
York
Newcastle
Angus Hotel
£80 discount
Aviemore funicular railway (optional)
• Single room supp’t £100
• Pre/Post departure overnight hotel
near Kings Cross - call for information
The Strathspey steam railway