Saturday We travel north with an afternoon stop in Thirsk, a traditional North Yorkshire market town situated between the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. Our overnight hotel is the Holiday Inn in Washington.
Sunday Lovely scenery as we travel through the Northumbria National Park to Tweedmouth. From here we ride Scotland’s newest route, the Borders Line, to Edinburgh. Free time in Edinburgh before we continue towards the Highlands, and a drive alongside Loch Lomond, to our hotel in Arrochar our base for two nights.
Monday We pass Loch Awe and spend time in the coastal town of Oban. We then follow the fabulous scenic coastal route to Fort William where we have free time before our early evening train to Crianlarich. The journey begins in the shadow of Ben Nevis and continues into mountain terrain and across Rannoch Moor, through areas inaccessible by road. We rejoin our coach for the short journey back to the hotel and a late evening meal.
Tuesday We pass through Galloway Forest Park and make an afternoon stop at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point. Here we can climb the lighthouse that protects ships from this mull. On a clear day you will be rewarded with views of Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Cumbria! There is also a museum and food options. We then continue to our hotel for the next three nights in Stranraer.
Wednesday A free day to relax and enjoy Stranraer. The castle and museum are both free to visit.
Thursday Our final train journey takes us from Stranraer through attractive scenery with pleasant sea views to Troon. Here we rejoin the coach, and following a lunchtime stop in Ayr, we have an included visit to the dramatic Culzean Castle.
Friday A delightful journey through Dumfries and Galloway with a stop in the town of Dumfries where Robert Burns spent his final years. We then have a drive across the Pennines to our final overnight hotel which is a return to the Holiday Inn in Washington.
Saturday We return home.