A ‘COMPASS TOURS’ DAY EXCURSION
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: - After picking our passengers we join with the route from Leeds and Skipton. A short distance on we split with the route to Carnforth and Lancaster at Settle Junction for the famous journey over the Settle – Carlisle line. Although enjoying something of a revival sparked off in 1989 when the line was finally saved from closure the route is normally not accessible by direct train, except on excursions such as this. Many of us may have been over the route before, but whether a first time traveller or not the route always offers a fantastic backdrop to any scenic journey through the North. The 72 miles between Settle and Carlisle takes us on a magnificent journey through the Yorkshire Dales, over many viaducts including the 24 arches of Ribblehead, which plunges into the long tunnel at Blea Moor. The route is a Victorian masterpiece of engineering and extremely remote in places. In the days of steam traincrew knew it as the ‘long drag’ because of its continuous uphill climb to the summit of Ais Gill. After here were drop down to Kirby Stephen and the town of Appleby and enjoy the lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley before an arrival at the Border City of Carlisle.
Upon leaving Carlisle we are soon leaving England and entering the Scottish Borders near Gretna. We then head up through Lockerbie, which is the first station we pass for many more miles. Not long from here the train enjoys a steep and long climb up to Beattock. The area we pass through includes some very rugged terrain in places, with no shortage of little rivers, forestry plantations and mountains. The area is so remote there are no other rail routes diverging off it until Carstairs (over 50 miles north of Lockerbie). We then travel up through Lanarkshire, bypassing Glasgow and via Mossend, Cumbernauld and the edges of Falkirk before eventually reaching the first of our destinations for the afternoon.
CITY OF STIRLING: We expect arrival into Stirling to be something in the region of 13:00. Stirling is Scotland's youngest city gaining the status in the summer of 2002. This is Scotland's heritage capital, where the Wars of Independence were fought and won; where, for three centuries, monarchs ruled in regal splendour and where merchants and craftsmen plied their trade below the castle rock. Nowadays you can literally touch and feel the sense of history and nationhood, which is Stirling's trademark, as you meander through the Old Town, enter the spectacular cliff-top castle or sample the town's unique 'living history' events programme. Its castle is arguable the finest in Scotland many would say and one of the best anywhere in the UK. The city has regular sightseeing buses during summertime that serve most of the main attractions. You may like to visit the famous Wallace monument, Bannockburn Heritage centre, Argyll’s Lodging, Church of the Holy Rude (where James VI was crowned), the Old Town Jail, Tollbooth, Mercat Cross and Darnley’s House (where Mary Queen of Scots husband once lived). The city also hosts some excellent local walks, great shopping streets and a wide range of eateries, pubs and bars. Return from Stirling is expected to be about 17:00.
DUNBLANE: Arrival should be about 13:30 into Dunblane. Dunblane lies between the rugged mountain peaks of the Perthshire Highlands in the north and rich fertile carse of Stirling and is one of the country's smallest cities but has a rich and colourful heritage that far outweighs its size. The story of this charming city is interwoven with that of its magnificent cathedral. For many centuries the focal point of Dunblane has been its cathedral, which dates back in part to the 12th century and is one of Scotland's few surviving medieval churches. Viewed from the outside, the cathedral is impressive, but its true beauty lies within. A sentinel of towering pillars and archways of weathered stone stand in the nave, overlooked by colourful religious icons of stained glass. The decorative woodcarvings are an added glory and each of the floral carvings on the Scots oak pews is unique. In front of the alter lies three slabs of Tournail limestone marked as the resting place of Margaret Drummond, who was reputed to have been the secret wife of King James IV. A visit to Dunblane's magnificent Cathedral would be incomplete without a wander round its ancient graveyard. Look out for some rather quaint epitaphs on the tombstones. The cathedral also has a museum connected to its history, which takes you through the centuries of its existence. Other attractions include the Leighton library (founded in the 17th century) and housing some of the oldest first edition book titles anywhere in the country and a number of beautiful parkland and riverside walks. A reasonable range of shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants are also available to you in the vicinity of Dunblane. Return departure time is anticipated to be at about 16:45.
RELATED WEBSITES:
www.settle-carlisle.co.uk
www.visitscotland.com
http://www.visitscottishheartlands.com/
http://www.stirling.co.uk/
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/visitstirling
http://www.instirling.com/sight/castle.htm
http://www.dunblaneweb.co.uk/
http://www.perthshire-scotland.co.uk/dunblane2.htm
http://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk/
ESTMATED TIMINGS: *PLEASE NOTE times are only those that have been requested. Confirmed final times will be sent out with your tickets around four or five days before the tour when Network Rail advise us of them.
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YRS can be brought on the train free of charge only if not taking up a seat and sharing seats with accompanying adults.
REFRESHMENTS: A buffet service of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages is available to all our passengers throughout the day – as well as an at seat trolley service in first class seating areas, operating at occasional intervals.
THE TRAIN: The train is hired in and operated through licensed UK rolling stock providers and train operating companies and formed entirely of traditional intercity carriages hauled by heritage British Built diesel traction throughout. First class passengers are seated in tables of 2 or 4 seats with curtains, larger more deeply cushioned reclining seating. Standard class is seated mainly in bays of 4 seats around a table (but some trains convey a little standard class accommodation with private ‘airline’ style bays which have 2 seats together with folding tables – please contact our office though if you are unsure as to whether they are specifically available). If you have specific seating requests or type – please give us plenty of notice, ideally when booking.
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