A ‘COMPASS TOURS’ DAY EXCURSION
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: - After picking our passengers the train journey starts on the scenic West Coast route via Cumbria and climbing over Shap Fell heads up through Carlisle and Lockerbie, where take the climb over Beattock summit. At Carstairs we continue north through South Lanarkshire. On arrival at Motherwell, we skirt round the outside of Glasgow and into Cumbernauld. From there we skirt round Falkirk and head up through Stirling and into Perthshire. As we pass the mountains near Gleneagles we enjoy some further fine scenery.
CITY OF PERTH: Arrival at the ‘fair city’ should be around 10:30 allowing a long afternoon to go exploring its attractions and perhaps some of the nearby things Perthshire has to offer. The city has a number of popular archietectual and historical attractions, most notably Scone Palace, St. John's Kirk, and also the centre of the regimental Black Watch and its museum is situated there. Also neaby are the world renowned Branklyn Gardens home to things such as Himalayan Blue Poppies. The other major green areas in the city are the famous North and South Inch parks, which together with the Riverside Park, form three quarters of a ring around the city centre. Kinnoull Hill and Craigie Hill also provide spectacular views of the city. Without a doubt there is plenty to do in and around this area. We expect return departure from Perth to be around 16:30 allowing ample time to combine any of the above with a meal or picnic perhaps.
If you opt to stay on board the remaining journey is a real treat! We take the Inverness line, noted for its fine scenery. On from here the train has no shortage of steep climbs, and scenery entirely unique to the region. After Stanley Junction much of the route is single track and we pass several forests before Dunkeld. Another similarly good leg takes us to Pitlochry with expected arrival at a time of around 11:00.
PITLOCHRY: The town was created by the Victorians because of its beautiful location reflected all over by the style of the town. The Atholl Palace Hydro with its white turrets sits elegantly above the thickly wooded hills around Pitlochry and provides a stunning sight for those approaching the town from the south. Over the years with its wealth of unique shops and local visitor attractions which include its well known Dam and Fish Ladder, plus 2 extremely welcoming whisky distilleries in the area the town has grown in popularity. You can also take some time enjoy the many walks and woodland trails the area has to offer and the famous Killiecrankie area where ancient battles were fought between Highland soldiers. Departure is expected at around 16:00 giving ample to explore!
AVIEMORE: Alternatively stay on board to enjoy a spectacular mountain climb up to the Cairn Gorms area of the region, travelling via the Pass of Killiecrankie, and up the long 1:70 journey to Drumochter summit. Then we travel near to Loch Ericht and via Kingussie to our Strathspey destination of Aviemore (expected arrival 12:30), which is dominated by the Cairn Gorms. Here there is a fantastic array of individual shops you wont find anywhere else, some interesting local walks and forest trails (where the local Aviemore Centre can be found. We expect to return from here at around 14:45.
RELATED WEBSITES:
www.visitscotland.com
www.perthshire.co.uk
http://www.perthshire-scotland.co.uk/perth2.htm
http://www.perthshire-scotland.co.uk/pitlochry2.htm
http://www.visithighlands.com/
http://www.visithighlands.com/aviemore/
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.
Many of our recent Railtours have been very busy or fully subscribed so early booking is advised!
the train, and other things you may want answering