Friday 22nd August to Monday 25th August 2025

Join us on this spectacular weekend in the Scottish Lowlands at the height of summer when, notwithstanding the unpredictable Scottish weather at any time of the year, we can promise you an exciting and varied selection of off-train activities that together will leave you with fond memories of your long weekend with us. You choose your preferred off train options and leave the rest to us!

Day One – Friday 22^nd August
Our tour begins at London King’s Cross and we call to pick up passengers at Stevenage, Peterborough and Doncaster. What better way to start the weekend than with the Great Scottish Breakfast served at your comfortable First Class seat while you watch the world effortlessly slip by the window? At Doncaster, with everyone onboard, we veer left towards Leeds and from here we head up the picturesque Aire Valley through Keighley to Skipton.

A break in Skipton 

Our journey north pauses as we take a leg stretching break in the bustling market town of Skipton. The town has been listed by The Sunday Times as one of the best and happiest places to live in the UK and has received praise for its enduring character and charm. In 2008, it was voted the best High Street in the United Kingdom. Amongst the many independent shops you may wish to look out for Whitakers, the chocolatier, that is based in the town. Alternatively, Friday is market day so enjoy a brief glimpse of the bustling trade in the town centre.

Settle & Carlisle Railway

A light lunch is served as we pass Settle Junction and join the dramatic Settle & Carlisle Railway. The Midland Railway was determined to build its own Anglo-Scottish route even if it meant crossing some of the most inhospitable terrain in England, and this was the result. It survived a closure campaign by British Rail in the 1980s and is once again a busy core route carrying both freight and passengers. The highlight of course is crossing the famous Ribblehead Viaduct but there are numerous other features of note along the way. The northern section of the line, beyond Appleby, is delightfully rural as it follows the River Eden to Carlisle.

We pass through Carlisle and within ten minutes we are at Gretna. Here we deviate from the West Coast Main Line as we join the Glasgow South Western line which came into being in 1850 and offers a secondary route into Scotland via Dumfries and Kilmarnock. The delightful rolling hill scenery of Southern Scotland provides the backdrop we enjoy dinner. We travel around the east and north of Glasgow before heading out along the north bank of the mighty River Clyde to our evening destination, Dumbarton.

Road coaches will be ready and waiting to take us to the stylish and contemporary Golden Jubilee Hotel for the first of our three-night stay.

Day Two – Saturday 23^rd August

After a refreshing night’s sleep our road coaches will collect us from the hotel and whisk us to nearby Dumbarton station. Shortly after we depart a freshly cooked breakfast is enjoyed as we head around the northwest outskirts of Glasgow, eventually joining the main line towards Edinburgh. With views of the Forth Bridge emerging in the distance, we swing left and make our first crossing of this man-made wonder which is also a UNESCO world Heritage site. Opened in 1890 the bridge carries the Edinburgh to Aberdeen railway line across the Forth.

We head east, the railway hugging the coastline as we pass through delightful seaside resorts including Dalgety Bay.  Before long we are heading inland to complete our anti-clockwise circuit of the ‘Fife Circle’, pausing at Dunfermline City to allow those joining our Forth River Cruise or Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway options to alight the train.

Option One – Forth River Cruise

Our private river cruise sets sail from Port Egar Marina for a two-hour voyage on the River Forth, taking in the spectacular Three Bridges, the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline, Inchcolm Island with its medieval abbey and the magnificent Blackness Castle. Look out for the seals and marine wildlife along the way.

Our specially chartered vessel has all the amenities one would expect, including a café/bar serving hot and cold beverages and snacks, comfortable indoor and outdoor decks.

Option Two – Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway

This is a standard gauge preserved steam railway located on the banks of the River Forth. Bo’ness is also the home of the Museum of Scottish Railways, entry to which is included in our visit. Enjoy a scenic ten mile return  steam hauled train journey to Manuel along the Forth Estuary, through woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct. After both options our road coaches will take us onward to Edinburgh where we will have the rest of the day at leisure, before The Royal Edinburgh Tattoo performance begins later.

Option Three – Edinburgh at Leisure

For those remaining on board our train, we once again cross the Forth Bridge this time following the main line through Haymarket into Edinburgh Waverley, affording an afternoon of leisure before the grand spectacle of The 75^th Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

In 2025, in celebration of 75 years of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, The Heroes Who Made Us will be performed on the iconic Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.  The Tattoo, staged on the floodlit castle esplanade, is the highlight of the Festival season. A unique celebration of music, dance and military pageantry performed by hundreds of musicians, pipers, singers, dancers and military personnel, this unforgettable spectacle is brought to a poignant close as a lone piper, high on the ramparts, plays a haunting lament. Spectacular fireworks and a rousing chorus of Auld Lang Syne conclude a truly memorable event.

Based on your feedback from previous years our seats are reserved for the early performance of the Tattoo, in a section giving views the full length of the Esplanade.

Please note that an uphill walk is required to reach the Esplanade, the streets are cobbled, and the nearby streets are closed to vehicles – so give plenty of time to reach the stands and take your seats! The performance begins (with a bang!) at 18.15.

The show runs for around 90 minutes, after which it will be time to head back to Edinburgh Waverley station to board our train for the journey back to Dumbarton. Supper will be served on our departure as we head west taking the route through Bathgate – one of four rail links between Edinburgh and Glasgow. This line, reopened in 2010, reinstates the Bathgate and Coatbridge railway between Airdrie and Bathgate that had been closed to passenger services in 1956 and to freight in 1982.  Our train once again skirts around the suburbs of Glasgow before arrival at Dumbarton at around 23.00 where coaches await for the short transfer back to our hotel.

Day Three – Sunday 24^th August

Breakfast is served at our hotel this morning before we join our comfortable road coaches for the journey of just under eight miles to the city of Glasgow.

Waverley Paddle Steamer Cruise

Waverley is the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer and boasts a rich history, showcasing a magnificent triple expansion steam engine that will leave you in awe. Experience the authentic charm of a real steamship as you hear the telegraph ring and witness the engine’s graceful motion. You can even watch the paddles turning!

Today’s cruise is from Glasgow to Arrochar and back, via Kilcreggan and Dunoon, departing at 09.45. Passengers can choose to stay onboard for the full duration of this day-long excursion and retrace Waverley’s original route up the fjord-like Loch Long to Arrochar and return, or disembark for a break at either the pretty village of Kilcreggan or Dunoon on the beautiful Cowal Peninsula. The choice is yours!

Both Kilcreggan and Dunoon provide a choice of places to eat and drink during your lunchtime visit of three to four hours. There are ample catering facilities available throughout your cruise too, so you can indulge in a hot or cold snack, afternoon tea and cake and perhaps an early evening meal in the Dining Saloon before relaxing in one of the comfortable lounges.

The Waverley returns to the quay at Glasgow Science Centre at 20.00 and our road coaches will return us to the hotel.

Day Four – Monday 25^th August
Our train departs Dumbarton and we are homeward bound. We once again enjoy The Great Scottish breakfast as our train heads towards Edinburgh. Our route south is via the East Coast Main Line and there are numerous coastal views as we head towards England.

Our route through Northumberland is somewhat unusual south of Morpeth as we diverge onto the recently upgraded Blyth and Tyne line. Although a key freight route, passenger services can be traced back to 1855 although they were withdrawn progressively between 1964 and 1978 – the latter to make way for the new Tyne and Wear Metro services. The line to Ashington was reopened to passenger services in 2024 and now enjoys a half hourly service to Newcastle.

A break in Newcastle upon Tyne
We enjoy a 90 minute leg stretching break in Newcastle – often cited as the friendliest City in the UK. The bars and traditional pubs of the Bigg Market are just a few minutes walk from the station, as is Eldon Square – the City’s expansive indoor shopping centre. For those who like to try local fayre – ask for a Stottie cake at one of the many Greggs stores in the City.

We depart Newcastle and continue our journey south as dinner is served whilst we enjoy the sights of Durham and North Yorkshire. For added interest we follow the former Joint Line south of Doncaster providing spectacular sights of Lincoln Cathedral along the way. With further set downs at Peterborough and Stevenage we expect to arrive back at London King’s Cross by 21.00.

First Class Dining includes:

– The Great Scottish Breakfast and a four-course dinner on both Friday and Monday, and Breakfast and Supper on Saturday all served on the train.

– Three nights hotel accommodation in the four star Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel with breakfast on Sunday.

– Your choice of day time off train option on Saturday.

– Your ticket to The Royal Edinburgh Tattoo on Saturday evening.

– The Waverley Paddle Steamer Cruise on Sunday

– All associated coach transfers

Different members of the same booking can take different options.

Please note that there is no such thing as a ‘level’ walk in Edinburgh and the itinerary does include a certain amount of walking – particularly to reach the Castle Esplanade for the Tattoo itself. The old streets around the Royal Mile and the castle itself are particularly unsuitable for wheelchairs and those less steady on their feet.

All timings are provisional and intended only as a guide.

Station	Depart (Friday)	Arrive (Monday)
London King's Cross	07.00	21.00
Stevenage	07.40	20.20
Peterborough	08.30	19.30
Doncaster	10.00	18.15

Prices are based upon two people sharing a twin or double room at the hotel. A very limited number of single-occupancy rooms may be available, for a supplement of £310. 

A seat at a guaranteed table for two on the train may be reserved for a supplement of £120 per person. A table for four may be reserved for the exclusive use of a party of two or three people for a supplement of £170 per person. 

Class	Price	Availability
First Class Dining	£1495	Good
First Class Dining Party of Four	£5880	Good

Please review the Booking Information page prior to placing any booking, as there are specific terms and conditions for our long weekend excursions.

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