A Long Weekend in Scotland

Ian’s Travel Experience

A London-based ACP Rail travel expert, Ian C. enjoys a long weekend in Scotland and shares his journey with us.  Get a first-hand feel for the joys of train travel with a BritRail Pass.

Friday Route: London to Edinburgh Waverly station

‘I arrive in Waverley station only 4 hours from London and appreciate being in the city centre, avoiding any transfers.

Ian’s Travel tip: You can book a Caledonian Sleeper and arrive in Edinburgh the following morning at 7:30 am.  Perfect timing for a full day of touring plus it saves the cost of a hotel night.

Or you can arrive in the afternoon as I did and arrange a comfortable accommodation; nice guest houses to be had from £35 a night single occupancy.

With an afternoon to fill, I take a City Sightseeing bus tour.  Commentary on board ensures you get the full flavour of Edinburgh’s history. See Palace of Holyrood House, Scottish Parliament, Arthur’s seat (hill overlooking Edinburgh), the castle and much more. The weather being a bit overcast its nice to be on board and let the bus do the hard work. You can get off the bus at any point and rejoin when you want. The ticket is valid 24 hours.

After this action packed 3 hours, I realise I missed out on The Royal Yacht Britannia which is a good half a day excursion. You can take the bus from the station to the Ocean Terminal and enjoy the excellent shopping in the modern centre before taking a tour of the Queen’s former preferred mode of transport. It’s well worth the visit.

At this point I decide to find a nice restaurant for dinner. If you move up from Princess Street you can find Rose Street. Cuisine is multinational and for good value try one of the pubs, where a beer and a meal is £5.  Last thing today before I go to bed, I walk the Royal mile. Edinburgh at its best, lit up at night where the castle is like a beacon in the dark.’

Saturday Route: Edinburgh – Leuchars – Dundee – Arbroath – Stonehaven – Aberdeen

‘It’s a 2 hour 20 minute journey from Edinburgh to Aberdeen…the oil capital of Europe.

The journey is very beautiful with some great scenery and 2 famous rail bridges are crossed along the way; the Forth Rail Crossing and Dundee Rail Bridge. The former a famous piece of metal work which is an iconic symbol of the region of Fife, Crossing the River Tay just north of Edinburgh.

So after my restful yet eye opening journey, what lies in store in Aberdeen?

For the traveller on foot, once in the city it’s easy to see it’s a cosmopolitan place with many cultures and a fast pace about it.  With an array of shopping and eating options it would be easy just to opt out and not look for anything more. However all within walking distance of the station are 3 excellent visitor attractions: Aberdeen Art gallery, The Maritime Museum and the Provost Skene’s house. The good news is that all 3 are free to enter…such choice!

I decided to visit the Maritime Museum which not only takes you through the search for oil and how the industry operates to the history of the Titanic and the Scottish Shipbuilding industry.  With interactive exhibits and dedicated film shows its easy to spend a good half day if not more here. It’s certainly a very popular attraction and should not be missed.

Having chatted with some of the local’s I then decided to head for the main tourist beach and also the harbour entrance. Rumour had it that due to calm weather conditions, dolphins and porpoises may be on view today, as they enjoy chasing the boats and riding on the waves created.

Well it was a good walk but well worth it. The main beach has a pleasure park along with major eating chains such as TGI Friday’s and in summer with being sandy and sheltered this location is very popular with locals and visitors alike.

A brisk stroll along the beach was very refreshing and then it was a u-turn to head for the harbour. With lots of shipping activity, unfortunately no sign of the dolphins.

So it’s been a good day, excellent train journey and a very full afternoon in Aberdeen and one that’s left me exhausted. Luckily my guesthouse is warm and cosy…nice enough to plan my adventure for tomorrow.’

Sunday Route: Dyce – Huntley – Elgin – Nairn – Inverness

It’s Sunday morning and I’m leaving Dyce, Aberdeen heading for Inverness.  The scene through my window is of the rolling countryside and river scenes.  Also, I must have counted dozens of new born lambs and plenty of calves during the journey and a sign of the cold weather that was had here is that there is still snow to be seen on the very top of the hills.

Arriving in the city of Inverness after a 2 hour and a bit journey, it certainly seems to be a more traditional setting with an older architecture which is cut in half by the River Ness. Perhaps that name rings a bell? Well it should because very near by is Loch Ness….home of the famous monster (well, so tales tell).

My immediate impression is that this place is a walker’s paradise.  Its one of the few cities where you can walk from the centre and within minutes feel you are miles from anywhere built up. If you follow the river for about 5 miles you end up at the Loch and it would certainly be a days adventure fitting this in with a picnic and exploration of the Loch itself. However for most it’s the 2 hour round trip by foot from city centre to Ness Island and back which is the most popular. I decided to do this and along with plenty of others had a fabulous stroll along by the river. I even caught a fleeting glance of some deer and some fabulous Osprey’s were surfing the wind looking for prey. These enormous birds have massive wing spans and can lift small animals with ease.

Once back in the City itself, its very easy to take a further walk hunting down the famous buildings that are here. Starting at the Castle which overlooks from a high point, you can then take in the cathedral, plenty of historic churches and some other famous architectural landmarks.

There are also other day tours which can be taken from the station including a boat ride on the Loch and trips to do some dolphin watching, or if you fancy some tradition, how about a whisky tour or the famous Culloden battlefield.’

Monday Route: Inverness – Aviemore – Perth – Stirling

Took a 4 hour 20 minute journey to Stirling.  Good news is we go through Aviemore which is the main stop off for the Cairngorm mountain range.  This would be an ideal stop for anyone with a BritRail Pass as there are great views and lots to do here including skiing and mountain walking.

However, I am on my way to Perth so I arrive in the late afternoon with the day still sunny so it’s straight off to explore.  It’s a beautiful place with many old buildings that wind their way up to the very top on the city. This is where Stirling Castle sits proudly overlooking the countryside for miles around.

I walk around the old city with various historic buildings to view, such as the Old Town Jail, Mar’s Wark which is an old ruin and the beautiful Church of the Holy Rude.

The main part of the city of course is a mixture of old and new and there is shopping, eating and other indulgencies to be found.

However, after my circular tour I head back to the famous Portcullis Tavern where the food is second to none and is always busy with local and international clientele.

An overview of the experience

I can honestly say that there are so many positives about touring with a BritRail Pass. If you take into account the cost of the pass per day and the option of guest houses rather than hotels, it’s certainly a great way to see Scotland on a budget.

The trains are modern, comfortable and regular and have catering facilities on board. The layout is excellent, all with toilet facilities, air conditioning and luggage storage.

Is there a better way to see Scotland itself?  I think the combination of the journey through beautiful countryside in the comfort of your seat followed by a stop at an amazing city is hard to beat. You get the best of both worlds and certainly more relaxing than driving.

It’s a great experience also meeting people on the train, including Australians, Canadians, Indians many Europeans and of course plenty of locals; it’s astonishing who you end up talking to over the day.

Ian’s tips

• If you travel over the weekend, plan carefully due to less trains and possible engineering works.
• Certain trains may need a reservation during peak season to ensure a seat. Chat with the local Travel Centre to find out before you head off.
• If you’re using a BritRail Pass, don’t forget the discounts that make it great value for families and groups. It certainly reduces the cost per person.

March 15 – April 30, 2010

England, Scotland and Wales continue to entice international travelers with their vibrant cities and scenic country sides, plus ACP Rail International is now topping off the perfect BritRail vacation with a free travel day. This offer represents great value, extending your reach to that extra destination or two now made possible for free!


Receive an extra travel day on BritRail’s most popular passes:

• BritRail FlexiPass
• BritRail Consecutive Pass
• BritRail England FlexiPass
• BritRail England Consecutive Pass

Just purchase between March 15th and April 30th, 2010 to take advantage of this promotion and note passes can be purchased up to six months in advance so travel dates can extend to the end of October.

To further sweeten the deal, this promotion can be combined with BritRail’s range of discount Passes, including the BritRail Party Pass (up to 50% off on the third through ninth passengers), BritRail Family Pass (one child per adult travels free), BritRail Senior Pass (up to 15% off in first class), BritRail Youth Pass (up to 20% off in first or standard class), Eurail Pass Holder Rate (up to 50% off for youth with a valid Eurail Pass) and the BritRail Guest Pass (up to 25% off for you and a British resident).

Select the pass duration that best suits your itinerary at http://www.acprail.com/rail-passes/united-kingdom, plus one free travel day of course!

The Great British Heritage Pass offers free entry to more than 580 of Great Britain’s most popular heritage sights, including properties under the care of National Trust, English Heritage, National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, and Cadw.  With so many properties to visit with this one pass, lets just highlight a few: Stonehenge, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyrood House, Roman Baths, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle, Dover Casle and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Select a validity that best suits your itinerary from 4,7,15 days or 1 month. Visit just a handful of attractions included on the pass and you’re already saving money!

Wales is a popular golf destination and with 687 miles of coastline one can imagine the vistas!  With many courses to choose from – nearly 200 in fact; favorites include Royal St David’s featured in the Golf Digest Top 100, Cardigan with dramatic clifftop views and Cradoc, where you can enjoy a panorama of the Brecon Beacons.  To browse all golf courses in Wales visit www.golfasitshouldbe.com.

This year Wales’ golf is especially in the spotlight as team Europe takes on the USA, on the first Ryder Cup course that’s designed for players and spectators.  The 2010 Ryder Cup will be played on The Twenty Ten Course at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales from September 28 to October 3.  Newport and its surroundings have 45 golf courses alone, including four championship courses.

For those with a BritRail Pass, make your way to Newport Rail Station where there will be a bus shuttle service to The Celtic Manor Resort.

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities!

St. Patrick’s Spring Fest
Limerick plays host to the St. Patrick’s Spring Fest and Limerick International Band Festival with something for the whole family. Highlights include the Limerick International Marching Band Competition and St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held from March 14-17.

Art Exhibition
The Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin is celebrating 100 years since Francis Bacon’s birth.  View inspirational items from the artist’s studio until March 7 with the exhibition “Francis Bacon: A Terrible Beauty”, comprised of paintings, drawings, photographs, unfinished works and slashed canvases.  Admission is free.

Film Festival
Ireland’s premier feature film festival, Jameson Dublin International, celebrates the best in Irish and International cinema February 18-28, with over 100 films and a range of special events, including post screening Q&A sessions with directors and cast members.

Getting Around Ireland
To enjoy all the Irish festivities, a BritRail Pass + Ireland will give you access to rail travel throughout Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, plus England, Wales and Scotland.  Choose a validity to suit your itinerary; 5 or 10 days of unlimited rail travel within one month.

An Oyster Card and a London Visitor Travel Card are both great to have during your stay in London as using the underground and bus network is much more affordable and quick than getting around with taxis.  As both can be used on London Transport, a popular question has arisen…which offers better value?  This popular question has a popular answer…it depends!

It depends on how often you plan on using London’s underground and bus network, including the number of days you will be in London and how many times a day you plan on traveling.  The Oyster Card is a Pay-As-You-Go card so you start with £15 credit and can add more credit if you run out.  Whereas if you plan on using the tube and bus more often on select days then the London Visitor Travel Card provides unlimited travel for either 3 or 7 days.

The West Highlands Line travels from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig.

One of the highlights of this route is the breathtaking curve of the 100 feet high Glenfinnan Viaduct. The viaduct itself is a monument, as it’s the first concrete viaduct ever built in Britain and has since become renowned for appearing in several of the blockbuster ‘Harry Potter’ films.

Once you arrive in Mallaig you will enjoy the harbor of this bustling fishing port.  An important ferry terminal for the romantic Isle of Skye, you can also take in the views over to Skye, across Loch Nevis to Knoydart, and to Rum and Eigg, which are other neighboring islands also accessible by ferry from Mallaig.

Visit Fort William and those active travelers can climb Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. You’ll get spectacular views of the Cairngorms, the peaks of Wester Ross and out over the sea to the Western Isles. And for those looking to socialize check out Ben Nevis distillery.

The North Highlands Line travels from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick/Thurso.

Inverness, meaning ‘mouth of the River Ness’, is a city in Northern Scotland which acts as the capital of the Highlands.  Two popular attractions include the historic Culloden Battlefield and the mystic monster of Loch Ness. The Northern Highlands line starts here, pulling out of Inverness over the fast flowing River Ness.

Kyle of Lochalsh is a great stop with a beautiful harbor offering pleasure cruises, wildlife cruises and fishing trips. Until a decade ago Kyle, was the main ferry port for Skye before the Skye road bridge was built. Frequent buses from Kyle cross over the bridge to Skye where you can take the ferry from Uig to the Western Isles.  Make sure to take a trip to see nearby Eilean Donan Castle – one of the most photogenic castles around!

At Georgemas Junction the line divides: North for Thurso and its port Scrabster, which serves Orkney, and east for the county town and former herring port of Wick.

The key to riding the Highland Lines is a BritRail Pass or BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass.

From Edinburgh to Glasgow to Aberdeen

Explore Scotland to its fullest, without missing a beat of passionate culture and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.  With the BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass, travel over a period of 4 days within 8 days, or 8 days within 15 flexible rail days. Enjoy the freedom of planning your Scotland itinerary far and wide and be sure to include these must-see destinations:

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and one of Britain’s most beautiful cities, featuring a stunning backdrop with rocky hills overlooking the sea. The city is home to 4,500 historic and architectural listed buildings which is the highest concentration in the world. Edinburgh is also a modern, dynamic city of art and culture with its museums, galleries, universities and festivals.  Be sure to visit Edinburgh’s Old Town, the elegant Georgian New Town, the Royal Mile which joins Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House and more.

Glasgow is situated just 42 miles from Edinburgh and has been named Scotland’s style capital, with art deco brasseries, stylish shops, cultural centers, more than 30 art galleries and museums and an annual program of performing arts and festivals.  Stroll along the River Clyde and take in your share of architecture and design.  Shopping, fine dining and nightlife aside, don’t miss Glasgow’s School of Art, The Burrell Collection and Glasgow Cathedral.

Inverness is the main city of the Highlands, with the nearby River Ness, home to the legendary Loch Ness monster and Moray Firth, known for bottlenose dolphin sightings.  Don’t miss the annual Highland Games in June and re-live one of Scotland’s most famous battles at Culloden battlefield.

Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city, home to the famous Granite Mile with over 800 shops, restaurants and bars. Where else can you follow a castle trail, whisky trail and coastal golf trail all in the same city?

Perth features Scone Palace where 42 of Scotland’s Kings were crowned, and inside a gallery of historical treasures including Marie Antoinette’s writing table can be found.  Plus, Perth is a consistent Beautiful Britain award winner, showing its colours from Easter to autumn, and now boasts a new state of the art Concert Hall.

Stirling has a gorgeous old town with winding cobblestone streets and stunning Stirling Castle.  Visitors can also see the National Wallace Monument, with panoramic views of surrounding battlefields and a feeling of great history.

To learn more about the BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass please visit: https://booking.britrail.com/BritRail_Scottish_Freedom_Pass

Wildlife Photography at The Natural History Museum

See the best from thousands of images submitted from amateur and professional wildlife photographers from 94 countries.  Now in its 46th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has a stunning collection viewable until April 11^th, 2010.

Pop Life: Art in a Material World at London’s Tate Modern

Enjoy how generations of artists since the 1980s have promoted their work by cultivating strong media personas and creating their own brand, including work by Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol until January 17^th, 2010

Beatles to Bowie: The 60s Exposed at the National Portrait Gallery

Find more than 150 rare portraits of legendary bands and iconic figures from the 60s, including The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and more.  Plus mementoes of the 1960s, including record sleeves, illustrated sheet music and pop magazines on display until January 24^th, 2010.

Turner and the Masters at Tate Britain

With around 100 paintings, the exhibition explores Turner’s influences and inspiration as one of the greatest landscape painters, alongside major pieces by the likes of Canaletto, Claude, Rembrandt and Rubens until January 31^st, 2010.

If your focus falls on South East England, allow the BritRail London Plus Pass to take you on day trips to great destinations just outside the hustle and bustle of downtown London.  https://booking.britrail.com/BritRail_London_Plus_Pass

Enjoy the best of the Highland’s rich heritage and culture with a program of over 100 events including spectacular street theatre, music, storytelling and world famous “ceilidhs” (a Scottish social gathering with traditional music, dancing, and storytelling).

Each local community has a different story to tell, so the Highland Homecoming team has helped devise original ways of celebrating the tremendous people and achievements of a range of Highland towns.

Check out the calendar of activities from walking tours, exhibitions, heritage theatre and of course lots of music; Nairn even has its very own Jazz Festival!  www.highlandeventsandfestivals.com