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.

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!

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

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

Climb Aboard an Open-top Bus for the Ultimate Tour

City Sightseeing bus tours are a great way for visitors to become familiar with a city as they are guided from one stop to the next.  Live commentary brings life to a list of attractions that are filled with stories, history and culture that you would surely miss if you tried to see them all on foot.  The real beauty of the City Sightseeing tour is that you can choose the stops you want to get off at and hop on the next bus that passes, often only 15 minutes apart.

If any of the following cities* are on your itinerary then let City Sightseeing show you around: Bath, Belfast, Blackpool, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chester, Colchester, Eastbourne, Edinburgh, Felixstowe, Glasgow, Great Yarmouth, Inverness, Ipswich, Liverpool, Llandudno, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Newport, Norwich, Oxford, Stirling, Stratford, Windsor or York.

This month our focus falls on City Sightseeing Edinburgh, capital of Scotland.  12 stops bring visitors through Edinburgh’s Old Town, to the elegant Georgian New Town, to the Royal Mile which joins Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House and much more as seen on the following list of City Sightseeing Edinburgh’s stops and nearby attractions:

*With low season upon us, please note that some tours have seasonal operations.  These tours have year round operations: Bath, Belfast, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, and York

Your Passport to UK Heritage Properties

The Great British Heritage Pass truly is the pass to see it all, where pass holders get free entrance to over 580 attractions throughout the UK.  That’s right, 580!  Imagine the crowds that these popular attractions face – Hampton Court Palace, Blenheim Palace, Roman Baths & Pump Room, Stonehenge, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Shakespeare’s Birthplace, and many more – and now imagine skipping the queues and enjoying a completely cashless entry.

With attractions throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Great British Heritage Pass offers free entry to properties covered by the National Trust, English Heritage, The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland, and Cadw, plus many more.

Here is a short list of the 3 most popular properties by category, but don’t forget there are hundreds more:

• Castles: Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle, Cardiff Castle
• Gardens: Inverewe Garden, Torriden Deer Museum & Countryside Centre, Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland Garden
• Historic Homes: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s House & the Shakespeare Countryside Museum
• Places of Worship: Elgin Cathedral, Arbroath Abbey, St. Andrew’s Cathedral
• Royal Residences: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Blenheim Palace, Scone Palace
• Monuments: Stonehenge, Glenfinnan and Clifford’s Tower
• Special Interests: Beaulieu, Royal Albert Hall and Culloden
• Ancient Roman Sites: Roman Baths & Pump Room, Chedworth Roman Villa, Lullingstone Roman Villa

Select from 4, 7, 15 or 30 day passes and benefit from great savings and convenience, in addition to access to so many places of interest.

From Medieval to Art Nouveau

Enjoy the countryside and coastal views as you pull into Glasgow, which is situated just 42 miles from Edinburgh.  Glasgow has been named Scotland’s style capital, a well-deserved title, once you discover its 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.

Glasgow School of Art

This landmark, which was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1896, is an important and influential art nouveau building in the world of architecture.  The Glasgow School of Arts remains a school so be sure to book a tour to explore the interior with Mackintosh’s famous flower motifs, a collection of Mackintosh furniture and its library – famous for its hanging clusters of lights and intricate woodwork.

The Burrell Collection

The Burrell Collection contains 9000 items from all over the world.  Sir William Burrell was a lifetime art collector who donated his collection to Glasgow in 1944.  Appreciate medieval art, tapestries, alabasters, stained glass and English oak furniture. There are many European paintings, including works by Degas and Cézanne, an important collection of Islamic art, and modern sculpture including works by Epstein and Rodin. All will be fascinated by the works from ages ago, from ancient China, Egypt, Greece and Rome.  www.glasgowmuseums.com

Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is the best preserved example of a large church to have survived the Reformation, and has one of the finest collections of stained-glass windows in Britain. A truly magnificent medieval building, the Cathedral is named after St Mungo, Glasgow’s patron saint, and is built on the site of his tomb, marking the birthplace of the city.

Visit Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow

The BritRail Central Scotland Pass spans exciting cities including Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow.  To inspire your trip across Scotland’s central belt, here’s a sneak peak of what these vibrant cities have to offer…

Edinburgh is 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.

Glasgow is known as Scotland’s style capital and boasts top restaurants and a lively bar and music scene.  Mix this wild night scene with casual riverfront walkways along the River Clyde for a perfect combination of energy and relaxation.

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.

Explore Scotland’s greatest cities plus have unlimited travel on the Glasgow Underground with the BritRail Central Scotland Pass.  Don’t forget you can hop on and off the trains at your leisure!

Other BritRail Passes that allow train travel in Scotland include the BritRail FlexiPass, BritRail Consecutive Pass, BritRail + Ireland Pass and the BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass.

Glasgow’s Merchant City Festival presents a diverse arts program featuring theater, music, comedy, film, visual arts, opera, dance, fashion and literature.  Attracting tens of thousands to Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant City, the Festival has opera singers in the courtyards and bars, thrilling street theatre from across Europe, top comedians and music from every genre in the bars and on the street.

Merchant City Festival has a wide range of contributors and truly showcases the best of what’s happening in Scotland.  All this plus fantastic shops and some of the best bars, and restaurants can be found within the Festival area.  For event listings please visit http://merchantcityfestival.com