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A Castle On The Shores Of Loch Fyne

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4.0 stars(125 reviews)
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Take in a stunning, unspoilt region by rail

7 days Sold out

2022 Tour code: KCS22

About the tour

Set in idyllic surroundings overlooking Loch Fyne, a magnificent 19th-century Baronial Castle awaits us. On this fantastic Scottish holiday, we cruise the open waters to the Isle of Bute, visit the wild whirlpool of Corryvreckan and immerse ourselves in the Scottish culture with a traditional music evening in Glasgow.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Glasgow

Our tour begins in Glasgow, where we meet at our hotel. There's time to explore the city before dinner at Restaurant Mharsanta, where we enjoy a range of popular Scottish specialties, accompanied by the sounds of a traditional fiddle player.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - The West Highland Line and Stonefield Castle

We enjoy a journey on one of the world's most spectacular railways, the West Highland Line - known as the 'Iron Road to the Isles'. As we leave Glasgow, we're suddenly surrounded by the wild and windswept landscapes of the Scottish Highlands before passing under the mighty mountains of Munro and Ben Lui, with its five distinctive ridges. We reach the coast at Oban, overlooked by the Colosseum-like McCaig's Folly and with the Isle of Mull in the background, disembarking to continue by coach to Stonefield Castle for four nights.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Corryvreckan Whirlpool

We begin our day with a wildlife boat excursion to the Corryvreckan Whirlpool. Situated between the islands of Jura and Scarba, the area is known for its strong tidal currents and standing waves, which form this unique maelstrom, one of the largest in the world and with a roar that can sometimes be heard as far away as ten miles. During our time at sea, we also hope to spot some of the local wildlife which call these waters home, such as porpoises, dolphins and even whales.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - The Isle of Arran

We take a ferry to the Isle of Arran, the largest island in the Firth of Clyde. Home to dramatic a coastline, wild mountain landscapes and ancient forests, we make our way to Brodick Castle and Gardens. Once the baronial seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, there are plenty of historic treasures to discover from the time the castle was built in the late 19th century. The grounds are also well worth exploring, with their garden and plant trails, red squirrel population and hidden waterfalls.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Inveraray Castle and Crarae Gardens

We enjoy a scenic drive to Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Dukes of Argyll. During a tour, we explore the stately rooms and learn about the folklore that has shaped the region. Next, you have free time in nearby Inveraray. You could visit the Georgian Inveraray Jail or wander to the pier to see the Arctic sailing ships ahead of a lunch of local seafood, all ethically sourced from nearby lochs. This afternoon, we drive to Crarae Gardens, a Himalayan-style woodland garden set on a rocky gorge. You have time here to admire the colourful blooms, rushing waterfalls and dense trees.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Glasgow

We transfer by coach to Oban and retrace our route to Glasgow, enjoying another spectacular journey on the West Highland Line. We arrive at our hotel in time for a final group dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Home

Check out after breakfast and you're free to begin your journey home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Indigo, Glasgow

Hotel Indigo, Glasgow

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Stonefield Castle Hotel, Stonefield

Stonefield Castle Hotel, Stonefield

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Trains

Scotrail
West Highland Line

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Upgrade your room at the Stonefield Castle
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.0 stars4.0 / 5 · 125 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (43)
  2. 4 stars
    (56)
  3. 3 stars
    (17)
  4. 2 stars
    (6)
  5. 1 star
    (3)

B Lawrence

5 stars

Submitted 28/Oct

The Castle is in need of renovation I found my bed to be uncomfortable as mattress was sagging, ( new one's needed )

Collected by Trustpilot

Julie

4 stars

Submitted 21/Oct

Beautiful location, Castle Stonefield, had a good time, but Great Rail Journeys need a back up plan, when a day excursions is cancelled. It shouldn’t be down to our local coach driver for the tour, to come up with ideas of what we can do instead. Castle Stonefield hotel was just fabulous, great location, great food, and lovely staff. I really enjoyed my stay there. Indigo Hotel in Glasgow, we stayed there 1st night of tour. Nice room, with polite staff. I stayed a further 2 nights, there at end of tour, 2nd room I had, was shabby, with a grubby looking chair. Was also woken in night with the air con blowing on my face. Dinner at the hotel at the weekend was cancelled too, leaving me to get sandwiches to eat from Tesco. As a woman alone at the hotel, I would not go out to eat at night in Glasgow by myself. Very disappointed with Hotel Indigo. Couldn’t fault the staff there though, all very nice.

Collected by Trustpilot

M Holmes

2 stars

Submitted 20/Oct

The weather was so bade that it is impossible to give a meaningful assessment. The castle was comfortable and in an excellent setting (although we were not ale to appreciate that). In the main the meals were good.

Collected by Trustpilot

Raymond

4 stars

Submitted 20/Oct

The arrangements and facilities were very good. The service at Oban station needs improving as we were treated worse than cattle.

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Raymond
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Mrs V Gillings

2 stars

Submitted 20/Oct

Rained continually and no real alternatives to the outdoor excursions. Aran ferry broke again. Stonefield castle great accommodation and staff. There were alternatives to the itinerary which need to be looked at if GRJ are continuing to provide a trip in this area. The area is fantastic for walking and sailing.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr John Merriman

2 stars

Submitted 16/Oct

Very disappointing. A posh geography trip for the price of a luxury holiday. Hotel accommodation was OK but food was variable at best. No flexibility or customer involvement in reorganising programme disrupted by bad weather. Would never do another one nor recommend a GRJ product.

Collected by Trustpilot

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A Castle On The Shores Of Loch Fyne

Take in a stunning, unspoilt region by rail

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