Spend Christmas in Inverness, with hearty food, warming drinks, entertainment and festive cheer. Enjoy the proud cities of Edinburgh and Inverness and travel through the yuletide scenery on beautiful rail trips.
On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.
Your Tour Manager greets you in Edinburgh at the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel located on the Royal Mile, close to Edinburgh Castle. Your day is free.
We travel by rail (Standard Class) across the iconic Forth Bridge and head through brooding Highland scenery on our way to Inverness. Our journey takes us via Kingussie, Pitlochry and Aviemore as we travel through the mighty Cairngorms. We then arrive in Inverness for a four-night stay at the Palace Hotel. Here we are welcomed by a sherry and whisky drinks reception before our three-course dinner with wine. The hotel also offers a complimentary bar each evening from 7-10pm.
Christmas Eve begins with a journey along the famous Kyle Line, one of Europe's truly great rail experiences (Standard Class). We skirt alongside lochs and up through wild mountain landscapes as we travel across Scotland from east coast to west. Countless photo opportunities present themselves as we wind through wooded hillsides and over sparse moors, climbing over the highlands and past charming loch-side and sea-side towns. Later we arrive in Kyle of Lochalsh, overlooking the Isle of Skye. Here we have a little time to explore before making the wonderful return journey. We enjoy a sherry drinks reception before dinner, followed by live entertainment in the hotel. You could perhaps attend a local church service this evening, and upon your return the hotel offers a warming bowl of soup.
Our Christmas morning begins with a full Scottish breakfast accompanied by Buck's Fizz, after which you are free to perhaps take a stroll along the banks of the River Ness, before our sumptuous Christmas lunch at the hotel, including Champagne. Later you can toast the Queen's speech with a dram, and afternoon tea will be served, ahead of a festive buffet dinner this evening. Tonight's entertainment consists of Scottish music and traditional dancing.
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, Boxing Day's excursion takes us along the stunning shores of Loch Ness by coach. Here we visit the acclaimed Loch Ness Exhibition Centre. The centre details the history and geology of the region - and of course has an exhibition dedicated to the famous monster. Back in Inverness, we enjoy a final evening meal and entertainment in the hotel.
We travel back to Edinburgh today in Standard Class through the Cairngorms to Edinburgh, where we stay a second night at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Your afternoon is free for you to discover the city. There are plenty of options for your day, from an open-top bus ride past the major attractions, to visits to some of Edinburgh's world-class galleries and museums. The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its medieval Old Town, Georgian New Town, and the award-winning modern architecture continuing the contrast between traditional and contemporary. Of course, no trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to the famous castle. Later we enjoy a final dinner together at the hotel. After breakfast on Day 7 the tour concludes, and you you are free to make your way home at your leisure. Alternatively, take more time to explore beautiful Edinburgh before making your homeward journey.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
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