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A Scottish Christmas

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4.4 stars(20 reviews)
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Small Group

Enjoy a relaxing Christmas break in Inverness

7 days From £1,595 per person

2023 Tour code: SHX24

About the tour

Spend Christmas in Inverness surrounded by hearty food, warming drinks, traditional entertainment and festive cheer. Discover the proud cities of Edinburgh and Inverness, travel through wintry scenery aboard the Kyle Line and visit magical Loch Ness.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Edinburgh

We meet at our hotel in the Scottish capital, after which you're free to begin exploring. Make your way to the city's Old Town to see the most historic sites including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. There are plenty of other attractions well worth visiting too, such as Holyrood Palace, home to the royal residence of the Palace of Holyrood house and the seat of Scotland's new Parliament, Arthur's Seat viewpoint, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. This evening we enjoy festive mulled wine with dinner.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – To Inverness

We board our train for the journey northwards to Inverness, travelling over the iconic Forth Bridge, through the wild and dramatic scenery of the Cairngorms and past the charming towns of Kingussie, Pitlochry and Aviemore, all decked out in their winter finery. This evening we are served a traditional Scottish dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Kyle Line

We embark on a festive adventure along the picturesque Kyle Line, a true embodiment of Scotland's railway heritage. Snaking through the misty lochs and towering mountains of the Highlands, this single-track railway line is a testament to human ingenuity.

Starting in the charming town of Dingwall, construction on the Kyle of the Lochalsh Railway Line began in 1870 and took 27 years to complete. To conquer the mountainous terrain, 29 separate bridges were built by hand, allowing us today to marvel at Scotland's breathtaking natural beauty. We glide through the Torridon Hills, marvel at the stunning Highland scenery, and finally reach the shores of Loch Alsh.

Just a short drive away lies the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, perched atop a tiny island at the confluence of three lochs - a picturesque spot and perfect photo opportunity. As we return to our hotel, we are greeted by a sherry reception and live entertainment, filling us with the joy and spirit of Christmas Eve.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Christmas Day in Inverness

Our Christmas Day morning begins with breakfast, accompanied by a celebratory Bucks Fizz. Afterwards, Santa visits us to spread Christmas cheer ahead of some lovely warming mulled wine. This afternoon you could enjoy a walk alongside the River Ness a delicious traditional Christmas lunch with champagne at the hotel. Later, you could toast to the King's Speech with a dram or two before a festive buffet dinner this evening. Our entertainment tonight features Scottish music and traditional dancing, the perfect way to end this special day.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Loch Ness

Our Boxing Day excursion takes us by coach to the scenic shores of Loch Ness, part of the Great Glen, a scar-like fault line that runs over 60 miles from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south. We stop off at the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre which details the long history and complex geology of the area, as well as a section dedicated to Nessie herself, the world-famous Loch Ness Monster. We return to Inverness via Fort Augustus and Urquhart Castle, set on a headland looking over the loch.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Edinburgh

We return to Edinburgh this morning, travelling through the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms once again. After checking into our hotel, you have free time to go sightseeing, discovering famed attractions still decked out in their festive regalia or enjoying a walk through the streets of the Georgian New Town. Afterwards, you could warm up in a traditional pub. We sit down for a final evening meal on our last night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 – Homeward Bound

Our Christmas holiday draws to a close today and you're free to begin the journey home once we've checked out of the hotel.

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

Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Edinburgh

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Palace Hotel Inverness, Inverness

Palace Hotel Inverness, Inverness

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Trains

The Kyle Line
London North Eastern Railway
Scotrail

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections
Extending your holiday in Edinburgh

Reviews

4.4 stars4.4 / 5 · 20 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (11)
  2. 4 stars
    (7)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

Miss A Holgate

4 stars

Submitted 9/Jan

The first time I have done Christmas away in the Uk. It was good and the scenery in Scotland is lovely. The hotel was very busy, as expected, and mealtimes were drawn out affairs, lasting 2hours.

Collected by Trustpilot

A. Varley

1 stars

Submitted 5/Jan

Overcrowded hotel Nothing traditionally Scottish A huge disappointment after previous excellent tours

from Great Rail Journeys
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. I'm sorry to hear this tour fell short of your expectations. We have also received your separate correspondence, and will be in touch soon. Best Wishes Alice
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Phil Edwards

5 stars

Submitted 4/Jan

A splendid trip. Beautiful scenery, fantastic hospitality and good company.

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Roger Sawyer

5 stars

Submitted 4/Jan

The holiday went as GR advertised even with the complications of rail strikes and Scot Rail not seeming to understand that the day before Christmas Eve would be one for people to travel home only provided a 3 coach train for probably best part of 300 travellers. Hotels excellent, food likewise. Tour manager was excellent looking after his flock and amking sure that everyone in the party knew what was going to happen and when.

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Guest

4 stars

Submitted 4/Jan

Excellent hotels, food, programme, service and company. Unfortunately spoilt by the rail industrial action and maintenance closures. Full report will be sent to GRJ

Collected by Trustpilot

jinty

5 stars

Submitted 4/Jan

What a great way to spend Christmas! Thoroughly spoiled staying at The Raddison Edinburgh at the beginning and end of break! The hospitality at The Palace Hotel Inverness was amazing, the staff couldnt couldnt do more for us! Copious amounts of good food and drink!! I requested a room wth a view and got it!! 4th floor, at the back, view over Inverness and the mountains beyond! Room was lovely and warm. Bed SO comfortable!! It was a treat being able to go for a swim each morning, especially Christmas morning! Not many people used the pool -so remember your cossie if you go! If facilities are not used then they may close/reduce hours over Christmas holidays!! Despite rail restrictions we managed to get there and The Kyle of Lochalsh trip was amazing! We were very lucky with that one - after our train no service for 4 days!! A coach was arranged for our return to Edinburgh (due to rail restrictions!) - not ideal but it was comfortable and had a loo!! The weather conditions were horrendous but the driver was excellent! The meals at the Radisson were all good, especially breakfast!! Just watch out for the expensive drinks!! All in all a great way to spend Christmas - despite rail disruptions!!

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