We decided to add a day before our tour began to explore Edinburgh. We had already seen Princes Street yesterday so we decided to climb the steep steps up to Calton Hill
Here we got great views over the city and surrounding area
Glimpses of Forth Railway Bridge
Meadowbank Stadium
Castle
Great View down Princes Street
Government building
They started but did not finish!
Observatory
We then went off to the Mecure Hotel in Princes Street where we dropped our bags before heading off by bus to Leigh. Luckily our room is on the back. Much more expensive than the Premier Inn but apart from mega fast internet not as good!
A major road is closed because of building works so we stood at the right bus stop unaware of the fact buses were on diversion. Was there a sign saying buses were diverted and a map showing where to go: answer no. There was a note on the electronic real time indicator saying our route was on diversion and full details on the web but no use to us non smart 'phone users. I had been on the net to check the route but nothing alerted us - you had to check the diversions section!
Eventually we made it to Leith to see The Royal Yacht Britannia and it was very impressive!
Queen's bedroom
Phil's bedroom
Charkes and Diana's bedroom
Officer's dinning room!
Formal dinning room
Royal Drawing room
Even an operating theartre
and mini hospital
Crew bunks
Rolls normally lived here!
Back to the City centre and a well deserved rest in the hotel! After a recharge of batteries a stroll along Princes Street and return through Princes Street Gardens
First meeting of our group at dinner tonight in our hotel and then off tomorrow by train to Fort William
When we booked the trip we did not realise that as we were travelling on a Bank Holiday engineering works could rear its ugly head! We like to use Southern and Thameslink to get to Kings Cross which avoids tube travel and walking miles in underground tunnels to get out of Kings Cross underground station!
So the first part of our journey from Portsmouth Harbour was on a Brighton and Hove supplied rail replacement bus, seen here at Chi station! At least it was a nice ride and on time.
Just time for a cuppa at Chi Station before our on time Southern train to Gatwick where we changed to Thameslink and on to St Pancras International, arriving just before midday. We booked the 1pm so had plenty of time to have snack and look in detail at the new square in front of Kings Cross.
We left on time at 1pm for the 4 hour 20 minute journey to Edinburgh Waverly. - shame it was not a posh new Azuma! Door to door time of 10 hours!
Arrived a few minutes late and checked into our Premier a short stroll from the station.
Another short stroll along Princes Street to Cote where we had dinner.
Internet is pretty glacial but here are a few pictures of our sunny - but COLD - evening stroll around Edinburgh!
Tomorrow we have all day in Edinburgh before we join our tour in the evening.
On Monday May 6th we head off by ferry and train to Edinburgh for a Great Rail Journeys holiday which starts on Wednesday giving us a day in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Here is our itinerary taken from the Great Rail Journeys brochure!
On the first full day we travel to Glasgow, before changing trains for a journey on one of the world's most spectacular scenic railway lines, The West Highland Line. During our time on board, we travel along a hillside ledge overlooking Gare Loch before we enter the spectacular Highlands, an idyllic, remote and untouched landscape. The incredible route skirts the western banks of Loch Lomond and climbs quickly from Crianlarich to Upper Tyndrum and wild Rannoch Moor. Mighty mountains provide an imposing backdrop to our journey as we approach Fort William. On arrival we transfer to the nearby village of Ballachulish.
On Wednesday we travel by coach to the town of Oban. Leaving the mainland by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, we make the 40-minute crossing to the Isle of Mull. As we head through the small islands and across to Mull, the incredible picturepostcard views are truly awe-inspiring; rugged coastline, hills rising sharply from the water's edge, endless greens, purples and browns of the moorland and jagged, exposed rock faces. We arrive at the town of Craignure from where we visit Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Maclean Clan. The castle is only a few minutes drive from our mooring point at Craignure and remains in a superb condition, occupying a picturesque position overlooking Loch Don.
On Friday we travel by coach to Neptune's Staircase, an impressive flight of eight locks operated by a team of at least three lock keepers. Situated on the Caledonian Canal, the locks are each placed at slightly different levels, overcoming a total height difference of 64 feet. It now takes approximately one-and-a-half hours to pass from one end of the staircase to the other, where water overcomes gravity and nature to climb the hillside.
From here we continue to Loch Linnhe where we enjoy a scenic cruise across the water. After our cruise, we visit Glencoe, one of Scotlands most iconic glens. Glencoe has been used as the backdrop of many films over the years, most recently being used for the James Bond film, 'Skyfall'.
Saturday we join the Jacobite Steam Train† for a journey to Mallaig on the final leg of the wonderful West Highland Line, arguably the most scenic in the UK. During the journey the train steams past Ben Nevis, then climbs into the mountains surrounding Glenfinnan, a small town famous as the rallying point for Bonnie Prince Charlie's assault on the British throne.
Here we cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct seen in the 'Harry Potter' films, and also one of the most iconic engineering works found throughout the British railway network.
As we head towards Mallaig, we drop down to the sea's edge and the landscape opens up with the first views of the rugged 'Small Isles' - Rum, Eigg and Muck - which hang tantalisingly close offshore and tease in and out of view near our journey's end. After time for lunch, we make the return journey by coach, passing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, to Inverness, where we stay for three nights.
Sunday- Loch Ness to enjoy a cruise. This iconic loch is most famous for its mythical dweller, the Loch Ness Monster, however it is also surrounded by some of Scotland's most breathtaking scenery.
Enjoy your short cruise surrounded by the purple pained mountains, before taking a trip to Urquhart Castle, a 13th century castle that sits perched on the banks of the loch. These atmospheric ruins are a delight to explore, and you have some free time here before we coach back to Inverness.
The Kyle Line
Monday we enjoy one of the most breathtaking railway journeys in Europe, the Kyle Line. This incredibly scenic route takes us across Scotland from east coast to west, crossing the Caledonian Canal as we leave Inverness and skirting the shores of crystal-clear lakes. 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 seaside towns.
The tracks rise and fall over hills and valleys, traveling at low speed throughout most of the journey, giving you time to soak up the terrific views. The train sweeps one way and the next, wild deer grazing beside the tracks that follow a route dictated by politicians and powerful landowners as much as by civil engineers. During the final part of the journey we pass the picturesque whitewashed houses in the village of Plockton. We arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh, the end of the line, located across a short stretch of water from the Isle of Skye.
Afterwards we make a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, situated on a tiny island in Loch Duich, joined to the mainland by a small, elegant bridge. The island was part of the Macrae Clan's territory and in the 13th century they built Eilean Donan Castle, which was initially designed to defend the clan's land from invading Vikings but which actually saw more battles between the warring Scottish clans. From here, we return by coach to Inverness, giving us time to experience the truly awe-inspiring Loch Ness from an alternative perspective.
Tuesday we leave Inverness, travelling south through the Cairngorms, via Aviemore, Pitlochry and Kingussie, to arrive back in Edinburgh and then back to the island on Wednesday May 15th.
