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The Royal Caledonian

7days from

£1,490^*per person

Overview

Newmarket Holidays is offering 10% off tours until Sunday, 9 November.

Take to the tracks on a remarkable Highland rail journey, discover Scotland's royal heritage sites, and delight in a selection of exquisite natural vistas. This pleasant taster of the Highlands showcases the United Kingdom’s imperial heritage in the form of visits to Balmoral Castle, Crathie Kirk church, and the Victorian village of Ballater. Train travel is embraced as a hassle-free mode of transport from the beginning, with an overnight journey on the Caledonian Sleeper from London and a ride on the heritage Strathspey Railway through the countryside. Further nods to the past are seen in outings to a whisky distillery and the Culloden Battlefield. The hearts of the territory’s prominent towns are also explored, with guided tours across Nairn, Inverness, Aviemore and Edinburgh. Opportunities to immerse yourself in the wilderness encompass a stop-off to view Cairngorm Mountain, a chance to learn about the local reindeer herds, and a cruise across the legendary waters of Loch Ness.

Itinerary

Depart from London Euston Station on the overnight train service - There is no need for security queues or travelling from the airport to a city during this tour. Instead, you’ll board the Caledonian Sleeper Train at London Euston Station, get settled into your cosy, well-equipped cabin, and travel to Scotland.
Arrival in Inverness and included visit to Nairn, Inverness and the Culloden Battlefield - After a relaxing night aboard the train, you’ll arrive at Inverness in the morning.* A light breakfast can be enjoyed in your cabin before you disembark and meet your tour manager at the station. From here, you’ll head to the small market town of Nairn, an ancient fishing port and seaside resort known for its unspoilt beaches and wealth of wildlife – keep an eye out for seals, whales, and dolphins. The tour will then continue to Inverness, a city on Scotland’s northeast coast and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands near Loch Ness. You’ll be guided around the old town, with its 19th-century cathedral, charming indoor Victorian Market, and hill-top castle, overlooking the Ness River. Your final excursion of the day will be to the Culloden Battlefield – the site of the last battle of Jacobite Rising. During your visit here, you’ll learn about this moving location in the interactive visitor centre, with artefacts and informative displays. In the late afternoon, you'll check into the Ben Wyvis hotel, where you can unwind until dinner
Included visit to Balmoral Castle & Estate, Crathie Kirk, Ballater - Enjoy breakfast this morning before venturing on a morning drive to the famous Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family since 1852. You’ll get to enter the castle to see the ballroom (the largest room in the castle), view the exhibitions and wander the gardens. The castle’s ballroom is the only area open to the public and where many members of the Royal Family have been pictured hosting events. Near the castle is Crathie Kirk, a small parish church in the village of Crathie. Best known for being the regular place of worship of the Royal Family, this church was built in 1895 and looks over the Dee River. The tour will then continue to the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park. You can stroll around the speciality shops and seek out one of the delightful cafés for lunch (on your own account). This evening, you’ll have time for dinner and to relax.
Included Strathspey Railway journey to Aviemore, Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre, and Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre - After breakfast, you’ll head to Aviemore for another rail journey. You’ll join your tour manager and fellow guests to board the Strathspey Railway, a splendid reminder of the golden days of steam. This scenic run takes you through unspoilt Highland scenery, passing great sweeps of the Spey River, moorland, and ancient forest. You’ll then return to Aviemore, where you’ll explore this famous resort town backed by the Cairngorm Mountain Range and have lunch (on your own account). The next stop is the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre, home to around 150 reindeer, which you can see up close with their handlers. After this excursion, you’ll drive through twisting mountain roads to the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre, where you can take in spectacular views of the surrounding region. Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.
Included visit to Loch Ness - Tuck into breakfast before travelling to the famed and mysterious Loch Ness. You’ll then board a two-hour cruise across the legendary waters, learning about the loch’s intriguing history and observing the historic Urquhart Castle and wildlife on the banks. You can even keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster with the vessel’s onboard sonar. Back on land, you’ll pay a visit to the Glen Ord Distillery – the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle. You’ll then tour the distillery, learning about the art of whisky-making and the Singleton’s signature ‘Slow Craft’ process before tasting three unique Singleton expressions. You’ll then return to the hotel for dinner.
Included Edinburgh city tour, Royal Yacht Britannia visit and farewell dinner - You’ll have breakfast, check out of the hotel and be driven to Edinburgh, Scotland’s cosmopolitan capital and the ‘World City of Literature’. The first visit of the day will be to the Royal Yacht Brittania. This former yacht of the Royal family served from 1954 until 1997. Continue to Edinburgh city centre for a guided city tour. This excursion will cover the atmospheric, cobbled streets, lined with famous sights and landmarks. Roam along the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and pass by the Castle, St Giles Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Sir Walter Scott Monument. In the evening, you'll have dinner at the renowned Scotsman Hotel, before taking the Caledonian Sleeper Train back to London.
Arrive at London Euston Station - This morning, the train will arrive back at London Euston Station, concluding your Scottish Highlands escape.

What's Included

Holiday Highlights

Stroll around the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park
Visit Inverness, a cultural capital, and the moving Culloden Battlefield
Make the most of a guided Edinburgh tour, ticking off the city’s historical highlights
Cruise across the mysterious waters of Loch Ness and call at the local whisky distillery
Journey on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London to the heart of the Scottish Highlands
Explore the small market town of Nairn, with its unspoilt beaches
Experience the Royal Family’s Scottish holiday home, Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk, their regular place of worship
Travel on the heritage Strathspey Railway to the resort town of Aviemore, a reminder of the golden days of steam
Stop off at the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre to take in the surrounding views

Our Price Includes

Six nights’ accommodation at the three-star Ben Wyvis Hotel, Strathpeffer (4 nights) and aboard the Caledonian Sleeper Train (2)
Five breakfasts and five dinners
A tour of Nairn
A tour of Inverness
A visit to the Battlefield of Culloden
A tour of Balmoral Castle
View Crathie Kirk
A tour of Ballater
A journey on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway
A visit to the Highland resort of Aviemore
A visit to Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre
A visit to Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre
A cruise across Loch Ness
A visit and tasting at the renowned Glen Ord Distillery
A tour of Edinburgh
Tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia
Farewell dinner at the renowned Royal Scotsman Hotel
Return travel on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London Euston to Inverness and return from Edinburgh
Transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

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Dates and Prices

Accommodation

Ben Wyvis Hotel -

★★★

Surrounded by five acres of lush woodland and views of the neighbouring mountain landscapes, this hotel places guests right at the heart of the charming Victorian spa town, Strathpeffer, and is the perfect base from which to explore the Scottish Highlands. Facilities & Amenities The hotel offers traditional Scottish fare at its Jacobite Restaurant and also features cosy bar and lounge areas with original Victorian furnishings. Rooms Comfortable guestrooms boast extraordinary views of the area's highland vistas and include TVs, hairdryers, tea/coffee-making facilities and free Wi-Fi.

Duke of Gordon Hotel - 2026 departures only -

★★★

Based in the heart of the magnificent Cairngorms National Park, this historic hotel promises easy access to the Highlands' most impressive landscapes and a serene atmosphere perfect for unwinding in between excursion.

Rooms

Elegant guestrooms are comfortable and spacious, encompassing free Wi-Fi, tea/coffee-making facilities and TVs Please note: This hotel is available for 2026 departures only.

Other Information

Caledonian Sleeper Train

Accommodation on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper Train is based on the Classic Room type, which includes twin bunk beds in a cozy and compact cabin, an in-room wash basin, Wi-Fi, charging points, temperature control, and dimmable lights. Please speak to a consultant for upgrading to the Club Cabin. The Caledonian Sleeper service to Inverness departs from London Euston Station and stops enroute to Inverness at Crewe, Preston, Stirling and Dunblane stations.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. For this tour specifically, it is important to note: - Overnight cabin space is limited on the Royal Caledonian train and there is a ladder to access bunk beds - There is a need to step on and off coaches / trains on several days - Walking can involve uneven terrain and there is a steep slope of approx 100 yards to walk up at the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you would like any further information on the suitability of this tour, please call us for a chat prior to booking.

Train journeys

In the unlikely event of a steam locomotive breaking down on the Strathspey Railway, we reserve the right to substitute the engine with a diesel locomotive.

Balmoral Castle

The Balmoral Castle and Estate is a Royal residence and can be closed without prior notice. In 2024, Balmoral was closed in the months of August and September; it has now been confirmed this is the case for 2025 - Balmoral Castle will be closed August and September 2025. A suitable replacement will be included as an alternative. For visitors in the month of October 2025, there will only be a visit to the grounds of Balmoral, with no access to the castle however there will still be access to the café and shop.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Terms and conditions

Maximum 10% discount applies to a selection of tours. All other holidays and tours will have up to 10% applied. This offer applies to new bookings only booked between 1st October, 2025 and 9th November, 2025 and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to child pricing. The offer does not apply to holidays with late availability pricing and excludes Festive, River Cruise, Edinburgh Tattoo, André Rieu events, Lapland and Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding any discounts already applied, extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316.

Holiday code

N2397

Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.

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