Following Tracks Through Celtic Lands
-
Overview
-
Itinerary
-
Fares
-
Accommodation
A journey overview
- Loch Lomond
- Edinburgh
- Royal Scotsman Train
- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Belfast
- Grand Hibernian Train
- Cork
- Killarney
- Galway
16 Days Explorations
- Departing:
- 7 Jun 2019
Track the history and culture of Scotland and Ireland aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman and the Belmond Grand Hibernian.
Journey to the Isle of Mull’s Legendary Duart Castle
Explore the ancestral home of the Maclean clan, which has endured since the 13th century. Meet with clan chief Sir Lachlan Maclean and discover the legends that shroud this noble landmark.
Traverse the Scottish Highlands Aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman
View the highlights of Scotland’s northwest from the refined yesteryear elegance of your luxury train. Scotland’s best-kept sights and secrets declare themselves at every turn along this magnificent rail journey.
Enjoy Michelin-Starred Dining in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is home to a number of fine dining establishments but the Pompadour by Galvin is among the city’s finest. French haute cuisine from acclaimed Michelin-starred Galvin brothers is a class act, served in an exquisite setting.
Dine at the Historic Great Room in Belfast’s Merchant Hotel
The Great Room’s resplendent red and gold setting raises the bar for opulent dining. Paired with a sumptuous menu and wine list to provide the quintessential fine dining experience.
Explore the Emerald Isle Aboard the Belmond Gran Hibernian
Enjoy sophisticated style and service on a seamless rail journey through Ireland’s green and gallant heart. This carefully curated rail adventure ensures no stone’s left unturned during your Emerald Isle discovery.
Residences of the Highest Standard
Cameron House Hotel, Loch Lomond
Glamour meets romanticism. In each loch-view room, Scottish heritage is accented through individual decorations, and the Michelin-starred Chef Martin Wishart, adds a personal flare to the renowned restaurant’s meals.
Belmond Royal Scotsman
The observation car is unique to other luxury trains in this part of the world. Half of it is indoors, with plush armchairs; the other half is outdoors, allowing you liberal measures of the crisp Highland air.
Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Belfast’s most iconic building, the Ulster Bank, has been beautifully transformed. Victorian-era public spaces are the most opulent examples of the period, with chandeliers, gold leaf, and columns in profusion.
Belmond Grand Hibernian
The Grand Hibernian is the only luxury train in Ireland, presenting the very best views of coast and countryside. Elegant interiors are inspired by Dublin’s Georgian architecture and Celtic tradition.
Itinerary
Arrive Loch Lomond (Scotland)
Headed for lands north, where castles, mountains and two grand train journeys await, we meet our group at Loch Lomond. Our rooms for the following three evenings at the prestigious Cameron House Hotel boast loch views.
Loch Lomond
With two full days to enjoy, there are plenty of Your World experiences on offer including a private speedboat cruise of the loch, a seaplane flight, or a ferry crossing to the Isle of Arran. Perhaps visit the ruins of Kilchurn Castle and the Inveraray Castle and Gardens or venture into Glasgow to explore the arts and culture scene. Maybe tee off at the Carrick at Loch Lomond golf course or indulge in a pamper session at our hotel’s spa.
Edinburgh, Belmond Royal Scotsman, Kyle of Lochalsh
We take a short tour of Edinburgh before boarding the Belmond Royal Scotsman, for our four-night journey through the Highlands, and travel west along the Moray Firth and towards the Kyle of Lochalsh. In Plockton we are invited to enjoy a Your World experience including a boat trip on Loch Carron, whisky tasting at the Plockton Hotel or a visit to Eilean Donan castle.
Ballindaloch
A visit to the Glen Ord Distillery begins our day before arriving at Ballindalloch Castle in Speyside. Your World experiences include a private tour through the castle, playing nine holes of golf on the castle’s own course or joining an exclusive visit of the Ballindalloch Distillery, followed by a tasting, as is custom.
Rothiemurchus Forest
The Rothiemurchus Estate extends from the River Spey at Aviemore to the Cairngorm Summit Plateau. Immerse yourself in the outdoors with a range of Your World experiences including trout fishing, clay pigeon shooting or a tour of the estate. Later we visit Glamis Castle, childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother. In Perth, we rejoin our train for the journey to Dundee.
Disembark Belmond Royal Scotsman, Edinburgh
On our return to Edinburgh this morning, we farewell the Belmond Royal Scotsman for an in-depth city tour, before dining at the Pompadour Restaurant. Run by Michelin-starred brothers, Chris and Jeff Galvin, we are treated to some of the country’s finest cuisine.
Belfast (Northern Ireland)
We fly to Belfast and tour the region’s acclaimed landmarks. Beginning with a visit to the Bushmills Distillery, we continue to the epic Giant’s Causeway before looping back to Belfast to enjoy further discoveries over our two days here. On a city tour we delve into Belfast’s icons, history and myths before a visit to the Titanic Experience and time for your own exploration.
Dublin (Ireland) Embark Belmond Grand Hibernian
Just under two hours’ drive away, we arrive in Dublin for an overnight stay at the Hotel Westbury. We acquaint ourselves with the city’s considerable charms ahead of a more extensive city tour to complete our picture of the Irish capital. Then, bound for Cork, we board the Belmond Grand Hibernian at Dublin Heuston Station, heading south with a visit to the famed Jameson Distillery on our arrival.
Cork
The stories of the Blarney Stone’s origin, none confirmed, could fill a book. Kiss it and you will be gifted with eloquence, so the belief goes. This morning we pucker up to test the theories before making our way to Killarney, in search of Ross Castle. Set on the shores of Lough Leane, we are invited to take out rowboats and enjoy castle views from the lake, before dinner and a merry céilí welcome us back on board our train.
Galway
Galway’s residents are known to be fun-loving, as can be seen by the city’s countless pubs, restaurants, cafes and live music venues. After lunch, Your World experiences open the door to Galway’s delights on a city tour, or perhaps venture an hour or so to the Cliffs of Moher, for a sheer perspective of the North Atlantic’s crashing waves. Tonight, our train turns east to Athlone in central Ireland where we stop for the night.
County Mayo
Headed for medieval encounters at the Ashford Castle deep within Connemara National Park, we applaud ancient skill at a falconry demonstration, followed by a guided walk. After lunch in the castle, we continue back to Westport for a fine Farewell Dinner.
Disembark Belmond Grand Hibernian, Depart Dublin
Enjoy a final Irish breakfast before our journey comes to an end.
Following Tracks Through Celtic Lands
16 Days - Departing 7 June 2019
Journey Package
Room Type
Enhancements
from
$
Per Person USD
Reserve Your Place
To reserve your place, please complete the form below, call 1800 622 628 or email guestrelations@captainschoice.com.au.
Journey Details
- {{tpsc.package.journeyPackageType}}
- Departing: {{tpsc.package.departureDate | date:'EEE d MMM yyyy'}}
- {{tpsc.roomType.roomConfigurationType}}
-
{{upgrade.upgradeCategoryTitle}}
{{upgrade.selectedCategory.upgradeOptionTitle}} (+{{upgrade.selectedCategory.amount | currency : '$' : 0}})
{{tpsc.price | currency : '$' : 0}}
Per Person USD
Keep Exploring
Explorations
Explore the uncommon and the iconic in our explorations of the worlds most diverse regions from Africa to Asia and the Middle East to the Americas.
A Traverse of the Great Alps
Watch dramatic views unfold as you conquer the rugged Alps in a style unimaginable to early mountaineers.