Day 1: Meet in Glasgow
Make your way to Glasgow, where your Tour Manager will be waiting for you this afternoon in the lobby of the Menzies Hotel Glasgow. Set in the heart of the city in a converted rice mill, the hotel dates back to 1854. The afternoon is then yours to explore Glasgow with its Rennie Mackintosh connections, or relax in the hotel’s leisure complex. We enjoy dinner together this evening. (D)
Day 2: West Highland Railway to Crianlarich
Bidding farewell to Glasgow, we embark on a journey on the stunning West Highland Line. Running along a hillside ledge overlooking Gare Loch, the train passes mountains, glens and forests before hugging the shores of gorgeous Loch Long. Passing Arrochar and Tarbet we enjoy great views of Loch Lomond, Britain’s biggest body of inland water, before arriving at the 3* Crianlarich Hotel for a four night stay. After settling in, enjoy champagne and canapés before dinner. (B,D)
Day 3: New Year’s Eve in Oban
We rejoin the West Highland Line today, following the course of Loch Lochy through its majestic glen to picturesque Loch Awe and Loch Etive. Arriving in Oban, we enjoy a visit to the Oban Distillery, one of Scotland’s oldest sources of single malt Scotch whisky, dating back to 1794. Of course, the visit is followed by a ‘wee dram’ to warm the winter’s day! After some free time in Oban, we return to Crianlarich by coach for a cocktail reception ahead of tonight’s celebratory four-course gala dinner. A live ceilidh band makes the evening swing towards midnight, when we celebrate with champagne and bring in the bells with the hotel’s piper. (B,D)
Day 4: New Year’s Day
Spend New Year’s Day relaxing by the fireside in the homely surroundings of our hotel, enjoying brunch and an evening highland banquet followed by music from the hotel’s accordionist. (B,D)
Day 5: Optional Loch Lomond cruise
Today, why not join our optional excursion to Loch Lomond for a cruise from the ‘bonnie banks’ at Tarbet? Loch Lomond is 24 miles (38km) long and 5 miles (8km) wide, and contains 38 islands. Back at the hotel we enjoy a final dinner together. (B,D)
Day 6: Farewell to the Highlands
Departing Crianlarich, we retrace our route along the beautifully scenic West Highland Line, past sweeping glens and shimmering lochs, back to Glasgow, where your Tour Manager bids you farewell and a safe onward journey. (B)
Your hotel
The 3* Crianlarich Hotel dates back to Victorian times and is situated in the quiet village of the same name, set amidst the Perthshire mountains. Its bedrooms are well-appointed and the hotel boasts a welcoming bar, well stocked with award winning whiskies, a restaurant serving locally sourced food, plus lounges with four log-burning stoves. The word Crianlarich comes from the Gaelic for ‘low pass’ and has been a meeting point of Highland routes since the 18th century. Crianlarich is the point where the West Highland Railway forks in two equally scenic directions to either Oban or Fort William, and is also the mid point of the West Highland Way.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday.
back to top
