York Association of the National Trust

Classic Scottish Steam
YANT Holiday Archives 2018
Holidays Organiser: Peter Drew    01904 702285      holidays@yant.org.uk

Join us on the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boatlift. Sail on the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer, the PS Waverley and enjoy the gentle beauty of the Argyll hills and the Kyles of Bute from the deck of this grand old lady. There is a similar majesty to the SS Sir Walter Scott, one of the last surviving screw steamers, which has graced the calm waters of Loch Katrine since 1900. The Jacobite Steam Train, from Fort William to Mallaig, is one of the longest steam-hauled rail journeys available in Britain today, an 84-mile round trip through some spectacular scenery which features an impressive list of superlatives. It starts near Britain’s highest mountain (Ben Nevis), passes its most westerly mainland railway station (Arisaig), deepest freshwater loch (Loch Morar), shortest river (River Morar) and finally arrives next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe (Loch Nevis).
Holiday Review: Classic Scottish Steam
13th – 16th October, 2018
Scottish Steam Break
This was my first YANT trip so it was with a little trepidation that I arrived at Memorial Gardens on 13 October. We were due to leave at 08.00 hours so I made sure I was there about 20 to 8 to get my luggage on board and find a seat. 

Imagine my surprise on boarding the coach it was already completely full – every seat was occupied and I had to go right to the back seat to sneak in by the window. This wasn’t exactly comfortable but I sat and tried to read until we got to our morning coffee break and later on a lunch break at a garden centre. It was here that our Tour Manager from Brightwater Holidays joined us. It was a real pleasure to meet Clive, his enthusiasm and knowledge was infectious and his profession as an archaeologist meant he had many interesting snippets to add to every place we visited.

Later that afternoon we got to the Falkirk Wheel, an engineering masterpiece of a boat lift, which moves craft between 2 canals with 35 metres difference in height. This was a real thrill for me, as was the visit immediately afterwards to the famous Kelpies – a beautiful public artwork depicting horses.

We then progressed to our hotel in Drymen, where everyone seemed happy to leave the coach after a long day and enjoy drinks and our evening dinner.

The following day was meant to be a sail on the Paddle Steamer Waverley, but unfortunately she was unable to cope with inclement weather so was languishing on the coast of the south of England. Instead we took the ferry to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute – a bitter sweet memory for me as my in-laws lived there at one time – and visited Ascog Hall Gardens and Victorian Fernery http://www.ascogfernery.com which is a historic garden with much to say about the plant hunters of old. I took a short walk along the beach and was lucky enough to see a baby seal, first time in the wild for me. We then moved on to the extravagant 19th century mansion Mount Stuart House https://www.mountstuart.com with its impressive collections and original decorative art from the turn of the 20th century.

Monday meant an early start and a long journey through movingly beautiful countryside to Fort William. We boarded the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig – a long journey but broken by a stop at Glenfinnan – well known to aficionados of the Harry Potter films. After a break to look round Mallaig, where, to be honest, there isn’t a lot to see other than ferries going to the islands, we boarded the train going back in the opposite direction to Fort William where our coach and driver awaited us.

We all enjoyed our dinner and drinks back at the hotel, I’m still thinking about the purple gin!

The following morning we checked out and travelled through the Trossachs to Lake Katrine, where we had a sail on the wonderful 100+ years old vessel Sir Walter Scott. Persistent drizzle did dampen the thrill of being outside, but the whisky-laced hot chocolate being served in the bar made up for it. We then moved on to Callander – another venue from my past – for refreshments before heading back south to York arriving at around 22.00 hours when many of us could jump on buses back to our own areas. 

This was a varied, interesting and amusing trip with some very good company – thank you to all involved with arranging it.
Barbara Boyce
Holiday Itinerary: Classic Scottish Steam
13th – 16th October, 2018
from £595
Saturday 13th October, 2018
Our coach heads north from York, stopping en route for refreshments (not included). In the afternoon we visit the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift. We start the journey on the water at New Port Downie from where we sail into the Falkirk Wheel. Enjoy the truly spectacular scenery as the wheel starts its graceful ascent to join the Union Canal 35m above. We sail along the Union Canal and under the historic Antonine Wall – the Roman’s most northern frontier – before enjoying a wander through the Visitor Centre. We continue to the Winnock Hotel, Drymen, where a welcome drink followed by dinner will be served on arrival.

Sunday 14th October, 2018
Today we head for Greenock to commence our sail 'Doon ra Watter' on the world's last seagoing paddle steamer - The Waverley, the last ocean-going paddle steamer plying its trade on the River Clyde. It was built in 1946 to replace the 1899 Waverley which was sunk at Dunkirk and is an extremely impressive sight with its immense 2100 horsepower steam engine. On board facilities include a self-service restaurant, cafe, bar and souvenir shop. We will leave the ship at Tighnabruaich where our coach will take us back to the hotel, over the "Rest and Be Thankful" and through stunning Argyllshire scenery. Dinner will be served in the evening.

Monday 15th October, 2018
Today, following an early start, we take one of the most memorable and spectacular railway journeys in the world, the famous “Jacobite” steam train from Fort William to Mallaig. Following The Road to the Isles, we enjoy the stunning views of this wild and historic part of Scotland, from the slopes of Ben Nevis through rugged mountains, over the massive Glenfinnan viaduct overlooking Loch Sheil, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, past sea and inland lochs onto the shores of the Atlantic at Mallaig. We have free time in Mallaig for lunch (not included) before the train returns to Fort William. We then return to our hotel in time for dinner after a long but rewarding day.

Tuesday 16th October, 2018
After checkout we tour through The Trossachs and then cruise on the steam ship SS Sir Walter Scott, the only surviving screw steamer in regular passenger service in Scotland. She has been sailing majestically on Loch Katrine since 1900. Launched in 1899 and retaining her original engines, powered by steam using smokeless solid fuel. In the afternoon we continue by Aberfoyle, the Duke’s Pass and Loch Venachar to Callander with some free time we then return to York, stopping en route for refreshments (not included).

Included in the price
• Three nights’ DBB at the comfortable Winnock Hotel, Drymen
• Comfortable coaching throughout
• Journeys on P.S. Waverley, SS Sir Walter Scott, The “Jacobite” rail line, the Falkirk Wheel
• Services of a Brightwater Holidays representative
• Porterage / Gratuities
• Welcome drink

Not included (per person)
• Single Occupancy Supplement £90.00
• Insurance TBA

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