As winter glides into Spring there has never been a better time to visit Scotland with its pink and purple skies, diamond white snow-capped mountains and a hint of warmth in the spring sunshine. Whichever part of Scotland you choose to visit, you’ll be captivated by Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes with its unspoiled beaches, sweeping mountain slopes and clear sparkling rivers and lochs. Combine this with ancient castles and sense of history to create an atmosphere of romance that will work its magic long after you return home.

Planning a trip to Scotland

Scotland, the land of Braveheart, of Bonnie Prince Charlie; a land of exciting cities and peaceful lochs and glens.   There is something for everyone in Scotland yet only about 10% of travellers to the UK make their way there. But Scotland is easy to reach and well worth the few hours of travelling through some of England’s finest scenery on the way.  

Getting there:

From London, there are 2 routes, one up the East coast and another up the West coast.

1.         The East coast service leaves from London Kings Cross station at least every hour and takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. 

2.         The West coast service leaves from London Euston a little less frequently and takes slightly a little longer but offers a truly exceptional view of the U.K. 

3.         As another unique experience, climb aboard a Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston and wake up the next morning in your favourite Scottish city (maybe Aberdeen or Inverness for example).  This service allows you to save a night in a hotel and maximize your daylight hours for exploring. 

As you can see, getting there is both easy and a pleasurable ride. 

What to see:

Inverness, the capital and principal cross-roads of the Highlands of Scotland, has an enviable location at the head of the Great Glen and on the shores of the Moray Firth.

Bustling, cosmopolitan and attractive capital of the Highlands and Scotland’s millennium city – Inverness makes an ideal base for exploring. Highlights include the beautiful River Ness, Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Castle. The city centre is a hive of activity with pipers, jugglers and fiddlers providing a welcome distraction.

Glasgow is Scotland’s city of culture, rich in history and full of adventure.  Fall in love with Glasgow’s striking Victorian architecture, its Royal Concert Hall, the Theatre Royal and its unforgettable galleries and museums.

Edinburgh is a must!  The essentials are a walk on Princes Street, visit Holyrood House and learn more about Mary Queen of Scots then up the Royal Mile for a tour of the grand castle which dominates the sky line.  Explore some more throughout the many shops, museums and authentic Scottish pubs.  Venture a little further and hop aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, now moored at nearby Leith for all to visit.

Not to miss Edinburgh Summer events include:

Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Edinburgh Castle - August 3 - 25, 2007

Displays of military pageantry with marching bands and dancers, held each evening on the floodlit ramparts of the castle. Fireworks follow the Saturday evening performances.

The Edinburgh International Festival - August 10 – September 2, 2007

The world's largest annual festival of the arts, attracting thousands of visitors and international stars, now in its 60th year, takes place at numerous venues in and around Edinburgh.

For more helpful tools on planning a trip to Scotland, go to the VisitScotland website at www.visitscotland.com.

Suggestions: With a BritRail Freedom of Scotland TravelPass

The freedom and flexibility to enjoy the legends, myths and monsters of this fantastic country are yours with this specially designed travel companion for visitors to Scotland.  This pass includes access to the ferries and their various islands, travel on Scotland’s rail network and a number of bus routes to explore sites off the beaten path.

You may choose between 4 days within 8 or 8 days within 15 to best match your travel needs.  Feel free to discover Scotland on your own terms without ever queuing for tickets.   In addition, children 5 to 15 travel for half the adult fare, making your Scottish holiday affordable for the whole family! 

The Caledonian Sleeper

Going up to Scotland from London?  Pre-purchase a one-way or round trip journey on the Caledonian sleeper.  Ride overnight between London Easton station and cities in Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness or fort William) and arrive in the heart of the highlands or the centre of the city.  Choose between a double berth or a single berth and save the cost of a night’s hotel as you sleep in the luxury of a sleeper car. 

For prices and more information, please call us - +27 021 851 6908 or email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it