A Scottish Victorian Steam Journey

A wonderful mix of heritage and nature, rail and loch, this great Scottish getaway takes you back in time on a nostalgic steam journey to explore some of the Central Belt's finest sites. Based at the popular Winnock Hotel in the centre of the hillside village of Drymen, near the shores of beautiful Loch Lomond, this tour takes you on a nostalgic steamship cruise on Loch Katrine and a journey on the Bo'ness & Kinneil steam railway.Holiday Highlights
- Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast and dinner- Porterage included- Tea /coffee after dinner- Included excursions and entrances as stated- Boat Trip on Falkirk Wheel- Return trip with afternoon tea on the Bo'Ness & Kinneil Steam Railway- 2-hour cruise on Loch Katrine on SS Sir Walter Scott- One hour Loch Lomond Experience Cruise- Visits to Callander, Balloch and Luss- Evening entertainment for 2 nights

A wonderful mix of heritage and nature
Day 1 - After joining your holiday coach, drive northwards with suitable stops for lunch and refreshments. Arrive at your hotel in Drymen early evening, ready for your first evening meal together. DBBnnDAYS 2 - 4 At leisure in Winnock Hotel, Drymen with three Included excursions. Two evenings' live entertainment in the hotel. DBBnnINCLUDED EXCURSIONSnLoch Katrine Steam Cruise on SS Sir Walter Scott & CallandernEnjoy a 2-hour relaxing cruise on lovely Loch Katrine as you watch the natural wonder of the beautiful country side gently slip by from aboard the steamship SS Sir Walter Scott. Named after Scotland's much loved poet and author, this famous steamship captivates visitors with its intriguing 100 year history. Sail past the loch-side Royal Cottage which was built for Queen Victoria's Loch Katrine visit in 1859. This afternoon, head to the small town of Callander for some time at leisure. Known as the 'Gateway to the Highlands, Callander is a colourful town on the River Teith, brimming with tea rooms and souvenir shops. It serves as the eastern gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, so the surrounding scenery is truly magnificent.nnFalkirk Wheel & Bo'Ness & Kinneil Steam RailwaynThe iconic Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boatlift which connects the Forth & Clyde and Union canals. It was constructed to replace a series of 19th century lock gates and is the showpiece of the Millennium Link project which re-established coast-to-coast navigation of the canals. You will make the ascent and descent through the wheel with the entire boat trip lasting approx. one hour. Continue to Bo'Ness station for a round trip on the heritage Bo'Ness & Kinneil steam railway with a traditional afternoon tea served on board. Entrance to the Museum of Scottish Railways is included and there is a 500m level walk from the station to the museum buildings (or shorter route over a footbridge). Wheelchair users may find parts of the path challenging.nnLoch Lomond DiscoverynJust a short drive from the hotel today to arrive in Balloch, a charming village located at the southern edge of Loch Lomond. Take a one hour circular cruise of Loch Lomond's South basin whilst enjoying views of the magnificent Ben Lomond and passing a number of Loch Lomond's stately homes and castles along the shoreline. Venture out towards Inchmurrin Island- the largest of Loch Lomond's 33 islands and home to the ancient remains of Lennox Castle, which sheltered a fugitive Robert the Bruce in the 14th century before he was to become King of Scotland. Back in Balloch there will be time to browse the Loch Lomond Shores shopping complex before heading north to Luss, the pretty conservation village situated on the western shore of the loch. With its prim, identical sandstone and slate cottages and its narrow sandy, pebbly strand, the village became the setting for the successful TV soap High Road. nnDay 5 - After breakfast, return homewards, arriving back at your local joining points early to mid-evening.Winnock Hotel, Drymen
Situated on the pretty village green in the conservation village of Drymen, the family-run 3* Winnock Hotel is situated just 4 miles from Loch Lomond. It offers excellent customer service, cosy log fires and hearty Scottish cuisine. There is a traditional bar area with an extensive range of speciality malt whiskies. All 74 en-suite bedrooms come with TV, hairdryer and drinks facilities. There is no lift but ground floor rooms are available. (NB Dinner is served in the Capercaille Room on tables of 8)