Take a Highlands tour by steam train with TV presenter Carol Kirkwood

EXPLORE the extraordinary Scottish Highlands on this four-day tour that will take you through hill and glen, as well as past beautiful lochs that have inspired visitors, poets, writers and artists for centuries. Travelling by steam train is a wonderful experience, and there’s nowhere better to do it than while enjoying the atmospheric and rugged scenery of Scotland. On this trip you’ll ride the Jacobite train – known to anyone who’s watched the Harry Potter films as the magical Hogwarts Express.

You’ll be joined on this special journey by weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who grew up in the west coast village of Morar.

Your 41-mile steam-hauled journey starts near Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, passes its deepest freshwater loch, Loch Morar, and travels over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. You will disembark on the shores of the Atlantic, next to Loch Nevis – the deepest seawater loch in Europe.

You’ll also pass by quaint Morar, and Carol will tell stories of the Loch Morar monster as well as her scenic train journey to school in Fort William.

Your packed itinerary also includes three boat rides: one on The Falkirk Wheel, a cruise on Loch Lomond and a trip on the charming Loch Katrine.

REASONS TO BOOK

Ride the Jacobite: Opened in 1901, this line is frequently voted the world’s greatest scenic railway. You’ll puff past rugged scenery, craggy coastlines and beautiful lochs, all in the company of Carol Kirkwood.

Stay in the Trossachs: The scenery here inspired J.M.W. Turner and William Wordsworth. You’ll stay in the heart of the Trossachs at The Winnock Hotel, an 18th Century inn near Loch Lomond.

Travel with Carol Kirkwood: Weather presenter Carol will give a talk about her life, career, love of Scotland and time on Strictly Come Dancing. The region will be brought vividly to life as Carol details her early life in Morar.

Scenic lochs: Enjoy a 60-minute cruise on Loch Lomond where you can view the scenery of Scotland from the water. You’ll also sail the waters of Loch Katrine.

The unique Falkirk Wheel: The rotating boat lift will take you

from the water at New Port Downie to the Union Canal 115ft (35 metres) above.

Scottish history: You’ll visit the impressive mid-18th Century neoGothic Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Clan Campbell.