Pathfinder Tours’ Scottish Easter offering

IN THE days following Easter, Pathfinder Tours will be running its annual four-day Scottish Land Cruise. Starting from Cheltenham Spa on April 14, the ‘Spring Highlander’ will call at Stroud, Kemble, Swindon, Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Birmingham International and Derby before taking the route via Doncaster and Newcastle and over the Royal Border Bridge into Scotland. The train then heads to Dumbarton, where passengers are transferred by coach to a local hotel that will be base for three nights. Traction will be provided by DB Cargo. Saturday takes the tour via Stirling and Perth to Dundee, where off-train options include Glamis Castle, a trip on the Caledonian Railway from Brechin to Bridge of Dun, or Dundee itself. A leisurely return to the hotel will include crossing both the Tay and Forth Bridges. On Sunday, the tour will head over the West Highland Line to Fort William; again, several optional excursions on offer at this popular destination. The return home on Monday is via Edinburgh and the East Coast Main Line before taking the cross-country route from Doncaster to the West Midlands. Fares on this all-premier class train start at £1349, with a £180 supplement per person for a table for two. A table for three costs £4495 and a table for four £5220. There is also a single room supplement of £115. A non-refundable deposit of £200 per person is taken on booking, with the balance payable six weeks before departure date. For parties of three, a deposit of £800 is taken to reserve the fourth seat. Visit www.pathfindertours.co.uk/ events/the-spring-highlander for details.