Newmarket brings out new ‘royal’ tour

 Newmarket Holidays has added a new ‘royal’ tour of the Scottish Highlands as the King’s coronation approaches, while introducing savings on more than 30 trips.

The seven-night Royal Caledonian itinerary starts with an overnight journey from London on the Caledonian Sleeper train to the Scottish Highlands.

It includes Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of royals since 1852, and Crathie Kirk Church, a regular place of worship for the Royal family, guided visits to the seaside town of Nairn, the Victorian village of Ballater and the Highlands’ cultural capital Inverness.

In addition there are excursions to the Cairngorms Mountain Visitor Centre, Loch Ness, on the Strathspey Railway, a whisky distillery, and the UK’s only cooperage, where casks and barrels are made. It finishes with a guided tour of Edinburgh.

Head of trade sales Richard Forde said the operator was confident the tour would be popular with agents, particularly given the timing.

He said: “With the King’s coronation approaching, we are seeing lots of interest in tours that have links to the Royals. The Scottish Highlands has been a favourite destination of the family for nearly 200 years and the chance to visit Balmoral is one that really piques people’s curiosity.”

Departures are available in September and October 2023 from £883. Accommodation, travel, attractions and some breakfasts and dinners are included in the price.

It also includes a 10% discount, which is available until May 2 across more than 30 scenery and nature tours offered by the operator for 2023 and 2024.

Tours with savings include the five-day Scottish Highland Railways, down £177 to £708; the eight-day Beautiful Fjords of Western Norway down £126 to £1,143; and the 10-day Canada’s Maple Leaf Trail down £223 to £2016.