Brigadoon Highlander

Canberra to Bundanoon – 17 April 2010
Depart 7.05am, a day at the Highland Games, return 8.40pm

If there's some Scottish blood in your veins, it's time you travelled with us to the 33rd Highland Games at Bundanoon.

This event has accumulated many commendations for excellence, and is attended by 20,000 people annually.

Leave your car and cares behind and see such traditional (and not so traditional) events as the caber toss, shot-put and haggis hurling, culminating in the Brigadoon Heavy Challenge. A great day of good-natured spectacle and fun, even enjoyed by many who could not claim any Scottish connection.

Alternatively, spend time browsing around the shops in the pretty village of Bundanoon. You could take a pleasant stroll or hire a bicycle and visit the Morton National Park, a short distance from the village. Have lunch at the authentic country pub, a café or bring a picnic to enjoy in the national park.

If either of the above options appeals to you, why not join us? Last year's train from Canberra was booked out and passenger feedback was enthusiastic. In response to a number of requests from repeat passengers for a shorter day out, the return trip leaves Bundanoon in time to get us back to Canberra by 8.40pm, with optional dinner on board to cap off a superb day!

Departure is from Canberra at 7.05am, Queanbeyan at 7.20am and Bungendore at 8.15am. A continental breakfast with tea/coffee is available for $14. A fully-licensed bar is also on board for your purchase of beverages throughout the journey.

Bundanoon is Brigadoon

Your train will arrive in Bundanoon at 10.45am (actually, the railway station is renamed Brigadoon for the day!), and it's an easy 10 minute stroll to the Bundanoon Oval for the Games. Your fare includes admission to the Games unless you have chosen the alternative free day at Bundanoon.

The formal events commence at 11am. A courtesy bus operates from the centre of Bundanoon to the oval for those requiring assistance. The oval is alcohol free and there are in excess of 140 variety stalls, consisting of arts and crafts, souvenirs, Scottish food and goods and every type of food stall imaginable. There are also Scottish clan information tents on site for those who wish to trace their heritage.

The grounds are well served with seats overlooking the arena, places to picnic, tables and chairs, and toilet facilities. There is an adjacent licensed club for adults.

Throughout the day in the main arena there are pipe band displays. The feature event of the afternoon will be David Huxley's "Tartan Warriors" lifting the Bundanoon Stones of Manhood. This is an awesome spectacle of speed, strength and agility by some of the strongest young men in the land.

Passengers will need to leave the oval at 4:45pm in order to catch their train leaving Bundanoon Station at 5:10pm. Our train is expected to provide all at the oval with a stirring reminder whistle at 5pm as it arrives from Moss Vale.

Your journey home

Your train picks up at Bundanoon at 5:10pm and is due back in Bungendore at 7:25pm, Queanbeyan at 8:20pm and Canberra at 8.40pm. Dinner (a pre-ordered two-course meal of main and dessert, with tea or coffee) is available on board for only $18 per person but must be ordered with your seat booking. Please let us know when booking about any special dietary needs so that we can cater for you.

All passengers will enjoy reserved seating in our comfortable sitting cars, and there will be a dining car attached. You will be provided with tour notes on the day.

Breakfast and dinner need to be pre-ordered. Passengers enjoying the Highland Games will be able to purchase lunch from one of the many outlets at Brigadoon on the day, or simply take a picnic. We suggest you take a small mat or chair if the weather is damp.

Light and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase with on-train meals and at other times from the bar.

Fares & making a booking

If you would like to be part of this great day, the main thing is to book early. Last year, the train was fully booked.

An alternative: If you would like a brochure which has the same information as this website page, we will be happy to mail one to you.

Conditions of travel

All bookings will be acknowledged immediately by letter, accompanied by a receipt for payment. Seat allocations are usually made a fortnight prior to the trip. These allocations, plus final timetable details, will be advised in a letter forwarded to the address shown on the booking form at least seven to ten days prior to date of travel, or immediately if booked within that time period.

ARHS (ACT Division) makes every endeavour to ensure that tours operate as advertised. Unfortunately, this may not be possible owing to unforeseen circumstances such as mechanical failures. In such events we reserve the right to make whatever changes are necessary, without compensation.

However, any changes made will only be after we have exhausted all reasonable efforts to provide the tour as advertised. Trains and tour options will operate subject to sufficient demand.

Times shown on brochures are subject to approval of the relevant authorities and could differ on the day. As mentioned above, final times will be advised by mail. Refunds will not be given for change of destination or last minute variations to timetables caused by events outside the control of ARHS (ACT Division).

To secure a booking, fares must be paid in full a week before the trip (that is, by 9th april 2010).

In common with most operators, ARHS (ACT Division) Inc reserves the right to apply the following cancellation fees:

• deposited or fully paid bookings cancelled prior to the full payment deadline above - $10
• bookings cancelled seven days or less prior to date of travel, or no-show - no refund.

Requests for cancellation must be made to ARHS (ACT Division) in writing before any refund will be made.

No smoking is permitted on board, and passengers may only board or alight from the train at the platforms provided. Passengers placing themselves or others at risk of injury will be asked to leave the train at the next available stop.

Feel free to contact us at any time if you have any queries. We look forward to making your journey a pleasant one.

Picture credits: Band leader - Bundanoon Highland Gathering Committee.