Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Scotland by Train

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

How Does It Work?

Accommodation & Prices

Overview

Train Holidays

10 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1650 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Travelpasses included

Highlights

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland’s ancient capital city and a hub for culture and creativity. Attractions include historic Edinburgh Castle, the picturesque Royal Mile and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the home of Scottish royal history.

Jacobite Steam Train

The Jacobite Steam Train, regarded as one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World. Follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter on the Hogwarts Express.

Glenfinnan Viaduct

Journey across the magical Glenfinnan Viaduct with its stunning views down Loch Shiel – one of the most famous pieces of railway infrastructure in the world!

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is popular for its stunning and dramatic volcanic scenery, including the Cuillin Mountain Range, the iconic Storr and spectacular Quiraing. Portree is its colourful capital.

Glasgow

Glasgow enjoys a year-round buzz that visitors love, with world-renowned museums and art galleries, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, fabulous shopping and outstanding wining and dining.

Inverness & Loch Ness

Situated at the edge of the Great Glen, Inverness is known as the Capital of the Highlands. Nearby you will find Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising, and Loch Ness shrouded in mystery.

A Magical Railway Journey Through the Scottish Highlands

Leave the car behind and enjoy a wonderful independent holiday in Scotland, travelling by trains, buses and ferries, through breathtaking scenery.

Our Scotland by Train itinerary is an environmentally-friendly way to experience the Scottish Highlands. As well as helping to reduce your carbon footprint, this package is also perfect for those overseas visitors who do not wish to drive on the other side of the road.

Depart Glasgow on the West Highland Line, past the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and across the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor as you travel comfortably into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Your first stop will be the bustling highland town of Fort William, nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis – the UK’s highest mountain.

Journey aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, across the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct which features in the Harry Potter films. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of heather-clad mountains and mysterious lochs on your way to the pretty harbour of Mallaig. From here, you will take the ferry over the sea to the Isle Skye. Enjoy a scenic tour around this picturesque and mythical island or relax in colourful Portree before hopping on the Kyle Line towards the capital of the Highlands.

Sit back and relax as you travel along the shores of Loch Carron towards one of Europe’s last great wildernesses, heading eastward over the Beauly Firth to Inverness. Explore Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, or spend the day in a unique personal tour of the Highlands.

From Inverness, hop on the Highland Main Line across the Cairngorms National Park towards beautiful Highland Perthshire. Breathe in the scent of lush forests and fresh rivers and explore the Victorian Spa town of Pitlochry. Your Scotland by Train journey culminates in Edinburgh. Wander through narrow cobblestone alleys and enjoy the majestic architectural landscape of Scotland’s ancient capital city.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Whilst our suggested itinerary begins in Glasgow, it is also available to start from Edinburgh.

Day 1: Glasgow to Fort William

Travel north from Glasgow (with a connection also possible from Edinburgh) by train on the West Highland Line. A wonderfully scenic journey takes you past Loch Lomond and over the wilderness of Rannoch Moor and into the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Your destination is on the western sea-board at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
Overnight – Fort William

Day 2: Fort William Sightseeing

There is plenty to explore on your first day in the Highlands. Perhaps you could sample the local whisky at Ben Nevis Distillery – one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, or take to the water with a boat cruise on Loch Linnhe. If the weather is favourable, you are surrounded by beautiful and varied hiking trails. For spectacular views, visit the Nevis Range by taking a trip on Britain’s only mountain gondola system.
Overnight – Fort William

Day 3: Fort William to the Isle of Skye

Travel on the Jacobite Steam Train, regarded as one of the Great Railway Journeys of the World, from Fort William to Mallaig. Your journey will take you past Britain’s highest mountain, deepest loch, shortest river and most westerly train station. The train stops at the village of Glenfinnan after crossing the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (as featured in the Harry Potter films) with its stunning views down Loch Shiel.

Your journey then continues over the sea to the Isle of Skye. The short sailing across the Sound of Sleat provides wonderful views of Skye and back across to the West Coast. Connect with a private transfer to Portree, the island’s capital.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 4: Isle of Skye Sightseeing

A full day on Skye to visit romantic Dunvegan Castle, sample some fine island whiskies at Talisker Distillery, enjoy a great day’s walking in the mountains, or climb aboard a fabulous cruise which will take you into the heart of the Cuillin Mountains.
Overnight – Isle of Skye

Day 5: Isle of Skye to Inverness

Depart Skye by private transfer where your route takes you across the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh. Your train journey continues here and you will enjoy a spectacularly scenic trip across Scotland to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands.
Overnight – Inverness

Day 6: Inverness Sightseeing

A full day to explore Inverness, visit 14th century Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield where in 1746 the last battle took place on British soil, or travel into Speyside and tour the Malt Whisky Trail. You may wish to go in search of Nessie by taking a cruise on brooding Loch Ness and visiting Urquhart Castle.
Overnight – Inverness

Day 7: Inverness to Highland Perthshire

Travel from the Highlands to the Lowlands into beautiful Highland Perthshire. Your journey takes you through the Cairngorms National Park and past Dalwhinnie Distillery to the pretty Victorian spa town of Pitlochry.
Overnight – Pitlochry

Day 8: Highland Perthshire Sightseeing

Visit Edradour Distillery, Scotland’s smallest and most beautiful Distillery. Explore this picturesque Highland town and attend a performance at the internationally renowned Festival Theatre or visit nearby Blair Castle.
Overnight – Pitlochry

Day 9: Highland Perthshire to Edinburgh

Scotland’s majestic capital is your final destination. Edinburgh is a great place to wander – narrow alleys, flights of stairs and hidden courtyards tempt you off the main streets at every turn, and for one of the most spectacular views of any city in the world just take a walk up Arthur’s Seat.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 10: Edinburgh Sightseeing

Enjoy a City Sightseeing Bus Tour and a visit to majestic Edinburgh Castle. Sample a dram at the Scotch Whisky Experience and take a walk through Princes Street Gardens to enjoy the fine views of the Castle high above.
Overnight – Edinburgh

Day 11: Depart Edinburgh

After breakfast your unforgettable holiday in Scotland will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 10 nights including traditional Scottish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of Scotland with our recommended route
Travelpasses covering all rail and bus journeys as per this itinerary
All private transfers as required per this itinerary
First-class tickets for the world-famous Jacobite Steam Train
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals
Ferry travel

How Does It Work?

Our Scotland by Train packages include a flexible rover ticket, which covers all train and bus journeys as per your itinerary.

You won’t have to worry about buying a ticket at the station, as a travel pass gives you the complete freedom and flexibility to travel all over Scotland without booking in advance.

Total flexibility on off-peak services – you choose when to travel
Hop on-hop off as much as you like
Free seat reservations available on railway services

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

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