Trip vs trip
Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands vs Grand Taste of The Highlands, Northbound
Two ways to do a similar journey. Every number below is from the operators' own published details, verified on the dates shown on each trip page.
| Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands Authentic Europe | Grand Taste of The Highlands, Northbound Belmond | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 8 days | 6 days |
| From price | $2,469 | $24,573 |
| Price per day | $309 | $4,096 |
| Rail share | 25% | 100% |
| Pace | fast | fast |
| Comfort | luxury | |
| Guiding | Self-guided (self-drive) | Train Manager throughout, with local guides and hosts (including broadcaster Ghillie Basan) for excursions |
| Countries | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Named trains | Royal Scotsman | |
| Nights on board | no | yes |
Which one, honestly
- For value: Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands costs the least per day here: $309 against $4,096 (Grand Taste of The Highlands, Northbound).
- For time on the train: Grand Taste of The Highlands, Northbound spends the most of the trip on rails: 100% rail share, against 25% (Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands).
- For support level: Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands and Grand Taste of The Highlands, Northbound are escorted; Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands runs independently, so you set the daily plan.
Edinburgh & the Scottish Highlands: worth knowing
- This is mainly a self-drive tour, not a rail tour: only two of the eight days, the Edinburgh to Inverness legs, are by train; the four days through the Highlands are by rental car.
- The evidence names only one hotel, Market Street Hotel, for a trip with seven different overnight stops; no hotel is specified for the other six nights.
- The included car is a manual-transmission SUV; GPS, automatic transmission, and excess protection are optional daily supplements that must be requested at the time of booking.
Grand Taste of The Highlands, Northbound: worth knowing
- The evidence lists no current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm scheduling and availability directly with Belmond.
- On day 3 in Edinburgh, the guided lunch at Brasserie Prince has a free-time alternative, so part of that day is unguided if you choose it.
- The day 4 hike through Nevis Gorge is described as moderate-grade and calls for a reasonable level of fitness; the alternative Glenfinnan tour suits those who prefer less exertion.