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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

Argyll, Mull and Iona

Scottish Highlands and Islands by First Class train, coach, and ferry.

Illustration of Argyll, Mull and Iona

The Railway Touring Company's Argyll, Mull and Iona is a 9-day escorted holiday that combines First Class rail travel with exploration of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. The journey begins at London King's Cross aboard the Highland Chieftain, arriving in historic Stirling for two nights of castle visits and a steam cruise on Loch Katrine. From there, the tour moves to Oban on the west coast for three nights, with days spent driving through the Western Highlands past Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle, visiting a hydroelectric visitor centre, and touring a whisky distillery. The tour then ferries to the Isle of Mull for two nights in Tobermory, visiting Duart Castle and taking a foot passenger ferry to Iona and its ancient Abbey. The return journey crosses the West Highland Line by ScotRail train from Oban to Glasgow, passing Loch Lomond. A night in Glasgow precedes the late-morning Avanti Pendolino First Class train back to London. The pace is relaxed, with free time built in to explore coastal towns and enjoy the lochs and mountains.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed for June 2026; confirm availability well in advance.
  • The hotel names and specific accommodation grades are not published; final choices depend on the operator's 3 or 4-star selection.
  • Day 9 features free time in Glasgow before the afternoon train to London; you depart the tour in the late morning.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Stirling

    London to Stirling on the 'Highland Chieftain'

    Join the 'Highland Chieftain' at London's Kings Cross for the journey to Scotland along the East Coast Main Line, with a light lunch served at your seat travelling First Class, via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh to historic Stirling. Welcome dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2overnight: Stirling

    Steam cruise on Loch Katrine and Stirling Castle

    Transfer by coach to Loch Katrine for a lake cruise on steamship 'Sir Walter Scott' to Stronachlachar, with lunch at the restaurant there, followed by a guided tour of Stirling Castle grounds and free time in Stirling.

  3. Day 3overnight: Oban

    Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe and Cruachan Hydroelectric Power Station

    A scenic drive through the Western Highlands towards Oban, visiting the ruined 15th century Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe and the Cruachan visitor centre for lunch and an exhibition on the hydroelectric power station within the mountain. Continue to Oban.

  4. Day 4overnight: Oban

    At leisure in Oban and distillery visit

    A leisurely morning to explore the seaside port of Oban, followed by an afternoon visit to the famed Oban distillery for a tasting.

  5. Day 5overnight: Oban

    Loch Crerar, Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker

    A scenic drive along the coastline of northern Argyll passing Loch Etive, Loch Crerar and Loch Linnhe, with a lunch break at Port Appin and a visit to Portnacroish for views of Castle Stalker.

  6. Day 6overnight: Tobermory, Isle of Mull

    Isle of Mull and Duart Castle

    Morning ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull, visiting Duart Castle for lunch at the tearooms, then along the eastern shoreline of Mull to the hotel in Tobermory.

  7. Day 7overnight: Tobermory, Isle of Mull

    Ben More and Iona

    A scenic drive through Mull with a viewpoint of Ben More, then a CalMac ferry as a foot passenger from Fionnphort to the island of Iona and its ancient Abbey, before returning to Tobermory.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Glasgow

    West Highland Main Line to Glasgow

    Ferry from Craignure to Oban, then a ScotRail service train over the West Highland Line via Loch Awe and Loch Lomond to Glasgow Queen Street, with the evening at leisure in Glasgow.

  9. Day 9

    At leisure in Glasgow and return to London

    Free time in Glasgow before boarding a late morning Avanti Pendolino First Class service from Glasgow Central back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Board the Highland Chieftain at London King's Cross and travel First Class along the East Coast Main Line to Stirling via York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh.
  • Day 2Steam cruise on the steamship 'Sir Walter Scott' across Loch Katrine, then a guided tour of Stirling Castle grounds.
  • Day 6Morning ferry from Oban to Craignure and visit to Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull.
  • Day 7CalMac ferry as a foot passenger from Fionnphort to Iona and its ancient Abbey.
  • Day 8Travel by ScotRail service train over the West Highland Line from Oban to Glasgow Queen Street, passing Loch Awe and Loch Lomond.

Included

  • 8 Nights accommodation with breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels
  • 5 Lunches
  • 7 Dinners
  • First Class train travel between London King's Cross and Stirling and Glasgow Central and London Euston
  • All visits as detailed on the itinerary
  • All seat reservations and coach transfers
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail from London King's Cross to Stirling on the Highland Chieftain and from Glasgow Central to London Euston on the Avanti Pendolino are included, as well as the ScotRail service from Oban to Glasgow on Day 8. All seat reservations are booked.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the 9 days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners. Light lunch is served on the Highland Chieftain on Day 1.
What is the daily structure?
Days vary: some include guided visits (Stirling Castle, Duart Castle, Iona Abbey, Oban distillery, Cruachan visitor centre), others are at leisure (Day 4 morning and afternoon free time in Oban; Day 9 free time in Glasgow before departure).
Which islands and castles are visited?
The Isle of Mull (Days 6-7), Iona (Day 7), and castles at Stirling, Kilchurn, and Duart. Iona Abbey is visited by ferry.
How much walking is involved?
City walks in Stirling, Oban, and Glasgow; guided tour of Stirling Castle grounds; visits to Duart Castle tearooms and Iona Abbey. Ferry journeys include a foot passenger crossing to Iona.

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