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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

Argyll, Mull and Iona

Scottish Highlands and Islands escorted rail tour from Stirling to Glasgow

Illustration of Argyll, Mull and Iona

The Railway Touring Company's Argyll, Mull and Iona is a nine-day escorted holiday through Scotland's Western Highlands and Inner Hebrides. You depart London King's Cross on the Highland Chieftain in First Class, arriving in historic Stirling to begin the tour. From Stirling you travel onward by coach and ferry to Oban, a working port on the Argyll coast, then to the island of Mull. Along the way, a Tour Manager accompanies you on guided visits to Stirling Castle, the ruined Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe, Oban Distillery, and Duart Castle on Mull. Day 7 includes a ferry crossing to the island of Iona to see its ancient Abbey. The journey back to Glasgow follows the scenic West Highland Line, and from Glasgow you return to London on the Avanti Pendolino in First Class. The tour includes eight nights in three- to four-star hotels with breakfast, most meals, all entrance fees and transfers. This itinerary suits travellers who prefer the comfort of guided travel and want to experience Scotland's lochs, islands and castles without managing their own logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one September 2026 departure is currently listed; confirm availability and check for other dates with the operator.
  • From-price covers accommodation, most meals and visits; London travel to King's Cross and return from Euston are your responsibility.
  • Hotels are listed as three- or four-star with no specific names; the operator will confirm the exact properties when booking.

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 1Day 1: Board the Highland Chieftain at London King's Cross and travel First Class along the East Coast Main Line to Stirling with lunch served at your seat.
  • Day 2Day 2: Cruise on the steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine to Stronachlachar, then tour the grounds of Stirling Castle.
  • Day 4Day 4: Visit Oban Distillery for a tasting of this famed Highland whisky.
  • Day 7Day 7: Take a CalMac ferry as a foot passenger to the island of Iona and visit its ancient Abbey.
  • Day 8Day 8: Travel on ScotRail's West Highland Line from Oban through Loch Awe and Loch Lomond to Glasgow Queen Street.

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 rail travel included?
Yes. First Class rail is included on the Highland Chieftain from London King's Cross to Stirling and the Avanti Pendolino from Glasgow Central back to London, plus a ScotRail service train on the West Highland Line. Ferries to Mull and Iona are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the nine days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast daily, seven dinners and five lunches are included. The pack does not detail which days lack lunch.
What is the highest point physically?
A viewpoint of Ben More on the Isle of Mull is included; the itinerary describes this as part of a scenic drive, not a hike to the summit.
When does this tour run?
Currently September 2026 only is listed in the departures.
How many nights do we stay in each location?
Two nights in Stirling, three in Oban, two on the Isle of Mull in Tobermory, and one in Glasgow.

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