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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

Arran and Kintyre

Seven-day escorted rail and ferry tour of Scotland's Arran and Kintyre

Illustration of Arran and Kintyre

The Railway Touring Company's Arran and Kintyre holiday is a 7-day escorted journey through western Scotland combining First Class rail travel from London with island and peninsula exploration. The trip begins with an Avanti Pendolino departure from London Euston, a transfer to Glasgow, and a CalMac ferry across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran. Three nights at the Auchrannie Resort Hotel in Brodick serve as a base for exploring Arran's varied landscape, from Brodick Castle and its gardens to the Standing Stones at Machrie Moor and the falls of Glenashdale. On Day 4, another ferry carries the group from Lochranza to Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula. Three nights at the Royal Hotel in Campbeltown provide access to remote Davaar Island, the Mull of Kintyre, and Springbank distillery. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all rail, ferry, coach travel, accommodation with breakfast, most meals, and entrance fees are included. The pace is relaxed, with full-day coach tours alternating with leisurely days, making it suitable for couples and those preferring guided travel with settled hotel stays.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure currently listed, in June 2026; confirm availability and dates with The Railway Touring Company before booking.
  • From-price of GBP 1,695 per person covers the package; single supplement not stated in the evidence.
  • Day 3 is described as relaxed with no specific activities scheduled beyond coach stops; confirmation of exact sites and timing is advisable.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Brodick, Isle of Arran

    London to Brodick, on Arran

    First-Class lounge departure from London Euston on an Avanti Pendolino to Glasgow Central, interchange onto a ScotRail service, then the CalMac ferry to Brodick, Arran's principal town. Check into the Auchrannie Resort Hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2overnight: Brodick, Isle of Arran

    Brodick Castle and gardens; Goatfell and a scenic drive up North

    Time to look around Brodick before a visit to Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park, then a coach trip along the east and north coasts of the island with stops for bird watching and photography.

  3. Day 3overnight: Brodick, Isle of Arran

    Nature and scenery of southern and central Arran

    A relaxed tour of the south of Arran with stops at Whiting Bay, the village of Kildonan, Glenashdale Falls and the Standing Stones at Machrie Moor.

  4. Day 4overnight: Campbeltown, Kintyre

    Western Arran and on to Kintyre

    A coach drive through Arran with views of Lochranza Castle, then the CalMac ferry to Claonaig on Kintyre, a stop for seafood at Skipness, and on to the Royal Hotel in Campbeltown.

  5. Day 5overnight: Campbeltown, Kintyre

    Davaar Island, Dunaverty Beach, Mull of Kintyre & Springbank Distillery

    Exploring the southern tip of Kintyre, including Davaar Island, Dunaverty Beach and the Mull of Kintyre, followed by a guided tour and tasting at the family-owned Springbank distillery.

  6. Day 6overnight: Campbeltown, Kintyre

    Leisure in Campbeltown and Machrihanish Dunes

    A relaxed morning at leisure in Campbeltown, followed by an afternoon visit to the sandy Machrihanish Dunes on the western coast of Kintyre.

  7. Day 7rail

    Return to London

    Transfer by coach to Glasgow Central, then First Class travel on an Avanti Pendolino train back to London.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1First Class departure from London Euston on the Avanti Pendolino, then ScotRail to Glasgow and CalMac ferry to Brodick.
  • Day 2Visit to Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park followed by a coach drive along Arran's north coast with stops for bird watching.
  • Day 3Coach tour of southern Arran including Glenashdale Falls and the Neolithic Standing Stones at Machrie Moor.
  • Day 4CalMac ferry from Lochranza to Claonaig on Kintyre; seafood stop at Skipness and arrival in Campbeltown.
  • Day 5Exploration of the Mull of Kintyre and Davaar Island, followed by a guided tour and tasting at Springbank distillery.

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels
  • 1 lunch
  • 6 dinners
  • All rail, bus and boat journeys as detailed in the itinerary
  • All visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • Rail travel from London to Ardrossan Harbour and return
  • All seat reservations and transfers
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class travel on the Avanti Pendolino from London Euston to Glasgow and return, plus ScotRail to Ardrossan Harbour and CalMac ferries to Arran and Kintyre. All rail, bus and boat journeys are included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the 7 days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily at both hotels. One lunch and six dinners are included; Day 4 includes a seafood stop at Skipness.
Which hotels?
Three nights at the Auchrannie Resort Hotel in Brodick, Isle of Arran; three nights at the Royal Hotel in Campbeltown, Kintyre.
What visits are included?
Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park; Glenashdale Falls and Standing Stones at Machrie Moor; Davaar Island and the Mull of Kintyre; guided tour and tasting at Springbank distillery in Campbeltown.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is coach-based with stops for sightseeing and walking around castle grounds, villages, and natural sites. Days are relaxed with no strenuous hiking described.

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