How much does it cost?

From £3,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,402 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes, First Class rail from your home station to Inverness and return is included.

Is this tour escorted?

Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.

What vessel do we cruise on?

The Lord of the Glens, described as a luxurious vessel with a classic, timeless style, sailing the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Oban.

7 nights of bed, breakfast, and evening meal plus 5 lunches, full board on the cruise, and First Class rail where available.

What is not included?

Drinks, gratuities, and travel insurance.

One departure is listed, in September 2027, priced from £3,999 per person.

Railtrail Tours · Rail & Cruise Tour

Caledonian & Great Glen Explorer 2027

First Class rail and canal cruise from Inverness to Oban

Railtrail Tours runs this 8-day rail and cruise tour from your home station to Inverness and back, with First Class rail travel included both ways. After one night at the Kingsmills Hotel, the group boards the Lord of the Glens for six nights, sailing the Caledonian Canal through Loch Ness, past Urquhart Castle, and down Neptune's Staircase, a flight of eight interconnected locks. Day 4 also visits the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The route continues to Tobermory on Mull, the Isle of Iona's medieval abbey, and Duart Castle before a guided walk up to McCaig's Tower in Oban on day 7. An experienced Railtrail Tour Manager travels with the group throughout, and full board is included on the ship. This small-group, First Class trip suits travellers who want Highland history and scenery without changing hotels each night, at a comfort level the operator itself calls luxurious.

What to know before you look closer

Only one departure is currently listed, for September 2027.
Drinks, gratuities, and travel insurance are not included in the price.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness
Home Station to Inverness
Journey in First Class from your home station to Inverness and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Kingsmills Hotel for our overnight stay. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.
Day 2overnight: Lord of the Glens, Inverness
Embark the Lord of the Glens
This morning, we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and free time in Inverness before our private transfer takes us to embark on the Lord of the Glens, a luxurious vessel that embraces a classic and timeless style. After settling into our cabins, we enjoy a welcome reception and dinner whilst remaining berthed in the city.
Day 3overnight: Fort Augustus
Culloden & Fort Augustus
After breakfast this morning, we visit Culloden, the infamous battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite forces were defeated and explore the ancient standing stones of Clava Cairns. We set sail this afternoon on the Caledonian Canal entering Loch Ness and passing the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle before ascending the impressive flight of locks that runs through the heart of the scenic and historic of Fort Augustus, where we remain overnight.
Day 4overnight: Corpach
Neptune's Staircase & Glenfinnan
Today, we will continue along the canal through Loch Oich, ascending to 106 feet at Laggan Locks and onwards through picturesque Loch Lochy, before descending Neptune's Staircase, a dramatic flight of eight interconnected locks. After lunch, we visit the renowned Glenfinnan Viaduct, surrounded by mountains with our overnight mooring in Corpach.
Day 5overnight: Tobermory
Tobermory
Today, we sail on Loch Linnhe, passing mysterious lochs and islands until we reach our destination of Tobermory where brightly painted houses adorn the waterfront, and we enjoy free time to explore as we remain berthed overnight.
Day 6overnight: Lord of the Glens, Mull
Isle of Iona
This morning, we sail to Craignure on Mull for a visit to the Isle of Iona, the last resting place of some 50 Scottish Kings and where St. Columba introduced Christianity to Scotland. We enjoy time to discover the restored medieval abbey, beautiful beaches, and fantastic wildlife before returning to the Lord of the Glens for our evening meal.
Day 7overnight: Oban
Duart Castle & Oban
After breakfast, we will visit Duart Castle which has dominated the view to the Sound of Mull and Loch Linnhe for over 700 years before sailing to our final destination of Oban, the seafood capital of the highlands. We enjoy a guided walk up to McCaig's Tower (inspired by the Roman Colosseum) where we will enjoy spectacular views of the Hebrides. This evening, we berth in Oban overnight and enjoy our final evening meal aboard the Lord of the Glens.
Day 8
Homeward Journey
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Oban and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 3The tour visits Culloden, the battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite forces were defeated, and Clava Cairns, then sails into Loch Ness past the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
Day 4The Lord of the Glens descends Neptune's Staircase, a flight of eight interconnected locks, before the group visits the Glenfinnan Viaduct, surrounded by mountains.
Day 6A visit to the Isle of Iona, resting place of some 50 Scottish kings, includes the restored medieval abbey and its beaches.
Day 7After visiting Duart Castle, which has overlooked the Sound of Mull for over 700 years, the group takes a guided walk up to McCaig's Tower in Oban for views of the Hebrides.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 5 lunches
Full Board accommodation on the cruise
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
First Class rail throughout, where available

Not included

Drinks
Gratuities
Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $5,402 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes, First Class rail from your home station to Inverness and return is included.
Is this tour escorted?: Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.
What vessel do we cruise on?: The Lord of the Glens, described as a luxurious vessel with a classic, timeless style, sailing the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Oban.
What is included?: 7 nights of bed, breakfast, and evening meal plus 5 lunches, full board on the cruise, and First Class rail where available.
What is not included?: Drinks, gratuities, and travel insurance.
When does it depart?: One departure is listed, in September 2027, priced from £3,999 per person.