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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Edinburgh, Fort William & the West Highlands

Escorted Scottish Highlands rail tour from Edinburgh with the Jacobite Steam Train

Illustration of Edinburgh, Fort William & the West Highlands

Great Rail Journeys runs this seven-day, six-night escorted tour through Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, with a UK Tour Manager accompanying the group throughout. The tour starts and ends in Edinburgh, where travellers have free time to explore before setting off by coach and rail. On day two, the group travels the West Highland Line by train from Glasgow to Fort William, passing Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor, then spends several nights based in the Fort William area. From there, days are built around named excursions rather than long transfers: a cruise on Loch Linnhe below Ben Nevis, a ferry crossing to the Isle of Mull and the port of Tobermory, and a return trip on the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The route back to Edinburgh stops at the Falkirk Wheel. It suits travellers who want the Highlands' rail journeys and scenery handled by a tour manager rather than planned independently.

Price history

Across 3 checks, this price has held at £1,699 every time.

£1,6994 Jul24 Aug

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • The overnight stop after day 2 is sometimes Glencoe rather than Fort William, so which hotel you get (the Isles of Glencoe Hotel or the Kingshouse Hotel) can depend on the departure you book.
  • Solo travellers pay a notable single supplement: the single price is £2,599 against a from-price of £1,699 for the standard twin tour.
  • Only two departures are listed for this tour, in September and October 2026; confirm current availability with Great Rail Journeys.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arriving in Scotland's ancient capital, Edinburgh

    Check in to a centrally located hotel and explore Edinburgh at leisure before meeting the Tour Manager and group for dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William

    The Kelpies and West Highland Line to Fort William

    Coach past the Kelpies sculptures towards Glasgow, then the West Highland Line by rail via Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor to Fort William, with a guest speaker on 'tales of the Road to the Isles'.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Fort William

    Exploring Neptune's Staircase and Loch Linnhe

    Visit Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian Canal, then a cruise on Loch Linnhe seeing Ben Nevis and Black Rock, followed by whisky tasting.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Fort William

    Sailing to the Isle of Mull

    Coach to Oban and ferry to the Isle of Mull, visiting the colourful port of Tobermory before returning by ferry and coach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Fort William

    Across the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train

    Return journey on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, with time in Mallaig.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Edinburgh

    A Scottish farewell in Edinburgh

    Coach back to Edinburgh via the Falkirk Wheel, concluding with a Scottish banquet and entertainment at the Radisson Blu's Great Scots Hall.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7

    Homeward bound

    Checkout after breakfast, free to continue exploring or begin the journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The West Highland Line carries the train past Loch Lomond and wild Rannoch Moor on the way to Fort William.
  • Day 3A cruise on Loch Linnhe takes in views of Ben Nevis, the Caledonian Canal and Black Rock, home to Common and Atlantic Grey seals.
  • Day 4A ferry from Oban crosses to the Isle of Mull, docking at Craignure with views of Duart Castle, before a coach ride to the colourful port of Tobermory.
  • Day 5The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct on its way from Fort William to Mallaig, a fishing port overlooking the Isle of Skye.
  • Day 6The coach back to Edinburgh stops at the Falkirk Wheel, the only rotating boat lift of its kind, connecting the Forth & Clyde and Union canals.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels in Edinburgh and Glencoe, Fort William and Edinburgh
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all rail travel in the price, including the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William and a return trip on the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig, both in Standard Class.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, plus group luggage transfers between hotels in Edinburgh, Glencoe and Fort William.
Which trains are used?
The ScotRail West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William, and the Jacobite Steam Train, which runs the return trip from Fort William to Mallaig across the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
What hotels are used?
The Radisson Blu Edinburgh in Edinburgh, and either the Isles of Glencoe Hotel in Ballachulish or the Kingshouse Hotel in Glencoe, depending on the departure.
When does it run?
The evidence lists two departures, in September and October 2026.
What is not included?
The evidence lists only cancellation and travel insurance as excluded from the price.

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