Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands

Escorted 9-day Scotland tour on four named rail lines from Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands, a rail journey with Great Rail Journeys

Great Rail Journeys operates this nine-day, eight-night escorted tour of Scotland, starting and ending in Edinburgh with a UK Tour Manager travelling throughout. After a first day exploring Edinburgh independently, the group rides the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William, passing Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and the remote Corrour station, then spends several nights based there for excursions to the Isle of Mull, Duart Castle and Neptune's Staircase. A return trip on the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct leads on to several nights in Inverness, with a Loch Ness cruise past Urquhart Castle and a ride on the Kyle Line to Eilean Donan Castle. The last rail leg crosses the Cairngorms back to Edinburgh for a farewell Scottish banquet. Four named rail journeys and a settled, two-base structure suit travellers who want Scotland's Highlands covered by train rather than long coach transfers, with a tour manager handling the logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • On early departures dated 12th, 15th, 19th, 22nd and 26th March, the Jacobite Steam Train is replaced by the scheduled ScotRail service instead.
  • Day 6 has no scheduled dinner; you explore Inverness's pubs and restaurants independently that evening.
  • The Fort William area overnight is at one of several possible hotels, including the Isles of Glencoe Hotel, the Kingshouse Hotel or the Glenspean Lodge Hotel, so which one you get depends on the departure.
  • Solo travellers pay a single supplement of about £900: the single price is £3,299 against a from-price of £2,399 for the standard twin tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Welcome to Edinburgh

    Your holiday begins in Edinburgh where you can check into the hotel this afternoon, meeting the Tour Manager just before dinner. Explore Scotland's capital independently before meeting up. The heart of this impressive city is a UNESCO World Heritage site, from the historic Old Town to the Georgian streets of the New Town. Sights include Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill, the National Monument of Scotland, National Museums, and the statue of Greyfriars Bobby. After meeting the Tour Manager, dinner is served at the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William

    The West Highland Line to Fort William

    Leaving Edinburgh after breakfast, travel by rail to Glasgow to join the scenic West Highland Line. The journey passes along the shores of Loch Lomond, across wild Rannoch Moor, and through Corrour station, the highest and most remote mainline station in the UK. On arrival in Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, transfer to the hotel. Before dinner, a guest speaker entertains with 'tales of the road to the isles'. Note: For the 4th June departure, the hotel is The Ballachulish Hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Fort William

    Sailing to the Isle of Mull and touring Duart Castle

    Travel by coach along the shore of Loch Linnhe to the port of Oban, then catch the ferry to the Isle of Mull, the second-largest island of the Inner Hebrides. Sail past small islands with views of rugged coastline and jagged rock faces. Dock at Craignure and transfer by coach to Duart Castle, believed to have been built by Clan MacDougall and later owned by Clan MacLean. After a fully guided tour, lunch independently in the café. Return by ferry to Oban and by coach to the hotel. Note: March and late October departures may visit Tobermory instead of Duart Castle.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Fort William

    Neptune's Staircase and a cruise on Loch Linnhe

    Visit Neptune's Staircase at the southern end of the Caledonian Canal, the longest staircase lock in Scotland, allowing vessels to overcome 64 feet in one-and-a-half hours. Continue to Loch Linnhe for a peaceful cruise with live commentary about Ben Nevis, the Caledonian Canal and Black Rock (Seal Island). A coach then travels through Glencoe, a dramatic landscape featured in films including Braveheart and Skyfall. Back at the hotel, dinner is followed by a traditional whisky tasting. Note: For departures 17th May, 12th July and 6th September, Day 4 operates in reverse.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Inverness

    A return journey on the iconic Jacobite steam train

    Board the vintage carriages of the Jacobite steam train for a return journey from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the famous curved Glenfinnan Viaduct. Pass Ben Nevis, spot red deer, and enjoy free time in Mallaig over lunch. Return to Fort William then travel by coach to Inverness. Note: On early departures 12th, 15th, 19th, 22nd and 26th March, the Jacobite is replaced by the scheduled ScotRail service. On 10th April, 7th June, 6th, 20th and 24th September departures, the Jacobite is replaced by ScotRail and the West Highland Museum is visited. On 12th April, 17th & 31st May, 21st & 25th June and 13th September departures, travel is one way on the Jacobite.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Inverness

    A cruise across legendary Loch Ness

    Transfer to Dochgarroch for a scenic cruise along the Caledonian Canal and across vast Loch Ness, passing the atmospheric ruins of 13th-century Urquhart Castle. The rest of the day is at leisure in Inverness, enjoy a riverside stroll or visit Inverness Castle, associated with King Mac Bethad mac Findláech (Shakespeare's Macbeth). No scheduled dinner tonight; explore the city's pubs and restaurants independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  7. Day 7railovernight: Inverness

    The Kyle Line and enchanting Eilean Donan Castle

    Ride the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, passing Beauly Firth, lochs, wild landscapes, cascading waterfalls and undulating hills. Stop at the Skye Bridge viewpoint for views of the Isle of Skye. Enjoy a guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle, perched on a tiny island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. Return to the hotel by coach. After dinner, hear tales of myth, legend and monsters from Highland storyteller Willie Cameron ('Mr Loch Ness'). Note: In August, tours of Eilean Donan Castle will be self-guided. On the 9th April departure, a return journey on the Strathspey Railway replaces the Eilean Donan Castle visit.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Edinburgh

    Return to Edinburgh for a fantastic farewell feast

    Say goodbye to Inverness and head back to Edinburgh by rail, travelling south through the Cairngorms with views of mountain peaks, winding rivers and rushing waterfalls. Check into the hotel in Edinburgh, then enjoy a Scottish banquet in the Radisson Blu's Great Scots Hall, featuring traditional furnishings, latticed sandstone ceiling, painted panels and an open fire. Entertainment includes 'Jim the Piper' and a dancer. Note: In August, dinner may be held in another dining room of the hotel due to other events.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, the adventure in Scotland comes to an end. Free to make your way home or continue exploring Edinburgh independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The West Highland Line passes Loch Lomond and wild Rannoch Moor, stopping at Corrour, the highest and most remote mainline station in the UK.
  • Day 5The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct on a return trip from Fort William to Mallaig, with views of Ben Nevis along the way.
  • Day 6A cruise crosses Loch Ness, passing the 13th-century ruins of Urquhart Castle.
  • Day 7The Kyle Line runs from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh past Beauly Firth and the Skye Bridge viewpoint, followed by a guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle.
  • Day 8The rail journey back to Edinburgh crosses the Cairngorms, with views of mountain peaks, rivers and waterfalls.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 7 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Edinburgh to Fort William, Inverness to 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, covering the West Highland Line, the Jacobite Steam Train, the Kyle Line and the Cairngorms rail route, all in Standard Class.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's an escorted tour with a UK Tour Manager throughout, plus group luggage transfers between hotels in Edinburgh, Fort William and Inverness.
Which trains are used?
The West Highland Line (Glasgow to Fort William), the Jacobite Steam Train (Fort William to Mallaig, return), the Kyle Line (Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh) and ScotRail services, including the return leg through the Cairngorms.
What hotels are used?
The Apex Waterloo Place Hotel or Radisson Blu Edinburgh in Edinburgh, one of the Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Kingshouse Hotel or Glenspean Lodge Hotel near Fort William, and the Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness.
When does it run?
The evidence lists 9 departures spread across March to October, in 2026 and 2027.
What is not included?
The evidence lists only cancellation and travel insurance as excluded; note that dinner is not scheduled on day 6 in Inverness.

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