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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands

Scottish Highlands rail loop from Edinburgh through lochs and castles

Illustration of Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands

Vacations By Rail's nine-day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands tour is an escorted journey through Scotland's most dramatic landscapes. The itinerary begins in Edinburgh with free time to explore the Old Town and Royal Mile, then travels north on the scenic West Highland Line through Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor to Fort William. From there, you sail to the Isle of Mull to tour 13th-century Duart Castle, cruise Loch Linnhe and Loch Ness past mountain peaks and castle ruins, and ride the Jacobite steam train across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig. The Kyle Line carries you from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and Eilean Donan Castle. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, handling logistics and leading excursions. Eight nights are split among 3 and 4-star hotels, with breakfasts and seven dinners included. The tour suits escorted travellers and rail enthusiasts who want guided comfort, scheduled meals, and luggage transfers without planning their own route.

What to know before you look closer

  • On early and late season departures, the Jacobite steam train excursion is replaced by scheduled Scotrail service on the same route
  • In August, the farewell dinner moves to an alternative dining room due to hotel events
  • One reviewer noted the first Edinburgh hotel (Apex Waterloo) was below the standard of other accommodations on the itinerary
  • Flights, airport transfers, and travel insurance are not included in the from-price

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Welcome to Edinburgh

    Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer independently to the hotel to meet the Tour Manager. Free time to explore the Old Town, New Town, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace before dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William area

    The West Highland Line to Fort William

    Rail to Glasgow to join the scenic West Highland Line along Loch Lomond and across Rannoch Moor, passing Corrour, the highest and most remote mainline station in the UK, to Fort William. A guest speaker shares 'tales of the road to the isles' before dinner.

  3. Day 3overnight: Fort William area

    Sailing to the Isle of Mull and touring Duart Castle

    Coach along Loch Linnhe to Oban, then ferry to the Isle of Mull, passing 13th-century Duart Castle. Guided tour of the castle at Craignure, then ferry back to Oban and coach to the hotel.

  4. Day 4overnight: Fort William area

    Neptune's Staircase and a cruise on Loch Linnhe

    Visit Neptune's Staircase, Scotland's longest staircase lock on the Caledonian Canal, then a cruise on Loch Linnhe with live commentary on Ben Nevis, the Caledonian Canal and Black Rock ('Seal Island'). Coach through Glencoe. Whisky tasting after dinner.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Inverness

    A return journey on the iconic Jacobite steam train

    Round trip on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, passing Ben Nevis and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Free time in Mallaig over lunch. Coach to Inverness for the next hotel. (On early/late season departures, the Jacobite excursion is replaced by the scheduled Scotrail service on the same route.)

  6. Day 6overnight: Inverness

    A cruise across legendary Loch Ness

    Transfer to Dochgarroch for a cruise along the Caledonian Canal and across Loch Ness, passing the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Afternoon at leisure in Inverness; no scheduled dinner.

  7. Day 7overnight: Inverness

    The Kyle Line and enchanting Eilean Donan Castle

    Ride the Kyle Line from Inverness past Beauly Firth to Kyle of Lochalsh, with a stop at the Skye Bridge viewpoint. Guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle (self-guided in August), then dinner with Highlands storyteller Willie Cameron.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Edinburgh

    Return to Edinburgh for a fantastic farewell feast

    Rail south through the Cairngorms back to Edinburgh. Check in to the Radisson Blu Hotel and enjoy a farewell Scottish banquet in the Great Scots Hall with traditional entertainment, including piper 'Jim the Piper' and dancers. (In August, due to other hotel events, dinner is held in another dining room.)

  9. Day 9

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, make your own way independently to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel the scenic West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William, passing Loch Lomond and crossing Rannoch Moor to Corrour, the highest and most remote mainline station in the UK
  • Day 5Ride the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of Ben Nevis, then free time in the fishing village of Mallaig
  • Day 6Cruise the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, passing the ruins of Urquhart Castle
  • Day 7Ride the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, then tour Eilean Donan Castle with a Highlands storyteller at dinner

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel on local rail networks
  • 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 tour excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is all rail and transport travel included?
Yes. Vacations By Rail includes standard class rail travel on the West Highland Line, Kyle Line, and Jacobite Steam Train, plus all ferry, coach, and cruise travel throughout the tour. Flights and airport transfers are not included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager from Vacations By Rail accompanies the group from the start of the tour through departure, providing guidance and managing all scheduled excursions.
What are the main train journeys?
The West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William passing Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor, the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig via the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included each day. Seven dinners are included; one evening (Day 6 in Inverness) is at leisure with no scheduled dinner. Lunches are not mentioned as included.
What is the hotel standard?
Eight nights in a mix of 3 and 4-star hotels, including the Apex Waterloo Place Hotel and Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh, and properties in Fort William, Glencoe, and Inverness areas.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating 2, which includes city walking tours, guided castle visits, and navigation between rail stations with coach support and luggage transfers between hotels.

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