Great Rail Journeys
Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands
Escorted 9-day Scotland tour on four named rail lines from Edinburgh
9 daysfrom $3,204
44% rail
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands
Travel on the Kyle Line and the West Highland Railroad on Vacations By Rail
Day by day
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.)
- Day 9
Homeward bound
After breakfast, make your own way independently to the airport for your flight home.
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
