Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Edinburgh, the Jacobite & Isle of Skye

Edinburgh, the Jacobite & Isle of Skye, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Scotland's most enticing destinations beckon on this 9-day journey featuring time in Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye and a trip aboard the Jacobite Steam Train.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arrive Edinburgh

    Arrive in Edinburgh and transfer independently to the Hotel Indigo for a two-night stay. Free time to begin exploring the city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh Guided Tour

    Guided walking tour of Edinburgh: the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square and John Knox House. Remainder of the day free (optional return to Edinburgh Castle, payable locally).

  3. Day 3railovernight: Inverness

    Edinburgh to Inverness

    Rail journey to Inverness across the Forth Road Bridge and through Cairngorms National Park. Transfer independently to a centrally located hotel.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Inverness

    Jacobite Steam Train

    Excursion around Loch Ness and along the West Coast, including a stop to watch and then ride the Jacobite Steam Train as it crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Inverness

    Day at leisure in Inverness or choice of excursions

    Choice of: a scenic Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle visit, lunch in Beauly, an optional Highland whisky distillery visit (payable locally), Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns; OR travel to Aviemore for a round trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway through Cairngorms National Park along the River Spey. Otherwise, a free day in Inverness.

  6. Day 6overnight: Inverness

    Isle of Skye

    Drive along Loch Ness and through the mountains to the west coast, stopping at Eilean Donan Castle. Cross the Skye Bridge, lunch in Portree, and see the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Edinburgh

    Inverness to Edinburgh

    Return rail journey to Edinburgh through Cairngorms National Park and along the Firth of Forth. Transfer independently to a centrally located hotel; evening at leisure.

  8. Day 8overnight: Edinburgh

    St Andrews Excursion

    Day trip by coach across the Forth Bridge to the East Neuk of Fife: Anstruther (Scottish Fisheries Museum), Pittenweem, Crail and St Monans, then St Andrews for lunch and free time. Return via Falkland, Loch Leven and South Queensferry.

  9. Day 9

    Return Home

    Vacation concludes after breakfast.

Included

  • 8 nights' hotel accommodation
  • Travel aboard the Jacobite Steam Train
  • Edinburgh to Inverness roundtrip rail journey
  • 8 Breakfasts

Not included

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

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