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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail vacation

Edinburgh, the Jacobite & Isle of Skye

Scottish rail loop from Edinburgh through Highlands, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye

Illustration of Edinburgh, the Jacobite & Isle of Skye

Vacations By Rail's nine-day independent rail vacation combines railway journeys through Scotland with guided coach excursions. The trip begins in Edinburgh with a walking tour of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Old Town, then moves north by rail to Inverness across the Forth Road Bridge and through Cairngorms National Park. From Inverness, guests ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct and take a coach excursion to the Isle of Skye, where you pass Eilean Donan Castle and see the Old Man of Storr. The return journey reverses the rail route to Edinburgh, and a final day trip by coach visits the Kingdom of Fife and the ancient town of St Andrews. Hotel transfers are independent; the pace balances guided experiences on specific days with free time in each location. This suits experienced rail travellers who appreciate mixing heritage trains with coach travel and independent exploration, particularly those interested in Scottish history and Highlands scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a hybrid tour mixing rail, guided coach excursions, and independent exploration; only Days 3 and 7 are fully by rail.
  • Day 6 is entirely by coach; there is no train to the Isle of Skye on this itinerary.
  • The activity level is noted as generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility.
  • Several attractions on Day 5 (Culloden Visitor Center, Highland whisky distillery) are payable locally and not included in the base price.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided walking tour of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral and Old Town.
  • Day 4Ride the Jacobite Steam Train as it crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Coast route.
  • Day 6Coach drive to the Isle of Skye; pass Eilean Donan Castle, visit the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls and Kilt Rock.
  • Day 8Day trip by coach to the Kingdom of Fife, visiting the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther and the ancient town of St Andrews.

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

Questions travellers ask

Is this an escorted tour?
No. Vacations By Rail describes it as independent travel on a pre-planned itinerary. You transfer independently between hotels, train stations and coach pick-up points. Guided excursions are provided on set days: Edinburgh walking tour (Day 2), Jacobite Steam Train and Loch Ness area (Day 4), Isle of Skye by coach (Day 6) and St Andrews day trip by coach (Day 8).
Which trains are included?
The Jacobite Steam Train ride on Day 4 (from the West Coast, across the Glenfinnan Viaduct) and the Edinburgh to Inverness roundtrip rail journey (Days 3 and 7 through Cairngorms National Park).
What is included in the price?
Eight nights' hotel accommodation (Hotel Indigo in Edinburgh for 2 nights, centrally located hotels in Inverness for 3 nights, Edinburgh for 2 nights), travel on the Jacobite Steam Train, the Edinburgh to Inverness roundtrip rail journey, eight breakfasts, and guided excursions to Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye and St Andrews. Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance and most meals are not included.
How much walking is involved?
Days include guided walking tours in Edinburgh and free time to explore cities. The operator notes the trip is generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility, indicating moderate activity throughout.
What are the optional extras?
A return visit to Edinburgh Castle on Day 2, a Highland whisky distillery visit on Day 5, and Culloden Visitor Center entrance on Day 5. All are payable locally.

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