adeo Travel · Independent Rail Tour

Explore Scotland by Rail

12-day self-guided Scotland rail tour from Glasgow through the Highlands to Edinburgh

Explore Scotland by Rail, a rail journey with adeo Travel

adeo Travel runs this 12-day self-guided rail tour of Scotland, using the BritRail Spirit of Scotland pass for eight days of rail travel between Glasgow, Fort William, the Isle of Skye, Inverness, Aberdeen, Stirling and Edinburgh. After exploring Glasgow's Victorian monuments, the West Highland Railway carries travelers past Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor to Fort William, then over the Glenfinnan Viaduct to a ferry crossing to Skye, where a small-group tour visits the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock. From Inverness, the North Highland Line's Torridon peaks give way to a Loch Ness excursion, before rail continues east to Aberdeen for a Royal Deeside day tour, then south to Stirling Castle and Edinburgh. Local guides lead the included day excursions, while the rest of the days are unguided, suiting independent travelers who want Scotland's rail scenery and Highland history without a tour leader managing every stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • All seven hotels, including Hotel Indigo in Glasgow and the Bonham in Edinburgh, are listed as "(or similar)", so the operator may substitute the named property.
  • The BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass covers 8 travel days within a 15-day window rather than every day of the trip, and it does not cover the Glasgow Subway; taxis from stations to hotels are also excluded except on Skye.
  • Day 12's return is described as either a flight from Edinburgh Airport or an onward train, so the return transport is not fixed by the itinerary.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Glasgow

    Arrival in Scotland and Rail to Glasgow

    Arriving in to Edinburgh Airport (or Glasgow Airport), board the train to the thriving city of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Explore the Victorian monuments of George Square, the bustling Sauchiehall Street and the imposing Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis; visit Kelvingrove Park and Museum or head to the Merchant City for Scottish nightlife.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William

    The West Highland Way and Fort William

    Today embark on one of Scotland's famous rail journeys, travelling the West Highland Railway to Fort William, passing scenic coastline, the shores of Loch Lomond and the desolate expanse of Rannoch Moor. Walk the harbour overlooking Loch Linhe, visit the Ben Nevis Distillery or the West Highland Museum.

  3. Day 3overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    The Glenfinnan Viaduct and Portree

    Continue north on the second leg of the West Highland line, over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel. Arriving in Mallaig, board the ferry to the Isle of Skye, then a private transfer from Armadale port to Portree.

  4. Day 4overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Isle of Skye Excursion

    Meet a local guide and join a small-group tour dedicated to exploring the very best of Skye, spotting sea and bird-life from Neist Point, passing through Fairy Glen and touring the Trotternish Peninsula, including The Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle and Talisker Distillery.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Inverness

    The North Highland Line and Inverness

    Enjoy a private transfer from Portree over Skye Bridge to the Kyle of Lochalsh, then board the train on the North Highland Line over the barren wilderness of the Northern Highlands with views of the Torridon peaks, descending to Inverness, capital of the Highlands.

  6. Day 6overnight: Inverness

    Loch Ness Excursion from Inverness

    Join a small-group tour dedicated to exploring the Highlands and the area surrounding Loch Ness, with an opportunity for a boat trip and a stop at Urquhart Castle, plus Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus and the Falls of Foyers.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Aberdeen

    Highland Rail to Aberdeen

    This morning's rail ride takes you east through the Grampian Highlands and Speyside region to Aberdeen, the "Granite City". Explore Castlegate, Union Street and Marchar Cathedral, or visit the harbour and fish market.

  8. Day 8overnight: Aberdeen

    Highland Excursion from Aberdeen

    Join a small-group tour into Scotland's Eastern Highlands, taking in the dramatic ruins of Dunottar Castle, the Cairngorms National Park and, via a lunch stop in Braemar, the Royal Deeside region including Muir of Dinnet and the Falls of Feugh. An alternative Speyside Whisky tour is available on selected days.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Stirling

    Historic Stirling and Stirling Castle

    Board the train south along the rugged east coast before turning inland through Perthshire to historic Stirling. Explore the cobbled old town and historic jail before climbing to Stirling Castle, once the royal seat of Scotland. Time permitting, visit the Wallace Monument.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Edinburgh

    Rail to Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle

    Make a final rail journey south to Edinburgh. Explore the cobbled Old Town and Georgian New Town, stroll through Princes Street Gardens and climb the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and St Margaret's Chapel.

  11. Day 11overnight: Edinburgh

    Explore Edinburgh City

    Today explore Edinburgh in more depth; shop along Princes Street, visit Scotland's national museums and galleries or discover royal Edinburgh with visits to the Palace of Holyroodhouse or the Royal Yacht Britannia. Climb Arthur's Seat or enjoy the pub scene.

  12. Day 12rail

    Return Home

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and any final sightseeing in Edinburgh before taking a flight from Edinburgh Airport or boarding the train for an onward rail journey within Britain.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The West Highland Railway climbs past Loch Lomond and across the desolate expanse of Rannoch Moor on the way to Fort William.
  • Day 3The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel before a ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye.
  • Day 4A small-group tour of Skye visits Neist Point, the Trotternish Peninsula's Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, and Dunvegan Castle.
  • Day 5The North Highland Line crosses the Northern Highlands with views of the Torridon peaks on the way to Inverness.

Included

  • 11 nights accommodation (suggested accommodations listed below)
  • Full cooked Scottish breakfast each morning
  • BritRail Spirit of Scotland (8 in 15 day) Rail Passes – 8 separate days of travel on the Scottish Rail Network within a 15 day period, fully flexible and unlimited on each day of use, covering all outlined rail journeys; also covers the ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye
  • Private transfers to / from Portree on the Isle of Skye
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Best of Skye day tour from Portree, Isle of Skye
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Loch Ness day tour from Inverness
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Royal Deeside day tour from Aberdeen
  • Admission to Stirling Castle
  • Admission to Edinburgh Castle
  • Adeo travel documents pack and suggested rail schedule information for each point-to-point journey including journey durations, departure stations and travel departure times
  • Toll-free calls (from USA and Canada) to your Britain vacation specialist whilst planning your trip
  • Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local out-of-hours number for use during travel

Not included

  • Travel on the Glasgow Subway rail network (separate to the national rail network; BritRail Passes not valid)
  • Taxis / transfers from train stations to your hotels (except on Skye)
  • Trip Insurance
  • Flights
  • Meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. A BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass (8 in 15 day) covers rail travel on the outlined journeys, including the West Highland Railway and the North Highland Line, plus the ferry crossing to Skye.
Is it guided or independent?
Self-guided; local guides join the included small-group day excursions on Skye, at Loch Ness from Inverness, and for Royal Deeside from Aberdeen, and private transfers are included to and from Portree.
What hotels are used?
Hotel Indigo in Glasgow, The Garrison Hotel in Fort William, The Marmalade Hotel in Portree, Inverness Palace, Norton House in Aberdeen, Stirling Highland Hotel and the Bonham in Edinburgh, all "or similar".
Which trains are used?
The West Highland Railway to Fort William and over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the North Highland Line from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness, and rail to Aberdeen, Stirling and Edinburgh.
What is not included?
Travel on the Glasgow Subway, taxis or transfers from stations to hotels except on Skye, trip insurance, flights, and meals or sightseeing beyond what's listed.
What is the price?
The tour starts at 2,345 GBP (3,132 USD), about 261 USD per day.

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