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McKinlay Kidd · Tailor-made rail holiday

Explore Scotland by Train

Eight-day Scottish rail loop from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Highlands, Skye, and Jacobite Steam

Illustration of Explore Scotland by Train

Explore Scotland by Train, operated by award-winning McKinlay Kidd, is an eight-day self-guided rail tour beginning in Edinburgh and ending in Glasgow. The journey carries you north by train through the Scottish Highlands to Inverness, continues via the North Highland Line to the Isle of Skye, then returns south aboard the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Fort William and Glasgow. You stay in three and four star hotels in Pitlochry, Inverness, Portree, and Spean Bridge, with a private guided day tour of Highland Perthshire on Day 2 and a small-group guided day tour of Skye's highlights on Day 6, including the Fairy Pools, Kilt Rock, and other locations. Transfers between trains and hotels are arranged at all stops. Bed and breakfast is included each night, plus dinner on your final night. The tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking a mix of independent exploration and guided experiences, couples who want hotel comfort and curated days, and anyone drawn to Scottish Highland scenery and rail heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single traveller supplement is GBP 925, substantially higher than the per-person base price; confirm your room type and occupancy before booking.
  • The small-group Isle of Skye tour is subject to availability; if unavailable, McKinlay Kidd offers a private tour at additional cost.
  • The Jacobite Steam Train operates first class on this route, but ScotRail standard train service is substituted if the steam train is unavailable or out of season.
  • Porterage and extra nights in Glasgow or Edinburgh are not included and must be booked separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Pitlochry

    Journey to Pitlochry

    Begins with a train journey from Edinburgh, crossing the world-famous Forth Bridge and heading for Pitlochry in the Southern Highlands.

  2. Day 2overnight: Pitlochry

    Exploring Highland Perthshire on a Fascinating Private Tour

    Met by a local guide and driven to discover Highland Perthshire, including Killiecrankie, Blair Atholl, Struan, Loch Tummel, Loch Rannoch, Aberfeldy, Glen Lyon, Ben Lawers, Rannoch Station and Dunkeld.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Inverness

    To Inverness

    Journey north by train to Inverness.

  4. Day 4overnight: Inverness

    Exploring Inverness

    Time to explore the highland capital, perhaps a boat trip on Loch Ness or a tour to the battlefield of Culloden.

  5. Day 5overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    The Isle of Skye

    Travel via the North Highland Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, then transferred over the Skye Bridge north to Portree.

  6. Day 6overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Exploring the Isle of Skye

    A full-day small-group tour of Skye's highlights, potentially including the Old Man of Storr, Lealt Falls, Kilt Rock, the Quiraing, the Fairy Glens, Dun Beag Broch, Glenbrittle, the Fairy Pools, Talisker distillery shop and Sligachan. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required due to a one mile walk each way to the Fairy Pools.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Spean Bridge

    All Aboard The Jacobite Express

    Transferred to Armadale on Skye's Sleat Peninsula, ferry across the Sound of Sleat to Mallaig, then the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Fort William, transferring on to Spean Bridge.

  8. Day 8

    Journey to Glasgow

    Return to Glasgow (and potentially Edinburgh) from Spean Bridge on the rest of the West Highland Line.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Train journey from Edinburgh crosses the world-famous Forth Bridge to Pitlochry in the Southern Highlands.
  • Day 5Day 5: North Highland Line carries you from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, then across the Skye Bridge to Portree.
  • Day 7Day 7: The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct between Mallaig and Fort William.

Included

  • Train travel in standard class between Edinburgh, Pitlochry and Inverness, on the North Highland Line between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, and on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Glasgow
  • First class single journey on the Jacobite Express Steam Train, from Mallaig to Fort William (ScotRail train service substituted if unavailable or out of season)
  • Full day tour of the Isle of Skye in a small group (subject to availability; private tour quote offered otherwise at additional cost)
  • Single ferry journey from Armadale to Mallaig
  • Transfers to and from the train at all locations, except Glasgow, Edinburgh & Inverness
  • 7 nights bed and breakfast, two adults sharing a double or twin room, in hand-picked 3 and 4 star hotels
  • Dinner on the final night in Spean Bridge
  • Private guided day tour of Highland Perthshire

Not included

  • Single traveller supplement (£925)
  • Porterage
  • Extra nights in Glasgow or Edinburgh (available on request)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes standard class rail travel between Edinburgh, Pitlochry, and Inverness, the North Highland Line between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, and the West Highland Line between Fort William and Glasgow. The Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William is also included (first class); ScotRail standard service is substituted if the steam train is unavailable or out of season.
Is this an escorted or self-guided tour?
The tour is self-guided. However, McKinlay Kidd includes a private guided day tour of Highland Perthshire on Day 2 and a small-group guided day tour of the Isle of Skye on Day 6. Transfers to and from trains are arranged at all locations except Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow.
What hotels are included?
Seven nights bed and breakfast in hand-picked three and four star hotels: two nights in Pitlochry, two in Inverness, two in Portree on the Isle of Skye, and one in Spean Bridge. Dinner is included on the final night in Spean Bridge.
When does the tour run?
McKinlay Kidd publishes pricing for April and October (from GBP 2,085 per person) and May to September (from GBP 2,150 per person). For specific departure dates and availability, contact the operator.
How much walking is required?
The Isle of Skye day tour involves a one mile walk each way to the Fairy Pools and requires a reasonable level of fitness and mobility. The Day 2 Highland Perthshire tour is private and may involve varied activity depending on your preferences.
What is not included?
Porterage, the single traveller supplement (GBP 925), extra nights in Glasgow or Edinburgh, and activities such as boat trips on Loch Ness or entry to Culloden battlefield.

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