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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Glasgow & the Highland Adventure

Seven-day Scottish rail journey from Glasgow through the Highlands with steam trains

Illustration of Glasgow & the Highland Adventure

Great Rail Journeys offers this seven-day escorted tour through Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Scottish Highlands, journeying by train, coach, and cruise. The tour departs Glasgow and concludes in Perth, with four nights based in Carrbridge in the Spey Valley and two nights in Glasgow. You spend Day 3 aboard the Jacobite steam train, a vintage narrow-gauge heritage railway that runs from Fort William to Mallaig through the West Highland Line, passing Ben Nevis and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. On Day 4 you cruise across Loch Ness to the ruins of Urquhart Castle and tour the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre. Day 5 includes the Strathspey Steam Railway through the Cairngorms National Park, followed by a private guided tour of the Culloden Battlefield, where the final Jacobite Rising battle took place in 1746. A UK Tour Manager leads the group throughout, and all rail, coach, cruise travel, 4-star accommodation, breakfasts, dinners, and guided excursions are included. This tour suits couples, history lovers, and repeat rail travellers who prefer a well-organised itinerary with expert guidance.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 400 (from GBP 2,099 vs GBP 1,699 base), raising the per-person cost by about 24 percent.
  • The group size is capped at 30 people, making this a larger escorted tour.
  • Day 3 note in the itinerary mentions early and late season may have variations; confirm the Jacobite steam train schedule with the operator if you are travelling outside the main summer season.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Glasgow

    Welcome to Glasgow

    Your tour begins in Glasgow where you meet the Tour Manager at the hotel. Explore the city independently before or after checking in. Glasgow straddles the River Clyde and is a lively centre with a rich history and outstanding Victorian architecture. Meet back at the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Carrbridge

    Edinburgh Castle & on to the Highlands

    After breakfast, take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh for a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest fortified castles in Europe. After a one-hour tour, explore the city at your own pace before boarding the train to Inverness. Transfer by coach to the four-star hotel in Carrbridge, set in the Spey Valley opposite the famous 1717 packhorse bridge. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Carrbridge

    A round trip on the Jacobite steam train

    Coach journey through stunning Highland scenery to Fort William for a return journey on the Jacobite steam train. Travel through the West Highland Line to Mallaig in vintage carriages, passing Ben Nevis, spotting red deer, and crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Free time in Mallaig before returning on the Jacobite. Evening storytelling session with Scottish whisky at the hotel. Note: on early/late season departures the Jacobite may be replaced by the scheduled ScotRail service. On the 26th July departure, travel is one-way on the Jacobite with return by coach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Carrbridge

    A cruise on Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle

    Transfer to Clansman Harbour for a cruise across Loch Ness, the largest loch in the UK by volume, to the atmospheric ruins of 13th-century Urquhart Castle. Free time at the castle to explore or grab lunch, then a short coach drive to the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre for a guided tour with interactive displays. Return to the hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Carrbridge

    Strathspey Steam Railway and Culloden Battlefield

    Travel to Aviemore to join the Strathspey Steam Railway for a return journey through the Cairngorms National Park, following the River Spey past rolling hills, heather, Cairngorm Mountain and pine forests. Then coach to Culloden Battlefield for a private guided tour of the site of the final Jacobite Rising battle in 1746, followed by access to the visitor centre with 360-degree battle immersion theatre, artefacts, and roof garden panoramic views. Last dinner in the Highlands. Note: trains are steam-hauled where possible; alternatives may apply.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: Glasgow

    Return to Glasgow

    Depart Carrbridge and return to Glasgow by rail via Perth, arriving early afternoon. Check in to the hotel; rest of the day at leisure to explore Glasgow's retail heart around Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Willow Tea Rooms, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. Final dinner of the tour at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, the tour ends and you are free to make your way home or continue exploring independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: board the Jacobite steam train at Fort William for an 84-mile return journey through the West Highland Line, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct and passing Ben Nevis, with stops in Mallaig.
  • Day 4Day 4: cruise across Loch Ness to the ruins of 13th-century Urquhart Castle, then visit the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre with interactive displays.
  • Day 5Day 5: travel the Strathspey Steam Railway through Cairngorms National Park along the River Spey, followed by a private guided tour of Culloden Battlefield with access to the visitor centre.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 6 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast and dinner each day
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. All standard-class rail travel is included: ScotRail from Glasgow to Edinburgh to Inverness, the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, and the Strathspey Steam Railway through the Cairngorms. Coach and cruise transport are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager who accompanies the group from start to finish. Many days include guided group excursions (Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield), and you also have free time to explore independently.
What is included in the price?
Six nights in 4-star hotels, all breakfasts and dinners, standard-class rail travel, coach transfers, a Loch Ness cruise, all guided tours and excursions, and the Tour Manager's expertise. Travel insurance and any UK rail connections are not included.
How long is the tour and where does it start and end?
The tour is seven days and six nights. It starts in Glasgow and ends in Perth, with four nights based in Carrbridge in the Highlands and two nights in Glasgow.
What is the physical demand?
Moderate. You will walk through cities (Glasgow, Edinburgh), climb stairs in Edinburgh Castle, board a cruise, and explore Urquhart Castle and the Culloden Battlefield visitor centre. No hiking or high-altitude terrain is included.
When does the tour operate?
Departures run in April, May, June, August, September, and October 2026 and 2027.

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