How much does it cost?

From £1,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,295 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

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.

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.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Glasgow & the Highland Adventure

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

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.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has held at £1,699 every time.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

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

Day 1overnight: Glasgow
Welcome to Glasgow
Your tour begins in Glasgow where you meet the Tour Manager at the hotel. Feel free to explore the city independently, either before or after checking in, before we meet back at the hotel for dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Carrbridge
Edinburgh Castle & on to the Highlands
After breakfast we take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh for a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest in Europe. Afterwards you are free to explore the city before we board our train to Inverness, then transfer by coach to our four-star hotel in the Highland village of Carrbridge, set in the Spey Valley opposite the historic packhorse bridge, for a four-night stay. We have dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3railovernight: Carrbridge
A round trip on the Jacobite steam train
A coach journey through Highland scenery to Fort William for a return journey on the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig, passing Ben Nevis and crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, with time at leisure in Mallaig. Back at our hotel this evening, we have dinner before a whisky storytelling session about the mysteries and monsters of the Highlands. Please note: on early/late season departures the Jacobite Steam Train excursion may be replaced by the scheduled Scotrail service, and on selected departures the Jacobite is travelled one way only.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4overnight: Carrbridge
A cruise on Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle
We transfer to Clansman Harbour for a cruise across Loch Ness, gliding past forests to the ruins of 13th-century Urquhart Castle, with free time to explore before a guided tour of the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre. We return by coach to our hotel for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Carrbridge
Strathspey Steam Railway and Culloden Battlefield
Travelling to Aviemore, we join the Strathspey Steam Railway for a return journey through the Cairngorms National Park along the River Spey. We then join our coach to the Culloden Battlefield for a private guided tour of the site of the final battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746, followed by access to the visitor centre. We enjoy our last dinner in the Highlands this evening. Please note: trains are steam-hauled where possible, though timetable changes or weather conditions may require alternatives.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Glasgow
Return to Glasgow
We depart Carrbridge, returning to Glasgow by rail via Perth, arriving early afternoon. After checking in to our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street, the Willow Tea Rooms or the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, before we enjoy the final dinner of our tour at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Homeward bound
Waking in Glasgow, after breakfast our tour of Scotland's cities and the Highlands ends and you are free to make your way home, or to 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 your tour
Breakfast and dinner each day
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,295 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
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.
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.