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McKinlay Kidd · Tailor-made rail holiday

Grand Tour of Scotland by Train

16-day Scottish rail journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh through Highlands and islands

Illustration of Grand Tour of Scotland by Train

McKinlay Kidd operates this 16-day self-guided rail journey through the Scottish Highlands and islands, starting in Glasgow and ending in Edinburgh. You travel by train on six distinct railway lines, with included small-group guided tours on three days: a Three Isles boat expedition from Oban to Mull, Iona and Staffa; a full day exploring Skye; and a day trip to Orkney's UNESCO archaeological sites from Thurso. The itinerary includes the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct and ferries to Skye and Orkney. You stay in hand-picked three- and four-star hotels for fifteen nights with bed and breakfast (dinner on two nights). Multiple leisure days allow you to walk, explore independently or book optional activities like Highland wildlife safaris or sailing on the Isle of Skye. This trip suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking a mix of guided and independent time, and history enthusiasts drawn to the Inner Hebrides and Orkney's ancient sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 4 and Days 9, 13, and 15 are unguided leisure days; optional paid activities are available but not included in the base price.
  • The Jacobite Steam Train crossing is subject to availability; ScotRail service is substituted if the steam train is unavailable, and the cost difference is deducted.
  • The Isle of Skye guided tour requires a reasonable level of fitness due to a one-mile walk in each direction to the Fairy Pools.
  • Single traveller supplement is GBP 1,380; the base price quoted is for two adults sharing.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Oban

    West Highland Line to Oban

    Depart Glasgow (or join from Edinburgh) aboard the West Highland Line, past Loch Lomond and Kilchurn Castle to the coastal town of Oban.

  2. Day 2overnight: Oban

    Three Isles Tour to Mull, Staffa and Iona

    By ferry and coach across the Sound of Mull to Fionnphort, boat to Staffa for Fingal's Cave, then Iona to explore the historic Abbey, returning to Oban via Mull.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Spean Bridge

    West Highland Line to Spean Bridge

    Train north across Rannoch Moor and past Glen Coe to the village of Spean Bridge near Fort William.

  4. Day 4overnight: Spean Bridge

    Find your Highland Soul

    A day at leisure - walk to the Commando Monument, take the Aonach Mor gondola, or explore Loch Ness. Optional private guided day tour around Ben Nevis and along the Great Glen to Loch Ness.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Glenfinnan Viaduct & Over the Sea to Skye

    Transfer to Fort William to board the Jacobite Steam Train (or ScotRail service) across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, then ferry over the sea to Skye's Sleat Peninsula and taxi to Portree.

  6. Day 6overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Uncovering Skye in Local Company

    A full day's small-group guided tour of Skye's highlights, potentially including the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle and the Fairy Glen. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required due to a one mile walk each way to the Fairy Pools.

  7. Day 7overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Relaxing on Skye

    A day at leisure in Portree; optional half-day sailing trip from Portree Harbour with a seafood lunch.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Inverness

    Take the Kyle Line to Inverness

    Transferred across the Skye Bridge to continue by rail along the Kyle Line to Inverness.

  9. Day 9overnight: Inverness

    Inverness and More

    A day at leisure to explore Inverness. Optional small-coach tour from Inverness to Loch Ness with a cruise and a visit to Urquhart Castle.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Thurso

    Venture North via the Remoteness of the Far North Line

    Continue by rail to the end of the Far North Line at Thurso, skirting the Moray Firth and crossing the Sutherland Flow Country via remote stations.

  11. Day 11overnight: Thurso

    Ancient & Modern History on Orkney

    Ferry across the Pentland Firth to Stromness for a small-group tour of Orkney's UNESCO sites, including Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, the Stones of Stenness and the Italian Chapel.

  12. Day 12railovernight: Carrbridge

    Relax on your next Great Rail Journey

    Return train trip to Inverness, changing to head south to the edge of Cairngorms National Park. Optional guided day-long Highland wildlife safari.

  13. Day 13overnight: Carrbridge

    Exploring the wonderful Cairngorms

    A full day at leisure in the Cairngorms; hosts can arrange excursions to local whisky distilleries (not included). Optional guided day-long Highland wildlife safari.

  14. Day 14railovernight: Pitlochry

    Highland Perthshire

    Continue south by train to Pitlochry. Optional guided day out in Highland Perthshire.

  15. Day 15overnight: Pitlochry

    Highland Perthshire

    A second day based in Pitlochry, within walking distance of local attractions, shops and the Pitlochry Festival Theatre; short trips to Blair Castle or the House of Bruar possible.

  16. Day 16rail

    Edinburgh

    Final train journey to Edinburgh to complete the grand tour of Scotland.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The West Highland Line departs Glasgow past Loch Lomond and Kilchurn Castle to the coastal town of Oban.
  • Day 2A guided three-island ferry tour visits Staffa to see Fingal's Cave, Iona to explore the historic Abbey, and returns via Mull.
  • Day 5The Jacobite Steam Train (or ScotRail service) crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct before a ferry carries you over the sea to Skye.
  • Day 10The Far North Line travels to Thurso, skirting the Moray Firth and crossing the remote Sutherland Flow Country.
  • Day 11A guided small-group tour from Thurso includes a ferry crossing to Orkney to visit UNESCO sites including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar.

Included

  • Train travel in standard class on the West Highland Line between Glasgow, Oban and Fort William, the North Highland Line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness, return travel on the Far North Line between Inverness and Thurso, and between Inverness, Pitlochry and Edinburgh
  • First class single journey on the Jacobite Express steam train, from Fort William to Mallaig, subject to availability (ScotRail service substituted otherwise, cost difference deducted)
  • Transfers to and from the train at all locations, except Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oban & Inverness
  • Ferry travel to Skye and Orkney
  • Three Isles day-long group tour to Mull, Iona and Staffa from Oban (alternative boat trip for October holidays)
  • A day tour of the Isle of Skye in a small group
  • A day tour in a small group to Orkney from Thurso
  • 15 nights bed and breakfast, two of these with dinner included, in hand-picked three- and four-star small hotels and guest houses

Not included

  • Single traveller supplement (£1380)
  • Optional half-day sailing add-on from Portree (£95pp)
  • Porterage (left luggage/baggage transfer services available on request)
  • Whisky distillery visits near Carrbridge (not included)
  • Accommodation in Glasgow or Edinburgh (available on request)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes train travel in standard class on the West Highland Line, North Highland Line, Far North Line, and the route from Inverness to Edinburgh. First-class passage on the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig is included, subject to availability (ScotRail service substituted otherwise).
Is this tour escorted or self-guided?
It is a self-guided rail journey with small-group guided day tours. Three full-day guided tours are included: the Three Isles tour from Oban (Mull, Iona, Staffa), the Isle of Skye tour, and the Orkney tour from Thurso. Other days are at leisure, though optional paid activities are available.
What is included in the accommodation?
Fifteen nights in three- and four-star small hotels and guest houses, bed and breakfast, with dinner included on two nights.
How much walking is involved?
The Isle of Skye tour requires a reasonable level of fitness and mobility, including a one-mile walk in each direction to the Fairy Pools. Other days involve typical city walking and stairs at train stations.
Can I start from Edinburgh instead of Glasgow?
Yes. McKinlay Kidd offers the option to start the tour in Edinburgh rather than Glasgow.
What is not included?
Single traveller supplement (GBP 1,380), optional half-day sailing from Portree (GBP 95 per person), porterage, whisky distillery visits, and accommodation in Glasgow or Edinburgh before or after the tour.

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