McKinlay Kidd · Tailor-made rail holiday

Grand Tour of Scotland by Train

Grand Tour of Scotland by Train, a rail journey with McKinlay Kidd

Enjoy a Leisurely Tour of Scotland by train | Highlands & Islands | Designed by Award-Winning McKinlay Kidd | Book now for 2026 & 2027

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.

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)

Similar journeys, different answers