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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highland Adventure

Five-day Scottish Highland rail adventure from Inverness to Culloden

Illustration of Highland Adventure

Great Rail Journeys operates this five-day escorted tour of the Scottish Highlands, based in the four-star Carrbridge Hotel in the Spey Valley near the Cairngorms. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout. The itinerary centers on two heritage steam railways: the Jacobite Steam Train, which makes a full-day return journey from Fort William to Mallaig crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, and the Strathspey Steam Railway, a 20-mile round trip through pine forests and rolling hills alongside the River Spey. Between rail journeys, the tour includes a cruise on Loch Ness to the ruins of Urquhart Castle with a guided visit to the exhibition centre, and a private guided tour of Culloden Battlefield covering the 1746 Jacobite Rising. An evening highlights a storytelling session with a local historian featuring Scottish whisky. All breakfast, dinner, transport, and guided tours are included. This trip suits first-time rail travellers seeking guided comfort, history enthusiasts, and visitors who want an introduction to the Highlands without planning logistics themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is £220 above half the double price, a 17 percent surcharge.
  • Group size is capped at 30; confirm final numbers before booking if that matters to you.
  • Rail connections from your local station to Inverness are available only as an optional extra booked separately through the operator.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Carrbridge

    Highland beginnings: Inverness to Carrbridge

    Meet the Tour Manager and group at Inverness train station. Board a coach to the four-star hotel in the Highland village of Carrbridge, set in the magnificent Spey Valley opposite the famous packhorse bridge built in 1717. Check in and meet for the first dinner together at the hotel.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Carrbridge

    A round trip on the Jacobite steam train

    Coach journey through stunning Highland scenery to Fort William for a journey on the Jacobite steam train. Travel in vintage carriages to Mallaig, passing Ben Nevis, crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, with time at leisure in the coastal village of Mallaig before returning on the Jacobite. Evening dinner followed by a storytelling session with Willie Cameron ('Mr Loch Ness') over Scottish whisky. Note: on early/late season departures the Jacobite Steam Train excursion may be replaced by the scheduled Scotrail service. On the 13th April departure, the Jacobite is replaced by Scotrail and the West Highland Museum is visited. On the 6th September departure, travel is one way on the Jacobite with return by coach.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Carrbridge

    Cruising Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle

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

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Carrbridge

    The Strathspey Steam Railway and Culloden Battlefield

    Travel to Aviemore to join the Strathspey Steam Railway for a return journey through the Cairngorms National Park, alongside the River Spey with views of rolling hills, 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, plus access to the visitor centre with 360-degree battle immersion theatre, artefacts, and roof garden panoramic views. Return to hotel for the final evening. Note: trains are steam-hauled where possible, but alternatives may apply.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, check out and travel by coach back to Inverness train station to say farewell and make your way home or continue exploring Scotland independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Jacobite Steam Train travels in vintage carriages from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of Ben Nevis, then returns the same day with time at leisure in the coastal village.
  • Day 3A cruise on Loch Ness reaches the atmospheric ruins of Urquhart Castle, a 13th-century castle on the loch's banks, followed by a guided tour of the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre with interactive displays.
  • Day 4The Strathspey Steam Railway makes a 20-mile return journey from Aviemore through Cairngorms National Park alongside the River Spey, with views of rolling hills, Cairngorm Mountain, and pine forests.
  • Day 4A private guided tour of Culloden Battlefield explains the site of the final Jacobite Rising battle in 1746, with access to the visitor centre featuring 360-degree battle immersion theatre.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 4 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

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes all Standard Class rail travel on the Jacobite Steam Train and Strathspey Steam Railway, plus all coach and cruise travel throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a fully escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from Inverness station on Day 1 through departure on Day 5.
What hotels are included?
Four nights in the four-star Carrbridge Hotel in the Highland village of Carrbridge, set in the Spey Valley.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner each day for all five days of the tour.
When does this tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates nine departures between September 2026 and October 2027, with trips in September, October, April, May, June, July, and August.
What is not included?
Travel insurance and cancellation insurance are not included. Rail connections from your local station to Inverness are optional extras arranged separately.

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