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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

Highlands & Hebrides Discovery

Seven-day Scottish rail journey from London to Inverness, Lewis and Harris

Illustration of Highlands & Hebrides Discovery

Marvellous Escapes operates this seven-day Highlands and Hebrides journey, departing from London St Pancras aboard the Caledonian Sleeper. You will sleep in a cabin on the overnight train, dine in the dining car, and arrive in Inverness on day two to explore the city at your own pace. Days three, four and five immerse you in the Outer Hebrides: a guided coach and ferry tour of Lewis and Harris takes in the Arnol blackhouse, the Butt of Lewis lighthouse and the turquoise waters of Luskentyre Beach. You return to Inverness for days five and six, where the Complete Loch Ness Experience tour follows the Caledonian Canal to Fort Augustus, Urquhart Castle and a one-hour cruise on Loch Ness itself. On day seven, you travel back to London, with the option to book a return sleeper. The package suits rail enthusiasts seeking a slow, multi-modal exploration of the Scottish Highlands and islands, with a mix of guided tours and independent time. Six nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast are included.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 7 mentions the option to return via Caledonian Sleeper but does not confirm it is included; confirm whether the return sleeper is part of the package or a paid upgrade
  • The itinerary includes 'three-day' island tours but accommodation spans two nights in Stornoway; days 3, 4 and 5 involve the islands, with day 5 returning to Inverness

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: onboard the Caledonian Sleeper

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Begin your adventure with a relaxing overnight journey aboard the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Inverness, with dinner in the dining car and a comfortable sleeper cabin for the night.

  2. Day 2overnight: Inverness

    Inverness

    Today, explore the charming city of Inverness at your own pace, visiting Inverness Castle, the Victorian Market and the beautiful River Ness.

  3. Day 3overnight: Stornoway

    Stornoway

    Today’s adventure begins with a scenic journey from Inverness to Ullapool, where you’ll board the ferry to the Outer Hebrides, visiting the 'blackhouse' at Arnol and the Butt of Lewis lighthouse.

  4. Day 4overnight: Stornoway

    Stornoway

    Today, you journey south to Harris, taking in the stunning Luskentyre Beach and its turquoise waters and white sands, before returning to Stornoway.

  5. Day 5overnight: Inverness

    Inverness

    Today, you’ll step back in time to visit the iconic Calanais Standing Stones, then explore the remote beauty of the far side of Lewis, before boarding the ferry back to the mainland and driving to Inverness.

  6. Day 6overnight: Inverness

    Inverness

    Today, embark on the Complete Loch Ness Experience tour, travelling along the Caledonian Canal to Dores, Foyers, Fort Augustus and Urquhart Castle, before a relaxing one-hour cruise on Loch Ness.

  7. Day 7rail

    Return home

    Today, bid farewell to Inverness as you embark on your journey back to London, with the option to travel in style aboard the Caledonian Sleeper.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: board the Caledonian Sleeper in London, dine in the dining car and sleep in a comfortable cabin on the overnight journey to Inverness
  • Day 3Day 3: travel by coach and ferry to the Outer Hebrides, visit the blackhouse at Arnol and the Butt of Lewis lighthouse
  • Day 4Day 4: journey to Harris to see Luskentyre Beach with its turquoise waters and white sands
  • Day 6Day 6: take the Complete Loch Ness Experience tour along the Caledonian Canal, visiting Fort Augustus and Urquhart Castle, ending with a one-hour cruise on Loch Ness

Included

  • Overnight accommodation onboard the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London to Inverness
  • 3-nights hotel accommodation in Inverness with breakfast included
  • 2-nights hotel accommodation in Stornoway with breakfast included
  • Caledonian Sleeper train
  • UK Rail
  • The Complete Loch Ness Experience tour
  • Three-day of Lewis, Harris & the Outer Hebrides

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Inverness on night one, UK rail connections, and ferries to the Outer Hebrides. Day 7 offers the option to return via Caledonian Sleeper.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is a mix. Day 2 in Inverness is self-paced exploration. A three-day Lewis, Harris and Outer Hebrides tour is included with guided highlights and coach transport. The Loch Ness experience tour on day 6 is led.
What accommodation is included?
One night onboard the Caledonian Sleeper in a sleeper cabin, three nights in Inverness with breakfast, and two nights in Stornoway with breakfast.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary includes walking tours of Inverness, visits to the Calanais Standing Stones and Lewis landmarks, and exploration of Harris beaches and Loch Ness sites. No hiking is described.
When does this trip run?
Marvellous Escapes lists it as a tailor-made holiday; no fixed departure dates are published in the available information.

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