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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Lewis, Skye & the Highlands of Scotland

Eight-day escorted rail and coach journey through Scotland's Highlands and Outer Hebrides

Illustration of Lewis, Skye & the Highlands of Scotland

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour through the Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides, departing from Edinburgh and ending in Inverness. The journey combines named trains including the Jacobite Steam Train and the West Highland Line with coach and ferry travel, taking in the Isle of Lewis, Isle of Skye, and the mainland Highlands. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and guided tours are provided on Lewis and in Stornoway. Days mix scenic rail rides and coach journeys, exploring fishing villages, standing stones, castles, and engineering landmarks such as the Falkirk Wheel. Accommodation is in three and four-star hotels, with breakfast daily, one lunch, and six dinners included. This tour suits those who prefer the structure and company of an escorted group and travellers drawn to Scottish history and landscape.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour includes only one lunch; most other midday meals are at your own expense.
  • Group size can reach 40 people, making this a larger escorted party.
  • Luggage is transferred by coach on Day 7 while you travel by train from Inverness to Edinburgh; you rejoin it later.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arrival in Edinburgh

    Meet the Tour Manager in Edinburgh. Check in to your hotel and explore the city at leisure. Wander the Old Town, see the majestic castle or enjoy a dram of whisky at a traditional pub. Dinner together at a local restaurant this evening.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William

    Along the West Highland Line to Fort William

    After breakfast, visit the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Continue to Dumbarton and board the West Highland Line train to Fort William, passing Loch Lomond, the Falls of Falloch, Rannoch Moor and Corrour station. Dinner at the hotel this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Fort William

    Riding the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig

    Travel on the famous Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, passing Ben Nevis, Loch Eil and the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Free time in Mallaig for lunch. Return journey through the scenic west Highlands. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Stornoway

    By Coach and Ferry to the Outer Hebrides

    Coach from Fort William to Uig ferry terminal via Eilean Donan Castle and across the Isle of Skye, with views of the Old Man of Storr. Ferry from Uig to Tarbert on Harris, then coach north to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Stornoway

    Exploring the Isle of Lewis and Callanish Standing Stones

    Full day guided tour of the Isle of Lewis. Visit the Butt of Lewis, Port of Ness fishing village, and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. Lunch at Doune Braes Hotel. Explore the Callanish Standing Stones, ancient megaliths dating from over 5,000 years ago. Return to hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ullapool

    Discovering Stornoway and Returning to the Mainland

    Guided tour of Stornoway after breakfast, exploring the harbour town and learning about the culture and history of Lewis. Afternoon ferry to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland. Free time to explore Ullapool village. Dinner at a local seafront restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7railovernight: Edinburgh

    Returning to Edinburgh

    Scenic coach journey from Ullapool to Inverness, passing Highland landscapes including Beinn Dearg and Ben Wyvis. Train from Inverness to Edinburgh (luggage travels by coach). Free time in Edinburgh to explore. Final dinner together at a city restaurant.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8

    Homeward Bound

    After breakfast, the holiday draws to a close and guests are free to make their way home or continue exploring independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The West Highland Line passes Loch Lomond, the Falls of Falloch, and Rannoch Moor on the way to Fort William.
  • Day 3The Jacobite Steam Train travels from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct and passing Ben Nevis and Loch Eil.
  • Day 4Coach journey across the Isle of Skye views the Old Man of Storr and Eilean Donan Castle before ferry to the Outer Hebrides.
  • Day 5Guided tour of the Isle of Lewis includes the Butt of Lewis, Port of Ness fishing village, Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, and the Callanish Standing Stones.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, ferry and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast each day
  • 1 lunch
  • 6 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Edinburgh to Fort William, from Fort William to Stornoway and from Ullapool to Edinburgh
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes Standard Class travel on the Jacobite Steam Train (Fort William to Mallaig), the West Highland Line (Dumbarton to Fort William), ScotRail (Inverness to Edinburgh), plus all ferry and coach transport.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from Edinburgh to Inverness, and guided tours are provided on the Isle of Lewis and in Stornoway.
Which hotels are used?
Great Rail Journeys books three and four-star hotels: the Ibis Edinburgh Centre Royal Mile (Edinburgh), Nevis Bank Inn (Fort William), The Isles of Glencoe Hotel (Ballachulish), Cabarfeidh Hotel or Caladh Inn (Stornoway), and Royal Hotel Ullapool (Ullapool).
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. One lunch is provided on Day 5 at Doune Braes Hotel. Six dinners are included, at the hotels or local restaurants.
How many days and nights?
The tour is eight days and seven nights, departing from and returning to Edinburgh.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged separately.

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