How much does it cost?

From £1,449 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,957 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Inverness are included, in Standard or First Class, along with the Jacobite Steam Train, the Strathspey Steam Railway, and the Kyle Line.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.

The Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness, for all four nights, so you unpack once.

Which trains are included?

The Highland Main Line to Inverness, the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig, the Strathspey Steam Railway between Aviemore and Broomhill, and the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and an evening meal on each of the four nights, plus one lunch at the Kyle Hotel.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Romantic Highlander 2026

Inverness-based Highland rail tour on the Jacobite and Strathspey steam trains

Railtrail Tours operates this 5-day, 4-night escorted rail tour of the Scottish Highlands, based at the Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness for all four nights. After traveling up the Highland Main Line through Perth, Pitlochry and the Cairngorms, the group rides the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, takes a return steam trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway from Aviemore to Broomhill, and crosses Scotland coast to coast on the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh. Each day returns to the same Inverness hotel, so there is no packing and unpacking between stops, and a Railtrail Tour Manager travels with the group throughout. It suits travelers drawn to named heritage and steam railways, Highland scenery, and Jacobite history, who want a single base and guided rail days rather than independent travel.

What to know before you look closer

The single room supplement, from 2,109 GBP, is well above half of the twin-share price of 1,449 GBP, a notable premium for solo travelers.
Rail travel from your home station to Inverness carries regional fare supplements depending on where you start; travelers can instead join and leave at the hotel with no home rail travel included.
Only one lunch, at the Kyle Hotel on day 4, is included in the price; other midday meals are at your own expense.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness
Home station to Inverness via the High Line
Journey from your home station to Inverness travelling along the spine of Scotland on the wonderfully picturesque High Line through Perth, Pitlochry, and over the Cairngorm Mountains. On arrival in Inverness, we will make our way to the Palace Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.
Day 2railovernight: Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness
Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig
Today, we transfer to Fort William to continue our adventure aboard the magnificent Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig journeying over the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, capturing the views of Bonnie Prince Charlie's monument, Loch Eilt, and Loch Shiel. There is time to explore the picturesque harbour town of Mallaig, with its majestic views across to the Isle of Skye, before we retrace our steps to the hotel in time for our evening meal together.
Day 3railovernight: Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness
Cairngorms to Aviemore and the Strathspey Steam Railway
After breakfast this morning, we begin one of Scotland's great rail journeys as we head into the Cairngorms, passing dense forests and wild moors, flanked by the Grampians, on our way to the mountain resort of Aviemore. Here, we enjoy a return steam excursion from Aviemore to Broomhill on the preserved section of the Highland Line known as the Strathspey Steam Railway passing through woods and alongside the meandering River Spey on a nostalgic journey with refreshments served on board. We return to Inverness by rail and enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 4railovernight: Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness
Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh
Today, we take the amazing Kyle Line train, Scotland's original 'Great Railway Journey of the World', coast-to-coast through stunning scenery and across mountain plateau. Look out for wild deer, eagles, and the palm trees of Plockton Village, before dramatic sea vistas are revealed as we arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh. Here, we enjoy a light lunch in the renowned Kyle Hotel, overlooking the Isle of Skye, before retracing our steps to Inverness in time for our final evening meal together.
Day 5
Departure from Inverness
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Inverness and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1The Highland Main Line climbs over the Cairngorm Mountains via Perth and Pitlochry on the way to Inverness.
Day 2The Jacobite Steam Train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, passing the Bonnie Prince Charlie monument, Loch Eilt, and Loch Shiel, on the way to Mallaig.
Day 3A return steam excursion on the Strathspey Steam Railway between Aviemore and Broomhill, on a preserved section of the old Highland Line.
Day 4The Kyle Line runs coast to coast through mountain scenery, passing Plockton village's palm trees before dramatic sea views appear at Kyle of Lochalsh.

Included

4 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal plus 1 lunch
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,449 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $1,957 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. Rail travel and seat reservations from your home station to Inverness are included, in Standard or First Class, along with the Jacobite Steam Train, the Strathspey Steam Railway, and the Kyle Line.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, an experienced Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.
What hotel is used?: The Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness, for all four nights, so you unpack once.
Which trains are included?: The Highland Main Line to Inverness, the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig, the Strathspey Steam Railway between Aviemore and Broomhill, and the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh.
What meals are included?: Breakfast and an evening meal on each of the four nights, plus one lunch at the Kyle Hotel.