Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Scotland by Rail

Scotland by Rail, a rail journey with Planet Rail

Experience the beauty of Scotland on a scenic rail journey through dramatic landscapes, historic cities and breathtaking highlands.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Glasgow

    Arrive in Glasgow

    Your holiday begins today as you arrive in Glasgow, a dynamic and lively city, and the largest in Scotland. On arrival, make your way to the highly-rated Indigo Hotel (4 star) for a two-night stay.

  2. Day 2overnight: Glasgow

    Discovering Glasgow

    Make the most of a full day to explore Glasgow. In the Victorian era, this sprawling metropolis was second only to London as the largest city in the British Empire, and as such there are many beautiful examples of architecture from that time. A popular option is the Willow Tearooms on Sauchiehall Street, created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Other highlights include the Riverside Museum of Transport and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Oban

    Glasgow to Oban on the beautiful West Highland Line

    Make your way to Glasgow's Queen Street station for the spectacular journey to Oban on the West Highland Line, regularly voted one of the best railway journeys in the world. The train heads alongside Loch Long, skirts the western banks of Loch Lomond and passes under dramatic peaks including Ben Lui, passing Loch Awe and the remains of Kilchurn Castle before reaching the charming port of Oban. Here you spend three nights at the highly-rated Perle Hotel (4 star), ideally located close to the station on the sea front.

  4. Day 4overnight: Oban

    Exploring Oban and the Inner Hebrides

    Make the most of two full days to discover this truly beautiful region. Stroll around Oban, head to McCaig's Tower, a folly modelled on the Colosseum in Rome, or visit the distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland dating back to the 1790s. Ferries run throughout the year to many nearby islands, including beautiful Mull, Tobermory, Duart Castle, the secluded Isle of Iona, South Uist and the wild island of Colonsay.

  5. Day 5overnight: Oban

    Exploring Oban and the Inner Hebrides

    A second full day to explore Oban and take advantage of its superb ferry links to the islands scattered along Scotland's west coast, including Mull with its pastel-painted houses of Tobermory, Duart Castle and the Isle of Iona with its pristine beaches and impressive abbey.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Spean Bridge

    Northwards to Spean Bridge on the West Highland Line

    Leaving Oban behind, take the train back along the West Highland Line as far as Crianlarich, then change trains and continue on the northern stretch of this magnificent railway journey. The train climbs quickly from Crianlarich to Upper Tyndrum and crosses the wild Rannoch Moor before arriving in Spean Bridge. Here you spend three nights at the charming, friendly and extremely welcoming Spean Lodge (4 star).

  7. Day 7railovernight: Spean Bridge

    The West Highland Line to Mallaig

    Take the regular Scotrail service for a journey to Mallaig on the northernmost leg of the West Highland Line. The train climbs into the mountains surrounding Glenfinnan, where it crosses the famous curved Glenfinnan Viaduct, known from the Harry Potter films. The track then descends towards the coast with views of Rum, Eigg and Muck, the Small Isles, until you reach Mallaig. Enjoy time to explore this working fishing port before making your return journey.

  8. Day 8overnight: Spean Bridge

    At leisure in Spean Bridge and the Highlands

    Enjoy a day to relax and take in the sights of Spean Bridge at your own pace, including the famous Commando Memorial and panoramic viewpoint about a mile west of the village. The area offers hillwalking, climbing, watersports and wildlife watching; the Great Glen Way and West Highland Way pass through. You may wish to head into Fort William, visit the West Highland Museum, climb Ben Nevis or take the Nevis Range Gondola for panoramic views.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Edinburgh

    Fort William to Edinburgh by rail

    Return to Fort William station and join the train for another fabulous journey on the West Highland Line as you make your way southwards to Glasgow. Here you change trains and continue to Edinburgh. On arrival in the Scottish capital, make your own way to your hotel for the next two nights, the stylish Ten Hill Place Hotel (4 star).

  10. Day 10railovernight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh at leisure

    Enjoy a day to discover more of the Scottish capital: the cobbled alleys of the medieval Old Town, the Georgian New Town, the Royal Mile with Edinburgh Castle at one end and the Palace of Holyrood House at the other, St Giles' Cathedral, the Scottish Parliament, Arthur's Seat, the Royal Yacht Britannia, or islands in the Firth of Forth such as Inchcolm Island with views of the Forth Railway Bridge.

  11. Day 11

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast in the hotel, today your holiday concludes. Make your way back to the station for your homeward journey.

Included

  • Standard Class rail travel throughout as described
  • 10 nights' hotel accommodation with breakfast at 4 and 5 star hotels and B&Bs, including 2 nights in Glasgow and Edinburgh with 3 nights in Oban and Spean Bridge
  • Round-trip excursion from Spean Bridge to Mallaig on the scheduled ScotRail service

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