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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

Scotland by Rail

Scottish rail loop from Glasgow through Highlands to Edinburgh, 11 days

Illustration of Scotland by Rail

Scotland by Rail is an 11-day independent tailor-made holiday operated by Planet Rail. You travel by train from Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, northwestward on the West Highland Line through the Highlands, stopping in Oban (a port town with ferry links to islands including Mull and Iona), Spean Bridge in the mountains, and Mallaig on the coast. You then return to Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, by train via Glasgow. The itinerary spreads 10 nights across four four-star hotels with breakfast, allowing two full days in Glasgow and Edinburgh for unguided exploration, three nights each in Oban and Spean Bridge for island ferries or hill walking, and a round-trip train excursion to Mallaig past the Glenfinnan Viaduct. You arrange your own transport to hotels and activities; there is no guide. This suits first-time rail travellers keen to experience the West Highland Line, repeat rail enthusiasts (with optional steam service April to October), and independent explorers who prefer self-directed travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Ferry excursions to the Inner Hebrides islands (Mull, Iona, and others) are payable locally, not included in the package price.
  • The Jacobite steam-hauled service for the Mallaig journey is available only April to October and requires separate booking and payment.
  • This is an independent holiday; you make your own way between transport and hotels. Day 2, 4, 5, 8, and 10 are entirely unguided.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The West Highland Line departs Glasgow Queen Street, running alongside Loch Long and Loch Lomond before passing beneath Ben Lui and reaching the port town of Oban.
  • Day 7The ScotRail service climbs through Glenfinnan, where the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct (featured in the Harry Potter films) carries the train across the mountains toward Mallaig.
  • Day 10Edinburgh's Old Town medieval cobbled streets, Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and the Forth Railway Bridge across the Firth of Forth are available for exploration.

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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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Standard Class rail travel throughout the itinerary is included, including the round-trip excursion from Spean Bridge to Mallaig.
Which trains does this trip use?
The West Highland Line (Glasgow to Oban, Oban to Spean Bridge via Crianlarich, Fort William to Edinburgh via Glasgow), and the ScotRail service from Spean Bridge to Mallaig.
Is this trip guided or independent?
Independent and fully tailor-made to your departure dates and requirements. You travel at your own pace with unguided free time in each location.
What hotels are included?
Four-star hotels: Hotel Indigo (Glasgow, 2 nights), Manor House Hotel (Oban, 3 nights), Spean Lodge (Spean Bridge, 3 nights), and Ten Hill Place Hotel (Edinburgh, 2 nights). All include breakfast.
When does this trip run?
It is available year-round as a tailor-made booking. Prices range from £1,695 (low season, March) to £1,895 (high season, May to September).
What is not included?
Ferry excursions to the Inner Hebrides islands, the optional Jacobite steam-hauled service, meals other than hotel breakfast, and personal transport to and from hotels.

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