How much does it cost?

From £1,869 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,525 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 from your home station is included, plus the Highland Line and Far North Line from Stirling to Thurso via Inverness. Travel beyond Thurso is by private coach and ferry.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, a Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with local guides also joining in Orkney and Shetland.

What accommodation is included?

One night at the Stirling Highland Hotel, two nights at the Pentland Hotel in Thurso, and two nights in overnight cabins aboard NorthLink Ferries between Orkney, Shetland and Aberdeen.

One departure is listed, in April 2027, from 1,869 GBP.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Scotland's Far North, Shetland & Orkney 2027

Highland rail journey to Thurso then ferry touring of Orkney and Shetland

Railtrail Tours operates this 6-day, 5-night escorted tour from Stirling to Aberdeen, reaching Scotland's far north by rail before touring Orkney and Shetland by coach and overnight ferry. After one night in Stirling, the group travels the Highland Line and Far North Line to Thurso for two nights, visits the Castle of Mey and John O'Groats, then sails to Orkney past the Old Man of Hoy to see Skara Brae with a local guide, before an overnight ferry to Shetland for the Mousa Broch and Shetland Museum, arriving in Aberdeen. A Railtrail Tour Manager travels throughout, with local guides added on the islands. It suits travelers interested in remote island archaeology and history who accept a fast-moving itinerary that changes accommodation, including two nights in ferry cabins, most days of the trip.

What to know before you look closer

The single room supplement, from 2,249 GBP, is far above half of the twin-share price of 1,869 GBP, a significant premium for solo travelers.
Only one departure is currently listed, in April 2027, so date choices are limited.
Two of the five nights are spent in cabins aboard NorthLink Ferries rather than hotels, sailing overnight between Orkney, Shetland and Aberdeen.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Stirling Highland Hotel, Stirling
Home station to Stirling
Journey from your home station to Stirling and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Stirling Highland Hotel for our overnight stay. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.
Day 2railovernight: Pentland Hotel, Thurso
Highland Line to Thurso
After breakfast this morning, we travel on the wonderfully picturesque Highland Line that takes us to Inverness where we continue our journey to Scotland's Far North by rail. On arrival in Thurso, we transfer to the Pentland Hotel, our hotel for the next two nights, and enjoy our evening meal together.
Day 3overnight: Pentland Hotel, Thurso
Castle of Mey and John O'Groats
Today, we board our private coach and visit the Castle & Gardens of Mey, the former royal residence of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother where we gain an insight into Her Majesty's life in Caithness and spend time enjoying the peaceful gardens and grounds. Afterwards, we head to the most northerly point of the mainland, John O' Groats, a famous point for cyclists and walkers making the great journey to or from Land's End. We can explore the village, walk the coast, and admire the beautiful scenery and wildlife before returning to our hotel in time for our evening meal.
Day 4overnight: NorthLink Ferry (overnight sailing to Shetland)
Ferry to Orkney
After a leisurely breakfast, we journey to Scrabster by private coach and board the ferry to Orkney sailing past the impressive red stone sea-stack of the Old Man of Hoy. On arrival, we meet our local guide who will be with us throughout our tour of the island including a visit to the mystical ancient settlement of Skara Brae, uncovered by a storm in 1850 and older than Stonehenge. We then visit Skaill House, the finest mansion on the island, before heading to the Italian Chapel which was built by Italian prisoners during WWII. We finish in Kirkwall where we enjoy our evening meal at a local restaurant, before boarding our overnight ferry to the Shetland Islands.
Day 5overnight: NorthLink Ferry (overnight sailing to Aberdeen)
Shetland Isle
After breakfast on board, we arrive in Lerwick and meet our guide for the day visiting a local jewellery workshop and seeing beautiful Shetland Ponies before our visit to the Shetland Museum & Archives with over 3,000 artefacts to explore. After enjoying our lunch at leisure, we head to the unusual Shetland settlement of Fladdabister and the Mousa Broch, the best preserved 2,000-year-old Iron Age tower in existence. We finish our tour at one of the most complex archeological sites, Jarlshof, travelling through 4,000 years of history from the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Viking periods. Later this afternoon, we join our Northlink ship and enjoy our final evening meal on board before our overnight journey to Aberdeen.
Day 6
Arrive Aberdeen, departure
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Aberdeen and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The Highland Line travels from Stirling through Inverness to Thurso, described as 'wonderfully picturesque.'
Day 3A visit to the Castle and Gardens of Mey, the former royal residence of the Queen Mother, followed by reaching John O'Groats, the most northerly point of the mainland.
Day 4The ferry to Orkney passes the Old Man of Hoy sea stack, and a local guide leads a tour of Skara Brae, an ancient settlement 'older than Stonehenge.'
Day 5In Shetland, a visit to the Mousa Broch, 'the best preserved 2,000-year-old Iron Age tower in existence,' and the Shetland Museum & Archives.

Included

5 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
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
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,869 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,525 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 from your home station is included, plus the Highland Line and Far North Line from Stirling to Thurso via Inverness. Travel beyond Thurso is by private coach and ferry.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, a Railtrail Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, with local guides also joining in Orkney and Shetland.
What accommodation is included?: One night at the Stirling Highland Hotel, two nights at the Pentland Hotel in Thurso, and two nights in overnight cabins aboard NorthLink Ferries between Orkney, Shetland and Aberdeen.
When does it depart?: One departure is listed, in April 2027, from 1,869 GBP.