adeo Travel · Independent Rail Tour

Scotland’s West Coast by Rail

10-day self-guided rail tour of Scotland's West Highlands and Isle of Skye

Scotland’s West Coast by Rail, a rail journey with adeo Travel

adeo Travel runs this 10-day self-guided rail tour of Scotland's West Coast and Highlands, using the BritRail Spirit of Scotland pass to link Glasgow, Fort William, the Isle of Skye, Inverness and Edinburgh. After a small-group excursion from Glasgow through Inveraray, Oban and Glencoe Valley, the West Highland Railway carries travelers past Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor to Fort William, then over the Glenfinnan Viaduct to Mallaig for a ferry crossing to Skye. There, a small-group tour visits Neist Point, the Old Man of Storr and Dunvegan Castle. From Skye, the North Highland Line crosses the Northern Highlands, with views of the Torridon peaks, to Inverness for a Loch Ness excursion, before a final rail journey through the Cairngorm National Park to Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town. With small-group tours covering Glencoe, Skye and Loch Ness and the rest of the days self-guided, this suits travelers drawn to Scotland's western rail lines and Highland scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • All five hotels are listed as "(or similar)".
  • The BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass covers 8 travel days within a 15-day window, does not cover the Glasgow Subway, and taxis from stations to hotels are excluded except on Skye.
  • Day 10's return to your home nation is described as a flight from Edinburgh Airport, not a rail journey.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Glasgow

    Arrival in Scotland and Rail to Glasgow

    Arriving into Edinburgh Airport (or Glasgow Airport), board the train to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Explore the Victorian monuments of George Square, the bustling Sauchiehall Street and the imposing Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, or visit Kelvingrove Park and Museum and the Merchant City.

  2. Day 2overnight: Glasgow

    Glencoe, Highlands and Lochs Excursion

    Enjoy a small-group excursion for a taste of Scotland's dramatic Highlands, heading north through Inveraray and its white-washed castle to the West Coast, pausing in Oban for lunch before continuing into Glencoe Valley. Return south over Rannoch Moor and along the banks of Loch Lomond.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Fort William

    The West Highland Way and Fort William

    Embark on the West Highland Railway to Fort William, passing scenic coastline, the shores of Loch Lomond and the desolate expanse of Rannoch Moor. Walk the harbour overlooking Loch Linhe, visit the Ben Nevis Distillery or the West Highland Museum.

  4. Day 4overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    The Glenfinnan Viaduct and Portree

    Continue north on the second leg of the West Highland line, over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel. Arriving in Mallaig, board the ferry to the Isle of Skye, then a private transfer from Armadale port to Portree.

  5. Day 5overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Isle of Skye Excursion

    Join a small-group tour dedicated to exploring the best of Skye, spotting sea and bird-life from Neist Point, passing through Fairy Glen and touring the Trotternish Peninsula, including The Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle and Talisker Distillery.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Inverness

    The North Highland Line and Inverness

    Enjoy a private transfer from Portree over Skye Bridge to the Kyle of Lochalsh, then board the train on the North Highland Line over the barren wilderness of the Northern Highlands with views of the Torridon peaks, descending to Inverness.

  7. Day 7overnight: Inverness

    Loch Ness Excursion from Inverness

    Join a small-group tour dedicated to exploring the Highlands and the area surrounding Loch Ness, with an opportunity for a boat trip and a stop at Urquhart Castle, plus Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus and the Falls of Foyers.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Edinburgh

    Rail to Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle

    Make a final rail journey south through the Cairngorm National Park with mountain vistas before arriving in Edinburgh. Explore the cobbled old town and Georgian new town, stroll through Princes Street Gardens and climb the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle.

  9. Day 9overnight: Edinburgh

    Explore Edinburgh City

    Today explore Edinburgh in more depth; shop along Princes Street, visit Scotland's national museums and galleries or discover "Royal" Edinburgh with visits to the Palace of Holyroodhouse or the Royal Yacht Britannia. Visit the Scottish Parliament, climb Arthur's Seat or enjoy the pub scene.

  10. Day 10

    Return Home

    Today bid farewell to Scotland as you return to Edinburgh Airport for your return flight to your home nation.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group excursion from Glasgow passes Inveraray Castle, stops in Oban for lunch and continues into Glencoe Valley, returning over Rannoch Moor and along Loch Lomond.
  • Day 4The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel, before a ferry crossing from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye.
  • Day 5A small-group tour of Skye visits Neist Point, the Trotternish Peninsula's Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle and Talisker Distillery.
  • Day 8The final rail journey to Edinburgh crosses the Cairngorm National Park with mountain vistas.

Included

  • 9 nights accommodation (suggested accommodations listed below)
  • Full cooked Scottish breakfast each morning
  • BritRail Spirit of Scotland (8 in 15 day) Rail Passes – 8 separate days of travel on the Scottish Rail Network within a 15 day period, fully flexible and unlimited on each day of use, covering all outlined rail journeys; also covers the ferry crossing to the Isle of Skye
  • Private transfers to / from Portree on the Isle of Skye
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs and Castles tour from Glasgow
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Best of Skye day tour from Portree, Isle of Skye
  • Hand-picked small-group day-tour: Loch Ness day tour from Inverness
  • Admission to Edinburgh Castle
  • Adeo travel documents pack and suggested rail schedule information for each point-to-point journey including journey durations, departure stations and travel departure times
  • Toll-free calls (from USA and Canada) to your Britain vacation specialist whilst planning your trip
  • Expert assistance during the planning of your trip and local out-of-hours number for use during travel

Not included

  • Travel on the Glasgow Subway rail network (separate to the national rail network; BritRail Passes not valid)
  • Taxis / transfers from train stations to your hotels (except on Skye)
  • Trip Insurance
  • Flights
  • Meals and/or sightseeing other than that outlined above

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass (8 in 15 day) covers the rail journeys outlined, including the West Highland Line and the ferry crossing to Skye.
Is it guided or independent?
Self-guided; local guides join the included small-group excursions from Glasgow (Oban and Glencoe), Portree (Best of Skye) and Inverness (Loch Ness), with private transfers to and from Portree.
What hotels are used?
Hotel Indigo in Glasgow, The Garrison Hotel in Fort William, The Cuillin Hills Hotel in Portree, Inverness Palace, and Bonham Hotel in Edinburgh, all "or similar".
Which trains are used?
The West Highland Railway to Fort William and over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and the North Highland Line from Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness, plus rail to Edinburgh.
What is not included?
Glasgow Subway travel, taxis from stations to hotels except on Skye, trip insurance, flights, and meals or sightseeing beyond what's listed.
What is the price?
The tour starts at 2,195 GBP (2,931 USD), about 293 USD per day.

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