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Euroventure · Self-guided rail holiday

Scottish Highlands: 2 Weeks

Scottish Highlands loop from Edinburgh on five trains over 15 days

Illustration of Scottish Highlands: 2 Weeks

Euroventure's Scottish Highlands self-guided rail holiday takes you on a 15-day loop through Scotland's most celebrated train routes and landscapes. Beginning in Edinburgh, the capital, you travel north by train to Inverness on the edge of the Highlands, then south through the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. The highlight is the West Highland Line journey from Glasgow to Fort William, a route carved by Victorian railway pioneers that passes Loch Lomond, crosses Rannoch Moor and cuts through Glen Coe before reaching the gateway to Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. You finish with a coach journey to Loch Lomond's shores before returning to Edinburgh. Throughout, Euroventure books your accommodation in centrally located hotels, provides seat reservations on every train, and includes a personalised travel pack with directions, travel times and local guidance. There is no tour guide, making this ideal for independent travellers who want the security of pre-arranged logistics without group constraints.

What to know before you look closer

  • The final hotel (at Loch Lomond) is reached by coach, not train, after Fort William.
  • Return from Loch Lomond to Edinburgh on day 15 is by coach and train; confirm exact arrangements with Euroventure before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Start in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, known for the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town. Highlights: explore Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile; visit Dean Village in the Georgian New Town; hike Arthur's Seat for views over the city.

  2. Day 4railovernight: Inverness

    Inverness

    Train to Inverness (3.5 hours), the historic gateway to the Scottish Highlands, blending Pictish heritage, Jacobite history and natural beauty. Highlights: search for Nessie on Loch Ness; stroll the River Ness, Victorian Market or Ness Islands; visit the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.

  3. Day 6railovernight: Pitlochry

    Pitlochry

    Train to Pitlochry (2 hours), a Victorian resort town in Highland Perthshire. Highlights: watch salmon leap at the famous fish ladder; see world-class theatre at Pitlochry Festival Theatre; taste Scotch whisky at Blair Athol Distillery.

  4. Day 8railovernight: Glasgow

    Glasgow

    Train to Glasgow (2 hours), Scotland's largest city, where industrial heritage meets Victorian architecture. Highlights: explore Kelvingrove and Riverside museums; experience the music scene; visit Pollok Country Park to spot Highland cows.

  5. Day 10railovernight: Fort William

    Fort William

    Train to Fort William (4 hours) on the West Highland Line, one of the world's most scenic railway journeys, past Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe. Highlights: stand beneath Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain; journey through Glen Coe's mountain pass; ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

  6. Day 13overnight: Loch Lomond

    Loch Lomond

    Coach to Loch Lomond (2.5 hours), staying in Luss on the shores of Scotland's largest loch. Highlights: cruise Loch Lomond; stroll the village of Luss; explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

  7. Day 15railovernight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Coach and train back to Edinburgh (2 hours) to conclude the trip, with time to revisit favourite spots or find hidden gems before heading home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Climb Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh for views over the capital's Old Town and Georgian New Town.
  • Day 4Search for Nessie on Loch Ness and visit the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.
  • Day 6Watch salmon leap at Pitlochry's famous fish ladder and taste Scotch whisky at Blair Athol Distillery.

Included

  • Train tickets from the first to the last city on the route, as shown on the map
  • All possible seat reservations, not just the compulsory ones
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hotels, tested by us
  • Walking or public transport directions between the stations and your booked accommodation
  • Travel Disruption Protection: alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption
  • 24hr emergency phone number to use while you're away
  • Personalised travel pack with travel times, accommodation information, directions, language guides and things to see and do in each location
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe
  • 1GB of free data, with the option to add more anytime with eSIM

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Train tickets from Edinburgh through to Fort William on the West Highland Line are included, as are all seat reservations. The return from Loch Lomond to Edinburgh involves both coach and train.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is self-guided. Euroventure provides a personalised travel pack with directions between stations and accommodation, but there is no tour guide accompanying the group.
Which trains are used?
The itinerary includes the West Highland Line (Glasgow to Fort William) and regional trains connecting Edinburgh, Inverness, Pitlochry and Glasgow. Specific train names for earlier legs are not listed in the itinerary.
What hotels are included?
Accommodation is in top-rated, centrally located hotels tested by Euroventure, in Edinburgh, Inverness, Pitlochry, Glasgow, Fort William and Loch Lomond (village of Luss). Specific hotel names are not provided in the package details.
What is the deposit and balance payment schedule?
A 10 percent deposit is due at booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure.
What happens if there is a train strike or disruption?
Travel Disruption Protection is included; alternative travel will be arranged at no extra cost if a strike or similar disruption occurs.

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