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PTG Tours · Escorted tour

Scottish Steam, Malt & Ale Trail

Steam railways, distilleries and heritage sites across central Scotland from Perth

Illustration of Scottish Steam, Malt & Ale Trail

PTG Tours operates this six-day escorted tour based in Perth, combining Scotland's heritage railways, distilleries, and historic sites. You spend five nights at the Royal George Hotel with full board and the guidance of an experienced Tour Manager. The itinerary weaves heritage steam railways (the Strathspey Railway through the Cairngorms on Day 3 and the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway on Day 4) with cultural visits: Stirling Castle, the Kelpies sculptures, the Falkirk Wheel rotating boat lift, and a cruise on Loch Katrine. Food and drink are a strong thread: a distillery tour and tasting at Deanston and a brewery tasting at Bridge of Allan. Coach transport connects the sites, and rail travel between Perth and your home station is optional. The tour suits repeat rail travellers, history lovers, and those who enjoy guided travel with time to settle into one hotel base.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 1189 covers the hotel package and activities only; rail travel from your home station is charged separately (Standard Class from GBP 1235, First Class from GBP 1295, depending on your region). You can join and leave at the Perth hotel if you prefer to arrange your own transport.
  • Only one departure is listed: May 2026. Confirm availability before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Perth

    Journey to Perth

    Journey from your home station to Perth and check in to the Royal George Hotel, home for the next five nights. Free time to explore before the first evening meal together.

  2. Day 2overnight: Perth

    Loch Katrine and Deanston Distillery

    Coach north to explore the Trossachs Range, with a scenic cruise on Loch Katrine aboard the 'Lady of the Lake', named after Sir Walter Scott's poem. Free time in the charming town of Callander, then a guided tour and tasting at Deanston Distillery.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Perth

    Strathspey Railway and the Cairngorms

    Train journey north into the Cairngorms, passing dense forests and wild moors flanked by the Grampians, to the mountain resort of Aviemore. A return steam excursion from Aviemore to Broomhill on the preserved Strathspey Railway, alongside the River Spey. Free time in Aviemore before returning to Perth by rail for the evening meal.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Perth

    Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway and Bridge of Allan Brewery

    Private coach to the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway for a scenic return journey past waterfalls, through woodlands and over the Avon Viaduct, visiting the Museum of Scottish Railways. Afterwards, a guided presentation and tasting at the Bridge of Allan Brewery.

  5. Day 5overnight: Perth

    Stirling Castle, The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel

    Transfer to Stirling with free time before visiting Stirling Castle, childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. Then a tour of The Kelpies, followed by a ride on the Falkirk Wheel, the world's only rotating boat lift, being raised 35 metres. Return to Perth for the final evening meal.

  6. Day 6

    Homeward journey

    After breakfast, farewell to Perth and homeward journeys from the station.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Scenic cruise on Loch Katrine aboard the Lady of the Lake, then a guided tour and tasting at Deanston Distillery
  • Day 3Steam excursion on the Strathspey Railway from Aviemore to Broomhill through dense forests and wild moors of the Cairngorms
  • Day 4Return journey on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct, followed by a tasting at Bridge of Allan Brewery
  • Day 5Ride on the Falkirk Wheel, the world's only rotating boat lift, raised 35 metres, and visit to Stirling Castle

Included

  • 5 nights' bed, breakfast & evening meal
  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
The from-price covers the hotel, meals, and activities but not train fares from your home station. PTG Tours offers optional add-ons: Standard Class rail from GBP 1235 or First Class from GBP 1295, both varying by departure region (lowest prices for Scotland). You can also join and leave at the hotel in Perth.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
This is a fully escorted tour. PTG Tours provides an experienced Tour Manager throughout, and the package includes guided visits to Deanston Distillery and Bridge of Allan Brewery. Coach transport connects the daily itinerary.
Which trains are included?
The tour includes two heritage railway excursions: a steam trip on the Strathspey Railway from Aviemore to Broomhill on Day 3, and a scenic return journey on the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway on Day 4. Day 3 also features a standard train journey from Perth north into the Cairngorms.
What is included in the price?
Five nights' bed, breakfast, and evening meal at the Royal George Hotel in Perth, services of a Tour Manager, coach transport, entry to heritage railways, Stirling Castle, The Kelpies tour, the Falkirk Wheel ride, Loch Katrine cruise, distillery tour and tasting, and brewery tasting.
How much walking is involved?
Days include city walking tours, castle visits, and boarding heritage trains. No high-altitude hikes or strenuous walks are mentioned, though free time allows you to explore towns at your own pace.
When does the tour run?
One departure is currently listed: May 2026.

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