Great Rail Journeys
Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands
Escorted 9-day Scotland tour on four named rail lines from Edinburgh
9 daysfrom $3,204
44% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group Tour
Skye, Orkney & the Wild North
Immerse yourself in the wild north of Skye and Orkney with Great Rail Journeys for a truly unforgettable experience.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Glasgow
Arrive in Glasgow, the gateway to Scotland's great outdoors
Your holiday begins in Glasgow, where you arrive independently to the hotel, meeting the Tour Manager and rest of the group. After checking in, you have time at leisure to explore Glasgow's distinctive charm, Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, or Glasgow Green. Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2railovernight: Brora
Visiting the charming banks of Brora
After breakfast, journey by rail to Brora via Inverness. Travel north through picturesque lochs, rolling hills and glimpses of historic castles, then through the stunning Highlands alongside majestic mountains before coastal scenery takes over with rugged cliffs and sandy beaches. Arrive at the picturesque fishing village of Brora on the eastern stretch of coastline. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Brora
Discovering the history of the Isles of Orkney
Full-day island tour of Orkney. Coach to Scrabster, then ferry to Orkney. Tour starts in Stromness with a local guide. Visit the Churchill Barriers, then the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney', Skara Brae, Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar. Stop in Kirkwall to see St Magnus Cathedral and explore the streets. Return to Brora by ferry and coach. Dinner on later arrival. Note: order of activities may change depending on weather.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Plockton
Majestic Dunrobin Castle and the 'jewel of the Highlands'
Visit Dunrobin Castle and gardens, the most northerly of Scotland's great houses with 189 rooms, overlooking the Moray Firth. Explore the castle, formal gardens and Victorian museum at your own pace. Continue to Inverness for time at leisure over lunch. Then join the Kyle Line, travelling among mountains, forests and lochs to Plockton, the 'jewel of the Highlands', on a sheltered bay overlooking Loch Carron. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Plockton
Enchanting Isle of Skye and distillery visit
Coach to the Isle of Skye. First stop in Broadford, explore the village, bay views, galleries and craft shops. Continue to Sconser for the ferry to Raasay, where a tour and whisky tasting at the Raasay Distillery awaits. Soak up views across to Skye and the Cuillin Hills before returning by ferry to Sconser. Dinner at a local restaurant. Note: on the 8th September departure, guests stay on Skye and enjoy a one-hour private tour and tasting at the Talisker Distillery instead.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: Plockton
The grand Dunvegan Castle and picturesque Portree
Visit Dunvegan Castle, one of the greatest Hebridean castles, featuring architectural styles from 1200 to the 1850s, with Victorian-era pepper pots and defensive battlements. Explore the castle and gardens, then continue to Portree, the charming capital of the Isle of Skye, with its picturesque harbour lined with pastel-coloured houses. Time to wander the streets, browse shops or walk to Scorrybreac viewpoint. Scenic drive back to Plockton along the coast, passing the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Glasgow
A ride on the famous West Highland Railway to Glasgow
After breakfast, travel to Fort William by coach, then join the West Highland Line, one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the UK, travelling south to Glasgow. Pass through rugged mountains, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park before arriving in Glasgow. Return to the central four-star hotel in the afternoon. Time to explore the city before a final dinner in Scotland.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 8
Homeward bound
Your holiday comes to an end after breakfast. After saying goodbye, you may choose to spend more time exploring independently before heading home.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 7 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation
- Standard class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast and dinner each day
- All guided tours and excursions
- Ferry crossings (Scrabster to Orkney, Sconser to Raasay)
Not included
- Cancellation and travel insurance
- Lunches
- Travel to/from Glasgow independently
