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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

The Cock O'the North - June 2026

Scottish rail tour from London through Highlands, Skye, and steam trains

Illustration of The Cock O'the North - June 2026

The Railway Touring Company's Cock O'the North is a seven-day escorted journey through the Highlands, from London to Inverness and Fort William. The tour combines five different rail lines, including the Highland Chieftain in First Class, two heritage railways in a single day near the Cairngorms, the scenic Kyle of Lochalsh line, and the Jacobite steam train across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. You stay four nights at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa and two nights on the Isle of Skye, with a guided coach tour of Skye that includes Dunvegan Castle and a cruise on Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle. A Tour Manager travels with you throughout, and luggage is transported separately by private coach so you can move freely between trains and hotels. All meals are included except lunch on days 1 and 7. This tour suits repeat rail travellers who want to experience heritage steam railways alongside scenic main-line routes, as well as couples and history enthusiasts looking for a fully organized Scottish adventure.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: June 2026. Confirm availability with The Railway Touring Company before booking.
  • The Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh leg runs in Standard Class; First Class is not available on that service.
  • Hotels marked with specific names and star ratings; confirm final accommodation details at booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Inverness

    'Highland Chieftain' to Inverness

    From the comfort of the First-Class Lounge at London's King's Cross Station you join the 'Highland Chieftain' for the scenic journey to Scotland via York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth, and the Highland Main Line to Inverness. At Inverness you check in to The Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa for two nights. Dinner will be served this evening in the hotel restaurant.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Inverness

    Strathspey Railway; Keith & Dufftown Railway

    This morning you travel by road coach to Aviemore to join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway, running to Boat of Garten and Broomhill. You re-join your coach to Dufftown for lunch in the 'Buffer Stop' railway restaurant car, then take a vintage diesel rail car on the 11-mile Keith and Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. You return to the hotel in Inverness for dinner.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh by train

    After breakfast your luggage is transported by privately chartered road coach to your next hotel. You travel by train to Kyle of Lochalsh, one of the most scenic lines in Britain, then by road coach over the Skye Bridge to Portree, where you check in to your 3-star hotel, your base for the next two nights.

  4. Day 4overnight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    Tour of Skye, Dunvegan Castle

    A guided coach tour of the Isle of Skye, taking in the Cuillin mountains, the Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross and the historic Dunvegan Castle, ancient home of the MacLeods.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Inverness

    Ferry to Mallaig; 'The Jacobite' Steam Train

    After breakfast you head south by road coach to Armadale for the ferry to Mallaig, then join 'The Jacobite' steam train to Fort William, crossing the world famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. You rejoin the road coach for the journey to Inverness via the Great Glen and Loch Ness, checking in once again to The Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa.

  6. Day 6overnight: Inverness

    Loch Cruise and a leisurely afternoon in Inverness

    A Canal & Loch cruise with an inclusive visit to Urquhart Castle, sailing from Dochgarroch Lock through the Caledonian Canal onto Loch Ness. Afterwards you have time to explore Inverness before a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.

  7. Day 7rail

    The 'Highland Chieftain' back to London

    An early breakfast before transferring to Inverness Railway Station to join the 'Highland Chieftain' express for the return journey, climbing to Drumochter summit before Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King's Cross.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Depart London King's Cross in First Class on the Highland Chieftain, traveling via York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth to Inverness.
  • Day 2Two heritage railways in one day: the Strathspey Railway steam train to Boat of Garten, then the Keith and Dufftown 'Whisky Line' vintage diesel railcar, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK.
  • Day 3Travel by train along the scenic Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line, then by coach over the Skye Bridge to Portree.
  • Day 5Board the Jacobite steam train from Mallaig to Fort William, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct on one of the greatest railway journeys in the world.
  • Day 6Cruise the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness with an inclusive visit to Urquhart Castle.

Included

  • First Class rail travel to Inverness and return, from London, Peterborough or York, with at-seat dining
  • 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness
  • 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast at a good quality 3-star hotel in Portree
  • 4 lunches
  • Our own road coach to transport luggage for the duration in Scotland leaving you free to enjoy the train rides and other journeys
  • First Class rail travel on 'The Jacobite' from Mallaig to Fort William
  • Standard Class rail travel between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh (First Class not provided on this train)
  • All visits, train travel, transfers and tours as detailed in the itinerary
  • Reserved seats
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is all the train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class on the Highland Chieftain to and from London, First Class on the Jacobite steam train, Standard Class on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line, and rides on two heritage railways: the Strathspey Railway and the Keith and Dufftown 'Whisky Line'.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the seven days.
What is included in the price?
All rail travel as named, 4 nights dinner bed and breakfast at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, 2 nights dinner bed and breakfast at a 3-star hotel in Portree, 4 lunches, road coach transport with luggage assistance, guided tour of Skye, Dunvegan Castle visit, Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness cruise with Urquhart Castle visit, reserved seats, and Tour Manager services.
How many nights are spent in hotels?
Six nights: four in Inverness and two in Portree, Isle of Skye.
Do I sleep on any of the trains?
No. You stay in hotels each night.
What is the starting price and currency?
GBP 2045 (approximately USD 2731) for the June 2026 departure.

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