The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

The Cock O'the North - May 2026

The Cock O'the North - May 2026, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

Discover the outstanding natural beauty of Scotland's northern outposts on this rail and road tour, from the Highland Chieftain to steam on The Jacobite and two nights on Skye.

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.

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

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