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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

The Cock O'the North - May 2026

Seven-day First Class rail tour of Scottish Highlands from London via Heritage lines and

Illustration of The Cock O'the North - May 2026

The Railway Touring Company's seven-day Cock O' the North tour combines First Class mainline travel with heritage railways and Scottish scenery across the northern Highlands. The journey starts from London King's Cross aboard the Highland Chieftain, passing through York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth to reach Inverness, where you base yourself for four nights at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa. Day two includes two heritage railways in one day: steam on the Strathspey Railway near Aviemore and a vintage diesel rail car on the Keith & Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK. The tour then takes the scenic Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line, considered one of Britain's finest railway journeys, before crossing to the Isle of Skye for two nights with a guided coach tour of the Cuillin mountains, Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross, and Dunvegan Castle. The highlight comes on day five with steam on The Jacobite from Mallaig to Fort William, crossing the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. A Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness cruise with a visit to Urquhart Castle rounds out the experience before the return journey to London. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and your luggage is transported separately by private coach, leaving you free to enjoy each train journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one May 2026 departure is listed at £2,045 GBP; verify availability and book early.
  • The Isle of Skye hotel is a good quality 3-star property with no specific name provided in the published itinerary; confirm the exact hotel when booking.
  • Standard Class is used on the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line; First Class is not provided on this train.

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 1Board the Highland Chieftain in First Class from London King's Cross, traveling via York, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Perth to Inverness on the Highland Main Line.
  • Day 2Two heritage railways in one day: steam on the Strathspey Railway from Aviemore to Boat of Garten, then a vintage diesel rail car on the Keith & Dufftown Railway, the most northerly heritage railway in the UK.
  • Day 3Travel by train along the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line, described as one of the most scenic lines in Britain, then cross the Skye Bridge to Portree.
  • Day 5Cross the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct aboard The Jacobite steam train from Mallaig to Fort William.
  • 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 the train travel included?
Yes. Included are First Class rail on the Highland Chieftain from London to Inverness and return, First Class on The Jacobite from Mallaig to Fort William, Standard Class between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, plus heritage railway trips on the Strathspey Railway and Keith & Dufftown Railway.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager for the entire seven days.
What hotels are included?
Four nights dinner, bed and breakfast at the Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness, and two nights dinner, bed and breakfast at a good quality 3-star hotel in Portree, Isle of Skye.
What meals are included?
Six dinners and six breakfasts at the hotels, plus four lunches during the tour. At-seat dining is provided on the Highland Chieftain.
How much walking is involved?
A guided coach tour of the Isle of Skye takes in the Cuillin mountains, Flora MacDonald Memorial Cross, and Dunvegan Castle. A Loch Ness cruise and castle visit are included. Most days involve coach transfers, with luggage transported separately.
When does it depart?
The sole published departure is in May 2026, departing from London King's Cross.

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