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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

The Far North and Orkney - August 2026

Scottish Highlands and Orkney rail tour with heritage steam trains

Illustration of The Far North and Orkney - August 2026

The Railway Touring Company's nine-day Far North and Orkney tour explores the rugged landscapes of northeastern Scotland and the far north, combining five rail journeys with a summer ferry crossing to the islands. Starting from London Kings Cross in First Class, the tour reaches Aberdeen on Day 1, then moves through two heritage steam railways (Royal Deeside and Caledonian) before a six-hour evening ferry to Orkney during the midsummer 'White Night', when the sun barely sets. The heart of the itinerary is a three-day stay in Kirkwall exploring neolithic sites including Maes Howe and Skara Brae, Orkney's beaches, and a local distillery. The return to the mainland is via the Far North Line through Thurso, Britain's most northerly railway, with lunch at John O'Groats and an overnight in Inverness. The tour concludes with a ride on the Strathspey Railway in the Cairngorms before a First Class return to London on the Highland Chieftain. Throughout, a Tour Manager handles all logistics, transfers, and five included meals. This escorted experience suits repeat rail travellers and history enthusiasts seeking a guided, all-arranged itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed for August 2026; confirm availability well in advance.
  • This is an escorted coach-and-rail tour; only five of the nine days involve train travel. The remaining days are coach-based exploration or at-leisure time.
  • Rail fare from London Kings Cross is included, but the tour departs and returns to London; you must arrange your own transport to and from the station.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Aberdeen

    London to Aberdeen

    Your adventure begins in the First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross, for a mid-morning departure to Aberdeen along the East Coast Main Line via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh, crossing the Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges, with complimentary drinks and a light lunch. You arrive late afternoon and check into your city centre hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Aberdeen

    Steam at the Royal Deeside Railway and Crathes Castle

    You visit the Royal Deeside Railway, a standard gauge heritage line with a two-mile round trip through rural scenery, with photo opportunities and a staged 'false arrival'. Lunch is taken at the Milton Crathes Brasserie, followed by a visit to Crathes Castle, before returning to Aberdeen by coach.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Kirkwall, Orkney

    Steam at the Caledonian Railway and ferry crossing to Orkney

    Your coach transfers you to Brechin, home of the Caledonian Railway, for a privately chartered steam train on the eight-mile round trip to Bridge of Dun, with time afterwards to visit Brechin's Cathedral and Round Tower. You return to Aberdeen and board the ferry for a six-hour evening crossing to Kirkwall, with dinner served on board, arriving late evening as the sun sets.

  4. Day 4overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney

    At leisure in Kirkwall and a visit to a distillery

    Free time to relax and explore Kirkwall, including the 12th century St. Magnus Cathedral, the most northern cathedral in the British Isles. In the afternoon you visit a local distillery. Dinner is served at your hotel.

  5. Day 5overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney

    Exploration of neolithic Orkney

    A coach exploration of mainland Orkney, taking in the 'Heart of Neolithic Orkney' World Heritage Site, including Maes Howe, Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness, with a visit to the fishing port of Stromness and the sea cliffs at Yesnaby.

  6. Day 6overnight: Kirkwall, Orkney

    Orkney beaches, Italian chapel, Broch of Gurness and Brough of Birsay

    A day discovering Orkney's beaches and the 'Churchill Barrier' causeway roads, visiting the Italian chapel, the fishing town of Burwick with views to John O' Groats, the archaeological site at Broch of Gurness, and the Brough of Birsay on the northern tip of mainland Orkney.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Inverness

    Ferry crossing over the Pentland Firth, train journey to Inverness

    You return to the Scottish mainland via a coach to Stromness and the ferry crossing over the Pentland Firth, past the Old Man of Hoy, to Scrabster near Thurso. You continue by coach to John O' Groats for lunch, then board a ScotRail service on the Far North Line via Thurso to Inverness, where you spend two nights at the Best Western Hotel and Spa.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Inverness

    Strathspey Steam Railway and Fort George

    You travel by coach to Aviemore to join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway, running to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, then on to Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park. After lunch back at the hotel, you visit Fort George, the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, before a farewell meal.

  9. Day 9rail

    Return to London on the Highland Chieftain

    After an early breakfast you transfer to Inverness Railway Station to join the 'Highland Chieftain' express for your return journey, climbing to Drumochter summit and following the River Tay to Perth, then on to Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King's Cross, with a light lunch served on the journey south.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Royal Deeside Railway steam train ride with a two-mile round trip through rural Aberdeenshire, followed by a visit to Crathes Castle.
  • Day 3Caledonian Railway steam-hauled journey from Brechin to Bridge of Dun, then a six-hour evening ferry crossing to Orkney as the sun sets.
  • Day 5Coach exploration of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, including Maes Howe, Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar, and the Standing Stones of Stenness.
  • Day 7Journey on the Far North Line via Thurso to Inverness, the most northerly railway in the United Kingdom, with lunch at John O'Groats.
  • Day 8Strathspey Railway steam train to Boat of Garten and Broomhill in the Cairngorms National Park, followed by a visit to Fort George.

Included

  • 8 nights accommodation with breakfast at hotels
  • 5 lunches and 5 dinners
  • All specially chartered steam trains as detailed in the itinerary
  • All rail, bus and boat journeys as detailed in the itinerary
  • All visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • Rail travel from London to Aberdeen and from Inverness to London
  • All seat reservations and transfers
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel from London included?
Yes. The tour includes First Class travel on the East Coast Main Line to Aberdeen on Day 1 and First Class return on the Highland Chieftain on Day 9. Heritage steam train rides on the Royal Deeside Railway, Caledonian Railway, Strathspey Railway, and a ScotRail journey on the Far North Line are all included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the nine days.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily at your hotels. Five lunches and five dinners are provided; the remaining meals are at your leisure.
How many nights do I spend in Orkney?
Four nights in Kirkwall, Orkney, from the evening of Day 3 through the morning of Day 7.
What is the main physical activity level?
The tour involves city walking in Kirkwall and Aberdeen, coach-based sightseeing, and heritage train rides. There are visits to archaeological sites, castles, and fortifications, but no hiking or strenuous climbing.
When does this tour run?
This tour departs in August 2026 during the midsummer season when daylight is nearly continuous in northern Scotland.

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