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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

The Heart of Scotland

Nine-day escorted tour through Scottish Highlands, lochs, and islands from Stirling to Inverness

Illustration of The Heart of Scotland

The Railway Touring Company's The Heart of Scotland is a 9-day, 8-night escorted tour from Stirling to Inverness through the Trossachs, Isle of Bute, Cairngorms, and Highlands. A Tour Manager guides the group, which stays in Stirling for three nights before moving to Rothesay, Fort William, and Inverness. The journey mixes heritage steam railways with first-class mainline travel: passengers ride the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, the Strathspey Railway near Aviemore, and the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, while also cruising Loch Katrine on the Sir Walter Scott steamship and Loch Lomond by motorboat. Stirling Castle and the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre anchor the cultural component; Mount Stuart, a Victorian Gothic Revival estate on Bute, adds historical depth. Coach transfers link the rail journeys, and eight dinners plus three lunches are included with the hotel accommodation. The tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking guided comfort, and those interested in Scottish history and heritage railways.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: July 2026 at GBP 2,185 per person (double occupancy).
  • Hotels are named by location only; specific names and standards not provided in the tour description.
  • Some days include substantial coach travel between regions; not every day features rail or water transport.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Stirling

    London to Stirling on the 'Highland Chieftain'

    From the First-Class Lounge at London's King's Cross Station, join the 'Highland Chieftain' passenger train north via the East Coast Main Line, with a light lunch served at your seat. The train stops at York and continues via Newcastle and Edinburgh to Stirling, where you check in for the next three nights. A welcome dinner is served at the hotel.

  2. Day 2overnight: Stirling

    Steam cruise on Loch Katrine and free time in Stirling

    Transfer by coach to Loch Katrine in the Trossachs National Park for a 2-hour lake cruise on the steamship 'Sir Walter Scott' to Stronachlachar, then lunch at the Pier restaurant. Free time to explore Stirling's Old Town and the Back Walk footpath. Dinner at the hotel.

  3. Day 3overnight: Stirling

    Stirling Castle and Battle of Bannockburn experience

    Guided tour of the grounds of Stirling Castle, followed by an afternoon visit to the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre and experience. Return to the hotel for a final dinner in Stirling.

  4. Day 4overnight: Rothesay

    Loch Lomond Cruise and CalMac service to the Isle of Bute

    Transfer by coach to Luss on the shores of Loch Lomond for a scenic cruise, then lunch at the Lodge on Loch Lomond. Free time in Luss before travelling to Wemyss Bay to board the CalMac ferry to the Isle of Bute, arriving in Rothesay for your hotel.

  5. Day 5overnight: Rothesay

    Mount Stuart and the scenery of South Bute

    Discover the natural and cultural highlights south of Rothesay, including the Victorian Gothic Revival estate at Mount Stuart and the beaches and coves at Kilchattan Bay. Dinner again at your hotel in Rothesay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Fort William

    Ferry crossing to Wemyss Bay

    Leisure time in Rothesay before taking the lunchtime CalMac ferry from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay, then transfer by coach to Fort William for dinner and overnight accommodation.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Fort William

    Jacobite Steam Train

    Trip on 'The Jacobite' steam train from Fort William to Mallaig through magnificent Scottish scenery, with time in Mallaig before the return journey. Dinner with fellow travellers at the hotel.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Inverness

    Strathspey Steam Railway and Cairngorm Mountain Railway

    Coach to Aviemore to join a steam train on the Strathspey Railway to Boat of Garten and Broomhill and back, then on to the Cairngorm Mountain Railway funicular, Britain's highest mountain railway, with a stop at Loch Morlich en route. Onward to Inverness for a final dinner with fellow travellers.

  9. Day 9rail

    Train travel from Inverness

    Early breakfast before transferring to Inverness Railway Station for the First Class return journey to London, via Drumochter summit, Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle and York to King's Cross, with a light lunch served on board.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Two-hour steamship cruise on Loch Katrine aboard the Sir Walter Scott to Stronachlachar in the Trossachs National Park
  • Day 4Scenic cruise on Loch Lomond from Luss, followed by a CalMac ferry to the Isle of Bute
  • Day 7The Jacobite steam train journey from Fort William to Mallaig through Scottish Highlands scenery
  • Day 8Strathspey Railway steam train from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, then ascent on Cairngorm Mountain Railway, the UK's highest funicular

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London King's Cross to Stirling by LNER Azuma train and from Inverness to London King's Cross
  • 8 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • 3 lunches and 8 dinners
  • All rail and boat trips as detailed in the itinerary
  • All road coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • All seat reservations and transfers
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. First Class rail travel from London King's Cross to Stirling and return from Inverness is included, along with the Jacobite steam train, Strathspey Railway, Cairngorm Mountain Railway, Sir Walter Scott steamship, and Loch Lomond cruise.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the 9 days.
What meals are included?
Eight dinners and three lunches. Breakfast is included with the hotel accommodation.
Where do I stay?
Three nights in Stirling, two in Rothesay (Isle of Bute), two in Fort William, and one in Inverness, with all accommodation included.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes guided tours of Stirling Castle grounds, time to explore Stirling's Old Town and the Back Walk footpath, and free time in Luss and Mallaig. No strenuous hiking is described.
When does the tour run?
A single departure is listed for July 2026 at GBP 2,185 per person (USD 2,918).

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