Firebird Tours
Scotland Train Explorer
Private 8-day Scotland rail tour featuring the Jacobite steam train
8 daysfrom $3,228
63% rail
The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour
The Heart of Scotland
Scotland is a rugged country full of scenic and cultural surprises, as you'll discover for yourself on this highlight-packed tour to its wild, spectacular heart.
Day by day
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
