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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Shetlander - July 2026

8-day escorted rail and ferry journey to remote Shetland Islands

Illustration of The Shetlander - July 2026

The Railway Touring Company's Shetland journey is an 8-day escorted holiday that combines high-speed First Class rail travel from London with overnight ferry crossings and a comprehensive exploration of the United Kingdom's most northerly islands. Departing midmorning from London King's Cross, travellers spend the first day crossing Scotland on the East Coast Main Line before visiting the Keith and Dufftown Railway, a heritage line known as the 'Whisky Line'. The overnight ferry to Lerwick becomes home for two nights, with a private cabin included. Days 3 through 6 are devoted to Shetland's mainland, where a Tour Manager guides the group by coach to ancient archaeological sites including Jarlshof, dramatic coastal formations such as Sumburgh Head and Esha Ness, local museums, and cultural attractions. The return journey includes a stay in Dundee with a visit to HMS Discovery, Captain Scott's Antarctic exploration ship. All meals, transfers, rail, ferry, and coach journeys are arranged, and a Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: July 2026 at GBP 1,895 per person; confirm availability and future dates with the operator before planning.
  • Overnight ferry crossings mean two nights are spent in a private cabin rather than a traditional hotel; confirm cabin comfort standards with the operator.
  • The tour mixes rail and ferry substantially; those uncomfortable with multi-day sea travel should verify the ferry experience meets their expectations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Aberdeen

    London to Aberdeen

    Midmorning departure from the First-Class lounge at London King's Cross, travelling the East Coast Main Line via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh, crossing the Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges, with drinks and a light lunch served on board, arriving in Aberdeen in late afternoon.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Ferry (Aberdeen - Lerwick)

    Keith and Dufftown Railway and ferry crossing to Shetland

    Coach to the Keith and Dufftown Railway for a return trip by vintage diesel railcar along the 11-mile 'Whisky Line', with lunch in the 'Sidings Cafe', then back to Aberdeen to board the overnight ferry to Lerwick, with dinner and a private cabin.

  3. Day 3overnight: Lerwick

    Tour of the Central Shetland mainland; and Scalloway Museum

    Breakfast on board before disembarking at Lerwick. A coach tour of the Central Mainland via Tingwall to visit 'Carol's Ponies', the sandy beach at Banna Minn on West Burra, and Scalloway Museum, before checking in to the hotel in Lerwick.

  4. Day 4overnight: Lerwick

    South Shetland mainland

    A visit to the Croft Museum at Dunrossness, sea bird photography at Sumburgh Head, the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof, and the Hoswick Visitor Centre in Sandwick.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lerwick

    Northern mainland

    A visit to the Shetland Jewellery centre at Hellister, then Esha Ness for the rugged Atlantic cliffs, with lunch at the Busta House hotel.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ferry (Lerwick - Aberdeen)

    Western mainland

    A photo stop at the narrow isthmus of Mavis Grind, the remote beach at Sandness, and the fishing village of Walls, before an evening ferry departure back to Aberdeen, watching Fair Isle pass during dinner.

  7. Day 7overnight: Dundee

    Aberdeen to Dundee

    Breakfast on board the ferry, then a coach south to Dundee to visit Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery, with the afternoon free to explore Dundee before a farewell dinner with the group.

  8. Day 8

    Return to London

    First Class LNER Azuma service from Dundee via the Forth Bridge, Edinburgh and Newcastle, with lunch served on board.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1First Class departure from London King's Cross on the East Coast Main Line, crossing the Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges with drinks and light lunch served on board.
  • Day 2Ride the Keith and Dufftown Railway vintage diesel railcar along the 11-mile 'Whisky Line', then board the overnight ferry to Shetland in a private cabin.
  • Day 4Visit the prehistoric and Norse settlement of Jarlshof and photograph seabirds at Sumburgh Head's dramatic cliffs.
  • Day 5Explore the rugged Atlantic cliffs at Esha Ness in the north, with lunch at the Busta House hotel.
  • Day 7Board HMS Discovery, Captain Scott's Antarctic exploration ship, in Dundee before a farewell dinner with the group.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Aberdeen and return from Dundee with at-seat dining
  • 5 nights bed and breakfast at good quality 3-star hotels
  • 2 nights bed and breakfast in a private cabin during the ferry crossings
  • 6 dinners and 3 lunches
  • All rail, bus and boat journeys as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All visits as detailed in the itinerary
  • All seat reservations and transfers
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class LNER rail travel from London King's Cross to Aberdeen and return from Dundee, plus a heritage railway ride on the Keith and Dufftown Railway. At-seat dining is provided on both LNER services.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and all coach sightseeing tours, transfers, and seat reservations are arranged.
What accommodation is included?
Five nights bed and breakfast at 3-star hotels (one night in Aberdeen, three in Lerwick, one in Dundee) plus two nights in a private cabin during ferry crossings. The pack provides no specific hotel names.
What meals are included?
Six dinners and three lunches are included, plus breakfast at all hotel and ferry accommodations. Meals at the Sidings Cafe during the heritage railway and at Busta House during the Esha Ness visit are included.
What is the itinerary?
Days 1-2 cover London to Aberdeen and the Keith and Dufftown Railway with overnight ferry to Shetland. Days 3-6 explore Shetland's mainland by coach, visiting Jarlshof, Sumburgh Head, Esha Ness, and local museums. Days 7-8 include Dundee and return to London.
How much walking is required?
The tour is coach-based with moderate walking at attractions such as sea cliffs, beaches, and museum sites. No high-altitude or strenuous hiking is described.

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