The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Shetlander - July 2026

The Shetlander - July 2026, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

An 8-day escorted holiday to the Shetland Islands via Aberdeen, with an overnight ferry crossing, a 4-day exploration of Shetland's mainland, the Keith and Dufftown heritage railway, and a stay in Dundee.

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.

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

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