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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Shetlander - May 2026

Eight-day escorted rail and ferry journey to remote Shetland Islands from Aberdeen

Illustration of The Shetlander - May 2026

The Railway Touring Company operates this eight-day escorted holiday to the Shetland Islands, the UK's most northern outpost. The journey begins with a First Class departure from London King's Cross, traveling the East Coast Main Line to Aberdeen with meals served on board. From Aberdeen, travellers board an overnight ferry to Lerwick, sleeping in a private cabin, then spend four days exploring Shetland's mainland by coach. Highlights include visits to Jarlshof, a prehistoric and Norse archaeological site, sea bird photography at Sumburgh Head, and the rugged Atlantic cliffs of Esha Ness. The itinerary also features a return ride on the Keith and Dufftown Railway, the UK's most northerly heritage railway, and a stay in Dundee with a visit to Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery. A Tour Manager guides the group throughout, and all transport, meals, and attractions are included. The return to London is by First Class LNER service, arriving with lunch served on board.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is scheduled for May 2026; confirm availability with the operator
  • The operator publishes no detail on which specific 3-star hotels in Aberdeen, Lerwick, and Dundee will be used; final accommodation may vary by booking tier

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 before arriving in Aberdeen in late afternoon
  • Day 2A return journey by vintage diesel railcar along the 11-mile Keith and Dufftown Railway, the UK's most northerly heritage railway, followed by an overnight ferry crossing to Shetland with a private cabin
  • Day 4Sea bird photography at Sumburgh Head and a visit to Jarlshof, a prehistoric and Norse archaeological settlement
  • Day 5A coach visit to Esha Ness to see the rugged Atlantic cliffs
  • Day 7A visit to Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery in Dundee before returning south by First Class LNER service to London

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 the train travel included?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company includes First Class rail travel on LNER trains between London and Aberdeen (outbound) and Dundee and London (return), with at-seat dining. A vintage diesel railcar journey on the Keith and Dufftown Railway is also included.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the entire eight days.
What is included in the price of GBP 1,895?
First Class rail travel, five nights bed and breakfast in hotels, two nights bed and breakfast in a private ferry cabin, six dinners and three lunches, all rail and coach journeys, all visits to attractions, seat reservations, transfers, and the Tour Manager's services.
Are the overnight ferry crossings to Shetland included?
Yes. The price includes overnight ferry travel to and from Shetland, with accommodation in a private cabin and meals on board.
How much walking is involved?
Days are coach-based with stops at museums, archaeological sites, viewpoints, and villages. Sea bird photography at Sumburgh Head and visits to Atlantic cliffs at Esha Ness involve some walking, but the itinerary does not describe strenuous hiking.
When does this trip depart?
The Railway Touring Company has scheduled one departure for May 2026, departing from London King's Cross.

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