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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Shetlander - September 2026

Eight-day rail and ferry escorted tour to remote Shetland Islands from London

Illustration of The Shetlander - September 2026

The Railway Touring Company operates this eight-day escorted holiday combining First Class rail travel, overnight ferry crossings, and an intensive exploration of the remote Shetland Islands. Departing London King's Cross in September 2026, the tour reaches Aberdeen by the evening of Day 1, then crosses the North Sea to Shetland aboard an overnight ferry with a private cabin. Days 3 through 6 explore the Shetland mainland by coach from a fixed base in Lerwick, visiting archaeological sites including the ancient settlement of Jarlshof, dramatic coastal cliffs at Esha Ness and Sumburgh Head, beaches, heritage museums, and craft centres. A highlight is the return-journey ride on the Keith and Dufftown heritage railway, the UK's most northerly, known as the Whisky Line. The tour finishes with a day in Dundee to visit Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery before the First Class return train to London. The pace is relaxed, with multiple nights in each location and all transport, meals, and site visits organized by the Tour Manager. This suits repeat rail travellers seeking guided comfort and those interested in maritime history, photography, and remote UK scenery.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one September 2026 departure is listed; confirm availability before finalizing plans.
  • The from-price of £1,895 per person applies to this specific departure; single-supplement pricing is not published in the evidence.

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 1Depart London King's Cross on the First Class LNER East Coast Main Line, crossing the Firth of Forth and Tay Bridges on the approach to Aberdeen.
  • 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 Jarlshof, a prehistoric and Norse archaeological settlement, and photograph sea birds at Sumburgh Head.
  • Day 5Explore the rugged Atlantic cliffs of Esha Ness on the northern mainland, known for dramatic rock formations.
  • Day 7Tour Captain Scott's ship HMS Discovery in Dundee before the return journey 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 First Class rail travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class LNER travel from London King's Cross to Aberdeen and return from Dundee, with at-seat dining on both journeys.
What is the hotel standard?
Five nights in good quality 3-star hotels: one night in Aberdeen, three in Lerwick, and one in Dundee. Two nights are spent in a private cabin during the ferry crossings.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the entire eight days.
How many days are spent in Shetland?
Four full days exploring the Shetland mainland by coach from a Lerwick base, plus the arrival and departure days via overnight ferry.
What heritage railway is included?
The Keith and Dufftown Railway, the UK's most northerly heritage railway, for a return trip by vintage diesel railcar along the 11-mile Whisky Line.
How many meals are included?
Six dinners and three lunches, plus bed and breakfast each night at the hotels and on the ferries.

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