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Marvellous Escapes · Tailor-made rail holiday

The Spirit of Scotland

Caledonian Sleeper from London, Edinburgh, Loch Lomond, whisky tasting

Illustration of The Spirit of Scotland

Marvellous Escapes' The Spirit of Scotland is a 5-day independent rail holiday that showcases Scotland's landscape and whisky heritage. The journey begins with an overnight crossing aboard the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh, where you sleep in a comfortable cabin and dine in the train's dining car. After arriving in Edinburgh, you spend three nights in a city hotel with breakfast included, with Days 2 and 4 free to explore at your own pace using a hop-on hop-off bus to visit Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Arthur's Seat. On Day 3, a guided Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky tour takes you north through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs national park to Loch Katrine, a 13-kilometre freshwater loch that supplies Glasgow, and then to Glenturret Distillery, where you taste single malts at Scotland's oldest working distillery. The trip is ideal for first-time sleeper train travellers, couples seeking a mix of guided experiences and independent exploration, and whisky enthusiasts. Marvellous Escapes offers 24/7 on-trip support throughout your stay.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 5 offers a choice: return to London by Caledonian Sleeper or by alternative rail; confirm your preferred option when booking.
  • The package includes two guided experiences (hop-on hop-off bus and Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky tour) but most days are self-directed; this is not a fully escorted tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Onboard Caledonian Sleeper

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Begin your adventure with a relaxing overnight journey aboard the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Edinburgh. As the train departs, settle into your comfortable sleeper cabin and enjoy the unique experience of travelling through the night in style, past the scenic beauty of the Scottish landscape. Onboard, enjoy a delicious dinner in the dining car and relax as you glide through the night, arriving refreshed and ready to discover Edinburgh in the morning.

  2. Day 2overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Arriving in Edinburgh, you'll have the whole day to explore the city at your own pace with the hop-on-hop-off bus tour. Take in iconic sights such as Edinburgh Castle, perched high on an extinct volcano, and the historic Royal Mile, lined with charming shops, pubs, and historic buildings. Marvel at the grandeur of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and discover Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano and popular hiking spot with breathtaking views of the city.

  3. Day 3overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Your journey today takes you to the Forth Bridges Viewpoint, then continues north into Scotland's first national park, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. Cruise through this landscape on your way to the shores of Loch Katrine, a 13km-long freshwater loch that has served as the main freshwater supply for the city of Glasgow for over 150 years. Then travel to Glenturret Distillery, Scotland's oldest working distillery, dating back to 1763, for a tour of the facility and a sampling of Glenturret's range, before journeying back to Edinburgh, arriving in the early evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Today, enjoy a full day to explore the enchanting city of Edinburgh at your own pace. Take a leisurely stroll down the Royal Mile, visit Edinburgh Castle, wander through Princes Street Gardens, or enjoy panoramic views from Arthur's Seat. For art lovers, the National Galleries of Scotland are a must-see, or immerse yourself in the city's literary heritage by visiting sites linked to Sir Walter Scott or the Writers' Museum.

  5. Day 5rail

    Return home

    Today, bid farewell to Edinburgh as you embark on your journey back to London. You have the option to travel in style aboard the Caledonian Sleeper, a luxurious overnight train that allows you to relax in comfort as you make your way through the Scottish Highlands and southern England, arriving refreshed in London the next morning. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to extend your adventure, choose to travel by rail to another UK city or town of your choice.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Day 1: Depart London aboard the Caledonian Sleeper, settle into your sleeper cabin, dine in the dining car, and arrive refreshed in Edinburgh the next morning.
  • Day 3Day 3: Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs national park to Loch Katrine, then visit Glenturret Distillery, Scotland's oldest working distillery, for a whisky tasting.
  • Day 2Day 2: Explore Edinburgh by hop-on hop-off bus, visiting Edinburgh Castle on its extinct volcano, the Royal Mile, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Included

  • Overnight accommodation onboard the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Edinburgh
  • 3 nights' hotel accommodation in Edinburgh with breakfast included
  • Caledonian Sleeper train
  • UK rail
  • Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour in Edinburgh
  • Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the Caledonian Sleeper train included?
Yes. The package includes overnight accommodation onboard the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh on Day 1, dinner in the dining car, and a return journey option on Day 5.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is a tailor-made independent journey. Marvellous Escapes provides 24/7 on-trip support, a guided hop-on hop-off Edinburgh bus tour, and a guided Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky day tour, but most days you explore at your own pace.
What is included in the price?
The package includes the Caledonian Sleeper train, 3 nights' hotel accommodation in Edinburgh with breakfast, UK rail travel, the hop-on hop-off bus tour, and the Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky tour.
How many nights are in Edinburgh?
3 nights, with breakfast included. You also sleep onboard the Caledonian Sleeper on Night 1 (and optionally Night 5 on the return journey).
What is the whisky experience?
On Day 3, the guided Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky tour takes you to Glenturret Distillery, Scotland's oldest working distillery, where you taste their single malts.
How much free time do I have in Edinburgh?
Days 2, 3, and 4 are based in Edinburgh. Day 2 and 4 are unstructured with the hop-on hop-off bus available to explore at your pace. Day 3 includes the guided Bonnie Lochs & Bold Whisky tour but you return to Edinburgh overnight.

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