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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail tour

The Summer Highlander

Scottish Highlands rail circle from London on heritage and mainline trains.

Illustration of The Summer Highlander

The Railway Touring Company operates this 6-day escorted rail journey from London to Scotland's Highlands, beginning with First Class travel on the Highland Chieftain and concluding in the Speyside whisky region. Travellers stay primarily in Inverness, using it as a base for excursions across the far north. The itinerary blends mainline and heritage railways: Day 2 features The Jacobite steam train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct and a ferry to the Isle of Skye; Day 3 reaches John O'Groats via coach and returns by ScotRail service train along the North Sea coast; Day 4 includes a falconry display and whisky tasting at Dunrobin Castle; Day 5 combines two heritage railways in Speyside. A Tour Manager guides throughout, with five nights in hotels and most meals included. The tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking named heritage railways, history enthusiasts, and those preferring guided comfort with arranged transport.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: July 2026. Confirm availability and book well in advance.
  • Day 1 includes a coach transfer from Kingussie to Fort William, breaking the rail journey.
  • ScotRail service trains on days 3 and 5 operate in Standard Class, not First Class.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Fort William

    'Highland Chieftain' to Scotland

    First Class Lounge departure from London King's Cross aboard the 'Highland Chieftain', via the East Coast Main Line through York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh, then the Highland Main Line from Perth. Road coach from Kingussie to Fort William; dinner at the hotel.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Inverness

    'The Jacobite'; the Isle of Skye; by train to Inverness

    'The Jacobite' steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct, with time in Mallaig before the ferry to Armadale on Skye. Road coach via Kyleakin, Broadford and the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh, then a scenic service train to Inverness. Transfer to the Best Western Hotel and Spa, base for four nights.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Inverness

    The Far North

    Road coach to John O'Groats via the A9, then to the Castle of Mey for a light lunch. ScotRail service train from Thurso to Inverness along the North Sea coast via Helmsdale.

  4. Day 4overnight: Inverness

    Dunrobin Castle

    Road coach via the Black Isle and Dornoch Firth to Dunrobin Castle, with a falconry display, lunch at the Golspie Inn, and a traditional Highland whisky experience.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Inverness

    The Strathspey and Keith & Dufftown Railways

    Road coach to Aviemore for a steam train on the Strathspey Railway to Boat of Garten and Broomhill, lunch in the 'Buffer Stop' railway restaurant car in Dufftown, then a vintage diesel railcar on the 11-mile Keith & Dufftown 'Whisky Line', the UK's most northerly heritage railway.

  6. Day 6rail

    The 'Highland Chieftain' to London

    Transfer to Inverness Railway Station for the First Class 'Highland Chieftain' express south via Drumochter summit, Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King's Cross.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Aboard The Jacobite steam train, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct between Fort William and Mallaig, then ferrying to the Isle of Skye.
  • Day 3Coach to John O'Groats at Scotland's northern tip, then a ScotRail service train from Thurso south along the North Sea coast to Inverness.
  • Day 4Dunrobin Castle features a falconry display and a traditional Highland whisky experience.
  • Day 5Strathspey Railway steam train from Aviemore to Boat of Garten, followed by a vintage diesel railcar on the 11-mile Keith & Dufftown Whisky Line, the UK's most northerly heritage railway.

Included

  • First Class rail travel on the 'Highland Chieftain' and on 'The Jacobite' steam train
  • Standard Class rail travel between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness and between Thurso and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains)
  • 5 nights accommodation in hotels
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners
  • All visits, train and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class on the Highland Chieftain and The Jacobite, Standard Class on ScotRail services, and heritage railway rides. Ferry travel and coach transfers are also included.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout the 6 days.
What are the main highlights?
The Jacobite steam train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the Isle of Skye ferry crossing, John O'Groats, Dunrobin Castle with a falconry display and whisky experience, and two heritage railways: the Strathspey Railway and the Keith & Dufftown Whisky Line.
How many nights and in which hotels?
Five nights total: one at a hotel in Fort William and four at the Best Western Hotel and Spa in Inverness.
What meals are included?
Five breakfasts, five lunches, and three dinners. Day 1 includes dinner; days 4 and 6 do not include dinners.
When does the tour depart?
One departure is currently available in July 2026, departing from London King's Cross.

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