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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail tour

The Summer Highlander

Scottish Highlands escorted rail tour from London via Jacobite steam train

Illustration of The Summer Highlander

The Railway Touring Company's Summer Highlander is a 6-day escorted tour departing London King's Cross aboard the Highland Chieftain in First Class and exploring Scotland's Highlands with a base in Inverness. The itinerary balances heritage steam railways with castle visits and coastal excursions: the centrepiece is the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, followed by a ferry to the Isle of Skye and coach journeys to John O'Groats and the Castle of Mey. A ScotRail service train runs the North Sea coast from Thurso to Inverness, and the final days feature the Strathspey Railway and the Keith & Dufftown Whisky Line, the UK's most northerly heritage railway. The tour includes a Tour Manager, five nights accommodation (one in Fort William, four at the Best Western Hotel and Spa in Inverness), most meals, and all rail, coach, and ferry transfers. This trip suits couples and repeat rail travellers who value both locomotive heritage and castles, and who prefer guided comfort and structured days.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is listed: September 2026 at GBP 1,895. Confirm availability and advance booking requirements with The Railway Touring Company
  • ScotRail segments between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness, and Thurso and Inverness, are in Standard Class; First Class is not available on these trains
  • Accommodation is split between Fort William (1 night) and Inverness (4 nights); final hotel choice may depend on the tier selected

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 2The Jacobite steam train departs Fort William for Mallaig, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct before you ferry to the Isle of Skye
  • Day 3A ScotRail service train follows the North Sea coast from Thurso to Inverness via Helmsdale after a visit to the Castle of Mey
  • Day 5Ride the Strathspey Railway heritage steam train from Aviemore to Boat of Garten, then a vintage diesel railcar on the Keith & Dufftown Whisky Line

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 train travel included?
Yes. The package includes First Class rail travel on the Highland Chieftain and The Jacobite steam train, Standard Class on ScotRail services between Kyle of Lochalsh and Inverness and between Thurso and Inverness, plus heritage railway rides and a ferry crossing
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company provides a Tour Manager throughout the 6 days
What is included in the price?
Rail travel as described, 5 nights accommodation, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners, all visits, train and ferry travel, and coach transfers
Which hotels?
One night in a hotel in Fort William, then four nights at the Best Western Hotel and Spa in Inverness
When does the tour run?
One departure is listed: September 2026, at a price of GBP 1,895 per person
What trains are featured?
The Highland Chieftain (London to Scotland), The Jacobite (Fort William to Mallaig), ScotRail services (Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness and Thurso to Inverness), the Strathspey Railway (heritage steam), and the Keith & Dufftown Railway (vintage diesel)

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