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The Railway Touring Company · Escorted rail holiday

The Western Isles - August 2026

Nine-day Scottish escorted rail tour from London through Highlands and Western Isles

Illustration of The Western Isles - August 2026

The Railway Touring Company operates this 9-day escorted rail holiday departing August 2026 from London King's Cross, traveling to Northwest Scotland and the Western Isles before returning to London. The journey spans from Loch Lomond through Fort William, the Isle of Skye, the Outer Hebrides, and the far North West Highlands, ending in Inverness. A Tour Manager stays with the group throughout. The itinerary blends First Class rail (the Highland Chieftain on the outbound and return, the Jacobite steam train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct), ferry crossings to the islands, and daily coach excursions to castles, stone circles, and coastal cliffs. Days are structured: a lake cruise on Loch Lomond, a guided coach tour of the Isle of Lewis including the Callanish Standing Stones, free time in Stornoway, a remote day trip to Durness on Scotland's far north coast, and a visit to Dunrobin Castle with a falconry display. Accommodation is in 3-star hotels with half board (breakfast and dinner). This suits repeat rail travellers seeking guided comfort, couples exploring Scotland's islands together, and photographers drawn to remote landscapes and historic sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure listed: August 2026.
  • Standard Class rail is used on two segments (Arrochar to Fort William and Golspie to Inverness) where First Class is not available on those services.
  • The Isle of Lewis day (Day 5) is a guided coach tour with free time in Stornoway on Day 6; not all time on the islands is independent.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Loch Lomond

    'Highland Chieftain' to Scotland

    First Class from London King's Cross along the East Coast Main Line via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh to Stirling, with a light lunch served at your seat, then coach to The Lodge on Loch Lomond for dinner.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Fort William

    Lake Cruise on Loch Lomond; North to Fort William

    Coach to Tarbet for a private cruise on Loch Lomond with lunch on board, then train from Arrochar and Tarbet north across Rannoch Moor to Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis on Loch Linnhe.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Portree, Isle of Skye

    'The Jacobite' and over the sea to Skye

    A trip on '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 and a coach transfer to Portree.

  4. Day 4overnight: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

    Coach tour of Skye; Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides

    A coach tour of Skye across Trotternish to Uig, then a ferry crossing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris and on to Stornoway, the capital of Lewis and Harris.

  5. Day 5overnight: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

    Guided tour of The Isle of Lewis

    A guided coach tour of Lewis, including the Butt of Lewis cliffs and lighthouse, Carloway Broch, Lewis Bridge and the Callanish Standing Stones, with lunch during the tour.

  6. Day 6overnight: Lochinver

    Free time in Stornoway; Ferry to Ullapool; North to Lochinver

    Free time in Stornoway, then a ferry across 'The Minch' to Ullapool and a coach north to Lochinver, staying at the Inverlodge Hotel overlooking the bay.

  7. Day 7overnight: Lochinver

    By road to the North West Scottish Highlands

    A day trip by coach through the North West Highlands via Scourie to Durness on the far north coast, an area of unspoilt beaches, seals, porpoises and minke whales, with lunch at a local restaurant.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Inverness

    Dunrobin Castle and Inverness

    A coach east via Lairg and Golspie to Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland, including a falconry display, then a train from Golspie Station to Inverness.

  9. Day 9

    The 'Highland Chieftain' to London

    First Class from Inverness through the Highlands to Perth, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and London King's Cross, with a light lunch served on board.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Private cruise on Loch Lomond followed by train across Rannoch Moor beneath Ben Nevis.
  • Day 3The Jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.
  • Day 5Guided coach tour of the Isle of Lewis including the Callanish Standing Stones and Butt of Lewis lighthouse.
  • Day 8Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland, with a falconry display before returning by train to Inverness.

Included

  • First Class rail travel from London to Stirling and Inverness to London with at-seat dining
  • 8 nights half board accommodation in 3-star hotels
  • 5 Lunches
  • All visits, train, boat and ferry travel, and coach transfers as detailed in the itinerary
  • First Class rail travel on 'The Jacobite' from Fort William to Mallaig
  • Standard Class rail travel between Arrochar and Fort William and Golspie and Inverness (First Class not provided on these trains)
  • The services of a Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. First Class rail is included from London to Stirling and Inverness to London (with at-seat dining), plus First Class on the Jacobite steam train and Standard Class between Arrochar and Fort William and Golspie and Inverness. All ferry and coach transfers are also included.
Is this escorted or independent?
Fully escorted. A Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout, and most days feature guided coach tours or organized activities. Day 6 includes free time in Stornoway before the ferry to the mainland.
What is included in the price?
Eight nights half board accommodation in 3-star hotels, five lunches, First Class rail travel as outlined, the Jacobite steam train, all ferries, lake cruise, coach tours, visits to Dunrobin Castle, and the services of a Tour Manager.
How much walking is involved?
The tour emphasizes coach travel and organized visits. Daily activities include castle tours, guided coach excursions, and ferry transfers. Walking is moderate and limited mainly to town exploration and castle grounds.
When does this tour run?
A single departure is currently listed for August 2026.
Which islands does the tour visit?
The Isle of Skye (one night in Portree), and Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides (two nights in Stornoway).

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