Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands - Scotland‘s greatest rail journeys

Majestic lochs and glens lie in wait as we cross the Western Highlands and visit the isles of Skye and Mull. We travel through the Cairngorms on this fabulous round trip climaxing on Edinburgh's stately Royal Mile. Find Out More »

Tour highlights

• Edinburgh
• The West Highland Railway
• Oban
• Isle of Mull Railway
• Torosay Castle
• The Jacobite Steam Train
• Inverness
• The Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh
• Isle of Skye
• The Cairngorms

Day 1 - Join the tour in Edinburgh

Your Tour Manager greets you in Edinburgh at the Apex Hotel Waterloo Place, ideally located close to Waverley station and just off Princes Street. We enjoy dinner together this evening. (D)

Day 2 - The West Highland Line to Crianlarich

Departing Edinburgh, we change at Glasgow for the stunning West Highland Railway. Running first along a hillside ledge overlooking Gare Loch, the spectacular Highland scenery begins with mountains, glens and dense forests, before hugging the shores of gorgeous Loch Long. Passing Arrochar and Tarbet we enjoy spectacular views from the western banks of Loch Lomond, Britain's biggest body of inland water. Heading into wilder scenery, we reach Crianlarich, where we spend two nights at the Hotel Crianlarich. Significantly, the village is the meeting point of the two stunning branch lines of the West Highland Railway. (B,D)

Day 3 - Ferry to Mull & Isle of Mull Railway

From Crianlarich we follow the West Highland Line's course along the River Lochy through its majestic glen to picturesque Loch Awe and Loch Etive. Leaving the mainland by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, we take the 40-minute ferry crossing to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Here we join the Isle of Mull Railway for a short journey, pottering slowly along the Sound of Mull on a narrow gauge track with spectacular views of Ben Nevis, the Glencoe hills and the island of Lismore. On arrival at Torosay Castle, we enjoy a guided tour as well as time to explore the beautiful gardens before we return to Oban and Crianlarich. (B,D)

Day 4 - The West Highland Line to Fort William

The next stretch of the West Highland Line awaits us today, as we depart Crianlarich, climbing quickly to Upper Tyndrum and Rannoch Moor, a wilderness of peat bogs, streams and ancient forests. As much of Rannoch Moor is inaccessible by road, the railway provides a unique view. As Ben Nevis looms ahead, we reach Fort William, from where we transfer to Ballachulish and our hotel for one night, the Hotel Ballachulish, perched on Loch Linnhe's shore. (B,D)

Day 5 - The Jacobite Steam Train & Loch Ness

We make the short transfer back to Fort William, where we join the Jacobite Steam Train* for the return journey to Mallaig on the final leg of the wonderful West Highland Line, arguably the most scenic in the UK. During the journey the train steams past Ben Nevis, then climbs into the mountains surrounding Glenfinnan, where we cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct seen in the 'Harry Potter' films. As we head towards Mallaig, we drop down to the sea's edge and the landscape opens up with the first views of the 'Small Isles' - Rum, Eigg and Muck - which hang tantalisingly close offshore, and tease in and out of view near our journey's end. After time for lunch we make the return journey to Fort William, from where we continue by coach along the banks of Loch Ness to Inverness and the Palace Hotel, our home for three nights. (B,D)

*On early departures the Jacobite Steam Train does not operate and we make this excursion using Scotrail's scheduled service. Please call us for details.

Day 6 - A day at leisure in Inverness

Enjoy a day at leisure in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Relax in the hotel's leisure club, or enjoy a stroll along the River Ness, a few steps from the hotel. Further options are to take one of the Scotrail services into the North Highlands or head towards Speyside's distillery towns. (B,D)

Day 7 - The Kyle Line & the Isle of Skye

One of the most scenic rail journeys in the British Isles awaits today as we board the Scotrail service from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. Passing the gentle scenery around Dingwall, we climb steeply towards Achnasheen, accompanied by wild mountain scenery. From Strathcarron the railway enters its most scenic stretch, hugging the shore of Loch Carron beside towering rockfaces and tiny lochside inlets on our way to Plockton, the location for TV's 'Hamish MacBeth', and Kyle of Lochalsh. Here our coach will take you across the Skye Bridge for a scenic tour of Skye, with its Cullin Mountains and rugged beauty. We make a stop at Portree, Skye's capital, before returning to Inverness. (B,D)

Day 8 - Inverness to Edinburgh

We leave Inverness, travelling south through the Cairngorms, via Aviemore, Pitlochry and Kingussie, to arrive back in Edinburgh for a night at the Radisson Blu Hotel, superbly situated on the midway point of the Royal Mile between the Castle and Holyrood. Our farewell dinner is part of a special 'Scottish Evening' in the hotel's Great Scots Hall. Our traditional meal is piped in and we are regaled with Scottish tales. (B,D)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday

Day 9 - Edinburgh & home

Your Tour Manager bids you farewell and a safe journey home after breakfast. For those wishing to stay a little longer, Edinburgh has many attractions to tempt you, such as museums, galleries and the Royal Yacht Britannia. (B)

Edinburgh - The Highlands - Islands - Escorted Scottish Rail Tours - Rail Holidays

Be amazed by and enjoy The Scottish Highlands, Islands and Edinburgh when you join this 9 Luxury Escorted Rail Tour. Frequent departures, Find out more.
Edinburgh, Highlands, Islands, Rail, Tours, Holidays

Edinburgh - The Highlands - Islands - Escorted Scottish Rail Tours - Rail Holidays

Be amazed by and enjoy The Scottish Highlands, Islands and Edinburgh when you join this 9 Luxury Escorted Rail Tour. Frequent departures, Find out more.
Edinburgh, Highlands, Islands, Rail, Tours, Holidays