Guide

Local Insider

Accommodation

Indigo York Place (Or Similar) Found right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Unesco-listed centre, this charming boutique hotel is as full of character as the cobbled streets surrounding it. Feel right at home in the colourfully designed rooms, sip a wee dram in the bar and enjoy the city’s most iconic sights within a short walking distance. Ballachulish Hotel (Or Similar) This grand old building – tastefully modernised as a classy country hotel – serves up a classic slice of Scottish Highlands beauty. Sitting pretty on the waterfront, the hotel is surrounded by splendidly verdant hills rising from the glassy surfaces of deep Scottish locks. Enjoy views of Ballachulish Bridge, which separates Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe, from the Waterside Cafe or dine on seafood specialties in the aptly named Fish Restaurant. Either way, you’ll be well fed and ready to explore the stunning surrounds of Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands. Plockton Inn (Or Similar) This characterful family-run pub with rooms on the edge of Loch Carron epitomises Scottish hospitality. Rooms are simple but homely, with a nautical theme to the decor. Downstairs, the pub bar hums softly with local chit-chat, while the kitchen serves up fresh, locally-caught seafood. Craigmonie Hotel (Or Similar) It’s hard to believe that you’re just minutes away from central Inverness when you’re in the quaint leafy surrounds of this storied old hotel, which dates back to 1880. Think country house vibes in the city, with a cosy bar to keep the cockles warm, and a free-to-use indoor pool and sauna, for that refreshing start to the day. Please note that, while unlikely, the accommodation indicated may be subject to change (see T&C’s). On a rare occasion, alternative arrangements may be necessary – this may be due to a lack of availability at our preferred accommodation, or other reasons outside our control. We’ll do everything we can to prevent this from happening; however, in cases where it is unavoidable, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

5 train rides (inc. the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig) Local Transport

Not included:

Flights

Flights to and from the destination

Others

Resort/City taxes (if applicable) Visas (if applicable)

Insurance

Travel Insurance

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Welcome To Edinburgh!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Edinburgh!

Where better to start your Scottish adventure than in the capital of Scotland. Edinburgh is one of the most historic and beautiful cities you’re ever likely to come across. Picturesque cobblestone streets, storied old pubs and ancient monuments give Auld Reekie its character, but it’s the people that bring the personality. You’ll discover this immediately with a warm welcome at our first hotel, where you’ll also get to meet your fellow travellers and settle down for a hearty group dinner.

ACCOMMODATION:

Indigo York Place (or similar)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Welcome dinner
Day 2 A Stroll Around Glasgow And Whisky-Tasting In The Country
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

A Stroll Around Glasgow And Whisky-Tasting In The Country

From one iconic city to another, we leave Edinburgh via train this morning – don’t worry, we’ll be back for more – for Scotland’s largest town, Glasgow. Bigger, buzzier and imbued with a working spirit, this epic city has become one of the UK’s trendiest travel spots. You’ll take a tour to learn all about the city’s huge industrial heritage, vibrant cultural institutions and two iconic football clubs – Celtic and Rangers. You’ll get a further taste of Scotland at lunch, before heading out to Glengoyne Distillery for a soul-warming whisky tasting session – the ultimate Scottish welcome. Our hotel for the evening is on the spectacularly beautiful west coast, reachable via a stunning drive through the Trossachs National Park.

ACCOMMODATION:

Ballachulish (or similar)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Train from Edinburgh to Glasgow

Glasgow city tour

Lunch

Whisky tasting at Glengoyne Distillery
Day 3 Take A Steam Train To The Isle Of Skye
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Take A Steam Train To The Isle Of Skye

Today is an epic adventure in itself. After breakfast, we’ll make our way to Fort William station to board the Jacobite steam train (AKA the Hogwarts Express). Unarguably one of the world’s greatest train journeys, this 42-mile stretch of track takes you past lochs, mountains and over the soaring Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films, to the small fishing town of Mallaig. From here, we’ll ferry across the glassy waters of Loch Nevis to the Isle of Skye before transferring to the remote waterside hamlet of Elgol where we’ll meet the Mackinnon family, who’ve lived and worked in Elgol since the 1300s. Today, their business is in showing people the jaw-dropping beauty of this slice of Scotland, with a boat trip (plus a brief hike) to Loch Coruisk. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way. We’ll end the day with a transfer to our accommodation in Kyle of Lochalsh, stopping off en route at Eilean Donan Castle – one of Scotland’s most famous, and spectacular, castles.

ACCOMMODATION:

Plockton Inn (or similar)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Ride the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig

Take a boat trip to Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye

Photostop at Eilean Donan Castle
Day 4 All Aboard To Inverness
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

All Aboard To Inverness

After yesterday’s cross-country expedition, we’re taking things a little easier. Around midday we’ll head to Plockton station for the train to Inverness – a leisurely clop across the width of the Highlands, with plenty of gorgeous scenery thrown in. Once in the city we’ll head to the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for an expert-led tour of its all-thing-Highlands collection. You’ll then have the rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace – check out the castle, for city-wide views, and take a walk along the River Ness.

ACCOMMODATION:

Craigmonie Hotel (or similar)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Train from Plockton to Inverness

Private tour of the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Day 5 Take In The Sublime Scenery Of The Cairngorms
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Take In The Sublime Scenery Of The Cairngorms

We’re getting back on track today, as we take the train south from Inverness to Aviemore. This small town offers easy access to the ski slopes, glassy lochs and ancient woodland that make up the extraordinary Cairngorms National Park. We’ll spend the rest of the morning and the first half of the afternoon exploring on foot with a guided walk, before we hop back on the train to our final destination: Edinburgh. After checking into your hotel in the capital, you’ll have the evening to yourself.

ACCOMMODATION:

Indigo York Place (or similar)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Train from Inverness to Aviemore

Guided walk in the Cairngorms National Park

Train from Aviemore to Edinburgh
Day 6 A Royal Send-Off
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

A Royal Send-Off

Today is the last full day of this trip, so we’re going out on a high – literally, with an Insider-led tour of the Royal Mile. Tour over, you’ll have the rest of the day to see Edinburgh at your own pace – take a stroll in Princes Street Gardens, browse the Edinburgh Farmers Market and dip into the National Museum of Scotland. Just make sure you’re available to meet back up with the rest of the group in the evening for a farewell dinner – where we’ll swap highlights, and toast to what we hope has been a rail-y good time!

ACCOMMODATION:

Indigo York Place (or similar)

ACTIVITIES INCLUDED:

Guided tour of the Royal Mile

Farewell dinner
Day 7 See You Later, Scotland!
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

See You Later, Scotland!

Enjoy a final breakfast in the Scottish capital before checking out and making your way home, or on to other adventures!

7 days tour

Scotland By Train 2025 - Edinburgh Start

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Scotland By Train 2025 - Edinburgh Start

Welcome To Edinburgh!

A Stroll Around Glasgow And Whisky-Tasting In The Country

Take A Steam Train To The Isle Of Skye

All Aboard To Inverness

Take In The Sublime Scenery Of The Cairngorms

A Royal Send-Off

See You Later, Scotland!

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