SCOTLAND BY TRAIN

Your Itinerary

1. Day 1 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
2. Day 2 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
3. Day 3 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
4. Day 4 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
5. Day 5 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
6. Day 6 A royal send-off

   Today is our last full day, so we’re going out in style with an Insider-led tour of the Royal Mile, leading all the way to Edinburgh Castle, which overlooks the city from its lofty position on Castle Rock. The views are stupendous, and it’s not hard to see why this imposing fortress – one of the oldest in Europe – has remained standing so long, despite being the most besieged place in Britain. 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 and Edinburgh Castle
   • Farewell dinner
7. Day 7 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!