Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands
Explore the highlands of Scotland
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You are viewing the 2019 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
Majestic lochs and glens lie in wait as we cross Edinburgh and the Highlands and visit historic castles and the Isle of Mull. We travel through the West Highlands and Cairngorms on this fabulous round trip climaxing with a 'Scottish Evening' on Edinburgh's stately Royal Mile.
Your fantastic Scottish tour begins at the superb Apex Hotel Waterloo Place, located close to Edinburgh's main station, just off the renowned Princes Street. Your Tour Manager greets you at the hotel and the remainder of your day is free to explore Scotland's fascinating capital. Why not stroll down Royal Mile, or visit the imposing and beautiful Castle?
Today we travel to Glasgow, before changing trains for a journey on one of the world's most spectacular scenic railway lines, The West Highland Line. During our time on board, we travel along a hillside ledge overlooking Gare Loch before we enter the spectacular Highlands, an idyllic, remote and untouched landscape. The incredible route skirts the western banks of Loch Lomond and climbs quickly from Crianlarich to Upper Tyndrum and wild Rannoch Moor. Mighty mountains provide an imposing backdrop to our journey as we approach Fort William. On arrival we transfer to the nearby village of Ballachulish.
On Day 3, we travel by coach to the town of Oban. Leaving the mainland by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, we make the 40-minute crossing to the Isle of Mull. As we head through the small islands and across to Mull, the incredible picturepostcard views are truly awe-inspiring; rugged coastline, hills rising sharply from the water's edge, endless greens, purples and browns of the moorland and jagged, exposed rock faces. We arrive at the town of Craignure from where we visit Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Maclean Clan. The castle is only a few minutes drive from our mooring point at Craignure and remains in a superb condition, occupying a picturesque position overlooking Loch Don. After our visit, we enjoy a Whisky tasting at our hotel or the local distillery (departure dependent).
Today we travel by coach to Neptune's Staircase, an impressive flight of eight locks operated by a team of at least three lock keepers. Situated on the Caledonian Canal, the locks are each placed at slightly different levels, overcoming a total height difference of 64 feet. It now takes approximately one-and-a-half hours to pass from one end of the staircase to the other, where water overcomes gravity and nature to climb the hillside.
From here we continue to Loch Linnhe where we enjoy a scenic cruise across the water. After our cruise, we visit Glencoe, one of Scotlands most iconic glens. Glencoe has been used as the backdrop of many films over the years, most recently being used for the James Bond film, 'Skyfall'.
Please note: For Departure SHS1945 Days 4 & 5 are swapped.
This morning we join the Jacobite Steam Train† for a 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, a small town famous as the rallying point for Bonnie Prince Charlie's assault on the British throne. Here we cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct seen in the 'Harry Potter' films, and also one of the most iconic engineering works found throughout the British railway network.
As we head towards Mallaig, we drop down to the sea's edge and the landscape opens up with the first views of the rugged '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 by coach, passing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, to Inverness, where we stay for three nights.
†On early departures the Jacobite Steam Train does not operate and we make this excursion using Scotrail's scheduled service.
Please note: For Departure SHS1945 Days 4 & 5 are swapped, and SHS1934, 50 & 54 days 5 & 6 are swapped. For Departures SHS1919, 22 & 24 we return on the Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig.
For Departures SHS1917,22,29,35,39 & 42 you
will stay at the Highlands Hotel 4*
Macdonald Aviemore Resort Ltd.
Today, travel to Loch Ness to enjoy a cruise. This iconic loch is most famous for its mythical dweller, the Loch Ness Monster, however it is also surrounded by some of Scotland's most breathtaking scenery. Enjoy your short cruise surrounded by the purple pained mountains, before taking a trip to Urquhart Castle, a 13th century castle that sits perched on the banks of the loch. These atmospheric ruins are a delight to explore, and you have some free time here before we coach back to Inverness. The rest of your day is spent at leisure, ahead of a delightful meal together this evening.
Today we enjoy one of the most breathtaking railway journeys in Europe, the Kyle Line. This incredibly scenic route takes us across Scotland from east coast to west, crossing the Caledonian Canal as we leave Inverness and skirting the shores of crystal-clear lakes. Countless photo opportunities present themselves as we wind through wooded hillsides and over sparse moors, climbing over the highlands and past charming loch-side and seaside towns.
The tracks rise and fall over hills and valleys, traveling at low speed throughout most of the journey, giving you time to soak up the terrific views. The train sweeps one way and the next, wild deer grazing beside the tracks that follow a route dictated by politicians and powerful landowners as much as by civil engineers. During the final part of the journey we pass the picturesque whitewashed houses in the village of Plockton. We arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh, the end of the line, located across a short stretch of water from the Isle of Skye.
Afterwards we make a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, situated on a tiny island in Loch Duich, joined to the mainland by a small, elegant bridge. The island was part of the Macrae Clan's territory and in the 13th century they built Eilean Donan Castle, which was initially designed to defend the clan's land from invading Vikings but which actually saw more battles between the warring Scottish clans. From here, we return by coach to Inverness, giving us time to experience the truly awe-inspiring Loch Ness from an alternative perspective.
Please note: For Departure SHS1945 Days 6 & 7 are swapped. For Departures SHS1917, SHS1922, SHS1939, SHS1942, SHS1957 the journey to Kyle from Inverness is by coach.
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.*
We enjoy a farewell dinner as part of a 'Scottish Evening'. For this, we are regaled by a Scottish piper with all manner of fascinating Scottish stories and snippets of local history. We also sample a menu of traditional Scottish dishes as we are entertained.
After breakfast on the morning of Day 9, the tour concludes, and your Tour Manager bids you farewell. You are free to begin your journey home or enjoy more time sightseeing independently.
*On some dates we use a different hotel in Edinburgh
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
We recommend that for this tour you arrange flights to and from Edinburgh Airport, which is approximately 8 miles from your base in Edinburgh.
It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.
You may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.
An escorted experience
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 99 verified reviews
Everybody I dealt with at Great Rails was very knowledgeable and organized. Our experience was exactly as expected.
Extremely well organized, hotels were fantastic, our guide went above and beyond. She was informative, always had a smile on her face
Tour director was good. Accommodations and meals very good.
A very good tour overall, but let down badly on the Jacobite train trip with our group allocated a sub-standard carriage which appeared to have been dragged out of the renovation shed and stuck on the end of the train.
It was very good....well organized...and enjoyable.
There were several changes in the itinerary. One resulted in a credit back. The other sadly resulted in a coach trip rather than a rail trip. A little more free time.
IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
The Great Rail Journey of Scotland the Highlands and Islands was a great tour of the country. It was a great value for money spent, the hotels were very comfy and clean, the meals were very good and presented well, luggage was transported and seats were reserved on the trains.
Everything was excellent apart from one (very important) aspect of the Palace Hotel in Inverness. The bathroom and toilet was ridiculous. Too narrow; dangerous to use the toilet (positioning of heated towel rail), difficult to step into the bath for a shower (too high), no extractor in the room, therefor steam build up was very bad.
The Guide was excellent and very knowledgeable
To stand in the majestic Pass of Glencoe looking at the Three Sisters Mountains with the Hidden Valley behind is a truly awe inspiring experience. Beautiful as the glen is in sunshine it is best seen in light mist and a little rain. Then you will appreciate why it is also called "The Weeping Glen". Learn about it's sad history and the events leading up to the infamous massacre in 1692. There are also other wonderful sights on this truly magnificent tour.
Explore the highlands of Scotland
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