Edinburgh, Glencoe and Isle of Skye

We meet at London Euston to board the Caledonian Sleeper Train for our overnight journey to Edinburgh. Alternatively, if you prefer to travel during the daytime, you can choose to travel by First Class rail from your nearest train station, staying an extra night in Edinburgh instead. You then meet your Tour Manager and group in the evening of Day 2

Disembarking in the Scottish capital, we have a guided tour of Edinburgh, before the rest of your day being free to explore. Edinburgh is crowned by its iconic castle, built over the caldera of a long-extinct volcano, and boasts a history stretching back to the 2nd century. You may like to take a walk up to Arthur's Seat, which boasts incredible views. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

We take a guided underground tour of Edinburgh at the Real Mary King's Close today. This infamous alley is famous as the Scottish capital's most haunted street, and is the birthplace of various legends and ghost stories. Mary King's Close has been closed to the public since the 18th century, only to be opened more recently. During that time, the street became shrouded in mystery, which we begin to unravel on our tour. Afterwards, you're free to discover Edinburgh by night - why not take a stroll up the lively Royal Mile or make a stop at one of the many pubs playing live music?

• Breakfast

We take the train to Glasgow, joining the West Highland Line to Fort William, a rail route regularly voted the best in the world thanks to the stunning scenery of heather-clad moorland and fairytale glens it passes through. Highlights of the route to keep an eye out for include Highlights include the Clyde Estuary, Ben Lomond and the Falls of Falloch. We transfer by coach to Roybridge, where, after dinner, we enjoy a tasting of Scotland's most famous export - whisky.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we visit the Clansman Centre on the shores of Loch Ness to learn about life in the Highlands over the centuries, enjoying the chance to try on the traditional Scottish dress of the region - Feilidh Mhor and Arisaid - and hear about the history of the local clans. Stepping back in time to the 17th century, the past is brought to life with recreations of a Highland turf house, an old school room and a variety of interactive exhibits. We then take a scenic drive to the Glen Ord Distillery where we get a taste of Scotland with a a tour and whisky tasting.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We travel to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge, pausing to admire picturesque Eilean Donan Castle en route. Making our way to Armadale Castle, we're welcomed with afternoon tea before a guided tour of the grounds and interiors. The former home of Clan Donald, this incredible castle is exactly how you'd expect a medieval fortress to look, with square towers and crenelated parapets. Despite its ancient appearance, however, this castle was only built during the 18th and 19th centuries, falling into ruin in 1925. The remains of this castle are now romantically draped in ivy, and are a delightful place to while away a few hours. We return to Mallaig by ferry, where a coach transfers us to Glencoe.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Back in Fort William, we board the Jacobite Steam Train, travelling in restored carriages along the most famous stretch of the West Highland Line. During the journey, we're treated to an abundance of scenic highlights, including the UK's highest mountain range, the shores of scenic Loch Eil and the 21 magnificent arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Built between 1897 and 1901, this archway was famously used in the Harry Potter films and is a striking yet familiar sight to behold.

*Please note on early/late season departures the Jacobite Steam Railway excursion is replaced by the scheduled Scotrail service.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with some time at the Glencoe visitor centre ahead of a visit to the West Highland Museum, which tells the story of the West Highlands and Islands via archaeological finds and treasured heirlooms. We continue in the afternoon with a scenic cruise on Loch Linnhe, during which we hope to see salmon farms and mussel beds as well as seals basking on the rocks and plenty of birds. If the weather's clear, we should even be able to spot the summit of Ben Nevis. We enjoy dinner together before joining the overnight Caledonian Sleeper Train to London.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We disembark at Euston station after breakfast on board, and you're free to continue your journey homeward.

• Breakfast