Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands
Explore the highlands of Scotland
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9 Days from £1,295per
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You are viewing the 2020 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
Majestic lochs and glens lie in wait as we cross Edinburgh and the Highlands, making visits to historic castles and the Isle of Mull. We travel through the West Highlands and Cairngorms on a fabulous holiday which climaxes with a 'Scottish Evening' on Edinburgh's stately Royal Mile.
Our fantastic Scottish tour begins as your Tour Manager greets you at the hotel and the remainder of your day is free to explore Scotland's fascinating capital.
Today we travel to Glasgow, before changing trains for a journey on one of the world's most spectacular scenic railroad 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 our hotel.
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, the 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.
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 overcome a total height difference of 64 feet. It 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, we visit Glencoe, one of Scotland's most iconic glens, used as the backdrop of many films, most recently the Mary Queen of Scots movie.
This morning we join the Jacobite Steam Train† for a journey to Mallaig, along the final leg of the wonderful West Highland Line, arguably the most scenic route 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, 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 for us to get our first view of the rugged 'Small Isles' - Rum, Eigg and Muck - which hang tantalisingly close offshore. 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.
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 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. The route takes us across Scotland from east coast to west, crossing the Caledonian Canal 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 seaside towns. The train travels at a low speed, giving you time to soak up the views. During the final part of the journey we pass the picturesque white-washed 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 and 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 tribes. From here, we return by coach to Inverness, giving us time to experience the truly awe-inspiring Loch Ness from an alternative perspective.
We leave Inverness, travelling south through the Cairngorms, via Aviemore, Pitlochry and Kingussie, to arrive back in Edinburgh where we spend the night. We enjoy a farewell dinner as part of a 'Scottish Evening'. For this, we are regaled by a traditional piper and enjoy all manner of fascinating Scottish stories and snippets of local history. We also sample a menu of traditional Scottish dishes. After breakfast on the morning of Day 9, the tour concludes. You are free to begin your journey home or enjoy more time sightseeing independently.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
Please note on some dates we use different hotels in various locations - please call for details.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
NEW FOR 2020: Inclusive Luggage Transfers
Not Included
Please note: This tour may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.
of travellers would recommend this tour
Tour Rating
based on 24 verified reviews
Excellent holiday with some amazing scenic rail journeys. However, probably a bit too much coach travel. This was partly due to changing day of the Jacobite excursion. Would also have been good to have had a bit more free time to explore on our own. Party size (40) was a bit too big.
This was a wonderful journey, taking us through the best country Scotland can offer. Even when a slight glitch arose, it was solved with ease and left all of our party with a tale to tell rather than something to complain about.
The trip itinerary was well planned with a nice variety of rail-coach-ferry; breakfasts and dinners were excellent; tour manager was well organized, knowledgeable, and showed interest in meeting the needs/interests of everyone in the group.
Well organised, varied itinerary and nice hotels
Trains, accommodations, food, tour director Nigel Weberly...all outstanding!
It was a wonderful experience for the money and the accommodations were excellent. Angie, our guide was personable and knowledgeable, but never intrusive. She was extremely helpful in all things.
Overall a good tour,but the train from Glasgow to Fort William was over crowded and delayed, this was not Great Rails fault. Coming back from the Isle of Mull due to a problem we had to take an alternative route back instead of the same way we came,I actually found the alternative route more interesting and scenic.
The whole trip was good from arriving at Edinburgh to leaving to go home. Weather food accomodation was excellent and everybody got on well together.
It was a great trip but the group was larger than we would have liked.
I was dissapointed with the location of the hotels, both in Edinburgh (1st night) and the hotel in Fort Willisam
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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