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Highland Adventure

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5 days From £895 £795 per person
4.3 stars(304 reviews)
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A holiday filled with stunning nature and captivating history as we explore the wonders of the Highlands aboard magnificent railways

Save up to £200pp

Save up to £200pp on British Isles 2025 holidays when you book by 31st October 2024.

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No Single Supplement

No Single Supplement subject to availability on selected departures. 

Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: HAS25

About the tour

From Inverness, the gateway to our Highland adventure, we discover the very best of northern Scotland. Soak up breathtaking scenery as we travel aboard magnificent mainline and steam railways, including the legendary Jacobite Steam Train and charming Strathspey Steam Railway.

Along the way, we marvel at the towering mountains, shimmering lochs, and emerald forests that make up the Scottish landscape. Step back in time with visits to iconic landmarks such as the Eilean Donan Castle and the Culloden Battlefield, where we delve into Scotland's fascinating heritage and rich history. This scenic adventure lets you lose yourself in Highland treasures and the rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape.

Unforgettable experiences

Enigmatic Loch Ness
Enigmatic Loch Ness
Witness the famous Loch Ness spanning approximately 23 miles in length and reaching depths of over 700 feet, where the possibility of catching a glimpse of the legendary Loch Ness Monster awaits.
Exploring Eilean Donan Castle
Exploring Eilean Donan Castle
Visit the stunning 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, discovering its historical significance on an interesting guided tour, amidst the serene surroundings of three lochs including Duich.
Admiring celebrated scenery on the Kyle Line
Admiring celebrated scenery on the Kyle Line
Journey on the picturesque Kyle Line gazing at the shimmering lochs, idyllic villages and wooded hillsides that pass by on one of Scotland's most scenic railway routes.
Nostalgia aboard the Strathspey Steam Railway
Nostalgia aboard the Strathspey Steam Railway
Experience the Strathspey Steam Railway through the scenic beauty of the Cairngorms landscape aboard vintage steam locomotives as we cross viaducts and meander through valleys.
Visiting the Culloden Battlefield
Visiting the Culloden Battlefield
Unearth the poignant tales of Scotland's past at the Culloden Battlefield - the site of the final battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746, dotted with memorial stones, a visitor centre, and the iconic Leanach Cottage.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Inverness and an evening with ‘Mr Loch Ness’

Our holiday begins today as we meet in Inverness at our hotel - the Palace Hotel & Spa. This popular hotel is the base for our adventure and overlooks the River Ness in the centre of the city. With some time before dinner, you could familiarise yourself with the city on a beautiful riverside stroll, delighting in the babbling river, verdant forests, and local wildlife.

This city is considered the cultural capital of the Highlands, and is crowned by the stunning Inverness Castle. Its most famous resident, King Mac Bethad Mac Findláich, may seem familiar as he was the inspiration for one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, Macbeth.

After dinner with our group at the hotel, we're treated to a wee dram during an Inverness storytelling session. Sit back and sip on Scottish whiskey as we spend an hour in the company of the acclaimed storyteller - Willie Cameron. Known as 'Mr Loch Ness', he shares expert tales and insights about the Highlands in a fun evening.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – The enchanting Jacobite Steam Train

After breakfast, we begin the first full day of our holiday and head to Fort William by coach. The drive to Fort William showcases stunning Highland scenery of breathtaking mountains, rolling hills, and rugged terrain. Arriving in Fort William, we board the wonderful vintage carriages of the Jacobite Steam Train ready for our journey to Mallaig, one of the most scenic stretches in the UK.

Pulling out of the station, Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, passes by our window and as we continue, you could even spot some of the local wildlife, such as red deer, grazing on the hillside.

The railway is famous for its role in the Harry Potter movies, and you'll immediately recognise it as we cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Continuing through charming Scottish villages and past historic landmarks, our train journey ends in Mallaig.

With some time at leisure, you can explore the village's shops, cafes, and restaurants or simply roam the charming streets admiring the colourful architecture. We then board the coach back to our hotel, pausing enroute at the Glenfinnan viewpoint for a photo opportunity and Fort Augustus - a small village which the Caledonian Canal runs through. We also pass the famous Loch Ness, known for its legendary monster, Nessie. Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of the elusive creature - evidence of its existence is said to be worth £1 million.

On early/late season departures the Jacobite Steam Train excursion is replaced by the scheduled Scotrail service.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – The iconic Eilean Donan Castle and the beautiful Kyle Line

This morning, we visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most striking castles in Scotland. Perched atop a tiny island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, this iconic fortress has played a role in several films. After exploring the castle's history and amazing views, we return to Inverness on the Kyle Line - one of Scotland's most scenic railways. Skirting alongside lochs and through wild mountain landscapes, we admire the cascading waterfalls, mesmerising nature, and towering peaks that roll by the windows.

This evening you're at leisure in Inverness. There's no scheduled dinner at the hotel, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a meal at one of the many pubs or restaurants the city is known for.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 – The Strathspey Steam Railway and famous Culloden Battlefield

Travelling to Aviemore today, we join the nostalgic Strathspey Steam Railway for a trip through the stunning sights of the Cairngorms National Park. The carriages are beautifully restored, with comfortable seats and large windows, which let us marvel at the breathtaking scenery. Snaking our way alongside the River Spey, we enjoy views of rolling hills blanketed by heather, the craggy top of Cairngorm Mountain and the thick pine forests and wooded glens which line the tracks.

After leaving the train at Broomhill station, we meet our coach and head to Aviemore where you are at leisure to get some lunch. Our next stop is the renowned Culloden Battlefield - where the final battle of the Jacobite Rising took place in 1746. We experience a private guided tour of the battlefield where we learn about the history of the site and the sacrifices made there.

Following the tour, we have access to the visitor's centre, where we can join the 360-degree battle immersion theatre, view unique weapons and artefacts on display, and appreciate panoramic views of the battlefield from the roof garden. Returning to our hotel, enjoy the final evening of our holiday and reminisce over dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Homeward bound

As the cultural capital of the Highlands, Inverness provided the ideal base from which to explore the landscapes and history of this striking part of Scotland. Scenic train journeys through breathtaking countryside on the Jacobite, Strathspey Steam Railway and Kyle Line gave us front-row seats to the majestic moors, lochs and rivers of the Highlands. The enchanting Eilean Donan Castle offered a glimpse into the spellbinding past and visiting Loch Ness revealed how myth and legend are synonymous with the region.

After breakfast this morning, you are free to check out of our hotel and make your way home, or explore the stunning Scottish Highlands further at leisure.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

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.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

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Trains

Jacobite Steam Train
The Kyle Line
Scotrail
Strathspey Steam Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

4.3 stars4.3 / 5 · 304 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (158)
  2. 4 stars
    (95)
  3. 3 stars
    (31)
  4. 2 stars
    (12)
  5. 1 star
    (8)

Simon White

3 stars

Submitted 30/Sep

Overall not good value for money - better to pick your own hotel & organise the excursions yourself. Being forced to have meals at set times is not what we would ever choose.

Collected by Trustpilot

Debra Vettori

4 stars

Submitted 29/Sep

It was a very enjoyable trip. We saw a lot, in a short amount of time. Would have liked more opportunitues to explore outside of the coaches and trains. Such a beautiful country and a must see.

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Kevin Humann

5 stars

Submitted 27/Sep

We thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and it was very fun to ride the steam trains through the breathtaking Highlands.

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Lynda Marvin

3 stars

Submitted 26/Sep

Hotel good, food good, guide personable but not knowledgeable. Would have liked to have learned and received more information about the areas visited. Culloden battlefield experience with the local guide was excellent.

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customer

5 stars

Submitted 26/Sep

Good organization and guide was great.

Collected by Trustpilot

customer

4 stars

Submitted 26/Sep

It was enjoyable. How can you miss with views like that.

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