Train holiday to Edinburgh and Highlands & Islands

Discuss this scenic overland adventure with our dedicated team of travel professionals, telephone: 01904 734182.

Day 1
You are greeted by your Tour Manager in Edinburgh at the Radisson Blu, located on mid-way along the city's esteemed Royal Mile. We spend one here which shall be Scottish themed, including a meal in the Great Scots Hall which will be piped in and followed by Scottish tales.

Day 2
Leaving Edinburgh, we head west to Glasgow for the West Highland Railway. The journey heads out along a hillside ledge overlooking Gare Loch through mountains, glens and dense forests before drifting along the shores of Loch Long. From Loch Long, we traverse beside Arrochar and Tarbet to Loch Lomond, Britain's largest body of inland water. Passing through the gateway to the highlands, the line forks westwards at Crianlarich to trace River Lochy. Having passed through Loch Awe and Loch Etive we arrive at Oban and our hotel for two nights, the Caledonian Hotel.

Day 3
Today we take the 40-minute ferry crossing to Craignure where we joining the Isle of Mull Railway for a short journey along the Sound of Mull, a 10.2inch (260mm) gauge track offering views of Ben Nevis, the Glencoe hills and the island of Lismore. We arrive at Torosay Castle where we enjoy a guided tour and time to explore the beautful gardens before we return to Oban.

Day 4
We travel by coach to Fort William below Ben Nevis where we join the Jacobite Steam Train for the return journey to Mallaig and the final leg of the wonderful West Highland Line. The train runs below Ben Nevis before climbing into the mountains surrounding Glenfinnan and the 21-arched Viaduct. Dropping back down to sea level, the landscape opens up with the first views of the 'Small Isles' - Rum, Eigg and Muck. After lunch we continue by coach from Fort William to Ballachulish and our accommodation for one ngiht, the Hotel Ballachulish.

Day 5
Travelling by coach along Loch Ness, we stop at Urquhart Castle for some time to explore the ruins and read up about history of the site at the visitor centre. From Urquhart Castle we transfer to Inverness and the Palace Hotel where we will be based for the next three nights.

Day 6
Enjoy Inverness at your own pace. Make the most of the hotel's leisure faciliites or enjoy a stroll along the River Ness which is near to the hotel.

Day 7
Today we shall take on of the most scenic rail routes in the British Isles, trailing from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. After passing the rolling scenery of Dingwall, we climb high towards Arhnasheen. From Strathcarron we pass along the spectalur shore of Loch Carron beside sharp rockfaces before we transfer to a coach to cross the Skye Bridge for a scenic tour of the island.

Day 8
Leaving Inverness we travel south on the East Coast service through the Cairngorms, via Aviemore, Pitlochry and Kingussie to arrive back in Edinburgh for a further night at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Day 9
Today your Tour Manager wishes you farewell but if you wish to stay longer, Edinburgh is world-renowned for its list of diverse attractions incluing museums, galleries, the Royal Yacht Britannia and an excellent farmers' market every Saturday.

Discuss this scenic overland adventure with our dedicated team of travel professionals, telephone: 01904 734182.

More about the trains 

Jacobite Steam Train between Fort William and Mallaig

The wonderful journey on the Jacobite Steam Train takes us along a section of the West Highland Line, which stretches from Glasgow to Mallaig, and takes passengers through some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the UK.

Beginning in Fort William, which is spectacularly situated with Ben Nevis as its backdrop, we travel along the shores of Loch Linnhe before tackling the increasingly demanding Highland terrain. At Glenfinnan we reach the most scenic and dramatic section of the line, as the train crosses the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct: a magnificent feat of railway engineering.

Leaving Glenfinnan, the landscape opens up and we catch our first glimpse of the sea and the small islands close to the shore. During this section of the journey we travel across two more viaducts: Gleann Mama and the Borrowdale Viaduct before reaching the small towns of Morar and Arisaig. On a clear, sunny day, the white sandy beaches along this stretch of coastline provide a beautiful contrast with the blue waters of the sea before moving onto the busy fishing town of Mallaig.

The Kyle Line

The Kyle line takes us on one of the most scenic rail journeys in the British Isles, travelling between Dingwall and Kyle of Lochalsh.

On leaving Dingwall the line immediately turns inland and climbs over the Highlands. As a result of a dispute with the landowners of the time, the builders of the railway were forced to make a sharp detour around Strathpeffer. After a steep climb to Black Rock the line descends through beautiful wooded hillsides until it reaches Garve on the shore of Loch Garve. On a still clear day this loch perfectly mirrors the surrounding hills and trees. From Garve station the line climbs up to the broad straths leading to the West Coast before climbing to the summit of the line at Luib.

The line then descends to the magnificent scenery of Loch Carron to Plockton station and village, the location for the BBC Television series 'Hamish Macbeth'. The final section of the journey is perhaps the most dramatic as it was carved through the solid rock that leads to Kyle Pier. Kyle of Lochalsh ("strait of the foaming lake") sits at the entrance to Loch Alsh, opposite Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. The two villages were formerly connected by a ferry service, but this was replaced by the Skye Bridge in 1995.

Where you’ll stay

Hotel Ballachulish, Ballachulish: At Ballachulish we stay at the 3-star Hotel Ballachulish, a baronial-style hotel on the shores of Lochs Linnhe and Leven. This traditional Scottish hotel features a lounge, library, restaurant and bar. Rooms include television, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.

Crianlarich Hotel, Crianlarich: The 3-star Crianlarich Hotel is situated in the village of Crianlarich amidst some of Scotland's most breathtaking scenery. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, and all of the well-appointed rooms have a television and tea and coffee making facilities.

Apex Hotel Waterloo Place, Edinburgh: The 4-star Apex Hotel Waterloo Place is ideally located at the eastern end of Princes Street, close to Edinburgh Waverley railway station. The boutique-style hotel has a restaurant, bar, an indoor pool, sauna and spa. The rooms feature a television, fridge, safe, tea and coffee making facilities and luxury toiletries.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh: The stylish 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel is perfectly located on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, half way between Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar with a tapas-style menu and a leisure club with a jet stream pool, sauna and a gym. The rooms are decorated in a relaxing, contemporary style and feature individual climate control, telephone, television, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, safe and a hairdryer. Winner of Great Rail Journeys' Gold Award for Food in 2009 and the Silver Award for 'Best UK and Irish Hotel' in 2010

Alexandra Hotel, Fort William: The 3-star Alexandra Hotel is located in the centre of Fort William, within walking distance of all the town's attractions. The hotel has a restaurant and a cosy lounge and bar with an open fire. Guests have the added benefit of being able to use the leisure facilities at the Alexandra Hotel's sister hotel - the Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club, which include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a fully equipped gym. The comfortable rooms at the Alexandra Hotel come with a telephone, television and tea and coffee making facilities.

Columba Hotel, Inverness: The 4-star Columba Hotel is located in the heart of Inverness and offers lovely views of Inverness Castle and the River Ness. The hotel has a restaurant and a bar bistro, whilst the well-appointed rooms come equipped with a telephone, satellite television, safe and a hairdryer.

Inverness Palace Hotel, Inverness: The welcoming 3-star Inverness Palace Hotel on the banks of the River Ness is a short walk away from the city centre and the perfect place to relax and watch the river flow by. Built over 100 years ago, the hotel is equipped with a swimming pool, leisure club, brasserie and lounge. Rooms include hairdryer and television. Winner of the Great Rail Journeys' award for Best Hotel in the UK and Ireland in 2010

Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness: The 3-star Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness is the city's oldest hotel and it enjoys a central location close to the railway station. The facilities include a restaurant, lounge bar and a café serving a selection of light snacks. The spacious rooms combine contemporary furnishings with a traditional feel and come equipped with a telephone, television, tea and coffee making facilities and a hairdryer