Overview
Itinerary
Today you will arrive in Scotland's much-loved capital, Edinburgh. Discover its fascinating history, unsurpassed beauty and friendly locals. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel, situated close to the station. Stay: Edinburgh, Apex Hotel Waterloo Place (D)
All aboard for Glasgow this morning, before changing trains for a journey on one of the world's most incredible railway lines, the West Highland Line. Travel along a hillside ledge overlooking Gare Loch before entering 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, a dramatic region of peat bogs, streams and ancient forests that are only visible from the comfort of your train.
On arrival at Fort William, transfer to your hotel. Stay Three Nights: Fort William, Glenspean Lodge Hotel or similar (B/D)
Venture to the town of Oban where you'll board a ferry and cruise to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Heading through the small islands and across to Mull, the incredible picture-postcard views are truly awe-inspiring. Think rugged coastline; hills rising sharply from the water's edge; endless greens, purples and browns of the moorland; and jagged, exposed rock faces.
On approach to the island, catch sight of Duart Castle, the ancestral home of the Maclean Clan. Spend time at leisure in the island's colourful capital. Wander the pretty port and seek out its sheltered bay where, according to legend, one of the Spanish Armada ships sank in 1588 carrying a stash of gold. (B/D)
Today you'll travel by coach to Neptune's Staircase, an impressive set of eight locks operated by a team of at least three lock keepers. Situated on the Caledonian Canal, the 22-ton lock gates were originally hand-powered but are now operated by hydraulics. 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, discover the picturesque waters of Loch Linnhe and set off on a cruise.
Later, pass the stunning mountain landscapes of Glencoe before returning to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner and whisky tasting. (B/D)
Departing from Fort William, join the Jacobite Steam Train. Your train will steam past Ben Nevis before climbing into the mountains around Glenfinnan, a town famous as the rallying point for Bonnie Prince Charlie's assault on the British throne. At Glenfinnan, reach the line's most picturesque section and one of Britain's most iconic engineering works – the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct. A magical experience, it's no wonder this train was featured as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.
As you head towards Mallaig, we drop down to the sea's edge and the landscape opens with the first views of the rugged ‘Small Isles' – Rum, Eigg and Muck – which hang close offshore and tease in and out of view near the journey's end.
After free time for lunch in Mallaig, continue by coach to explore Glenfinnan. Pass through the picturesque countryside to Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Stay Three Nights: Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa or similiar (B/D)
Insider Experience: Join the Jacobite Steam Train for a journey to Mallaig on the final leg of the West Highland Line.
Insider Experience: During a cruise, soak up the myth and mystery of Loch Ness and its monster before disembarking to visit the picturesque 13th-century ruins of Urquhart Castle.
Today, experience one of the most breathtaking railway journeys in Europe – the Kyle Line. Enjoy countless photo opportunities as you wind through wooded hillsides and over sparse moors, climbing over the highlands and past charming loch-side and seaside towns. Arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh, the end of the line, located across a short stretch of water from the Isle of Skye.
Afterwards, make a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, situated on a tiny island in Loch Duich. (B/D)
Insider Experience: This evening, enjoy the opportunity to try some traditional Scottish fare. You'll also listen to a chorus of bagpipes and drums during a Scottish-themed evening to mark the end of your journey.
Your journey ends with a transfer to the airport today. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Join the Jacobite Steam Train for a journey to Mallaig on the final leg of the West Highland Line
- Enjoy one of the most breathtaking railway journeys in Europe – the Kyle Line
- Listen to a chorus of bagpipes and try some traditional fare during a Scottish-themed evening
- Operated by Travelmarvel's partner Great Rail Journeys
- Eight nights in premium accommodation
- Services of a Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort and expert local guides
- Transfers, porterage and tipping
- 16 meals - 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners
- Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change
- *Scotrail services may replace the Jacobite Steam Train on early and late departures. Please enquire at time of booking
- Prices are for land/rail only. Flights are not included unless specified
Trip Reviews (5) Most Recent 'Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands' Reviews
The accommodation. Apex Waterloo my room was nice. My window was facing an alleyway which ...read more probably couldn't be helped. Isles of Glencoe hotel was nice, the view from my window was not the nice view of the Loch only of a kids playground. Palace Hotel Inverness, well my room was very small with a single bed and not much room for my suitcase. The shower screen fell off the first time I used it (they did fix it) even though I paid extra single supplement. I thought this room was 3 star? Also I was facing the alleyway again, no nice view. At the Radisson Blue I had a lovely room but again facing the alleyway. I didn't have one nice view.
Otherwise the trip was good, Margaret was very nice and tried to keep everyone happy. The meals were all good. I thought a little more history would have been good. I felt as a sole person I wasn't given the same consideration with seating on the train and views from windows in rooms as couples.
The highlight of the tour was the Scottish Dinner on the last night ...read more with piper, dancer and an excellent meal with the whole tour group really enjoying themselves. If you want to see autumn colours then this trip was a week too early as only a few trees had started to change. There was a good mix of nationalities which helped the cohesion of the group.
A few negatives. There was more coach travel than we expected and the coaches never seemed to have enough fresh air coming in even after we asked for the flow to be increased. Some of the coach sections would have been improved by playing of familiar Scottish tunes/songs to entertain the passengers.
Highlights of the trip were travelling on the Jacobite Train from Fort William to Mallaig, meeting the Chief of the ...read more Clan McLeod at Duart Castle, eating haggis which I was very reluctant to do at first, and generally travelling by train through the most beautiful countryside in the UK. Although the group was large, we met some fabulous people and all cooperated with the guide's instructions. Grant our guide was very informative, but could have benefited from a head microphone.
It was great that all our luggage was taken care of each stop. Just left the bags outside our room in the hotel and it was collected and was waiting for us in our room at the next hotel.
Included meals were all excellent. Post dinner entertainment again was mixed - loved the entertainment at the Isle of Glencoe but felt a bit uncomfortable with some of the comments by the piper at the farewell dinner and his request for us to email a copy of the photo we had taken of one of the younger female members in our group trying to blow a bag pipe. Pleasant surprise was the fact that for most of the hotel to hotel transfers, our bags were taken care of and we did not need to carry them much at all - it was designated as a non porterage tour and we expected to be pulling them ourselves. Castle visits were great but thought the Loch Ness cruise was disappointing - it was really just a shuttle service to Urquhart Castle.
Prices & Dates
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