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Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands

4.4/5 Based on 5 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Rail Scenic Jacobite Steam Train
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 Trip Length
9 Days
 Trip Starts
Edinburgh
 Trip Finishes
Edinburgh
9 Day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands Itinerary (Travelmarvel)
Countries Explored: Scotland
Trip Style
Rail Journey
Accommodation
4 Star
Max. Group Size
40
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
RJTSHS9

Overview

Read 5 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Travelmarvel's 9 Day Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands. Discover a unique way to explore Scotland's picturesque highlands via train. Visit Loch Ness and the Isle of Mull, while riding the West Highland Line and the famous Jacobite Steam Train

Itinerary

Today you will arrive in Scotland's much-loved capital, Edinburgh. Discover its fascinating history, unsurpassed beauty and warm, 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)

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, you'll notice a lonely castle above the sea cliffs. This is Duart Castle, ancestral home of the Maclean Clan. Visit the castle, taking in its eclectic rooms and stunning views. Later, return to your hotel for the evening. (B/D)

Insider Experience: Venture to the town of Oban where you'll board a ferry and cruise to Craignure on the Isle of Mull.

Today you'll travel by coach to Neptune's Staircase. 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, pass the stunning mountain landscapes of Glencoe before returning to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Scottish dinner. (B/D)

Insider Experience: The 22-tonne lock gates, located along the Caledonian Canal, were initially manually operated but have since been upgraded to a hydraulic system. Discover the picturesque waters of Loch Linnhe and set off on a cruise.

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 up 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 a lunch stop, it's time to return to Fort William. From there, you'll then continue by coach through the picturesque countryside to the city of Inverness, 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.

This morning, you'll travel to the tranquil waters of Loch Ness, as famous for the elusive ‘monster' that allegedly swims in its depths as for its natural beauty. Later, return by coach to Inverness, and enjoy some time at leisure. (B/D)

Insider Experience: During a cruise, soak up the myth and mystery of Loch Ness and its monster before disembarking at the picturesque 13th-century ruins of Urquhart Castle.

Today, experience a picturesque rail journey. 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: Enjoy one of the most breathtaking railway journeys in Europe - the Kyle Line.

Leaving Inverness behind this morning, you'll travel south by rail through the Cairngorms and via the towns of Aviemore and Kingussie, as well as the burgh of Pitlochry, before arriving back in Edinburgh. Transfer from the railway station to your hotel. Stay: Edinburgh, Radisson Blu Hotel (or similar) (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

  • Discover the picturesque waters of Loch Linnhe and set off on a cruise
  • 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
  • Airport transfers, porterage and tipping included

  • 16 meals - 8 breakfasts and 8 dinners

  • Itinerary and hotels may be 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 not included (unless specified)

Trip Reviews (5) Most Recent 'Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands' Reviews

4.4
AVG. RATING 4.4 / 5
5 Reviews
5 Star
40%
4 Star
60%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Scotland a great way to travel   0 , VIC , Australia, Jun 2019
Loved the train travel, better than on long bus trips all the time. Our tour director took excellent care of us and was very attentive. Hotel in Fort Wiliam a bit average and out of town so couldn't walk to any shops. The itinerary was excellent but thought should have included a visit to the Battle of Cullodenen. A challenge with gluten free diet at ...read more Fort William. Such great scenery.
Edinburgh, the Highlands & Islands 0 , WA, Australia, May 2019
On the whole the trip was good, as a solo traveller I found sometimes I wasn't treated the same as a couple. The train Glasgow to Fort William I had a very small window and I was very upset as I felt I was in cattle class and treated as a second class citizen.

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.
Edinburgh, the Highlands and Islands 5 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2018
On our first night there was a little confusion in that we were on a Great Rail Journeys tour rather than with Travelmarvel. That was soon sorted and we could not fault the organisation, even with a cancellation due to the weather. The alternative in that case was well received.

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.
Great Rail Journey - The Scottish Highlands   5 , NSW, Australia, Jun 2018
This was a well organised trip through the Scottish Highlands commencing and finishing in Edinburgh. The departure date was 24 June and the weather was absolutely perfect all the way through. The highlands are absolutely amazing!

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.
Wonderful scenery and lovely castles 5 , VIC, Australia, Jun 2018
Overall we enjoyed this tour. The weather was mixed but to be expected in early June. The hotels were very good and having back to back three night stays was great. Very good tour leader who helped us out by arranging for a personal item that my wife left behind to be forwarded to our post tour hotel. Whilst the trip from Glasgow to Fort William passed ...read more some beautiful scenery the conditions in our carriage were not great - seemed to be quite old and uncomfortable and no trolley service (this was the norm on all the Scotrail train services).

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.

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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

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