Great Scottish Highland Railways

From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our overnight hotel.

After breakfast, the stunning scenery of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s first national park, awaits. We pause in the picturesque village of Luss, with its neat rows of chocolate-box cottages, dramatic hills and spectacular views stretching across the loch. A morning coffee here is the perfect way to take it all in.

Next, we continue to Fort William, where there is free time to explore at your own pace. Visit the West Highland Museum, admire the towering presence of Ben Nevis, or wander the local boutiques before enjoying a treat in one of the cosy cafés. A stroll along the banks of Loch Linnhe completes your visit. Later, we travel to the Craiglynne Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey, where we will stay for the next three nights.

A memorable day awaits, beginning with a scenic drive through the specactular Cairngorms National Park to Fort William, a picturesque town which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Here we board ‘The Jacobite’ steam train and travel across the mountainous west coast of Scotland, considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world. This section of the West Highland Line crosses the 100ft-high Glenfinnan Viaduct used in the Harry Potter film sequences featuring the Hogwarts Express. You don’t need to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate this journey though, as the scenery in reality beats any cinematography hands down! We disembark in the picturesque port of Mallaig for some free time.

Please note: West Coast Railways reserves the right to substitute The Jacobite with an alternative engine or diesel-powered locomotive in the event of breakdown, or if urgent repairs are needed, without notice or refund. The journey may operate in reverse.

We head to the historic market town of Dingwall to join the Kyle Railway Line, a beautiful journey which has been likened to a symphony in three parts: pastoral, mountain and marine. From the perfect vantage point, we enjoy the magnificent remote landscapes, taking in many of the area’s shimmering lochs and wild moors along the way. Part of our journey also meanders along the southern bank of the mysterious Beauly Firth and past the huge isolated mountain of Ben Wyvis before reaching the pretty village of Kyle of Lochalsh.

On the way back to the hotel, we spend some time at leisure in the peaceful town of Aviemore. Popular for its stunning views of the Cairngorms, the town is also home to a fascinating stone circle that is more than 4,000 years old – be sure to have a look!

Please note: the Kyle Railway Line journey may operate in reverse.

After checking out of our hotel we travel to the atmospheric capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. With its impressive skyline, dominated by Edinburgh Castle, the city is full of historical and cultural places of interest amidst its cobbled streets. Whether you spend time in the charming tea rooms, searching the rails of vintage clothes shops or discovering one of the many fascinating attractions, there is plenty in Edinburgh to suit all tastes.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey home.

We fly to Glasgow airport and head to our nearby overnight hotel.

After breakfast, the stunning scenery of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s first national park, awaits. We pause in the picturesque village of Luss, with its neat rows of chocolate-box cottages, dramatic hills and spectacular views stretching across the loch. A morning coffee here is the perfect way to take it all in.

Next, we continue to Fort William, where there is free time to explore at your own pace. Visit the West Highland Museum, admire the towering presence of Ben Nevis, or wander the local boutiques before enjoying a treat in one of the cosy cafés. A stroll along the banks of Loch Linnhe completes your visit. Later, we travel to the Craiglynne Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey, where we will stay for the next three nights.

A memorable day awaits, beginning with a scenic drive through the specactular Cairngorms National Park to Fort William, a picturesque town which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Here we board ‘The Jacobite’ steam train and travel across the mountainous west coast of Scotland, considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world. This section of the West Highland Line crosses the 100ft-high Glenfinnan Viaduct used in the Harry Potter film sequences featuring the Hogwarts Express. You don’t need to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate this journey though, as the scenery in reality beats any cinematography hands down! We disembark in the picturesque port of Mallaig for some free time.

Please note: West Coast Railways reserves the right to substitute The Jacobite with an alternative engine or diesel-powered locomotive in the event of breakdown, or if urgent repairs are needed, without notice or refund. The journey may operate in reverse.

We head to the historic market town of Dingwall to join the Kyle Railway Line, a beautiful journey which has been likened to a symphony in three parts: pastoral, mountain and marine. From the perfect vantage point, we enjoy the magnificent remote landscapes, taking in many of the area’s shimmering lochs and wild moors along the way. Part of our journey also meanders along the southern bank of the mysterious Beauly Firth and past the huge isolated mountain of Ben Wyvis before reaching the pretty village of Kyle of Lochalsh.

On the way back to the hotel, we spend some time at leisure in the peaceful town of Aviemore. Popular for its stunning views of the Cairngorms, the town is also home to a fascinating stone circle that is more than 4,000 years old – be sure to have a look!

Please note: the Kyle Railway Line journey may operate in reverse.

After checking out of our hotel we travel to the atmospheric capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. With its impressive skyline, dominated by Edinburgh Castle, the city is full of historical and cultural places of interest amidst its cobbled streets. Whether you spend time in the charming tea rooms, searching the rails of vintage clothes shops or discovering one of the many fascinating attractions, there is plenty in Edinburgh to suit all tastes.

After checking out of the hotel, we take a short walk to Glasgow airport for our return flight home.