Tours Rail Tours Scotland Rail Express

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Summary

Set off on an unforgettable Scottish rail journey! Discover Scotland’s untamed natural beauty as you embark on scenic train rides through the Highlands. Visit historic cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and learn about Scotland’s fascinating history. Taste local cuisine and authentic Scotch whisky. Travel over the engineering wonders of the Forth Bridge, Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Caledonian Canal while marvelling at Scotland‘s ever-changing landscapes. Visit the magical Isle of Skye and hop aboard the famous Jacobite Steam Train. From wildlife to city life, this Scotland rail holiday has it all!

Highlights

  • Orientation tours in Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Inverness, Fort Augustus, Fort William and Glasgow
  • Take the famous Jacobite steam train trip over the Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • Full free days in Edinburgh and Inverness, with plenty of sightseeing options
  • Driving tour of the beautiful Isle of Skye region

Itinerary View Full ItineraryDownload PDF

Start Point

Hotel in Edinburgh | 03:00 PM

End Point

Glasgow | 10:00 AM
DAY 1: Start of tour in Edinburgh

Welcome to the start of this epic Scotland rail tour! Where better to start than the capital of Scotland? Edinburgh is a stunning city known for its striking hill-top castle and medieval architecture. Arrive at the hotel and meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers in the afternoon. This evening, set off on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Head up to the famous Calton Hill and admire the magnificent views of the city and Arthur’s Seat. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the heart of the city.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 1: Start of tour in Edinburgh

Welcome to the start of this epic Scotland rail tour! Where better to start than the capital of Scotland? Edinburgh is a stunning city known for its striking hill-top castle and medieval architecture. Arrive at the hotel and meet up with your tour leader and fellow travellers in the afternoon. This evening, set off on an orientation tour with your tour leader. Head up to the famous Calton Hill and admire the magnificent views of the city and Arthur’s Seat. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at a restaurant in the heart of the city.

Experiences

Edinburgh walking orientation tour: Set out on foot to explore some of the highlights of Edinburgh this evening! Head to Calton Hill, located at the end of famous Princes Street in the centre of the city, and take a stroll to the top where you’ll be treated to wonderful views of the city including vistas of Arthur’s Seat - an ancient volcano which is now an impressive hill popular with hikers. Calton Hill is home to a collection of historical monuments which form “Edinburgh’s Acropolis” and illustrate why the city has been nicknamed the “Athens of the north.”

Edinburgh dinner:
Enjoy a delicious welcome dinner with your new travel friends at a local restaurant in Edinburgh.

Meals

Dinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 2: Edinburgh: Free Day

Today offers a full free day to explore Edinburgh and discover what makes it such a magical destination! If weather allows, take a hike out to Arthur’s seat. Or, visit some of the spots seen on your orientation tour yesterday. There is also a fantastic optional excursion on offer this morning, which showcases the main highlights around Edinburgh and offers an in-depth look into the city. Visit Holyrood Palace, John Knox House, St Giles Cathedral and Grassmarket before enjoying some time to explore Edinburgh Castle. This evening, why not join the Spirit of Scotland optional excursion for an authentic Scottish evening of delicious food, dancing, singing, bagpipes and even a bit of haggis?

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 3: Edinburgh - Pitlochry

Bid farewell to Edinburgh this morning and get ready for your first Scottish train journey of the trip! As the tour travels towards Perthshire on the Highland Main Line, enjoy the views and look out for the famous Forth Bridge while crossing the Firth of Forth. Later, arrive in the Victorian town of Pitlochry on the banks of the River Tummel. Set off on an orientation tour of this charming town, which was beloved by Queen Victoria and Robert Louis Stevenson. Then, enjoy an included lunch. Then, get a taste of fine Scotch whisky while touring the Blair Athol distillery!

Experiences

Train Journey to Pitlochry: The first of your scenic train journeys takes you out of Edinburgh, over the Forth Bridge past the city of Perth to the Perthshire highlands. With these trains, the journey is all part of the experience.

Pitlochry orientation walk: Your tour leader will show you around the sights of Pitlochry. Be prepared for a very different experience to Edinburgh, as Pitlochry is much smaller! However, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm. The population is less than 3,000 and the town is surrounded by natural beauty. It was also one of Queen Victoria’s favourite spots!

Included lunch in Pitlochry: Due to the trains being fast and direct, the group will arrive in Pitlochry before lunch, which is included today.

Blair Athol Whisky Distillery: The whisky lovers are in for a treat! A fantastic tour of this famous distillery is completed with a tutored tasting of some of their finest Scotch whiskies. Slàinte Mhath!

Meals

BreakfastLunch

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 4: Pitlochry - Inverness

After breakfast, head to the train station for the next stop on this Scottish adventure. En route to Inverness, travel through the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the UK. Be prepared for spectacular views of mountain passes, hilltops and heathland, and look out for the viaducts at Culloden and Tomatin. Arrive in Inverness and head out on an orientation tour of the city. Inverness means the Mouth of the River Ness and is considered to be the Gateway to the Highlands. See highlights including Inverness Castle and St Andrew’s Cathedral! This afternoon, choose to visit Brodie Castle in the Scottish Highlands before an included dinner in Inverness tonight.

Experiences

Train through the Cairngorms National Park to Inverness: Enjoy fantastic views from every angle on a train ride through the largest national park in the UK. The highland plateau rises up and down as you journey through. Look out for wildlife and mountains, but also be prepared for rain and mist!

Inverness orientation tour: Your tour leader will take you on an orientation walking tour around Inverness. Learn more about Inverness which, with its strategic location, has become a very important city throughout the centuries. Inverness is located between Loch Ness and the North Sea, is the northernmost city in the UK and was also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It is also the best place on this tour for fresh seafood! Sights will include: Inverness Castle, crossing the River Ness, St Andrew’s Cathedral and Balnain House and the Victorian Market.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 5: Inverness: Free Day

Inverness is the largest city in the Scottish Highlands making it the perfect place for a free day! Its ideal location means that many of the top sights in the Highlands can be easily reached from the city. One of the most iconic locations is, of course, Loch Ness. Home to the beloved Loch Ness Monster (Nessie), this beautiful freshwater loch is one of Scotland’s most popular attractions. Join the Loch Ness cruise optional excursion today to admire the natural scenery surrounding the loch and try to spot Nessie!

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions

DAY 6: Inverness - Isle of Skye - Fort William

Get ready for two of the most scenic train journeys in all of Scotland in just one day! This morning, travel along the Kyle Line from Inverness to the Isle of Skye and admire the spectacular beauty of the highlands complete with lochs, moors and mountain ranges in the distance. Arrive on the Isle of Skye and embark on a coach driving tour. This region is known for its rugged landscapes, fairytale castles, charming fishing villages and cascading waterfalls. Later, take a ferry to the coastal town of Mallaig. Here, board the famous Jacobite Steam Train towards Fort William. After yet another incredibly scenic train trip, arrive in Fort William and check into tonight’s accommodation.

Experiences

Scenic train journey to the Isle of Skye: Soak up the spectacular natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands as the tour travels along the Kyle Line from Inverness to the Isle of Skye. Keep an eye out for lochs, moors and mountain ranges in the distance.

Isle of Skye driving tour: Discover this breathtakingly beautiful region on a driving tour with your tour leader. Top sights include the picturesque Kyle of Lochalsh village, The Storr, a striking rocky hill steeped in folklore, and the famed Eilean Donan Castle. Enjoy lunch in Portree, the capital of the Isle of Skye.

Jacobite Steam Train: Hop aboard the famous Jacobite Steam Train and enjoy stunning scenery from Mallaig to Fort William. Travel over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the Harry Potter movies when Harry and Ron fly over the Hogwarts Express in their borrowed Ford Anglia!

Meals

BreakfastLunch

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 7: Fort William - Glasgow

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before departing Fort William and setting off on one final train journey. Take the West Highland Line south to Glasgow. This trip is the highlight of the day, with more fantastic views of the moors, mountains and lochs on the cards. Keep an eye out for Loch Treig, Laidon, Tulla, Lomond, Long and Gare. The route between Tulloch and Rannoch stations is not connected by roads, so the train will pass through true wilderness! Arrive in Glasgow, check into the hotel and then take an orientation walking tour with your tour leader before enjoying a farewell dinner with the group. Reminisce over the last 7 days of memorable rail adventures!

Experiences

West Highland Line train Fort William to Glasgow: One of the greatest mainline trains in Europe, this 4-hour journey will be the pièce de résistance of your train tour of Scotland. Look out for beautiful lochs, moorland and mountains.

Glasgow orientation tour: Get to know the city centre of Glasgow, a city of 600,000 people, with your tour leader. Visit George Square and Glasgow City Chambers, and the shopping area of Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street.

Farewell dinner in Glasgow: Enjoy a farewell feast in the city centre of Glasgow. This is the final dinner and time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers and reflect on a memorable week.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel


DAY 8: End of tour in Glasgow

Today marks the end of this Scotland rail tour. Enjoy your last breakfast with the group and, if time allows, enjoy more sightseeing in Glasgow before you continue with your travels. From Glasgow, you can easily return back to Edinburgh, as both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are within easy reach. Be sure to swap contact details with your new travel friends. We hope you enjoyed your scenic train journey through Scotland!

Meals

Breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

  • 7 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
  • Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room

Meals

  • 7 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
    *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

Transport

  • Inter-city trains between destinations. These generally offer onboard toilets, with free wi-fi and optional refreshments on longer routes
  • Private transfers when transferring from train stations to hotels
  • Public transfers for optional excursions and some other activities

Tour Leader

  • Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
  • Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

14 Experiences!

  • Explore Edinburgh on an orientation tour
  • Enjoy a welcome dinner in Edinburgh
  • Embark on a scenic train ride over the Firth of Forth to Pitlochry
  • Discover the charming town of Pitlochry on an orientation walk
  • Enjoy an included lunch in Pitlochry
  • Embark on a whisky distillery tour and taste Scotch whiskies
  • Enjoy a scenic train ride to Inverness through Cairngorms National Park
  • Discover Inverness on an orientation tour
  • Soak up the scenery from Inverness to the Isle of Skye
  • Discover the beauty of the Isle of Skye on a driving tour
  • Take a trip on the famous Jacobite Steam Train
  • Admire the views on the train from Fort William to Glasgow
  • Explore Glasgow on an orientation tour
  • Enjoy a farewell dinner in Glasgow

Accommodation

Hotels are chosen closer to departure date. We do use a variety of hotels in each destination, so you may stay in a hotel different to that listed here.

Edinburgh

Photos of the tour

Experience Edinburgh: City & Castle Tour

Experience the highlights of Edinburgh with your tour leader! Travel to Edinburgh’s city centre and arrive at Holyrood Palace, the official residence of King Charles III! Then, visit the historic John Knox House and the stunning St Giles Cathedral. Wander through the famous Greyfriars Cemetary on the way to Grassmarket where you will learn about this vibrant neighbourhood’s dark past. Enjoy a classic fish and chips lunch before heading to the impressive Edinburgh Castle where you will have free time to explore this icon of Scotland’s capital city.

Optional Excursions

Unless marked as “Pre-Book”, all optional excursions can be booked on tour and paid for in cash (in the stated currency) to your tour leader.
Prices and availability are subject to change

Dates & Rates

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Our pricing model: Lowest-priced seats are sold first, then the price increases slightly. The quicker you book, the less you pay. Select a date below to secure your seat.
Years
Start Date / End DateFlexible BookingStatusPrice Per Person
04 May 2024 - 11 May 2024Flexible booking date for 04 May 2024 - 11 May 2024Bookings open soon
18 May 2024 - 25 May 2024Flexible booking date for 18 May 2024 - 25 May 2024Bookings open soon
08 Jun 2024 - 15 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 08 Jun 2024 - 15 Jun 2024Bookings open soon
22 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 22 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024Bookings open soon
13 Jul 2024 - 20 Jul 2024Flexible booking date for 13 Jul 2024 - 20 Jul 2024Bookings open soon
07 Sep 2024 - 14 Sep 2024Flexible booking date for 07 Sep 2024 - 14 Sep 2024Bookings open soon
21 Sep 2024 - 28 Sep 2024Flexible booking date for 21 Sep 2024 - 28 Sep 2024Bookings open soon

Additional Information

For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.

Additional Information Help Centre

Reviews

Reviews powered by: Power Reviews

5 reviews
R
Ready to be an Expat Verified Buyer 2023-05-19
I love Scotland!
Great overview of the beautiful highlands of Scotland. Edinburgh is full of interesting sights, but we were all charmed by the small towns of Pitlochry, Fort William and Fort Augustus. Nice authentic meals, plenty of opportunities to explore and shop. Very friendly, flexible tour leader made everyone in the group feel welcomed. Good value overall.
S
Susan Verified Buyer 2023-05-12
Above expectations
Everything was well planned and thought out. Pauline did a great job keeping us informed and comfortable. I highly recommend this tour and am sad to see it end.
J
Joey Verified Buyer 2022-10-10
Great Scenery
The scenery from Fort William to Glasgow on the bus was outstanding. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Fort William are all worth a visit.
C
Candice Verified Buyer 2022-09-14
Great Introduction to Scotland and the Highlands
Having already done a coach tour with Expat, I found the rail tour to be a great new addition. It was roomier than the coach and afforded us some incredible views as we traveled through the national parks. Our tour guide was great and the tour size (ours was only 8 people) made this feel like a private tour. The included excursions were great and the add-ons well worth it. It's definitely worth the price. Having said all that, I would encourage anyone with mobility issues to consider carefully before booking this tour. Every location we visited had steep hills/stairs, cobbled roads, and narrow sidewalks. We averaged 15,000-20,000 steps a day. It was physically demanding, especially since we had to carry our luggage to the train stations/hotels. Loading luggage onto the train was not always easy. There was very little in the way of accessibility. Elevators were small. Hallways often narrower than the US standard ADA guidelines call for. I saw only one or two obvious wheelchair ramps.
B
Beth Verified Buyer 2022-09-11
Fun trip, great guide
Our group was small and Mike was great. Everything was well planned and went smoothly. The Scotland dinner and dance option in Edinburg was not so great, very crowded and food was not so good but the show was ok. Other then that, the walking tours were very good and the scenery was beyond great during the train rides.

Why this tour?

Our 8-day Scotland Rail Express showcases the stunning natural beauty of Scotland as well as top attractions, cultural must-sees and historic sites. Train holidays to Scotland offer an unforgettable way to see the many highlights of this amazing region. 

Explore Scotland by train and visit vibrant Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as quaint, historic towns and the incomparable Scottish highlands! 

This Scotland rail tour features a number of highlights:

  • Enjoy orientation tours of Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Inverness, Fort Augustus, Fort William and Glasgow!
  • Sample Scottish dishes with a welcome dinner in Edinburgh and farewell dinner in Glasgow. Enjoy included lunches in Pitlochry, Inverness and Fort Augustus! Taste authentic Scottish whisky and take a tour of a local distillery.
  • Take in the spectacular scenery when you travel Scotland by train! Marvel at the scenic views as you take the train over the Firth of Forth to Pitlochry, through the Cairngorms en route to Inverness and from Fort William to Glasgow. 
  • Cruise along Loch Ness and try to spot Nessie!
  • Spend one night each in the charming Victorian town of Pitlochry and the growing city of Inverness, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Spend two nights each in Edinburgh, Scotland’s magical capital and Fort William which is often referred to as the outdoor capital of the UK.  
  • Free days to spend as you wish in Edinburgh and Fort William.
  • Great optional activities such as an Edinburgh Castle tour and a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train as seen in Harry Potter.

Is this the right tour for me?

If you’re looking for Scotland train tours that combine exceptional nature and scenery with vibrant city life, culture and history, then this Scotland Rail Express is for you! Our Scotland train holidays offer plenty of exciting included activities as well as ample free time to explore at your own pace.

Can you travel around Scotland by train?

With rail connections in each of Scotland’s seven cities, travelling Scotland by train is one of the best ways to explore the country! Not only are Scotland railway trips convenient and affordable, they are also exceptionally scenic!

What is the most scenic train ride in Scotland?

There is incredible scenery all over Scotland, particularly when travelling through the highlands. However, the best Scotland rail journey is possibly the return journey from Fort William to Mallaig on the Jacobite Steam Train. This route is famously seen in the Harry Potter films. 

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

Our Scotland train holidays are made for all fitness levels! If you are fit enough to partake in leisurely city walking tours and to carry your luggage onto the trains, you are fit enough for this tour!

Experience Scotland by train to admire unmatched beauty, discover unique cultural customs and make memories of a lifetime!