Welcome to the start of your Scotland rail vacation. Where better to start than the Capital of Scotland, known affectionately as Auld Reekie (Old Smoky) due to the coal smoke and smell that used to linger over the city in the 18th and 19th centuries? Today you will have time to arrive at your leisure and explore this magnificent city, also known as the Athens of the North, before meeting up with your tour leader and travel companions in the afternoon. This evening, head out to explore Edinburgh on foot, guided by your tour leader through the main sights of the city, finishing up very close to where the Harry Potter books were written, where you will enjoy a welcome dinner.

Edinburgh is such an amazing city that one day is not enough to see everything you’d like! Today you have the whole day to explore. Go back and visit some of the sights which you glimpsed on yesterday’s tour, or take a hike out to Arthur’s seat. You have the option to join your tour leader on a brilliant optional excursion this morning, where you dive into Edinburgh and explore the main highlights of the city. With visits to Calton Hill, Princes Street Gardens and a couple of hours exploring Edinburgh Castle. This evening we recommend joining your tour leader for a truly Scottish evening of great food, dancing, singing, bagpipes and haggis.

Today you will depart on your first rail adventure. Heading North into Perthshire on the Highland Main Line, enjoy views out of your train window, look out for the famous Forth Bridge, as you cross the Firth of Forth. Arriving at our destination, the Victorian town of Pitlochry, you will first have an included lunch before your tour leader takes you on a leisurely stroll around this small but charming town, which was much favoured by Queen Victoria, Robert Louis Stevenson and Alexander MacKenzie, the second Prime Minister of Canada.

Pitlochry is on the banks of the River Tummel, which you will see when you visit the Dam and Salmon Ladder, before arriving at the Blair Athol distillery for a tour and Scotch whisky tasting.

Today you set out on your second rail journey of the tour, and it will not disappoint. En route to Inverness, you will travel through the heart of 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, enjoy lunch and head out on an orientation tour of the city. Inverness means the Mouth of the River Ness, is considered to be the Gateway to the Highlands and is located between Loch Ness and the North Sea. This is the northernmost city in the UK and was also the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Today, it is considered one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities and also ranked as the happiest place in Scotland in a 2014 survey. It is also the best place on this tour for fresh seafood!

No trains today, as instead, you will be riding on road transport to Fort William along the entire length of Loch Ness, the largest body of water by volume in the UK, and home to the mythical Loch Ness monster! You will spend a few hours in Fort Augustus, where you will jump on board a Loch Ness cruise where you can try and spot Nessie. After an included lunch and some free time, you will continue on to Fort William. Located in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the UK’s largest mountain, the group will spend two nights in Fort William. Your tour leader will orientate you around Fort William before you have a free afternoon and evening.

Today you can enjoy an entire free day at your leisure. Fort William has a lot of outdoor activities on offer, from hiking Ben Nevis, to cycling and mountain biking. Join the highly-recommended optional tour of the famous Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig, which has been described as the greatest railway journey in the world. You may know this train better as the Hogwarts Express, and when you ride over the 21 arches of the engineering wonder of the Glenfinnan Viaduct you will be transported back to that famous scene in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. In Mallaig, you will have time for fish ‘n’ chips lunch, before heading back to Fort William. *Please note that The Jacobite Steam Train does not operate between mid-November to mid-May. Outside these dates, we will travel on Scotrail's scheduled service.

Today is our final train journey together and what a way to finish off the train travel! We will take the West Highland Line south to Glasgow. This journey is the highlight of the day, with fantastic views of Moors, mountains and lochs. In fact, you will pass Loch Treig, Laidon, Tulla, Lomond, Long and Gare before arriving into Glasgow. The route between Tulloch and Rannoch stations is not connected by roads, so you will be passing through true wilderness. On arrival into Glasgow, you will check into your hotel and then take an orientation walking tour with your tour leader before enjoying a farewell dinner together. This is the time to celebrate the great times you’ve had this past week.

Today marks the end of your Scotland rail tour, enjoy a hearty breakfast and allow yourself enough time to enjoy more sightseeing in Glasgow before you continue with your travels. From Glasgow, you can easily return back to Edinburgh, or 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!