Queen of Scots & Edinburgh

DAY 1

For those on our rail inclusive package, we travel by train to Edinburgh Haymarket where we meet the Tour Manager before transferring to our hotel for one night, the Mercure Haymarket, which is just a short 10-minute walk from the train station.

DAY 2

After breakfast today there is time at leisure to enjoy exploring the beautiful city of Edinburgh, stroll along the historic Royal mile or visit the imposing castle, maybe try some retail therapy along the world-renowned Princes Street. We reconvene at our hotel midafternoon to begin our journey from Haymarket station via Glasgow to Crianlarich where our hotel, for three nights, is the Crianlarich Hotel, just a short walk from the train station.

DAY 3

A day of lochs, glens, and islands awaits today as we take a spectacular Great Railway Journey on the western branch of the West Highland Line to Oban. From here we cruise to the Isle of Mull and onto Iona where there is time to view Iona’s famous abbey. Back in Oban, we have a bit of free time before making the rail journey back to our hotel in Crianlarich.

DAY 4

Today we explore the Trossachs National Park where we start the day with a cruise on Loch Katrine on board the ‘Lady of the Lake’. When we are back on dry land, we head to a local distillery for a tour and tasting of Scotland’s biggest export - Whisky.

DAY 5

The famous "Harry Potter" Jacobite Steam Train* awaits today. We transfer to Fort William before joining the Jacobite for a scenic journey past Glenfinnan Viaduct, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s monument, and Loch Shiel before bursting out onto the Atlantic coastline of golden white sands with distant views of Rhum and Eigg. Enjoy time in Mallaig with views across the sea to Skye. Returning on the Jacobite to Fort William, we board our private coach to Inverness via the Great Glen and Loch Ness to our hotel for four nights, The Palace at Inverness.

DAY 6

Today we travel on one of the world’s finest coast-to-coast railway journeys to the Kyle of Lochalsh, immortalised in Sir Michael Palin’s original "Great Railway Journeys of the World" TV series. As the train nears its destination, you are rewarded with dream-like vistas across the loch to the Cullin Hills on the Isle of Skye. Upon arrival into Lochalsh, we make our way to the Lochalsh Hotel for a light lunch, taking in the views, before making the return journey.

DAY 7

A wonderful circular excursion, commencing with a steam train ride on the Strathspey Railway before continuing by coach to Ballindalloch Castle & Gardens, a wonderful Highland Estate. We then re-board our coach to complete the circle through the magnificent Highland scenery back to Inverness.

DAY 8

A free day to enjoy at leisure in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. You may wish to take a dolphin cruise on the Moray Firth, or a full day excursion to experience the train journey along the Far North Line through wild Caithness.

DAY 9

Our grand circular tour concludes as we bid farewell to Inverness and, if travelling by train, return homeward over the Cairngorm Mountains to Edinburgh and the South.

*In the unlikely event of the steam train being unavailable we reserve the right to substitute a diesel train or undertake the journey by road coach.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner