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Explore Scotland and it's magnificent landscapes almost entirely by rail, with unrivalled views of world-famous scenery. Hidden glens, lochs, beaches and mountains await on the adventure of a lifetime, whether you are already a train enthusiast or about to be converted, this tour will leave you with lifelong memories and a yearning to return. This experience departs on Sundays in 2021: 30 May, 13 June, 27 June, 25 July, 1st August, 22 August, 29 August, 5 September, 26 September.
Our “Highland Railways and Hills” tour takes in much of Scotland, using a mixture of scheduled service trains, steam railways, ferries – and feet! Scotland’s railways offer access to incredible scenery, and trains provide views so much better than you will ever see from a car.
The railways themselves are stunning pieces of architecture, majestic bridges arching their way over lush valleys and skirting around sheer mountainsides, some of these journeys are guaranteed to take your breath away.
Head to the Highlands and immerse yourself in the stunning Scottish scenery, get off the beaten track and discover magical sights missed by most tourists, and come away satisfied in the knowledge that you have seen the best of Scotland from a unique perspective.
Accomodation and Meals:
Your accommodation for the week is in personally selected small hotels and guest houses in Aviemore, Skye and Fort William. We only use places we have personally visited and approved and you will be warmly received by your host.
Evening meals for the whole group on this trip are normally taken at a local inn or restaurant. On all our tours we make a special effort to ensure that your evening meals are a highlight of the trip and seafood is a particular speciality on the Skye part of this trip. Specific dietary requirements can normally be catered for if we know in advance. Packed lunches are not included.
Grading of Walks:
The walking throughout this tour we class as “easy to moderate” – suitable for people of reasonable fitness who enjoy walking or the outdoors but who needn’t necessarily have any previous hiking experience. Walks each day are between 5-7 hours, with mostly lower level walks with little ascent on good trails. There are easier alternatives to the ascent of Ben na Lap which the guide will advise depending on weather conditions and fitness levels of the group. You will be on pathed terrain throughout the week, but this will vary to being quite rugged or sometimes boggy. If you have any doubts about your suitability for the trip please just ask!
Unique guided adventure by steam railway, scheduled rail, ferry and feet !
Off the beaten track we will gaze in awe at the brooding, snow-dusted Cairngorm Mountains
An immersive visit to the iconic, castles around Kyle of Lochalsh
A rare opportunity to visit one of Scotland's most dramatic and unspoilt places at Knoydart
We'll have a wee dram at our local Scottish whisky tasting under the shadow of Ben Nevis
I am an outdoor ‘nut’ , starting when I was in the Scouts as a kid and loved doing night hikes on Cannock Chase (great for map reading), trips to the Peak District and Wales, and then my interest really took off when I was at UEA Norwich – organising Fell and Cave trips which took students to all the hilly and interesting parts Read More
The experience starts on Sunday
Leaving Edinburgh Waverley on a mid morning train, you will travel to Aviemore and check into the hotel before an afternoon walk through the Rothiemurcus forest. If the group is feeling exceptionally fit, we may stop en route at Pitlochry for an ascent of Ben Vrackie before onward travel to Aviemore.
Rothiemurcus: 8km/5m, flat, good trail.
Accommodation
Cairngorm Hotel or similar
A journey on the Strathspey steam railway – whose station is opposite our hotel! – takes us to Broomhill. A spectacular walk follows, through the ancient Rothiemurcus Forest and into the Cairngorm Mountains. The walk ends at Glenmore on the shores of Loch Morlich, from where a bus takes us back to the hotel.
14km/8m, 100m/300ft ascent.
Accommodation
Cairngorm Hotel or similar
A Scotrail train from Aviemore takes us to Inverness, where we transfer onto train for Kyle of Lochalsh. The Kyle line is one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world, and is known as the “Skye train”. At Kyle, we transfer to a bus for the short hop to Broadford on the Isle of Skye, where a quality bed and breakfast forms our base for the next few days. Time permitting, we will have an afternoon coastal walk from Broadford.
Accommodation
A quality Bed and Breakfast in Broadford, Skye
A full day of walking on Skye. We’ll go up into the hills if the weather is kind, and if not an equally spectacular coastal walk is planned.
10km/6m, 100m/300ft ascent, mainly good tracks.
Accommodation
A quality Bed and Breakfast in Broadford, Skye
A bus takes us from Broadford to the ferry terminal at Armadale, on the Southern end of Skye. From here we cross the Sound of Sleat by ferry, and arrive back on the mainland at Mallaig. We then travel by small charter boat over to Inverrie, on the Knoydart peninsular. You have the option of stopping at the Old Forge, Britain’s most isolated pub or doing a short walk. The boat trip should hopefully give us chance to spot some of Scotland’s larger sea mammals.
8km/5m, 100m/300ft ascent, good tracks
Accommodation
Alexandra Hotel or similar, Fort William
A late departure from Fort William means keener walkers can join us for a morning excursion up beautiful Glen Nevis. However, we need to be back at the station for 11.30 when we rejoin the West Highland line for a service to Corrrour – Britain’s most remote station. From here we make an ascent of Ben Na Lap, which provides astonishing views without being too steep a climb! Returning on the evening train to Fort William.
10km/6m, 450m/1500ft ascent, rough path.
Accommodation
Alexandra Hotel or similar, Fort William
Return to Edinburgh – Our last day, and we take the morning train from Fort William southwards towards Glasgow, skirting the banks of Loch Lomond. Arrival in Edinburgh should be around 12.30, giving additional time to explore the Scottish capital before setting out for home if you wish.
Mickey
Tuesday 8th September, 2020
We had a great trip! Saw a lot of Scotland and did some interesting hikes. Traveling by train we were able to see a lot of the countryside. Isle of Skye was beautiful, the Cairngorms were formidable and we had a challenging, breathtaking hike that of...
We had a great trip! Saw a lot of Scotland and did some interesting hikes. Traveling by train we were able to see a lot of the countryside. Isle of Skye was beautiful, the Cairngorms were formidable and we had a challenging, breathtaking hike that offered us some amazing views. Accommodations were quaint and comfortable, food was very good. Gary our guide was experienced and knowledgeable as was Johnnie who was our guide for our last hike in Fort William. I am very happy I did this trip as were my four traveling companions. The group was nine people. We ranged in ages, the youngest 38 and the oldest 76!
Read morePauline
Thursday 20th June, 2019
My sister and I chose this destination and we couldn't be more satisfied. Scotland is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. This tour provided accommodation and meals and the most wonderful guide ever. Stuart is the BEST. He was fun, ki...
My sister and I chose this destination and we couldn't be more satisfied. Scotland is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. This tour provided accommodation and meals and the most wonderful guide ever. Stuart is the BEST. He was fun, kind, patient, professional, friendly and even manage to speak in my French native language. He made sure to make us feel safe and made us discover some of the most beautiful spots in Scotland. The Railway tour is one fun way to travel across Scotland. Our accommodation were very clean and comfy. We ended up getting the most cutest cabin on Isle of Skye. I would highly recommend this tour and cross your fingers to get Stuart as your guide, you won't regret it.
Read moreLeaving Edinburgh on a mid morning train, you spend the week travelling around the Scottish Highlands, reaching the Cairngorm Mountains, the shores of Loch Morlich, and the beautiful Isle of Skye.
