Classic Round Scotland by Train
Journey on the Jacobite Express steam train
A packed 10-night self-guided tour of dramatic views, history and serenity, alongside care-free train travel and legendary highland hospitality.
From the country’s ancient capital of Stirling and its fabulous castle, to the centre of Highland life and majestic Loch Ness, the fairy-tale Isle of Skye and a Jacobite Express steam-train journey through atmospheric Glenfinnan to Ben Nevis, this is a wonderful discovery of the beauty of Scotland. With many years’ train-touring experience behind us, as well as valued testimony from our guests, we’ve taken all that knowledge and distilled it into this carefully crafted and appealingly varied ten-night self-guided holiday by rail.
Holiday Details
Day One – Setting Off for Stirling
Day Two – Exploring Stirling
Day Three – North by Rail to Inverness
Day Four – Loch Ness Awaits
Day Five – West to the Coast
Day Six – Over the Bridge to Skye
Day Seven – Sailing By Skye
Day Eight – Exploring Portree
Day Nine – Back to the Mainland and Steam to Fort William
Day Ten – A Last Day of Relaxation
Day Eleven – South on One of the World’s Most Scenic Rail Journeys
Sustainable Travel
This holiday is part of our ever growing collection of public transport based holidays, enabling you to reach destinations around Scotland – in this case, including the Isle of Skye – without the need to drive. We feel strongly that true sustainability also means promoting and helping to maintain a way of life in areas where the economic benefit of tourism can make a genuine difference to the local community, which is why we have used locally owned small accommodation and a local guide on this holiday.
Location
This route starts from either Edinburgh or Glasgow and travels up to Stirling, then heads further north to Inverness before travelling west along the Kyle Line to Plockton. You then cross to the Isle of Skye before returning to the mainland and taking the world-famous West Highland Line to Fort William, for your final base in Spean Bridge, then take another portion of the West Highland Line to Glasgow.
Pricing
£1995 per person for April & October and £2075 per person for May through September.
Price is based on two adults sharing a double or twin ensuite room for 10 nights on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with dinner provided on your final two nights in Spean Bridge. Also included is:
- Standard-class train travel from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Stirling, from Stirling to Inverness, from Inverness to Plockton, from Mallaig to Fort William on the Jacobite Steam Train and from Spean Bridge to Glasgow.
- Return coach travel from Inverness to Loch Ness and a boat trip on Loch Ness as part of a small group.
- A private guided day-long tour/ transfer from Plockton to Portree on the Isle of Skye.
- A sailing trip from Portree as part of a small group.
- Transfer from Portree to Armadale on Skye and ferry travel to Mallaig.
- Transfer from Fort William to your accommodation in Spean Bridge.
Short taxi trips from Stirling and Inverness stations to your accommodation and back are not included as they are not pre-bookable, but plentiful local taxi are available at the rank.
The supplement for a single traveller is £625 per holiday, based on single occupancy of double/twin rooms.
We would also be delighted to assist with hotel reservations in Edinburgh and Glasgow from our selection of centrally located, high quality hotel and aparthotel options as well as with any inbound and onward travel you may require.
Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions, recommended routes, and suggestions on places to visit depending on your interests and our local knowledge to help you get the most from your holiday.
As porterage is not included in this largely self-guided holiday, and assistance at train stations is somewhat sporadic, we recommend packing just one manageable suitcase per person.
All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
You are requesting availability for
Classic Round Scotland by Train
This holiday can be arranged from April to October. In 2023, the Jacobite Steam train will run from the 3rd April until the 27th October. Outside these dates the same route can be booked, but a standard train service operates.
Availability is individually checked for a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses and other independent businesses, so please bear with us and we will respond in 1-2 working days.
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Speak to us 1 800 760 824
McKinlay Kidd are based in the UK.
GMT office hours are:
- Mon-Fri: 8:30am – 6:00pm
- Sat: 10am – 3:30pm
- Sun: Closed
or email us at:
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- UK 0141 260 9260
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- Australia (toll-free) 1 800 760 824
- Other Countries +44 141 260 9260
- Email hello at mckinlaykidd dot com
The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee
All our holiday prices include a service charge of £9 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.
We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.
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