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Itinerary
Great Scottish Highland Railways
From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our overnight hotel.
Great Scottish Highland Railways
After breakfast, the stunning scenery of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s first national park, awaits. We pause in the picturesque village of Luss, with its neat rows of chocolate-box cottages, dramatic hills and spectacular views stretching across the loch. A morning coffee here is the perfect way to take it all in.
Next, we continue to Fort William, where there is free time to explore at your own pace. Visit the West Highland Museum, admire the towering presence of Ben Nevis, or wander the local boutiques before enjoying a treat in one of the cosy cafés. A stroll along the banks of Loch Linnhe completes your visit. Later, we travel to our hotel, where we will stay for the next three nights.
Full Day
Great Scottish Highland Railways
A memorable day awaits, beginning with a scenic drive through the specactular Cairngorms National Park to Fort William, a picturesque town which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis on the shores of Loch Linnhe. Here we board ‘The Jacobite’ steam train and travel across the mountainous west coast of Scotland, considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world. This section of the West Highland Line crosses the 100ft-high Glenfinnan Viaduct used in the Harry Potter film sequences featuring the Hogwarts Express. You don’t need to be a Harry Potter fan to appreciate this journey though, as the scenery in reality beats any cinematography hands down! We disembark in the picturesque port of Mallaig for some free time.
Please note: West Coast Railways reserves the right to substitute The Jacobite with an alternative engine or diesel-powered locomotive in the event of breakdown, or if urgent repairs are needed, without notice or refund. The journey may operate in reverse.
Full Day
Great Scottish Highland Railways
We head to the historic market town of Dingwall to join the Kyle Railway Line, a beautiful journey which has been likened to a symphony in three parts: pastoral, mountain and marine. From the perfect vantage point, we enjoy the magnificent remote landscapes, taking in many of the area’s shimmering lochs and wild moors along the way. Part of our journey also meanders along the southern bank of the mysterious Beauly Firth and past the huge isolated mountain of Ben Wyvis before reaching the pretty village of Kyle of Lochalsh.
On the way back to the hotel, we spend some time at leisure in the peaceful town of Aviemore. Popular for its stunning views of the Cairngorms, the town is also home to a fascinating stone circle that is more than 4,000 years old – be sure to have a look!*
Please note: the Kyle Railway Line journey may operate in reverse.
Full Day
*Free time in Aviemore is only available on 2026 departures.
Great Scottish Highland Railways
After checking out of our hotel we travel to the atmospheric capital of Scotland, Edinburgh. With its impressive skyline, dominated by Edinburgh Castle, the city is full of historical and cultural places of interest amidst its cobbled streets. Whether you spend time in the charming tea rooms, searching the rails of vintage clothes shops or discovering one of the many fascinating attractions, there is plenty in Edinburgh to suit all tastes. Afterwards, we travel to the Glasgow Airport area for our overnight stay.
Half Day
Great Scottish Highland Railways
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey home.
Kyle of Lochalsh Railway Journey via Beauly Firth & Loch Carron
Settle in for a classic Highland rail experience and ride the Kyle Railway Line from Dingwall through shifting landscapes: past the tidal Beauly Firth, beneath Ben Wyvis, across lonely moors and along mirror-bright waters to the harbour at Kyle of Lochalsh. Look for Plockton’s palm-fringed bay and distant Isle of Skye silhouettes.
Completed in the 1890s to connect remote west-coast communities, the route is prized for expansive viewpoints over Loch Luichart and Loch Carron. Big picture windows frame croftland, mountains and sea lochs to Kyle of Lochalsh, creating a moving gallery of the Northwest Highlands.
Loch Lomond National Park & Luss Village Visit
Explore Scotland’s first national park as you explore Loch Lomond, where wooded slopes tumble to island-dotted waters. In the conservation village of village of Luss, wander lanes of slate-roofed cottages and gardens before stepping onto the pier for wide views to Ben Lomond across the loch’s mirror-still waters.
Once a planned estate village for slate quarry workers, Luss blends 19th-century charm with deep Gaelic roots. Lakeside paths, the parish church and gentle shoreline light make a serene setting for photographs, while birdsong and boat wakes bring quiet Highland rhythm to the scene.
Fort William Visit & Loch Linnhe Promenade
Discover the West Highland hub of Fort William, where you can visit Fort William for cafés, outfitters and waterside views. Stroll the promenade along Loch Linnhe beneath the massif of Ben Nevis, or browse independent shops around Cameron Square and the small harbour.
History runs deep here: the West Highland Museum explores clan life, Jacobite uprisings and early mountaineering on Britain’s highest peak. The town’s blend of sea loch outlooks and mountain backdrop captures the working character of the Great Glen.
Edinburgh Highlights Stop: Old Town, Royal Mile & Castle Views
Explore Edinburgh’s skyline, from Princes Street Gardens to Castle Rock, pausing to admire the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle before weaving through wynds and courtyards along the historic Royal Mile. Time here balances landmark views with characterful closes, indie boutiques and tartan mills.
The city’s Old and New Towns form a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble: medieval lanes give way to Georgian crescents and neoclassical facades. Street performers, bagpipe notes and the spire of the Scott Monument set an atmospheric counterpoint to your Highland landscapes.
Cairngorms National Park Scenic Drive & Viewpoints
Traverse the Highlands as you cross the Cairngorms National Park by coach, taking in misty mountain passes, open moorland and Caledonian pine forests. Vistas sweep along the Spey Valley, with heather-clad hills, river glints and weathered stone bridges unfolding between villages.
The UK’s largest national park reveals granite plateaus, wildlife-rich glens and Gaelic place-names etched into the landscape. Commentary and well-chosen viewpoints spotlight the region’s geology and ecology, with ample moments to photograph far horizons and appreciate the Highlands’ wide-open scale.
The Jacobite Steam Train on the West Highland Line & Glenfinnan Viaduct
Board the heritage carriages and board ‘The Jacobite’ steam train from Fort William, tracing lochside rails beneath Ben Nevis before sweeping over the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Highland vistas open to sea views as the line follows rugged headlands toward the fishing port of Mallaig, where harbourside cafés and pier scenes reward your rail adventure.
Celebrated on screen as the Hogwarts Express, this late-Victorian route pairs elegant engineering with wild scenery. The viaduct’s 21 arches command views of Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument, while the train’s whistle and mountain-ringed coastline deliver pure West Highland atmosphere.
