Scottish Circular Holiday

Holiday Highlights

  • First class return train travel between home and Scotland
  • Scenic Kyle of Lochalsh, Strathspey, Bo’ness and Kinneil and West Highland Railways
  • Small group Loch Ness tour
  • Spirit of Scotland Travelpass for use on mainline scheduled rail services, Glasgow Subway, Edinburgh Trams, Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services, many bus services
  • Visit the Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Edinburgh Castle Tour
  • 9 days from £2,245pp (sharing)
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This bespoke holiday was prepared for a couple who wanted us to create a tour that allowed them to ride Scotland’s great railways. It proved to be a wonderful way to see Scotland’s dramatic scenery and included a journey on the iconic Jacobite steam train and much more. If you would like to create your own Scottish rail odyssey contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or click on the Request a Quote button.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Train to Edinburgh

Ffestiniog Travel organised rail travel from the couple’s local station to Edinburgh, arriving late afternoon to enjoy a 3-night stay at the Scottish Capital’s Radisson Blu Hotel.

Day 2 – Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway

We arranged for the couple to spend a day on the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, a 20 minute journey by train from Edinburgh Railway Station to Linlithgow and a further 30 minute bus journey to Bo’ness. All trains on the Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway are steam hauled. There are three departures per day from Bo’ness and tickets are valid to travel on as many or as few journeys as you wish. A traditional afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam and a pot of coffee or tea was booked and served to our Ffestiniog Travellers on board. Bo’ness Station is also home to the Museum of Scottish Railways, Scotland’s largest railway museum and well worth a visit.

Day 3 – Explore Edinburgh

A Spirit of Scotland Travelpass was provided allowing the couple to use the city’s trams to explore Scotland’s capital. We also arranged entrance tickets to two of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and a tour of Edinburgh Castle.

Day 4 – Via Aviemore and Strathspey Railway to Inverness

A morning departure on the Forth Bridge Railway arrived in Aviemore late morning, allowing time to enjoy a round trip on the Strathspey Railway, a 10 mile long preserved railway that runs from Aviemore to Broomhill via Boat of Garten. The Ffestiniog Travellers then had a further half hour train journey from Aviemore arriving in Inverness late afternoon where they had a 2-night stay at the Royal Highland Hotel.

Day 5 – Loch Ness

Explore the landscape and legends of Loch Ness and the Highlands on a sightseeing tour from Inverness by Mercedes mini-coach. Join a guide and small group at a central location in Inverness, then board a top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach for the short trip to Loch Ness. Upon arrival at the storied loch, opt to see the area on a sightseeing cruise (boat trip own expense). As you explore Loch Ness, enjoy great views of the dramatic Urquhart Castle, historic ruins at the edge of the water. And of course, keep your eyes and cameras on the water—there have been reports of a monster in Loch Ness for hundreds of years, and the guide shares some of the most fascinating tales and sightings. Return to shore and head to a nearby restaurant for lunch (own expense). After your meal, continue to the Highland village of Invermoriston, where you can stretch your legs on a walk past pretty rivers, a ruined stone bridge, and a historic summer home. Keep driving to the Caledonian Canal, then turn back towards Inverness. This full-day Highland tour concludes with drop-off in Inverness.

Day 6 – Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye

A scenic journey on the Kyle of Lochalsh Railway took our travellers to beautiful Skye for an overnight stay at the Cullin Hills Hotel, situated in the island’s largest town of Portree. The journey included a short bus ride over the bridge that connects the mainland and Isle of Skye.

Day 7 – Fort William

Following a morning bus journey and ferry back to the mainland, our couple boarded the train at Mallaig and travelled through amazing scenery to Fort William, crossing the famous 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct which overlooks Loch Shiel. On reaching Fort William they enjoyed an overnight stay at the Nevis Bank Inn. Why not extend your stay in Fort William and take a return trip on the iconic Jacobite steam train? It is an experience often described as the greatest railway journey in the world.

Day 8 – West Highland Line to Glasgow

The West Highland Line took our Ffestiniog Travellers through more dramatic landscapes as it travelled along Scotland’s wild west coast. It is another scenic journey that took our travellers to their final Scottish destination, Glasgow, for an overnight stay at the Grand Central Hotel. Leisure time to explore the city and its award-winning Riverside Transport Museum where entrance is free of charge.

Day 9 – Homeward Bound

Our travellers enjoyed a leisurely morning before making their journey home by train.

Selected Hotels

Radisson Blu, Edinburgh

Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness

Cullin Hills Hotel, Portree, Isle of Skye

Nevis Bank Inn, Fort William

Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow

Please note - hotels can be subject to change

Price Includes

  • Rail travel between Ipswich and Scotland in first class
  • Standard class rail travel within Scotland
  • Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms in good quality hotels
  • Bus travel as listed
  • Armadale to Mallaig ferry
  • Spirit of Scotland Travelpass for use on mainline scheduled rail services, Glasgow Subway, Edinburgh Trams, Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services, many bus services
  • Day ticket for Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway including afternoon tea and Museum of Scottish Railways
  • The Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Edinburgh Castle Tour
  • Strathspey Railway
  • The Complete Loch Ness Experience Small-Group Day Tour from Inverness
  • Senior Railcard discounts

Price per person

From £2,245 per person sharing

Single traveller from £3550

Booking form

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Why Choose Ffestiniog Travel?

  • UK's first rail tour operator to run an overseas escorted rail holiday in 1974
  • Created for people who love rail holidays and exploring the world’s heritage railways
  • Dedicated rail holiday specialist - great destinations, sightseeing and unparalled railway content
  • Train ticket supplier for worldwide rail operators - we can plan and arrange your rail journey to anywhere
  • Knowledge of the world’s rail routes makes us leading specialists in escorted and Tailor Made rail holidays
  • Over 60% of our existing rail tour travellers return to holiday with us year after year
  • Committed to supporting rail travel and heritage railways around the world
  • Our profits support the continued preservation of the famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
  • Small, dedicated rail holiday travel team offering an award winning personal service

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