Classic Round Scotland by Train
Experience the majestic scenery of Skye
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.
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.
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.
£2355 per person for April & October and £2460 per person for May to 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:
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 available on request.
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.
We work hard to make sure the unexpected doesn’t affect your trip. On rare occasions, changes or cancellations may occur, affecting accommodation, transport or excursions, including the Jacobite Express Steam Train. We are committed to informing you of any such circumstances and will use our knowledge and resources to offer suitable alternatives wherever possible.
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This holiday can be arranged from April to October. In 2024, the Jacobite Steam train will run from the 28th March until the 25th 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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Download our handy guide with useful information and top tips on Rail Touring in Scotland.
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.
“Somewhere along the Scottish coast An emerald island lies So I will steer my sailing boat Unto the Isle of Skye” [Andrew Peterson] I take a...
It was well organised and having toured parts of Scotland by car, it was a much different style of holiday - relaxed & enjoyable.Malcolm & Vera, Somerset, England
Wonderful accommodations with great food and really nice hosts. Beautiful scenery along the train rides.Carol & Brian, Victoria, Canada
The main train trips had such beautiful scenery - they seemed to be over far too quickly!Jean, Cheltenham, UK