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Loch Lomond & The Scottish Highlands

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20242025
6 days From £979 per person
4.0 stars(112 reviews)
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Journey to the heart of the Highlands and experience the legendary Jacobite Steam Train.

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Save £50pp on selected British Isles 2024 holidays, when you book by 2nd April 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2024 Tour code: 24FWS

About the tour

Journey to the heart of the Scottish Highlands, taking in the marvellous lochs and glens this part of the world is famous for. Travel on the iconic Jacobite Steam Train along the superb West Highland Line and set sail on stunning Loch Lomond.

Staying in the serene village of Crianlarich, surrounded by mountains and breathtaking landscapes, you'll discover the historic town of Inveraray, visit the ancient Duart Castle, and wander through the colourful streets of Tobermory on this beautiful Scottish adventure.

Unforgettable Experiences

13th-century Duart Castle
13th-century Duart Castle
Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive 13th-century Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull.
Jacobite Steam Train
Jacobite Steam Train
Journey on the Jacobite Steam Train, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct on your way to Mallaig.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Sail along Loch Lomond, with guided commentary as you drift through the scenic landscapes and spot wonderful wildlife.
Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull
Catch a ferry to the Isle of Mull, off the glorious West Coast of Scotland, and visit the picturesque port of Tobermory.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – Cultured-packed Glasgow

Your Tour Manager greets you today at your hotel in Glasgow. Once you've checked in, you can start to explore at leisure before dinner this evening. Straddling the River Clyde, Glasgow is a vibrant Scottish city with a lot to offer, and its lively centre is complemented by the backdrop of its rich history and outstanding Victorian architecture. You could experience your first taste of Scotland with a visit to a traditional pub for a wee dram, or discover its culture with a visit to one of Glasgow's excellent museums or galleries.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – The scenic West Highland Line to peaceful Crianlarich

Enjoy a journey on the West Highland Line today, a route covering some of Scotland's most beautiful areas. As you leave Glasgow, you're quickly surrounded by the wild and windswept Scottish Highlands as you pass through landscapes of breathtaking mountains, steep-sided lochs, and heather moors.

Arriving in Crianlarich, your coach takes you to your hotel. After checking in, there's time to explore your new surroundings before dinner. Crianlarich is a village in Perthshire, whose name is derived from the Gaelic for 'low pass' because of its location in a glen surrounded by several mountains. The villagers call their village the 'gateway to the Highlands', as it's the starting point for a beautiful walking and cycling trail, and has stunning views of Ben More, one of the highest mountains in the area.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Sailing stunning Loch Lomond and discovering historic Inveraray

After breakfast, you travel by coach to Tarbet for an early afternoon cruise on majestic Loch Lomond. Sit back on board and enjoy lunch surrounded by the impressive views while live commentary shares tales from the loch and provides fascinating insights into its history and geological wonders.

After soaking up the beauty of Loch Lomond, you head to Inveraray, a town on the western shore of Loch Fyne. With time at leisure here, you could visit Inveraray Castle, a unique castle with Baroque, Palladian and Gothic-style architecture, surrounded by glorious gardens. Or, you could explore Inveraray Jail. This 19th-century prison and courthouse is now a 'living museum' recreating the history of the era. Returning to your hotel later this afternoon, there's time to relax before dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – Charming Oban, striking Duart Castle, and colourful Tobermory

This morning you experience more of the stunning Scottish Highlands by rail, heading for Oban, a charming coastal town. As the train makes its way westward, you'll admire striking views of the Glen Ogle viaduct and the tranquil waters of Loch Awe.

After the scenic journey, you catch the ferry in Oban and set sail for the Isle of Mull. Arriving at Craignure, your coach awaits to drive you to Duart Castle, the ancient home and seat of the Clan Maclean. Enjoy a guided tour of the imposing 13th-century estate, built on the end of a peninsula jutting into the Sound of the Mull.

You then continue by coach to Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull, where there's time at leisure to explore. This lovely little fishing port is famous for its brightly coloured houses and you could wander by them on your way to seek out its sheltered bay. According to legend, in 1588 one of the Spanish Armada ships sank at this bay carrying a stash of gold.

After catching the ferry back to Oban, your coach takes you back to your hotel in time for dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Journey on the incredible Jacobite Steam Train

You experience the final leg of the West Highland Line today on the magnificent Jacobite Steam Train*. Boarding the restored carriages at Fort William, you discover why this journey is renowned as one of the best and most scenic in the world. A highlight of the route is the moment you cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a marvel of engineering with 21 arches, that you may recognise from the 'Harry Potter' films.

The train continues towards the coast, unveiling wild and wonderful views across the vast Scottish countryside. After passing through Arisaig, the line descends towards Mallaig, a quaint fishing port that looks over the Isle of Skye. Along the picturesque harbour, there's a choice of local Scottish pubs that serve delicious seafood dishes as well as other traditional meals. With some time at leisure, you could enjoy lunch with a view before your return journey on the amazing Jacobite.

*Please note that journeys are steam-hauled where possible - some departures may use the ScotRail scheduled service.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Homeward bound

As your holiday comes to a close after breakfast this morning, it's time to bid farewell to Crianlarich. Heading back to Glasgow by train, take in the stunning landscapes of the West Highland Line that have been the backdrop of your fantastic adventure. When you arrive, take some time to say goodbye to your fellow travellers before making your way home with unforgettable memories.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.

Departure times

On many of our UK & Ireland tours, you may check in at the first hotel on your itinerary anytime after 14:00; your Tour Manager will be available between 16:00 and 18:00. However, if you are arriving later, you can meet your Tour Manager before dinner from 19:00.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Best Western Crianlarich Hotel, Crianlarich

Best Western Crianlarich Hotel, Crianlarich

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Trains

Jacobite Steam Train
Scotrail
West Highland Line

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Rail travel to and from Glasgow
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Reviews

4.0 stars4.0 / 5 · 112 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (42)
  2. 4 stars
    (46)
  3. 3 stars
    (14)
  4. 2 stars
    (4)
  5. 1 star
    (6)

Ian Whitfield

5 stars

Submitted 14 Oct 2023

The tour apart from a problem with a Scotrail train was good despite inclement weather. Food at BW Crianlarich was excellent as were the staff made us all very welcome I’d give it 5 stars . Jacobite Train trip excellent despite the Scotch mist , also the Loch Lomond trip, and our coach Driver Brian was excellent. Last but not least our tour guide Gareth was excellent throughout the trip. In short a really good holiday and thanks to all involved in making it so. Regards Ian Whitfield

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Anita

2 stars

Submitted 13 Oct 2023

We would have given more stars if the trip covered everything that we expected

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Caroline Coode

4 stars

Submitted 05 Oct 2023

A nice mix of visits. But the one to Mull via Oban was too far in a day. Suggest this needs rethinking for future. Hotel in Crianlarich nice room. But no garden and close to main road. Food very good. Staff pleasant and helpful. Tour leader cheerful and caring and able to inform us about some aspects of the places we visited.

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G O'Reilly

1 stars

Submitted 04 Oct 2023

How many times do I have to do this .It was poor look at my review

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Mr Whan

5 stars

Submitted 29 Sep 2023

Excellent food and hotel at Crianlarich. Oustanding courier in Dawn. Spectacular scenery - pity about the weather.

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Robert Morgan

4 stars

Submitted 29 Sep 2023

Good tour but needs good weather to fully enjoy it!

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