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Edinburgh & the Highlands by Steam

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4.1 stars(168 reviews)
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Discover the beauty of Scotland by rail

6 days From £599 per person
Save up to £100pp

Save up to £100pp on selected UK and European 2023 holidays when you book before 31st of March 2023.

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2023 Tour code: 23AHS

About the tour

Enjoy the majesty of Edinburgh before exploring the lochs, mountains and glens of Perthshire and the soaring Cairngorm Mountains, aboard Scotland's spectacular railways.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Edinburgh

Your Tour Manager meets you in Edinburgh at your hotel before some free time to explore at your own pace.

Day 2 - Edinburgh & Blair Atholl

Today begins before you head out to explore the Scottish capital on a guided tour. The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its historic medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town, and you discover some of its best-loved sights. This afternoon, you take the train through scenic Perthshire to Blair Atholl. We spend four nights here.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Queen’s View

Today's excursion takes you to Queen's View, one of Scotland's most famous lookouts. Enjoy the stunning panoramas stretching out across Loch Tummel towards the Glencoe Hills. Continue to the beautiful town of Pitlochry, set against the backdrop of mighty Ben Vrackie before returning to Blair Atholl for a tour of its Castle and gardens. Blair Castle is one of Scotland's premier stately homes. A vision in white stone, the castle has a fairytale quality, with exquisite gardens and interiors that showcase Scottish design through the ages - including one room which is covered in antlers. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free, to relax or continue exploring.

Please Note: For departure 16/07/2023 Days 3 and 5 have swapped around

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 4 - Jacobite Steam Train

Join the Jacobite Steam Train in Fort William today for a magnificent return journey on the West Highland Line. Travelling in restored carriages, this journey is regarded as one of the best and most scenic in the world. A highlight of the route comes as you cross the 21 arches of the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a marvel of engineering, which is recognisable from the 'Harry Potter' movies. 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.

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

Please Note: For departure 21/05/2023 Days 4 and 5 have swapped around

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 5 - The Strathspey Steam Railway

Enjoy a journey on the Strathspey Steam Railway. As you travel through the Cairngorms from Aviemore, you'll follow the route of the historic Highland Railway with dense pine forests, purple heather and craggy hillsides. This is followed by a unique journey on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway, the highest funicular railway in the UK. At the top, you're free to explore the panoramic viewing terrace and immersive exhibition for stunning mountain views, perhaps enjoying a drink at the Cairngorm Gin Bar. Continue to Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest altitude distillery in Scotland. After a guided tour of the historic distillery and an excellent local whisky tasting return to your hotel for dinner.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Edinburgh & home

Depart Blair Atholl this morning, and take the train back to Edinburgh. Here, your holiday ends and you're free to continue your journey home.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

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.

Hotels

Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl

Atholl Arms Hotel, Blair Atholl

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Ibis Edinburgh Centre, Edinburgh

Ibis Edinburgh Centre, Edinburgh

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Ibis South Bridge, Edinburgh

Ibis South Bridge, Edinburgh

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Trains

Jacobite Steam Train
Scotrail
Strathspey Railway
West Highland Line

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Rail travel to and from Edinburgh
Extend your UK & Ireland holiday

Reviews

4.1 stars4.1 / 5 · 168 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (61)
  2. 4 stars
    (73)
  3. 3 stars
    (23)
  4. 2 stars
    (7)
  5. 1 star
    (4)

AWH

5 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Scenery and location complemented by a superb Tour Manager

Collected by Trustpilot

J Banks

4 stars

Submitted 14 Oct 2022

Great customer care - a very relaxing holiday

Collected by Trustpilot

David

5 stars

Submitted 14 Oct 2022

Brilliant, worth the cost.

Collected by Trustpilot

Pauline M Wilson

3 stars

Submitted 11 Oct 2022

Some wonderful moments and scenery but rather more coach travelling than I had anticipated. Also we were given some confusing advice on rail tickets. The tour guide was great, caring, informative and fun.

Collected by Trustpilot

C Brackley

5 stars

Submitted 08 Oct 2022

It was well organised and the courier went out out of his way to make our trip an enjoyable experience he was an excellent host We will use you again A great experience

Collected by Trustpilot

Casey Stevens

5 stars

Submitted 07 Oct 2022

We had the best time, met some lovely people, our guide was fantastic, the hotels were incredible, the food was delicious and the sun shined the whole week. Highlands scenery is just out of this world. High Recommend

Collected by Trustpilot

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Edinburgh & the Highlands by Steam

Discover the beauty of Scotland by rail

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