Edinburgh, Skye and the Highlands - 4 day tour

Day 2 - Edinburgh - Glen Coe - Inverness

Join your guide and fellow passengers for the start of your Scottish Highland adventure. We leave Edinburgh and make our northwards into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Soon we cross into the Highlands and make the dramatic ascent of the “Black Mount” Pass to reach the Great moor of Rannoch. This desolate wilderness extends for some 50 miles and is sprinkled with little lochans, wild rivers and rocky crags.

We take time to enjoy the haunting beauty of Glen Coe, probably Scotland’s most famous glen. It was here in 1692 that 40 of the resident MacDonald clan were murdered by troops of the Clan Campbell acting under Government orders.

Fort William is next. “The Fort”, as it’s known locally, makes the most of its stunning location on the banks of Loch Linnhe and is a popular spot with outdoor sports enthusiasts. On the outskirts, we’ll pause to take in the view of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain.

Next is the beauty of the Great Glen. We’ll drive along the banks of Loch Lochy and Loch Oich to reach Scotland’s most enigmatic lake, Loch Ness. During the stop here, there will be a chance to learn more about the area’s most famous ‘resident’ on a cruise across the deep and dark waters to visit majestic Urquhart Castle.

On the outskirts of Inverness, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city.

Overnight: Premier Inn Inverness Centre River Ness, Inverness (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 3 - Isle of Skye Excursion

From Inverness travel over the Kessock Bridge and through the Black Isle to reach the remote village of Achnasheen. Travelling through picturesque Glen Carron, there is a stop at the viewpoint to enjoy the panorama over Loch Carron and the Applecross Mountains.

After crossing the majestic Skye Bridge, we’ll have a stop in Kyleakin, so we can enjoy the views over Loch Alsh to the little island of Eilean Ban.

The magical island of Skye is famous for its charm and beauty. Our tour of the island starts with a coastal drive to Broadford. The landscape becomes more rugged as the impressive Cuillin Hills come into view, greeting us with some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland.  

Portree, the main town on Skye, sits attractively around a natural harbour. You’ll have time to discover Portree’s many craft shops or breathe in the sea air on a stroll around the harbour.

The next visit is to Talisker Distillery, where you can discover how whisky is made using traditional methods. At the end of the visit, there’s a tutored tasting of a malt whisky then the chance to visit the distillery shop.

Our last stop on the island will be to visit the Fairy Pools. These natural water pools and cascading waterfalls have become one of the most popular attractions on the island and an Instagram sensation.

Back on the mainland, there is a photo-stop at Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s best-known icons. It has appeared as the backdrop to many popular movies and is one of the most unmistakeably Scottish of scenes. The castle stands on an islet in Loch Duich connected by a little bridge to the shore.

As we travel through remote Glen Shiel look-out for the towering mountain range known as "The Five Sisters of Kintail".

The last part of the tour will take us to Invermoriston then along the banks of Loch Ness back to Inverness arriving around 20:15 hrs.

Day 4 - Inverness - Edinburgh - London

Enjoy an early breakfast then make your way to Inverness Railway Station where the “Highland Chieftain” Azuma train awaits for the journey to the heart of London.

On leaving Inverness, the train will cross the 29 arches of the impressive Culloden viaduct then skirt Drumossie Moor, the scene of the famous battle in 1746. Later the route enters the Cairngorms National Park with stops scheduled in Aviemore, the popular winter sports resort and Newtonmore.

After leaving Dalwhinnie, the train will reach the Drumochter summit, the highest point on the British rail network. From here we descend through the Grampian Mountains to reach Highland Perthshire. Look out for white-washed Blair Castle and the dramatic Pass of Killiecrankie, the scene of another battle associated with the Jacobite cause.

From Edinburgh, the train will follow the same route as the northbound journey calling at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York. You can expect a mid-afternoon arrival in London’s Kings Cross Station (Sunday departures will reach London a little bit later).