Edinburgh, Skye and the Hogwarts Express from London by Train - 5 Days Tour

Scotland is a country of remarkable contrasts. On this tour, discover Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, the Royal Mile, and mighty Edinburgh Castle before travelling through the Scottish Highlands.

From your base in Inverness, visit the Isle of Skye, see Eilean Donan Castle, and go monster-hunting at Loch Ness.

Add a journey aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, the real Hogwarts Express, across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct on one of Europe’s most spectacular rail journeys, and you have a memorable way to discover Scotland from London.

Take the train from London to Edinburgh

The whistle blows, and your express train glides out of Kings Cross Station in the heart of London, bound for Edinburgh.

As you speed north to the Scottish Capital, you'll pass through the Viking City of York, Durham, famed for its magnificent Cathedral, and bustling Newcastle, which straddles the River Tyne.

During the journey, enjoy free WiFi and access to the onboard buffet, where you can buy tasty food and drink. The journey typically takes just over 4 hours to reach Edinburgh.

Explore Edinburgh by Open Top Bus Tour

On arrival in Edinburgh, it's a short walk to your city centre hotel, and after you've checked in, Scotland's Capital City is waiting to be discovered.

Join an open-top bus tour to see many of Edinburgh's most famous attractions, including the historic Grassmarket, where many gruesome tales are told.

Travel along the wide streets of the Georgian New Town to see grand squares before heading into the medieval Old Town; both areas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Visit Edinburgh Castle and see the Scottish Crown Jewels

Hop off to explore mighty Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland.

During your visit, tour the Royal Apartments, discover the Great Hall and see Mons Meg, the castle’s enormous medieval siege cannon. You can also visit St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh. The panoramic views across the city from the castle battlements are stunning.

When ready, hop aboard the next tour bus to continue your sightseeing adventure.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Edinburgh is the World's first UNESCO City of Literature, so after breakfast, why not head out to discover some of its literary connections?

Discover Edinburgh’s Harry Potter Connections

Enjoy a coffee in the café where J.K. Rowling penned her first Harry Potter novel, or visit the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the names on the gravestones gave her inspiration for her characters' names.

At lunchtime, make for the railway station to join the ScotRail Inter7City train bound for Inverness. Get ready for a beautiful journey as the Highland mainline is considered one of the most scenic in Scotland.

Edinburgh to Inverness by Train

Travel from Edinburgh northwards towards Stirling, with its grand castle standing guard over the city. Next, travel through Gleneagles station, which serves the famous golfing resort, then across Strathearn to Perth.

"Highland Perthshire" boasts towering trees and fast-flowing rivers. After calling at the historic Dunkeld and Birnam station, we follow the Rivers Tay and Tummel to arrive in Pitlochry, a pleasant Victorian resort town.

Travel the scenic Highland Main Line

The train will make the ascent through Glen Garry, where there are fine views of the Grampian Mountains, and if you are lucky, a deer herd can often be seen grazing on the heather.

Soon we reach the highest point on the British rail network at Druimuachdar Summit.

Enter the Cairngorm National Park

After leaving lonely Dalwhinnie, the train enters the scenic Spey Valley, where the towering summits of the Cairngorm mountain range provide an impressive backdrop.

On arrival in Inverness, it's a short walk to your hotel. Tonight, why not seek out some traditional folk music played in a local pub?

Today, head for the picturesque Isle of Skye. Leaving Inverness behind, you'll drive through beautiful Glen Carron, stopping to view the panorama of Loch Carron and the mountains of Applecross.

Cross to Skye and admire the Cuillin Hills

After crossing "over the sea to Skye", the magnificent mountain scenery of the Cuillin Hills is our first treat.

These soaring peaks dominate the island, first the gentle Red Cuillins, then the jagged and daunting Black Cuillins. Stop for photos where the alpine-like views are at their most impressive.

Explore Portree and the Trotternish Peninsula

The delightful town of Portree is the island's largest settlement. During our time here, why not take a stroll down to the harbour? The pastel-painted houses overlooking the bay make for a brilliant selfie.

After lunch, we head for the Trotternish Peninsula to see the weird landscapes, including the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing.

We stop at Kilt Rock, where the basalt columns are said to resemble the pleats in a kilt. From the viewing platform, watch as the Mealt waterfall plummets 60m into the sea below.  

See Eilean Donan Castle and the peaks of the 5 Sisters

Back on the mainland, we stop at picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. You'll have the chance to photograph this fairy-tale castle, which has appeared in many films, including Highlander and The World Is Not Enough.

Enjoy a scenic drive through Glen Shiel, enjoying stunning views of the Five Sisters mountain range. Our return to Inverness will take us along the banks of Loch Ness.

We'll arrive in Inverness city centre around 20:00 hrs.

From Inverness, tour along the banks of Loch Ness, stopping to admire the views of Urquhart Castle, which sits overlooking the deepest part of the loch.

Continue on through the Great Glen, making a break at the moving Commando Memorial to take in the views of the Nevis Range, which includes Britain’s tallest mountain – Ben Nevis.

Ride the Jacobite Steam Train, the real Hogwarts Express

Next, we arrive in Fort William, and standing at the station is the famous Jacobite Steam Train. The excitement mounts as you walk along the platform, join the train and take your seats.

Departure time comes, and as the train puffs out of the station, an unforgettable journey along the famous West Highland Railway begins.

The steam-hauled train will pass Scotland’s shortest river, deepest loch and highest mountain along the 42-mile trip.

Travel over the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Enjoy beautiful views over Loch Eil, then have your camera at the ready for a souvenir photo as the train crosses the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, just like the Hogwarts Express!

Glenfinnan is also renowned for its connections to Bonnie Prince Charlie, who landed in this part of Scotland in August 1745 to raise his standard at the start of the ill-fated Jacobite Uprising. The haunting monument you can see was built to commemorate the Highlanders who lost their lives fighting for the cause.

Enjoy coastal scenery and free time in Mallaig

Look out for the stunning beaches at Arisaig before the train swings northwards, where you’ll enjoy amazing sea views. The train crosses the River Morar, Britain’s shortest river, which flows into Loch Morar, the deepest stretch of freshwater in the country.

The train steams into Mallaig Station, which is the end of the line. There is free time in this historic port, which is the perfect place for a freshly landed seafood lunch.

Later, rejoin your coach for a scenic drive along the famous “Road to the Isles”, one of Scotland’s most famous routes.

Visit Fort Augustus and Loch Ness

There will be a break in the attractive village of Fort Augustus, where you can watch boats navigate the locks of the Caledonian Canal as they make their way towards Loch Ness.

The final part of the journey takes us to Dores, where we stop to admire the sweeping views of the loch from the beach before returning to Inverness.

The excursion will end in Inverness at 19:30 hrs.

This morning, enjoy an early breakfast before heading to Inverness Railway Station, where the Highland Chieftain express train is waiting.

Return to London by Train

From Inverness, catch a glimpse or two of the Moray Firth before the tracks turn southwards, and you head for the stunning beauty of the Cairngorms National Park. The range of peaks that we will see includes Ben Macdui, Britain’s second-highest mountain.

After passing through Dalwhinnie, with its famous distillery, there are beautiful vistas to enjoy as the train descends through the Grampian Mountains.

See Blair Castle and Highland Perthshire

As we arrive in Blair Atholl, look out for whitewashed Blair Castle, the seat of the Duke of Atholl. He is the only person in the UK who is allowed his own private army, the Atholl Highlanders.

From Perth, travel through gentle scenery to the ancient city of Stirling, home to an impressive monument to the great Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace.

The train will follow the same route as your northbound journey from Edinburgh and is scheduled to arrive at London’s Kings Cross Station by late afternoon (subject to change).