Scenic Scottish Railways

Leaving the cities behind, we head northwards over the River Forth and into the Kingdom of Fife. There’s a refreshment stop in the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry before we pass whitewashed Blair Castle and start the long climb through Glen Garry.

After travelling through the Pass of Drumochter, we reach Dalwhinnie and tour through the Spey Valley, bound for Aviemore. On arrival at the town’s attractive railway station, a vintage steam train of the Strathspey Railway awaits to transport us on a nostalgic journey through the Cairngorms National Park.

The destination is Broomhill Station, which played the part of Glenbogle in the popular BBC TV series, “Monarch of the Glen”. The train will also make a stop in the attractive village of Boat of Garten in both directions.

Upon returning to Aviemore, we rejoin our coach for the short drive to Grantown-on-Spey, where we will spend the next three nights.

After breakfast, we board our coach and journey to Inverness, where we join the scheduled Scotrail train operating the service to Wick on the North Highland Line.

Our journey from Inverness takes us along the banks of the Beauly Firth to Muir of Ord, where towering Ben Wyvis dominates the landscape. As the train departs Tain, look out for Glenmorangie, one of Scotland’s most famous whisky distilleries and Skibo Castle, the former home of Andrew Carnegie, the Scottish philanthropist.

The Dukes of Sutherland have their seat at the fairytale Dunrobin Castle. When the line was constructed, the Duke, who was a railway enthusiast, had his own station built to serve the castle. It’s now a museum.

From Helmsdale, we travel inland to reach Kildonan, the scene of a gold rush frenzy in 1868, and Altnabreac, one of the remotest stations in Britain. As we travel through this part of Caithness, look out for the fences made of flagstones standing upright.

Journeys' end is in Wick, once one of the busiest herring harbours in Europe. We’ll discover more about this port and its Viking history before joining our coach for the journey back to our hotel along the famous North Coast 500 route.

Like yesterday we make our way to Inverness Railway Station after breakfast. Today we are heading westwards to Kyle of Lochalsh, which boasts a scenic location looking over the water to the Isle of Skye.

Wild mountain scenery accompanies us as the train heads towards Achnasheen, and briefly, the peaks of the Torridon Mountains will come into view. The journey continues along the banks of Loch Gowan and into the Achnashellach Forest, home to a thriving herd of deer.

At Strathcarron, there are lovely views over Loch Carron to the whitewashed cottages of Lochcarron. Soon we reach Attadale and the most spectacular section of the trip. The line hugs the shore, and the train twists its way past little inlets offering striking views at every turn.

Plockton is a delightful village overlooking a beautiful bay. Its sheltered location allows palm trees to flourish here. At too soon, the train pulls into Kyle of Lochalsh Station and the end of todays train journey.

After some free time we board our coach make the short journey to visit Eilean Donan Castle. This attractive castle sits at the confluence of three lochs and must be one of Scotland’s most photographed scenes. There’s time to explore the castle and admire the views before we make the journey back to our hotel for dinner. 

We end the tour on a real high with a return trip on the famous West Highland Line aboard the Jacobite Steam Train. 

First, we make our way through the Spey Valley, then Glen Spean, passing grand Ardverikie House, which sits at the head of Loch Laggan. This impressive house recently played Balmoral Castle in the hit Netflix series “The Crown”.  

At Fort William, the Jacobite Steam Train awaits to take us on a spectacular 42-mile journey considered by many to be one of the World’s most memorable rail journeys. 

After leaving “The Fort”, the train will cross the Caledonian Canal, giving you a wonderful view of Neptune’s Staircase, a network of eight locks that lifts the waterway 20 m (64 ft). 

After following the banks of Loch Eil, the excitement mounts as the train steams over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, offering superb views of Loch Shiel. The 21-arched viaduct has become world-famous thanks to the adventures of a young wizard called Harry Potter. 

At Arisaig, admire the views over Loch Nan Ceall towards the islands of Rum and Eigg before arriving in Morar, where Scotland’s shortest river flows from Loch Morar, our deepest loch. 

Journeys end is in the historic fishing port of Mallaig, where there is free time to enjoy some lunch before reboarding the train for the return journey to Fort William. 

On arrival in Fort William, rejoin the coach and head homeward through the magnificent scenery of the Western Highlands.