Scotland by Train 2025 - Edinburgh Start
Scotland by Train 2025 - Edinburgh Start
7 Days Starting in 51-59 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3JD and ending in 51-59 York Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3JD, UK
Visiting: Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Plockton, Inverness
Tour operator:
Tour code:
STX25
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
25-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Scotland’s railways are among the most historic – and beautiful – in the world, so what better way to explore this spectacular nation than via a series of scenic train rides that allow you to carve through the very heart of Scotland in just a week. We’ll start in the capital, Edinburgh, before hopping over to Glasgow, sipping whisky in Glengoyne and spending the night in Glencoe. In the Scottish Highlands things get magical as we hop aboard the real-life Hogwarts Express – the Jacobite steam train – from Fort William to Mallaig. We’ll explore Loch Coruisk and the Isle of Skye, as well as hike in the Cairngorms, before winding our way back down to Edinburgh. Enjoy the ride!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Edinburgh!
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Indigo York Place (or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
Where better to start your Scottish adventure than in the capital of Scotland. Edinburgh is one of the most historic and beautiful cities you’re ever likely to come across. Picturesque cobblestone streets, storied old pubs and ancient monuments give Auld Reekie its character, but it’s the people that bring the personality. You’ll discover this immediately with a warm welcome at our first hotel, where you’ll also get to meet your fellow travellers and settle down for a hearty group dinner.
Activities included:
Welcome Dinner
Day 2 : A Stroll Around Glasgow And Whisky-Tasting In The Country
Location: Scottish Highlands
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ballachulish (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
From one iconic city to another, we leave Edinburgh via train this morning – don’t worry, we’ll be back for more – for Scotland’s largest town, Glasgow. Bigger, buzzier and imbued with a working spirit, this epic city has become one of the UK’s trendiest travel spots. You’ll take a tour to learn all about the city’s huge industrial heritage, vibrant cultural institutions and two iconic football clubs – Celtic and Rangers. You’ll get a further taste of Scotland at lunch, before heading out to Glengoyne Distillery for a soul-warming whisky tasting session – the ultimate Scottish welcome. Our hotel for the evening is on the spectacularly beautiful west coast, reachable via a stunning drive through the Trossachs National Park.
Activities included:
Train from Edinburgh to Glasgow
Glasgow city tour
Lunch
Whisky tasting at Glengoyne Distillery
Day 3 : Take A Steam Train To The Isle Of Skye
Location: Plockton
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Plockton Inn (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is an epic adventure in itself. After breakfast, we’ll make our way to Fort William station to board the Jacobite steam train (AKA the Hogwarts Express). Unarguably one of the world’s greatest train journeys, this 42-mile stretch of track takes you past lochs, mountains and over the soaring Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films, to the small fishing town of Mallaig. From here, we’ll ferry across the glassy waters of Loch Nevis to the Isle of Skye before transferring to the remote waterside hamlet of Elgol where we’ll meet the Mackinnon family, who’ve lived and worked in Elgol since the 1300s. Today, their business is in showing people the jaw-dropping beauty of this slice of Scotland, with a boat trip (plus a brief hike) to Loch Coruisk. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way. We’ll end the day with a transfer to our accommodation in Kyle of Lochalsh, stopping off en route at Eilean Donan Castle – one of Scotland’s most famous, and spectacular, castles.
Included activities:
Ride the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig
Take a boat trip to Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye
Photostop at Eilean Donan Castle
Day 4 : All Aboard To Inverness
Location: Inverness
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Craigmonie Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
After yesterday’s cross-country expedition, we’re taking things a little easier. Around midday we’ll head to Plockton station for the train to Inverness – a leisurely clop across the width of the Highlands, with plenty of gorgeous scenery thrown in. Once in the city we’ll head to the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for an expert-led tour of its all-thing-Highlands collection. You’ll then have the rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace – check out the castle, for city-wide views, and take a walk along the River Ness.
Included activities:
Train from Plockton to Inverness
Private tour of the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Day 5 : Take In The Sublime Scenery Of The Cairngorms
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Indigo York Place (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
We’re getting back on track today, as we take the train south from Inverness to Aviemore. This small town offers easy access to the ski slopes, glassy lochs and ancient woodland that make up the extraordinary Cairngorms National Park. We’ll spend the rest of the morning and the first half of the afternoon exploring on foot with a guided walk, before we hop back on the train to our final destination: Edinburgh. After checking into your hotel in the capital, you’ll have the evening to yourself.
Included activities:
Train from Inverness to Aviemore
Guided walk in the Cairngorms National Park
Train from Aviemore to Edinburgh
Day 6 : A Royal Send-Off
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Indigo York Place (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is the last full day of this trip, so we’re going out on a high – literally, with an Insider-led tour of the Royal Mile. Tour over, you’ll have the rest of the day to see Edinburgh at your own pace – take a stroll in Princes Street Gardens, browse the Edinburgh Farmers Market and dip into the National Museum of Scotland. Just make sure you’re available to meet back up with the rest of the group in the evening for a farewell dinner – where we’ll swap highlights, and toast to what we hope has been a rail-y good time!
Activities included:
Guided tour of the Royal Mile
Ticket to Edinburgh Castle
Farewell dinner
Day 7 : See You Later, Scotland!
Location: Edinburgh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a final breakfast in the Scottish capital before checking out and making your way home, or on to other adventures!
What's Included
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Accommodation
Six nights accommodation
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5 train rides (inc. the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig)
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Glasgow city tour
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Visit of Glengoyne Distillery with whisky tasting
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Take a boat trip to Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye
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Private tour of the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
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Guided walk in the Cairngorms National Park
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Guided tour of the Royal Mile
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Meals described in the itinerary
5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
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Ticket to Edinburgh Castle
What's Not Included
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International flights
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Airport transfers
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Visas (If required)
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Travel Insurance
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City/Resort Taxes (if applicable)
Accommodation
Indigo York Place
Found right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Unesco-listed centre, this charming boutique hotel is as full of character as the cobbled streets surrounding it. Feel right at home in the colourfully designed rooms, sip a wee dram in the bar and enjoy the city’s most iconic sights within a short walking distance.
Ballachulish Hotel
This grand old building – tastefully modernised as a classy country hotel – serves up a classic slice of Scottish Highlands beauty. Sitting pretty on the waterfront, the hotel is surrounded by splendidly verdant hills rising from the glassy surfaces of deep Scottish locks. Enjoy views of Ballachulish Bridge, which separates Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe, from the Waterside Cafe or dine on seafood specialties in the aptly named Fish Restaurant. Either way, you’ll be well fed and ready to explore the stunning surrounds of Glencoe and the Scottish Highlands.
Plockton Inn
This characterful family-run pub with rooms on the edge of Loch Carron epitomises Scottish hospitality. Rooms are simple but homely, with a nautical theme to the decor. Downstairs, the pub bar hums softly with local chit-chat, while the kitchen serves up fresh, locally-caught seafood.
Craigmonie Hotel
It’s hard to believe that you’re just minutes away from central Inverness when you’re in the quaint leafy surrounds of this storied old hotel, which dates back to 1880. Think country house vibes in the city, with a cosy bar to keep the cockles warm, and a free-to-use indoor pool and sauna, for that refreshing start to the day.
Please note that, while unlikely, the accommodation indicated may be subject to change (see T&C’s). On a rare occasion, alternative arrangements may be necessary – this may be due to a lack of availability at our preferred accommodation, or other reasons outside our control. We’ll do everything we can to prevent this from happening; however, in cases where it is unavoidable, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of luggage should I bring?
It depends on the type of trip you have booked, but we usually recommend a soft sided bag or case as they are easier to handle on a trip.
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What kind of transport do you use on your trips?
We use a mix of public and private transport on our trips, but usually a small and comfortable minibus, so we can access more remote destinations that larger groups can’t get to.
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What happens if I am travelling on my own?
Most accommodations on our trips are reserved on a twin share basis. Therefore, if you are travelling on your own you will be sharing a room with another Culture Trip traveller of the same sex. However, most of the time it is possible to pay a supplement for your own room. Please ask your Travel Expert for more information.
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Can I book extra nights accommodation before or after my trip?
Yes, call or email one of our Travel Experts who will be able to add accommodation to your booking.
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Are flights / transport to the destination included?
No - our travellers come from all over the world so flights and / or transport to the start destination are not included.
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Will there always be a guide on the trip?
Absolutely yes. We pride ourselves on our expert Local Insiders - they are an integral part of what makes our trips so special. Your Local Insider will accompany you throughout the trip and is there to help and assist in any way possible as well as ensure everything works to time.
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When will I know if my trip is guaranteed?
We usually wait until we have a few travellers booked on a trip before we guarantee it will run. The latest we will guarantee a trip is 60 days ahead of departure, often it will be long before.
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Is there any age limit on the Trips?
You must be 25 or over to travel on our trips, however there is no upper age limit. You just need a sense of adventure.
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Do I need to buy travel insurance?
Yes - all travellers must have travel insurance before they join one of our trips. You are strongly advised to take out your policy at the time of booking to protect your holiday payments in the event of cancellation.
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How fit do I need to be to take one of your trips?
We offer a variety of different trips, most of which do not require a specific level of fitness. Some of our trips are more active, but we include details on each specific trip information page. If you are unsure please don’t hesitate to ask one of our Travel Experts.
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What happens if I need to amend or cancel my booking?
You can change the date of your tour up to 55 days prior to departure and cancel at any time, although cancellation conditions may apply.
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Are airport transfers included?
Some of our trips do not include airport transfers, so we recommend customers either take public transport or a taxi. However, if you would like us to arrange a private transfer please ask one of our travel experts who can arrange this for you.
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What is not included in the trip?
We don’t include the following in our trips: insurance (however you must have insurance to travel on one of our trips), flights, tips for local guides, optional activities and other meals and services not mentioned in your itinerary.
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Can I travel in my own private group?
Yes you can. Our team of Travel Experts can put together a bespoke trip to suit all group sizes in most destinations around the world. Please contact us for more details.
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Do I need any vaccinations?
As a tour operator we are unable to give medical advice, however we suggest you contact your doctor, a professional medical travel clinic or check out the World Health Organisation website for more details.
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Why should I travel with Culture Trip?
We know the world's best bits – our award-winning content proves it. Now we’re using that expertise to bring you curated trips that combine thoughtful planning with authentic experiences and hand-picked accommodation. Led by Local Insiders, our trips bring together small groups of curious travellers who embrace the value of shared experiences, cultural immersion and travel that never feels rushed.
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How many meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily and then depending on your itinerary, some lunches and dinners. This is clearly indicated in the trip details or ask your Travel Expert to confirm.
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What visas do I need?
Depending on your passport and your destination, you may need a visa to travel on one of our trips. It is up to you to ensure you have any and all necessary visas before you travel. We recommend you check with a specialist visa agency at least 6 weeks before you travel.
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Do I need to tip?
Tips are not included in the price of your trip but are entirely optional and at your discretion.
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What is the group size?
Our maximum group size is 14, although our average group size is 10-12 people. Group travel is a great way to meet other people, and you will have the safety of travelling with a group, but you can also decide how much time you want to spend by yourself.
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How much money should I bring?
This will depend on how long your trip is, your destination and how much you intend to spend on personal expenses and any meals that aren’t included. It is a good idea to check out the cost of a local lunch and dinner in your destination before you travel.
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I booked but cannot travel anymore. What are the amendments and cancellation options?
We understand plans can change and that’s why we offer flexible booking conditions. You can change or cancel your booking at any time up to 56 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of any funds you have already paid towards your trip.
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Do I have to make full payment at the time of booking?
You do not have to make full payment at the time of booking. We only require a small, fully refundable deposit of $100 to secure your spot on the trip. Full payment is due at the latest 56 days prior to departure.
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Do I have to take part in all the activities? Will there be free time on my trip?
The amount of free time varies per trip. Please enquire with our travel experts to get a proper understanding on the amount of free time on the trips you are interested in. You do not have to take part in all activities but we strongly encourage you to do so! We have carefully crafted each trip to show you the best of every destination, so you’d be missing out! Also taking part in activities is a great way to get to know your travel companions and make new friends. Nothing like a positive and supportive group environment to venture outside of your comfort zone and surprise yourself!
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What is a Local Insider?
We believe there’s no better way to discover a new place and a new culture than by experiencing it through the eyes and experience of a local. That’s why we only work with local guides - whom we name our Local Insiders. They know their region inside out and have a passion for sharing it with travellers. All our Local Insiders have years of experience guiding and speak English. Importantly, they like to travel the way we like it too: away from crowds, tourist traps and queues. Focussing on the true essence of a destination, teaching you all about the local culture and profusely sharing local hidden gems and insights.
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Free Date Changes
Culture Trip allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 55 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Culture Trip allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform culture trip, 55 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Culture Trip requires a minimum deposit of 300 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 55 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of culture trip charges.
Up to 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 54 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.