Tour overview

This 5-day holiday rides three of Scotland's great railway journeys from a base in the Cairngorms. Return flights to Edinburgh or Inverness are included, and a tour director escorts the group throughout. You stay four nights on a dinner, bed-and-Scottish-breakfast basis in Newtonmore or Aviemore.

From Inverness you take the Kyle Line across the Highlands to Kyle of Lochalsh, cross to Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye and stop for photos at Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness on the way back.

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The next day a steam train on the Strathspey Railway takes you to Aviemore, with time in the Cairngorms. The finale is the West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The physical rating is low. This holiday suits rail lovers who want the Highlands' finest scenery from the train window.

Trip highlights

  • The Kyle Line (Day 2)
  • Kyleakin on Skye (Day 2)
  • Eilean Donan Castle (Day 2)
  • The Strathspey Steam Railway (Day 3)
  • The West Highland Line (Day 4)
  • The Glenfinnan Viaduct (Day 4)

Your route

10 stops from Inverness to Newtonmore

5-day route: Inverness – Kyle of Lochalsh – Aviemore – Fort William – Glenfinnan – Mallaig
  1. Inverness Day 1
  2. Newtonmore Days 1–4
  3. Inverness Day 2
  4. Plockton Day 2
  5. Kyle of Lochalsh Day 2
  6. Aviemore Day 3
  7. Cairngorm Mountain Day 3
  8. Fort William Day 4
  9. Mallaig Day 4
  10. Newtonmore Day 5

Why choose this tour

Three great Highland rail journeys. Flights, dinners and coach travel included.

Best suited to

  • Rail enthusiasts
  • Scenery lovers
  • Short-break seekers
  • Couples and solo travellers
A steam train on the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Day-by-day itinerary

5 days from United Kingdom to United Kingdom

  1. Day 1 · Inverness, Newtonmore Highlands

    Fly to Scotland.

    Hotel
    Highlander Hotel or The Coylumbridge Hotel
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Inverness, Kyle of Lochalsh, Kyleakin, Eilean Donan Castle Kyle Line

    Across the Highlands.

    Hotel
    Highlander Hotel or The Coylumbridge Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  3. Day 3 · Strathspey Railway, Aviemore, Cairngorms Strathspey Railway

    By steam train.

    Hotel
    Highlander Hotel or The Coylumbridge Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Fort William, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Mallaig West Highland Line

    A famous viaduct.

    Hotel
    Highlander Hotel or The Coylumbridge Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Inverness Home

    Fly home.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Eilean Donan Castle

Where you stay

  • Newtonmore or Aviemore (4 nights) Highlander Hotel or The Coylumbridge Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Return flights to Edinburgh or Inverness
  • Accommodation 4 nights dinner, bed and Scottish breakfast
  • Meals 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
  • Kyle Line, Strathspey Railway and West Highland Line
  • Eilean Donan and Loch Ness photo stops
  • Coach travel and transfers
  • Tour director throughout

Not included

  • Meals not included 3 lunches
  • Lunches
  • Entrance fees
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want an active holiday
  • You want a small group
  • You want lunches included
  • You want guaranteed sunshine

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–5 · Lunch: none included · Dinner: Days 1–4
A Highland scene with snowy mountains in the Cairngorms

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £738 per person, including flights. 27 upcoming departures.

Flights from UK airports.

02 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£747pp
Flights from UK airports
09 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£738pp
Flights from UK airports
19 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£864pp
Flights from UK airports
26 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£846pp
Flights from UK airports
30 Apr 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£792pp
Flights from UK airports
07 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£819pp
Flights from UK airports
14 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£837pp
Flights from UK airports
17 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£900pp
Flights from UK airports
24 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£918pp
Flights from UK airports
28 May 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£837pp
Flights from UK airports
04 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£918pp
Flights from UK airports
11 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£900pp
Flights from UK airports
14 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£1,008pp
Flights from UK airports
21 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£990pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Jun 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£900pp
Flights from UK airports
09 Jul 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£900pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£882pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Aug 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£873pp
Flights from UK airports
03 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£882pp
Flights from UK airports
10 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£864pp
Flights from UK airports
13 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£909pp
Flights from UK airports
20 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£927pp
Flights from UK airports
27 Sept 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£945pp
Flights from UK airports
01 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£783pp
Flights from UK airports
18 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£891pp
Flights from UK airports
22 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£783pp
Flights from UK airports
25 Oct 2027 Twin share Incl. flights
Not sold tour only on this date
£873pp
Flights from UK airports

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a passport for Scotland?

Photo ID is needed for the flights; check with your airline which documents it accepts for Scotland.

Are flights included?

Yes, to Edinburgh or Inverness from regional UK airports.

Which meals are included?

Scottish breakfast and dinner daily.

Where do I stay?

At the Highlander Hotel in Newtonmore or The Coylumbridge Hotel in Aviemore.

Is the steam train guaranteed?

The Strathspey Railway is steam-hauled on most services, subject to operating conditions.

Who looks after the group?

A tour director escorts the group throughout.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary
From, incl. flights £738
See dates & prices