Highlands and Isle of Skye Rail & Hike In Style
- Classic rail journeys through the Scottish Highland's dramatic landscapes
- Overnight in stylish castle hotels and beautifully-appointed lodges
- Guided tours showcasing the best of the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness
- Experience gourmet dinners, castles, stunning walks and whisky distilleries
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Edinburgh to Pitlochry by train and overnightYour Highland adventure commences in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, with its impressive castle and cobbled streets of the ‘Royal Mile’.
Board your train in the heart of the city, then speed past brooding mountains and sleepy glens to the pretty Perthshire town of Pitlochry (approx 2H). Transfer to your charming hotel and enjoy a river-side stroll.
The welcoming and luxurious Knockendarroch House Hotel offers a secluded retreat with wonderful views across Pitlochry to the surrounding hills. The hotel boasts large spacious rooms alongside elegant public areas. Wonderful meals, featuring the very best Scottish produce are served in the dining room, from where you can retire to the sumptuous lounge to enjoy a coffee or after dinner drink.
Nestled in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, Fonab Castle, refurbished and opened in 2013 as a 5* hotel, boasts luxurious rooms, scenic views, a 15m pool, sauna and spa along with mature gardens, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants (a brasserie and fine dining restaurant). Each individually designed room has been decorated sympathetically to blend a contemporary style with the original room features. Some rooms offer views of the Loch Faskally or of the surrounding Highlands landscape.
After breakfast you can head out into the Perthshire countryside, choosing from a selection of walks from Pitlochry or just a 10 minute train ride away in Blair Atholl.
From Pitlochry enjoy riverside strolls, hike to a hillside lochan, or visit Scotland's smallest traditional distillery. Alternatively, head to Blair Atholl and explore the idyllic Atholl Estates and Blair Castle. Follow paths that meander through woodland and heather-clad hills surrounding the castle, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl and dating from the 1200s.
Blair Castle Loop Walk: 7 km / 4.5 miles
Blair Atholl to Pitlochry: 14 km / 8 miles
Edradour Distillery & Moulin Loop Walk: 7 km / 4.5 miles
Ben Vrackie Lochan Walk: 9 km / 6 miles (443 m / 1450 ft ascent)
The welcoming and luxurious Knockendarroch House Hotel offers a secluded retreat with wonderful views across Pitlochry to the surrounding hills. The hotel boasts large spacious rooms alongside elegant public areas. Wonderful meals, featuring the very best Scottish produce are served in the dining room, from where you can retire to the sumptuous lounge to enjoy a coffee or after dinner drink.
Nestled in the picturesque Scottish Highlands, Fonab Castle, refurbished and opened in 2013 as a 5* hotel, boasts luxurious rooms, scenic views, a 15m pool, sauna and spa along with mature gardens, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants (a brasserie and fine dining restaurant). Each individually designed room has been decorated sympathetically to blend a contemporary style with the original room features. Some rooms offer views of the Loch Faskally or of the surrounding Highlands landscape.
Start the day with a transfer to Pitlochry Train Station for the train ride (1H30) to Inverness, the gateway to the Great Glen and Loch Ness. Take a taxi (payable locally) to your hotel.
Leave your bags at your overnight accommodation and make your way to Inverness Bus Station. A short transfer takes you to Dochgarroch Loch Harbour to board your Jacobite Cruise down the Caledonian Canal dating back to the early 19th century and into the deepest waters of Loch Ness, the largest loch in Scotland. Hop ashore and explore the historic Urquhart Case before heading back to Inverness in the early evening to explore the vibrant highland capital.
Rocpool Reserve Hotel and Restaurant is located near the heart of Inverness, just a few minute’s walk from the high street and Inverness Castle. The boutique hotel (Inverness' only 5 star establishment), has 11 rooms with 4 different types to choose from: hip, chic, decadent or extra decadent, all equipped with the latest in technology. From the hotel you are ideally based to explore the magnificence of the Scottish Highlands.
The trees on the grounds of Ness Walk have given name to our luxurious rooms and suites – Laurel, Cedar Oak, Rowan and Wellingtonia.The interiors reflect the seasonal landscape with a flow of soft colours and textiles. Many of our 47 spacious and stylish en-suite rooms offer beautiful views, either to the courtyard and river beyond, or the verdant gardens. All are filled with natural light, featuring bespoke elements, such as carpeting resembling the River Ness as it approaches the riverbank.
The journey between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh is one of Scotland’s finest rail journeys. Take a taxi to Inverness Station (payable locally). Sit back and relax as you speed past serene lochs, remote glens and imposing mountains en route to the tiny seaside station of Kyle of Lochalsh (2H30).
Take a private transfer from the mainland across to Skye and your next fabulous hotel, located on the sea-loch Na Dal in Sleat. Settle into your room before enjoying a delicious dinner.
Located with spectacular views over the sea-loch Na Dal and romantic Sleat Peninsula on the Isle of Skye, Kinloch Lodge Hotel & Restaurant oozes heritage and history. Delight in fine dining at the superb AA 3-red rosette restaurant, where resident head-chef Marcello Tully prepares the very best local and seasonal produce for you to savour.
Situated on the Sleat peninsula at the South tip of Skye, you will be rewarded with breath-taking views and peaceful, picturesque gardens at this luxurious country retreat. Built in 1865 as a Hunting Lodge, Duisdale House was given a new lease of life when it was taken over by Anne Gunn, guests are offered the highest level of service to ensure a memorable stay at this stylish boutique hotel.
A real treat lies ahead today—a private tour of the romantic Isle of Skye, taking in highlights such as the rock pinnacles of The Storr, the 60m high basalt pillar cliffs of Kilt Rock, fossil-rich Staffin Beach, the curious rock formations of the Quiraing, Fairy Glens, Talisker Distillery shop and of course wonderful views of the brooding Black and Red Cuillins.
Please note that the schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, and can be tailored slightly on the day to suit your preferences.
Located with spectacular views over the sea-loch Na Dal and romantic Sleat Peninsula on the Isle of Skye, Kinloch Lodge Hotel & Restaurant oozes heritage and history. Delight in fine dining at the superb AA 3-red rosette restaurant, where resident head-chef Marcello Tully prepares the very best local and seasonal produce for you to savour.
Situated on the Sleat peninsula at the South tip of Skye, you will be rewarded with breath-taking views and peaceful, picturesque gardens at this luxurious country retreat. Built in 1865 as a Hunting Lodge, Duisdale House was given a new lease of life when it was taken over by Anne Gunn, guests are offered the highest level of service to ensure a memorable stay at this stylish boutique hotel.
This morning take a scenic transfer (20 mins) to Armadale, where you'll catch the ferry (30 mins) to Mallaig on the mainland. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins on the crossing!
Reach the mainland, where it's time to experience one of the great rail journeys along the West Highland Line. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, wind past pristine beaches, mountain panoramas and cross over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of the Jacobite monument to arrive at the loch-side town of Fort William (2H50).
Transfer to your next luxury loch-side castle hotel, full of grandeur. In September 1873 during a trip to Balmoral, Queen Victoria spent a week here sketching and painting, where she wrote in her diaries "I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot".
Unfortunately, we are unable to book the Jacobite Steam train. If you would prefer to travel on this service, you can book 1st Class / Standard class tickets directly on West Coast Railways.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel is a very special 17 room property, nestled on the water’s edge, with a fine dining AA 3 red-rosette restaurant. Each of the sumptuous rooms has its own individual design and character, along with splendid views of the grounds and surrounding mountains. Stay in their large double/twin room with breakfast included.
A hearty full Scottish breakfast will set you up for your walk today. First, transfer to the impressive Commando Memorial, one of the UK’s best-known monuments, offering outstanding views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mòr.
Continue onto Gairlochy, and start your walk along the Great Glen, along wooded canal-side paths and tracks, before reaching Fort William and transfer back to your hotel.
Walk from Gairlochy to Fort William: 17 km / 10.5 miles
Inverlochy Castle Hotel is a very special 17 room property, nestled on the water’s edge, with a fine dining AA 3 red-rosette restaurant. Each of the sumptuous rooms has its own individual design and character, along with splendid views of the grounds and surrounding mountains. Stay in their large double/twin room with breakfast included.
Today brings another of Britain’s iconic railway journeys as you travel south on the world-class West Highland Line. First, transfer to Fort William where you will board the train.
Cross the vast Rannoch Moor, a wild landscape of peat bogs, lochans and ancient forests. Just north of Tyndrum, the track follows the famed ‘horseshoe curve’ at the foot of Beinn Dorain, Beinn a’ Chaiseil and Beinn Odhar with spectacular mountain vistas. The delightful journey (3H30) ends in the vibrant and eclectic city of Glasgow, from where you can make your onward journey.
Accommodation tonight in Glasgow is not included, however please contact us should you wish to make arrangements.
This trip has a carbon score of 15kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 15kg is equivalent to 4.5 cheeseburgers. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
Is it for me?Scenic rail journeys and stylish and luxe properties combine on this fabulous trip through the remote and rugged Scottish Highlands. Relax and let the train take the strain as you watch the world go by, drinking in some of the very best scenery the British Isles has to offer. This trip will appeal to those with a taste for the finer things in life, who also enjoy the good old-fashioned charm of travelling by train.
In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.
Rail and Hike | Perfectly planned itineraries discovering the best of a destination both by train and on foot.
Solo Travellers, Families with Teens
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This trip is graded easy to moderate and includes optional daily walks of up to 12 miles/19km (Day 7), but most are shorter. As all walks are self-guided, you will be responsible for navigation, decision-making and safety during your trip. The terrain may be rugged underfoot with some hills but not too strenuous. You should enjoy a good level of fitness to make the most of this trip.
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.
Included is 7 nights accommodation in beautiful small hotels and lodges which are hand-picked for their indulgent and luxurious nature. They are often in converted castles or hunting lodges, and have charm and character with plenty of heritage. Fine dining restaurants with fine wines and large selections of whisky’s are often also available at these properties.
You can add extra nights at any point during your stay. We particularly recommend doing so in Edinburgh and Glasgow as there is so much to see and do — please contact us for details.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the properties and locations detailed in your itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, there is the option to be accommodated at an alternative location. In the unlikely event that we have to accommodate you elsewhere we will advise you of this before confirming your booking. In this case you can opt to change your dates, or we can arrange transfers to and from an alternative overnight accommodation (supplement payable for transfers).
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This tour is available to solo walkers, although a solo supplement is payable. If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single room supplement is payable.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning and 4 dinners are also included. Lunch and your other dinners are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation may be able to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, you can stop at local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby restaurants.
The majority of the walks suggested on this trip (with the exception of Skye) are way marked. Navigation is straightforward using the Macs Adventure App which has maps, GPS tracks and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
Recommended Reading
If you would like more information on the route please see our recommendation below:
- Great Glen Way Harvey Map
- Skye Trails Harvey Map
- 7 Nights in upscale and elegant lodges and castles hotels
- 7 Breakfasts
- 4 Dinners
- Guided tours of Skye & Loch Ness
- Train travel, standard class, on Days 1, 3, 4,6 & 8
- Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig
- Transfers as per itinerary (Days 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 & 8)
- Information pack, GPS maps and route notes in the Macs Adventure App
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
- Travel to Edinburgh / from Glasgow
- Taxi/public transport if required on Day 2
- Local taxis in Inverness on Days 3 & 4
- Dinners on Days 3, 6 & 7
- Lunches, drinks & snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route (recommended in Edinburgh & Glasgow)
- Room upgrades
This trip is available from May until mid-October. From May to late September you can start this trip on any day of the week. From September to mid October, you can begin on a Wednesday-Sunday due to a limited Jacobite Steam Train timetable. There is a national rail service available outside of the above months/times; please contact your destination specialist to discuss this option, if you are not able to be flexible with your start date.
Bookings: The properties featured on this tour are extremely popular, and book-up months and even years in advance. The summer months are particularly busy and we would urge you to get in touch with us as soon as possible if you are considering booking. If you are flexible with your dates, then this will assist us in finding you the best possible arrangements. Thank you for your understanding.
Please also note that because of limits on participant numbers on the Skye Guided tour we cannot take bookings of more than 7 people in a group. If you do not wish to take the Skye Guided tour then we can book a group of 8 or more if there is availability.
The weather in Scotland is generally very variable all year, so it is imperative to be prepared for wind, rain, cold, warmth and sunshine! Conditions (and forecasts) can vary substantially from one day to the next, so do anticipate a variety of weathers, and embrace them as the Scots do (with a good waterproof and windproof jacket on).
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports are well-served by low-cost and scheduled airlines. From Edinburgh Airport you can travel by tram or airport shuttle bus to the city centre (approx. 30 mins). From Glasgow Airport an airport shuttle operates regularly to Buchanan Street Bus Station (approx. 30 mins). Alternatively, you can book a taxi to Glasgow Airport with some taxi companies for a fixed rate - the journey from the city centre to the airport takes approx. 25 mins. Further information will be detailed in your pre-departure information pack.
Public Transport: The website www.travelinescotland.com is handy for researching train and bus timetables throughout Scotland. Your trip includes second class travel on Scotrail train services as detailed in your itinerary. These are 'anytime' tickets that can be used at any time during the specific date of travel. Full details can be found in your pre-departure information pack.
Luggage transfers aren't necessary on this trip as you'll be able to bring your bags with you on travel days on the train, in taxis, and on the ferry. The trip is designed so that during the hikes you are free to walk with just a day pack.
Online Documents
At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.
On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.
Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
All walks are optional. The longest suggested walk is 12 miles/19km (on Day 7) and sometimes there is the possibility to shorten the walks or take easier routes. You should have a good level of fitness to make the most of the itinerary. Getting out and about exploring Scotland on foot is incredibly rewarding and complements the sections of the trip where youll be travelling by train.
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as the region is extremely popular especially the Isle of Skye over the summer months (May to September).
You will need good walking shoes/boots (ideally waterproof), comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack and hats/gloves etc. Our info packs have a list of all equipment to bring on your walk.
Traditionally May has always been the most popular time of year because the theory goes that the weather is better and the midges have not yet appeared. Although having walked in every summer month we believe any time between late May and October offers a wonderful experience.
Midges are small biting insects (much like North American gnats) which are prevalent in the summer months. They are particularly bad on still, overcast days but do not bother you if you are moving, the wind is blowing, sun is shining, it’s raining, or you are inside so as long as you carry repellent for the odd occasion you may need it they shouldn’t have any impact on your experience.
All walks included in this trip are optional. If you wish to return to your accommodation mid-walk, you can use public transport or local taxis to return to your hotel. Full details are included in your info pack.
Luggage transfers aren't necessary on this trip as you'll be able to bring your bags with you on travel days on the train, in taxis, and on the ferry.
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