Scotland: Highlands & Isle of Skye Self-Guided Rail and Hiking Tour

The Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.6 Read 31 reviews

Discover Scotland’s lochs, glens and mountains on foot and by rail
Cross Glenfinnan Viaduct on the Jacobite Steam Train - the ‘Hogwarts Express’
Explore the rugged and romantic Isle of Skye, and walking the Great Glen
Ride the remote North Highland Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Get to know the hosts of our hand-picked small hotels and guesthouses

Experience the Scottish Highlands by train and on foot, taking in some of the best scenic rail journeys in the world. Starting from the regal city of Edinburgh, travel deep into the Highlands and across to the Isle of Skye, before returning to vibrant Glasgow. Ride the iconic West Highland Line on the Jacobite steam train, the ’Hogwarts Express’, as well as the as North Highland Line, one of Britain’s most remote and spectacular, between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, gateway to Skye. Relax as you speed past brooding lochs, leafy glens and rugged mountains. What’s more, you’ve some rewarding hikes included, as well as time to explore castles, ancient battlefields, Loch Ness, distilleries and centuries-old Highland estates. If you'd like to treat yourselves to something really special, then take a look at our Luxury Highlands & Isle of Skye tour, which stays in boutique properties, including lodges and castle hotels.

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What To Expect

Travelling by train is both an easy and satisfying way to ensure you experience as many of Scotland’s natural highlights as possible. Two of Scotland’s top scenic rail journeys combine on this epic adventure by rail. This is perfect for walkers, with hikes through some of Britain’s most impressive scenery.

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active trip.

Activity:

Rail & Hike | See more of a destination by mixing train travel with walks accessible from the rail-line. Travel inn-to-inn by train & enjoy hikes from each stopping point. Train fare inc- no baggage transfers.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Wildlife
Historical Journeys
Coastal & Island

Inspiration:

Most Popular
Classic

Activity Level & Terrain

This trip is graded easy to moderate and includes optional daily walks from 4.5 km - 24 km. As all walks are self-guided, you will be responsible for navigation, decision-making and safety during your trip. The terrain can be rugged underfoot on rolling terrain, but not too strenuous and generally on good tracks, paths or quiet country roads. You should enjoy a good level of fitness to make the most of this trip.

There is one optional walk on the trip which is graded harder than the overall trip grade of easy to moderate. The Storr Dam to Portree Walk, 13 km, route is graded as moderate to strenuous, due to the rough nature of the terrain (it's pathless at times) and the navigational skills required to complete the walk. The latter is also not advised in bad weather. However, you can skip this route by choosing the more relaxed walk up to The Old Man of Storr.

Navigation

The majority of the walks suggested on this trip (with the exception of Skye) are way marked and we supply you with maps and route notes so you can easily find your way.

Accommodations

Included in the trip are 7 nights of accommodation in hand-picked small 3-4* hotels, B&B’s or guesthouses. We carefully select friendly accommodation that offers great value, food and a warm welcome. The properties we normally use are detailed in the itinerary, however these are subject to availability and when they are fully booked alternatives of an equal standard will be offered. We book en suite rooms as standard. If there are no en suite rooms available in an overnight location, we may book a room with shared facilities, but we would always inform you in advance if this was the case.

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 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 holiday 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 while lunch and dinner 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 pubs and restaurants.

Included

7 Nights in small 3-4* hotels and B&B’s
7 Breakfasts
Train travel on days 1, 3, 4 & 8
Ferry from Armadale (Skye) to Mallaig
Jacobite steam train from Mallaig to Fort William (standard class)
Luggage transfer on day 7
Route notes and access to detailed maps & GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK & US office

Excluded

Travel to Edinburgh/from Glasgow
Public transport or taxi travel if required on days 2 & 5
Bus from Kyle of Lochalsh to Portree on day 4 (payable locally)
Bus from Portree to Armadale on day 6 (payable locally)
Optional excursions from Inverness & Portree
Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights (recommended in Edinburgh & Glasgow)
Guided full-day excursion on the Isle of Skye
Guided day trip from Inverness to Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle (cruise/coach tour)

When To Go

This trip is available from the end of April until early October. From April to late September you can start this trip on any day of the week. From September to early October, you can begin on a Wednesday-Sunday due to more limited public transport timetables.

Getting to the Start

By Air: 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 Buchanan Street Bus Station (city centre) an airport shuttle operates regularly to the airport (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 Transfer

Your bags will be transferred for you on day 7 when you walk from Fort William to Spean Bridge. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person. On the rail/bus days, we ask that you take all your baggage with you aboard the train/bus. The trip is designed so that during the hikes you are free to walk with just a day pack.

General Information

Please note that, due to covid-19, the optional guided tour and cruise of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle is unable to operate until March 2021.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), 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.

Travel Insurance

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.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Edinburgh to Blair Atholl by train Day 2 Blair Atholl Walks and Castle 9 miles / 14 km

After a hearty Scottish breakfast explore the wooded grounds of the Atholl Estate. Follow paths that meander through forest and heather-clad hills surrounding Blair Castle & Gardens, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl and dating from the 1200s.

Alternatively, opt for a lovely riverside walk to the charming Highland town of Pitlochry. After exploring the town, perhaps enjoying an afternoon tea, return to Blair atholl via the train in just 10 minutes.

Blair Castle Grounds Loop Walk: 7 km (115m ascent)

Glen Tilt Loop Walk: 15.5 km (270m ascent)

Blair Atholl to Pitlochry: 14 km (60m ascent)

Overnight Blair Atholl

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ptarmigan House

The house sits in its own large grounds overlooking the fields, golf course and the hills beyond. All rooms have en-suite facilities and are tastefully decorated to suit the style of the house. They also have flat screen TV/DVD, Ipod/radio dock, Tea/Coffee tray and hairdryer. Ironing facilities are available on request and free wi-fi internet access is available.

The Atholl Arms

The Atholl Arms Hotel, with its superb façade and Highland grandeur, stands proudly opposite the castle in the heart of the village. The traditional Highland decor, think rich colours and a smattering of tartan, alongside modern amenities are part of what makes a stay at the Atholl Arms special. Other than 31 bedrooms the hotel also features the traditional Baronial Dining Room (complete with Minstrel's gallery), a cosy lounge with a fireplace, and a hikers Bothy Bar for casual drinks and evening meals.

The Firs Guesthouse

The Firs, a friendly, family-run guesthouse, offers quality B&B accommodation in the centre of Blair Atholl village. Rooms are individually furnished and have all the amenities you require for a lovely overnight stay.

Day 3 Train to Inverness, Optional Visit to Loch Ness/Culloden Battlefield** 7 miles / 11.5 km

An early start today (1h30 train ride) will give you plenty of time to discover Inverness. This friendly city has several of Scotland’s star attractions close by. Visit Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle on an optional day trip by boat and coach, or the Culloden Battlefield exhibition, scene of the last Jacobite uprising in 1745, is an easy bus ride away.

*Please note that, due to covid-19, the optional guided tour and cruise of Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle is unable to operate until March 2021.

If you’d prefer to stretch your legs, set out on a superb loop walk along the peaceful River Ness and Caledonian Canal.

Overnight Inverness

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Kinnoch Lodge

Located in the capital of The Highlands, Kinnoch Lodge offers an ideal place to stay for your visit to Inverness. Located 5 minutes from the centre of town and only a short walk from Inverness Castle, this accommodation is in the perfect location for your stay. Each room is finished to a high standard and Sharon and Donnie will make you feel at home for the duration of your stay.

Inverglen Guest House

Inverglen is a Victorian stone villa built in 1894. All bedrooms are en-suite and have complimentary toiletries. Each room has a digital flat screen television, a radio alarm clock, hair dryer and hot water bottle. Their large comfortable guest lounge has an extensive library of guides, reference books, novels and magazines, as well as many CD’s and DVD’s for you to borrow. They also serve complimentary tea/coffee together with biscuits or other home-baked treats most afternoons.

Ballifeary Guest House

Ballifeary Guest House is an impressive Victorian Villa with many original features. It has a large private car park for guests use and a secured shed for those with bikes. It is ideally located only a matter of yards from Eden Court theatre and a short walk from the River Ness where many restaurants, the Cathedral and Castle can be found. The rooms have been recently refurbished to a high standard offering every comfort you would expect.