Grand Tour of Scotland by Rail | 8 Days

From $1,959.00
8 Days & 7 Nights
4.6
Read 11 reviews

Grand Tour of Scotland by Rail | 8 Days

  • Delve into Scotland's larder; from the freshest seafood, to buttery shortbread, and single-malt whisky
  • Discover Scotland by rail and foot with no group or guide, enjoy free time or selected optional hikes
  • Journey from Glasgow, through the Highlands to magical Skye, charming Inverness and finally historic Edinburgh
  • Ride the iconic West Highland Line railway over Glenfinnan Viaduct of Harry Potter film renown
  • Hike through or sit back and take in Scotland's impressive landscapes, coastlines and forested glens
Discover the best of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye on iconic train journeys with optional hikes available. This Rail & Hike tour is self-guided, and with no group or guide you can go at your own pace, enjoying built-in free time, suggested sightseeing, and plenty of options for active adventuring. Journey north from Glasgow into the heart of the Scottish Highlands on the iconic West Highland Line railway. Marvel at incredible views as you glide through landscapes of heather-clad mountains, sea lochs and deep glens that hide dramatic tales of clan struggles and Jacobite battles. Spend time exploring the Isle of Skye; from the jagged peaks of the Cuillin Mountains to the colorful harbor town of Portree. Sample local cuisine and sip single-malt whisky surrounded by the charming Perthshire countryside. Our award-winning Macs app will help you find your way and is also filled with insider tips, highlights the best spots and recommends hidden gems and must-visit eateries from our Scotland-based team.

Itinerary

Day 1 Ride the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William Day 2 Cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct, take a ferry to Skye and overnight in Portree Day 3 Explore Portree and optional tour/walks Day 4 Transfer to the mainland and ride the Kyle Line to Inverness Day 5 Free day in Inverness; visit Loch Ness and optional walks Day 6 Ride through The Cairngorm National Park & optional walks in Pitlochry Day 7 Travel to Stirling by train to visit the castle and Wallace Monument Day 8 Train to Edinburgh and onward travel/overnight add-on
THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 12kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 12kg is equivalent to 5 small bouquets of flowers (grown in the Netherlands). 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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Why Macs

Reasons to believe in Macs Adventure:
The Biggest Choice

The Biggest Choice

Self-guided hiking & biking is all we do - we have hundreds of tried & tested trips.
Our Heritage

Founded in 2003

We’re still founder led & the world’s number one self-guided operator with mountains of experience.
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21,000+ Customer Reviews

Plus, with a Feefo Platinum Service Award & British Travel Awards, you know you're in good hands.
Positive Impact

Positive Impact

We use independent suppliers to support communities along our routes, as well as work with organizations to help maintain & restore paths.
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The Macs Way

At Macs, we don’t do tour buses, groups, or guides. Instead, we give you the freedom and confidence to have your own self-guided hiking or biking adventure.

This is active travel led by you.

Travel On Your Terms

You choose your departure date and who you travel with, we do the rest.

The People Behind Your Journey

We sort accommodation and luggage transfers and provide your route in an easy-to-use app.

Here When You Need Us

We give you everything you need to travel independently but we're here 24/7 if you need us.

Achieve Something

Getting from A to B under your own steam is intensely rewarding. With Macs, you'll see the world, and yourself, differently.

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