Golden Highlander

DAY 1

For those booking our rail inclusive package we travel along the spine of Scotland. Leaving the Lowlands behind the wonderfully picturesque Highland Line takes us through Perth, Pitlochry and over the Cairngorm Mountains to Inverness. Upon arrival in Inverness we walk the short distance to the Mercure Hotel, our base for the next two nights.

DAY 2

We take the amazing Kyle Line train, Scotland's original "Great Railway Journey of the World", coast-to-coast through stunning scenery and across mountain plateau. Look out for wild deer, eagles, and the palm trees of Plockton village, before dramatic sea vistas are revealed as we arrive at Kyle of Lochalsh. Here we enjoy a light lunch in the renowned Lochalsh Hotel, overlooking the Isle of Skye, before retracing our steps to Inverness.

Here we enjoy a light lunch in the renowned Lochalsh Hotel, overlooking the Isle of Skye, before retracing our steps to Inverness.

DAY 3

This morning we enjoy free time in Inverness to discover this compact and picturesque city. We can visit the magnificent cathedral church, lovely riverside cafes, and historic Old Town before departing by road and travelling alongside Loch Ness, with a short break for photography and monster spotting. We then continue through the beautiful Great Glen to Fort William where we check-in to our hotel for two nights, the Alexandra.

DAY 4

Today we take a magical train journey along the rail route to the Isles aboard the Jacobite steam train*. We cross the world renowned Glenfinnan Viaduct, overlooking Loch Shiel and the Bonnie Prince Charlie monument; a view made even more famous in the Harry Potter films. We round Loch Eilt with its trees of the ancient Caledonian Forest and burst out onto the white-sanded Atlantic shoreline at Morar. Catch distant views of the Isles of Eigg and Rhum before we reach the terminus at Mallaig overlooking the Isle of Skye. After a sightseeing break we return to Fort William.

DAY 5

For those having booked our rail inclusive package the beautiful West Highland Line from Fort William back to Glasgow concludes our holiday, passing across remote moors and through the glens to Loch Lomond and finally along the shores of the Clyde as we approach Glasgow for homeward trains.

*In the unlikely event of the steam train being unavailable we reserve the right to substitute a diesel train or undertake the journey by road coach.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner