Scotland Rail and Hike
Explore The Highlands and Isle of Skye by train and on foot
Edinburgh, The Highlands (Blair Atholl & Inverness), Isle of Skye (Portree), Fort William, Spean Bridge, Glasgow
Walking & Hiking
16 Adventure People
10 Days
Experience Scotland by train and on foot, taking in some of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Starting from the capital city of Edinburgh, travel deep into the Scottish Highlands and across to the Isle of Skye, before heading to vibrant Glasgow. Ride the iconic Jacobite steam train, the ‘Hogwarts Express,’ described as the greatest railway journey in the world; and one of Britain’s most spectacular remote railways and the northernmost railway in the United Kingdom, the North Highland Line. Stretch your legs on some of the most rewarding hikes the country has to offer and still have time to explore castles, ancient battlefields, Loch Ness, distilleries and centuries-old Highland Estates.
2022 Travel Club Trip Dates
May 20-29 $2675
Want Your Own Room? Single Supplement is $920
Days Remaining Till This Trip
Adventure Highlights
- Discover Scotland’s lochs, glens, and mountains on foot and by train.
- Take one of the world’s most scenic train journeys as you travel to The Scottish Highlands on the world-famous West Highland Railway, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films.
- Ride the Jacobite Steam Train, the ‘Hogwarts Express, and the North Highland train, two of the most scenic rail journeys in the world.
- Explore the largest and most northerly island, the Isle of Skye, known for its rugged landscapes, medieval castles, picturesque fishing villages, it’s history and the outstanding scenery.
- Journey through the Scottish Highlands with its many mountain ranges dominating the region, including the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis.
Is This Trip Right For You?
- As this trip doesn’t spend much time in Glasgow and Edinburgh at the start and end of the trip, we recommend you arrive a day early and stay an additional night in either city before and after the trip.
- This trip includes options of moderate hikes in The Highlands and Isle of Skye as well as a walk along the Great Glen Way. These activities can be opted out from should you wish not to participate. Your trip leader will be able to facilitate alternative arrangements for you.
- This trip includes public transportation on trains, ferries, and coaches.
- The accommodations included on this itinerary are 3-4 star hotels and guesthouses.
Places We'll Visit
Please note: Adventure People requires all travelers to provide a negative COVID Test 48 hours before departure for all of our small group trips, regardless of country requirements and vaccination status. In addition, we follow the guidelines put in place by The Adventure Travel Trade Association, developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic, using international industry standards, public resources from the CDC, WHO, governments, and tour operators.
Trip Includes
- Accommodation for 9 nights in 3-4 star hotel and guesthouses
- Meals: 9 Breakfasts
- All transfers listed in itinerary
- Trip Leader to assist with on-site travel and activities
- Spirit of Scotland Rail Pass
- Luggage transfer from Fort William to Spean Bridge
- Numerous optional hiking opportunities
Trip Excludes
- Airfare
- Airport taxes and baggage fees
- Travel Insurance
- COVID Tests
- Beverages & Meals not specified
- Optional activities
- Gratuities for your guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
Day 1 (May 20): Arrive in Edinburgh (EDI)
Since we will not be spending any time in Edinburgh, we recommend that you arrive a day early to spend some time in this magnificent city on your own. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to book an extra night at our starting hotel. Attractions in Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle, The Real Mary King’s Close, Blair Street Underground Vaults, The Edinburgh Dungeon, National Museum of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, Holyrood Palace, The Scottish Parliament, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The Scotch Whisky Experience, The Royal Mile, St. Gillis Cathedral, The Scott Monument, Grass Market, Princes Street Gardens, Harry Potter Walking Tour, Elephant House Café, Victoria Street, Climb Arthur’s Seat Volcano, Calton Hill INCLUDED: Airport Transfer Overnight in EdinburghDay 2 (May 21): Edinburgh to Blair Atholl by train
Your rail and hike adventure through Scotland begins from the historic capital of Edinburgh. Hop aboard the first train (2 hours), which whisks you away into the Highlands to the small, yet delightful, village of Blair Atholl. Settle into your hotel for a two night stay; the ideal base from which to explore. INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Taxi to/from Train Station Train from Edinburgh to Blair Atholl Overnight in Blair AthollDay 3 (May 22): Blair Atholl Hiking and Castle
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: 4.5 mi (moderate); 790 ft elevation gain Blair Atholl and Glen Tilt Loop: 9.2 mi (moderate); 2,608 ft elevation gain Blair Atholl to Pitlochry: 8.5 mi (moderate); 1,092 ft elevation gain INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Overnight in Blair AthollDay 4 (May 23): Train to Inverness w/ optional visit to Loch Ness/ Culloden Battlefield/ Distillery Tour
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, a tasting tour of the Glen Ord Distillery, or the Culloden Battlefield exhibition, scene of the last Jacobite uprising in 1745, is an easy bus ride away. INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Taxi from train station to hotel Train from Blair Atholl to Inverness OPTIONAL: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle ($50) Bus to Culloden Battlefield Exhibition ($15) Glen Ord Distillery Tour ($12 to $14) Overnight in InvernessDay 5 (May 24): North Highland Line to Portree
Sit back and relax as you depart Inverness on the iconic North Highland Line, a stunningly scenic journey alongside remote lochs, glens and mountains to the seaside station of Kyle of Lochalsh (2h30). Here you’ll board a bus which will carry you over the Skye bridge to the isle itself and on to Portree (1hr), your base on the Isle of Skye. INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Taxi to/from train station North Highland Line Train from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh Bus from Kyle of Lochalsh to Portree Overnight in PortreeDay 6 (May 25): The Storr, Portree Coastal Walk or Optional Day Trip
The colorful waterfront houses of Portree harbor adorn many picture postcards. Today, you’re free to wander around this delightful Highland town, or you could take a bus journey (25 mins) to The Storr, a rocky hill on the Trotternish peninsula. From here, it’s a rewarding 7-mile hike along the coast back to Portree. Alternatively, take a day trip around the Isle of Skye, taking in the brooding black and red peaks of the Cuillins, Talisker Distillery, and the rock pinnacle of the Quiraing. Calmac also operates a ferry service from nearby Sconser to Raasay if you prefer to explore one of the islands. INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel OPTIONAL: Bus to The Storr, hike back to Portree Day trip around the Isle of Skye ($75) Calmac ferry from Sconser to Raasay Overnight in PortreeDay 7 (May 26): Travel to Mallaig, Jacobite steam train to Fort William
Today will be a travel day you won’t forget! First, take a scenic bus ride (1hr) to Armadale, where you catch the Calmac ferry (30 mins) to Mallaig. Arriving back on the mainland, you’ll board the Jacobite steam train, described as the greatest railway journey in the world. The ’Hogwarts Express’ winds its way past pristine beaches and mountain panoramas, passing over the Glenfinnan viaduct to arrive at the Lochside town of Fort William (2h50), the largest town in the Highlands and situated at the southern end of the Great Glen. INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Taxi to Bus Station in Portree Bus from Fort William to Armadale Calmac Ferry from Armadale to Mallaig Jacobite Steam Train/ Hogwarts Express from Mallaig to Fort William Taxi from train station to hotel Overnight in Fort WilliamDay 8 (May 27): Walk to Spean Bridge
Enjoy a lovely walk today, with views of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis, and you’ll also enjoy the impressive eight locks of Neptune’s Staircase along the Caledonian Canal. Take in the impressive panorama of the Commando memorial, as you make your way to Spean Bridge. The trail begins with an easy walk along the canal, heading up the Great Glen and through woodland that is home to red squirrels. Fort William to Spean Bridge: 11.75 mi (moderate); 620 ft elevation gain Note: For those who don’t want to do the walk, there is the option to take the train to Spean Bridge INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Luggage Transfer Overnight at Spean BridgeDay 9 (May 28): West Highland to Glasgow
Get ready for yet another of Britain’s most scenic railway journeys as you travel south on the classic West Highland Line. Soak up the last of the Highland scenery from your seat as you speed through the fertile Great Glen to Rannoch Moor, a remote plateau at 985 ft above sea level. This is a wild landscape of peat bogs, lochans and ancient forests, home now to herds of red deer. Your delightful 3h30 journey ends in the vibrant city of Glasgow, the most populous city in Scotland situated along both banks of the River Clyde. INCLUDED: Breakfast at the guest house Taxi to/from train station West Highland Line train to Glasgow Overnight in GlasgowDay 10 (May 29): Depart Glasgow (GLA)
Today is departure day and there are no scheduled activities. At the appropriate time, you will be transported to the airport for your onward journey. Since we will not be spending any time in Glasgow, we recommend that you extend your trip by a day to spend some time in this magnificent city on your own. INCLUDED: Breakfast at hotel Airport TransferEasy to Moderate
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness due to the fact that activities can be opted out of if you don’t want to participate. Please read the day to day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day’s activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Our trips bring together people of all ages. It is important that you are aware that, as a minimum, an average level of fitness and mobility is required to undertake any of our trips. Travelers must be able to walk without the aid of another person, be able to climb 3-4 flights of stairs, step on and off small boats, and carry their own luggage, at a minimum.
We take all prudent measures in relation to your safety, but please use your own good judgment. Participating in adventurous activities is always at your own risk.
We require a minimum of 6 Adventure People for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking your airfare.
Arrival Airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Departure Airport: Glasgow Airport (GLA)
Your arrival and departure airport transfers in Scotland are included with your package.
Adventure People who wish to arrive early or stay beyond their departure day in Edinburgh and Glasgow have the option to add Pre and Post Hotel stays conveniently located at our Rendezvous Hotels (based on availability). Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like this option. The advantage of booking a Pre or Post-Tour Hotel stay is to allow for extra time to explore on your own.
You will receive a trip packet attached to your booking confirmation with all the information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip!
What happens if I can’t participate in one of the scheduled walks?
You can use your travel pass to take the train or bus to the next stop.
What are midges?
Midges are small biting insects (much like North American gnats), which are prevalent in the summer months. They are particularly bad on overcast days, but they’re not a bother if you are moving, the wind is blowing, the sun is shining, it’s raining, or you are inside. We do recommend you carry insect repellent for the occassion you may need it so they don’t have an impact on your experience.
What is the currency and exchange rate?
In Scotland, the currency is the British Pound Serling (GBP) and they come in banknotes and coins. Both Scottish and English notes are accepted in Scotland. You can exchange money once you get to Scotland at any bank or exchange office, but we recommmend you compare the exchange rate since it can differ from one place to another.
As currency exchange rates do fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for the most up to date daily exchange rates, http://www.xe.com/.
What should I bring?
Our advice is to pack as light as possible as you are expected to carry your own luggage and many hotels do not have elevators. Most travelers carry their luggage in a backpack, although a small to medium suitcase with wheels is ok too. We recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30lb. A full packing list will be sent upon booking.
Do I need to bring a power adapter or voltage converter?
Scotland uses type D and G outlets and just like the rest of Europe, the voltage is 230 volts and the frequency is 50Hz. In the US, we use types A and B, 120 volts/ 60Hz. For using your electronics in Scotland, you will need a voltage converter in addition to a plug adapter. We recommmend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.
Interested in learning more about our Scotland trip?
We love talking about our trips and love learning about you! Please leave your info so we can reach out and answer all of your questions!
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