EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

You’ll make a scenic arrival into Scotland. After meeting our Local Insider at London Euston station and carving through the north of England, we’ll crossover into the magical Scottish countryside, whizzing past lochs, woodlands and craggy hilltops en route to Scotland’s charismatic second city, Glasgow, where we’ll settle for the night. It’s the perfect way to enter the country, and a thrilling tease for the natural splendour that awaits over the next week.

After breakfast at the hotel we’ll head out this morning on a walking tour of Glasgow. The city is Scotland’s most populous, with economic heft and an impressive collection of cultural institutions, as well as two iconic football clubs and an unmistakably Scottish sense of civic pride. Having learnt all about Glasgow we’ll take you for a well-earned lunch to tuck into some locally sourced delicacies, before heading to the Glengoyne Distillery on the outskirts of the city, where a warming whisky tasting awaits – the perfect introductory toast to Scotland! Cockles warmed, we’ll wind through the spectacular Trossachs National Park to reach our country hotel for the night, where we’ll also tuck into a hearty group dinner.

Today is an epic adventure in itself. After breakfast, we’ll make our way to Fort William station to board the Jacobite steam train. Unarguably one of the world’s greatest train journeys, this 42-mile stretch of track takes you past lochs, mountains and over the soaring Glenfinnan Viaduct – made famous by the Harry Potter films – to the small fishing town of Mallaig. From here, we’ll ferry across the glassy waters of Loch Nevis to the Isle of Skye before transferring to the remote waterside hamlet of Elgol, where we’ll meet the Mackinnon family, who’ve lived and worked there since the 1300s. Today, their business is showing people the jaw-dropping beauty of this slice of Scotland, with a boat trip (plus a brief walk) to Loch Coruisk. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins along the way. We’ll end the day with a transfer to our accommodation in Kyle of Lochalsh, stopping off en route to snap photos of Eilean Donan Castle – one of Scotland’s most famous, and spectacular, castles.

After yesterday’s cross-country expedition, we’re taking things a little easier. Around midday we’ll head to Plockton station for the train to Inverness – a leisurely clop across the width of the Highlands, with plenty of gorgeous scenery thrown in. Once in the city we’ll head to the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery for an expert-led tour of its all-thing-Highlands collection. You’ll then have the rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace – check out the castle, for city-wide views, and take a walk along the River Ness.

We’re getting back on track today, as we take the train south from Inverness to Aviemore. This small town offers easy access to the ski slopes, glassy lochs and ancient woodlands that make up the extraordinary Cairngorms National Park. We’ll spend the rest of the morning and the first half of the afternoon exploring on foot with a guided hike – or if your legs are tired you can alternatively opt for a scenic train ride through the park – before we hop back on the train to our final destination: Edinburgh. After checking into your hotel in the capital, you’ll have the evening to yourself. Catch a show, join a spooky ghost tour, gorge on a deep fried Mars bar or hole up in a classically cosy Edinburgh pub.

Today is our last full day, so we’re going out in style with an Insider-led tour of the Royal Mile, leading all the way to Edinburgh Castle, which overlooks the city from its lofty position on Castle Rock. The views are stupendous, and it’s not hard to see why this imposing fortress – one of the oldest in Europe – has remained standing so long, despite being the most besieged place in Britain. Tour over, you’ll have the rest of the day to see Edinburgh at your own pace – take a stroll in Princes Street Gardens, browse the Edinburgh Farmers Market and dip into the National Museum of Scotland. Just make sure you’re available to meet back up with the rest of the group in the evening for a farewell dinner – where we’ll swap highlights and toast to what we hope has been a rail-y good time!

Enjoy a final breakfast in the Scottish capital before checking out and making your way home, or on to other adventures.