Spirit of Scotland by Rail

This holiday starts with and arrival transfer from Edinburgh airport to your city centre hotel.   Explore the enchanting capital of Scotland on your own or use the included City Sightseeing Tour ticket.  

As one of Europe’s must see destinations Edinburgh offers much for the visitor, great museums and art galleries, fantastic shopping, great restaurants and bars and one of the most unforgettable skylines overlooking Princes Street Gardens.

Overnight - Edinburgh

Scottish Borders & Alnwick Castle (with Highland Experience):
Departure from Edinburgh at 09.00am from 1 Parliament Square, Caffé Nero, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1RE and returns in Edinburgh at 07.30pm

The tour starts with a drive through the beautiful landscape of the Scottish Borders, the southern part of the country with its picturesque towns and villages. This is also the region where Sir Walter Scott lived, he now rests in Dryburgh Abbey, not far away from Melrose where the first stop of our tour will be.

In Melrose you have the chance to visit Melrose Abbey widely regarded as one of the most beautiful ruins in Europe. Robert the Bruce’s heart is thought to be buried here. The next stop and star attraction of the tour is Alnwick Castle. Here you will have maximum time to explore the castle and the gardens. As the seat of the Duke of Northumberland this is the second largest inhabited castle in England and has been lived in for over 700 years. It is full of fascinating things to see and mysteries to uncover. While you walk around the castle you may recognise it as a location from some of the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey. You can even take part in a broomstick training session on the very spot where Harry had his first flying lesson – no matter what age you are!

The road home takes you up the stunning east coast and our tour stops at North Berwick, with its picturesque red sandstone harbour and views to the islands and world-famous Bass Rock. You’ll have time for a walk on the beach or perhaps a quick visit to the renowned Scottish Seabird Centre.

Overnight - Edinburgh

A full day back in Edinburgh to enjoy at your leisure.  Be sure to use your included Edinburgh City Sightseeing Tour ticket if you haven't already!

Perhaps visit Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city from its 400 foot rock where you will see the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, now back in Scotland where it belongs. You can also visit the private apartments of Mary Stuart and St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest building in the city which dates back to the 11th century. Continuing down the Royal Mile, you will visit Saint Giles’ Cathedral. Founded in the 1100s, it is a triumph of 14th and 15th century architecture with a crown spire that has dominated the Edinburgh skyline for 500 years. It became the church of John Knox during the Reformation and contains memorials to many great Scots, including Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns.

Overnight - Edinburgh

Today you will depart Edinburgh and travel by rail to Inverness.  The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight - Inverness

The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle (with Highland Experience):
Departure from Inverness at 09:15am - Stance 7, Inverness Bus Station, Margaret St, Inverness, IV1 1LT and returns to Inverness at 19:15pm

There are fabulous views over the Moray Firth to take in as we leave Inverness over the Kessock Bridge. You’ll enjoy a comfort break in the lovely Strathcarron situated at the head of Loch Carron, a sea loch, and between River Carron and River Taodail.

Next, you’ll cross onto the little island of Eilean Ban, where Gavin Maxwell, the author of the "Ring of Bright Water", lived for a while before you cross over the bridge to Skye. Your tour of this magical island takes in the stunningly beautiful sight of the Cuillin Hills and the Sligachan Bridge on the road to Portree, the capital of Skye. This will be your lunch-time stop, where you can enjoy fish and chips in the colourful harbour – just watch out for the seagulls!

Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most picturesque castles and is perched on its own island at the head of Loch Duich. You will have enough time here to tour the castle inside and out. Your day ends with a bit of monster spotting as you drive along the shore of Loch Ness. You'll then stop close to the loch at the little village of Invermoriston, where you can take in the views and see a delightful ruined bridge which was designed by Thomas Telford, the same engineer who created the Caledonian Canal.

Overnight - Inverness

Today you will travel from Inverness to Glasgow by rail.  Upon arrival in Glasgow the rest of the day will be at your leisure.  You are welcome to use the included Glasgow City Sightseeing Tour ticket, included with your package.

Glasgow is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe. The city has been reborn as a centre of style and vitality set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. Glasgow boasts world famous art collections, the best shopping in the United Kingdom outside London, and the most vibrant and exciting nightlife in Scotland. A must see is the splendour of Scotland's best known architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose style adorns many unique attractions throughout Scotland's largest city.

Overnight - Glasgow

Enjoy a full day exploring Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland and home to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Here the legacy of centuries of wealth and achievement comes vividly to life in an architectural heritage recognized and celebrated worldwide. Visit Glasgow Cathedral, built on the site where St Kentigern, or Mungo, the first bishop within the ancient British kingdom of Strathclyde, was thought to have been buried in AD 612. It is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the 1560 Reformation virtually complete. You can also visit Pollok House, built in 1740 and extended in 1890 by Sir John Stirling Maxwell. Set within Pollok Country Park, the house contains a renowned art collection and selection of furniture appropriate for an Edwardian country house.

Overnight - Glasgow

Sadly, your stay in Scotland has come to an end.  You will be transferred to the Glasgow airport for your return flight.