West Highland Line railway holiday in Scotland
One of our bestselling Scottish adventures is designed to let you leave the car behind and embrace slow travel, taking the world-famous West Highland Line and venturing beyond on foot and by boat to discover West Scotland’s wildest parts.
West Highland Line railway Rannoch Moor Spean Bridge Fort William Ben Nevis Jacobite steam train journey Glenfinnan viaduct Mallaig Ferry to Isle of Skye The Gaelic Whiskies
Price
£1175To£1245 excluding flights
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More info
Price (per person) based on 2 adults sharing a room for 4 nights on a B&B basis, with 1 including dinner.
Also includes return train travel from Glasgow to Fort William, 1st class travel on the Jacobite, return ferry to Skye & taxi transfers on Skye.
Also includes return train travel from Glasgow to Fort William, 1st class travel on the Jacobite, return ferry to Skye & taxi transfers on Skye.
Description of West Highland Line railway holiday in Scotland
The West Highland line is considered by many train aficionados to be one of the finest rail journeys anywhere in the world. It is that wild and wonderful mix of the likes of Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, passing lochs and waterfalls, streams and striking uplands, all changing by the minute depending on that ever varying Scottish light. In addition, our tailor made West Highland railway holidays take you not only from the Glasgow starting point up to Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis, but also over the sea to the Isle of Skye.
Spend the first two nights of this tailor made Scottish trip in a remote highland village called Spean Bridge, where your small, locally run hotel overlooks Ben Nevis, serves organic meals and always has treats like home baked scones on offer. On day three, you board the West Highland railway again on the historic Jacobite Steam train which takes you out to the coast, over the architectural splendours of Glenfinnan viaduct, to Mallaig Harbour where you catch the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Spending two nights at a traditional waterfront hotel in a tranquil spot in the south of the island, you will have the opportunity to take a small group tour with a local expert, taking in the cultural highlights, rugged scenery and many highlights of this beloved island, perhaps including visits to The Old Man of Storr, The Quiraing, The Fairy Glens and The Fairy Pools or The Talisker Distillery Shop, Sligachan and the Red Cuillins.
Your final journey after returning to Mallaig by ferry is by train, again on the West Highland railway all the way back to Glasgow, allowing you lots of time to take in your final views of these unique, dramatic landscapes.
Map
Price information
£1175To£1245 excluding flights
Convert currency:
Price (per person) based on 2 adults sharing a room for 4 nights on a B&B basis, with 1 including dinner.
Also includes return train travel from Glasgow to Fort William, 1st class travel on the Jacobite, return ferry to Skye & taxi transfers on Skye.
Also includes return train travel from Glasgow to Fort William, 1st class travel on the Jacobite, return ferry to Skye & taxi transfers on Skye.
Departure information
This trip can be tailor made from April to October
Travel guides
Train is, without a doubt, the best way to explore Scotland. Relaxed, and wonderfully scenic as it takes you through landscapes unscarred by roads, ra...
There’s an incredible sense of space in the Scottish Highlands, whether you’re cruising across a misty loch, pausing for breath on a snowy Cairngorms ...
Holiday information
Dietary requirements:
We can cater for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Reviews
29 Reviews of West Highland Line railway holiday in Scotland
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 01 May 2023 by Gillian Roberts
Fabulous... We’ve loved all of it and thanks to our various hosts who have all given us such warm hospitality. Many thanks to the tour operator for excellent customer service. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Aug 2022 by Martha Collins
The guided tour of Skye revealed many hidden treasures on the island. The charm and friendliness of the Scottish people will always stay with me. Read full reviewReviewed on 28 May 2022 by Richard Osborne
Excellent package, all very efficiently run, we were lucky with the weather on the days that mattered. Thank you to all who put the package together. Read full reviewReviewed on 25 Sep 2019 by Kathy Agerter
Traveling on the Far North Line provided beautiful scenery and the train was comfortable and very clean. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Sep 2019 by Anne Maughan
The most exciting part of the holiday was jacobite steam train from Fort William to Mallaig. Read full reviewReviewed on 29 Aug 2019 by Robert Rowley
The harry potter train was the most memorable part of the trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Aug 2019 by Jane Stevens
The most memorable part of the holiday was the day long tour on the Isle of Skye. The local tour guide was interesting, funny and very knowledgeable. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Jul 2019 by Christopher Roberts
The rail journey through the highlands to Mallaig was memorable and the stay at the Old Pines was a delight. It is a charming place with most helpful staff and superb food. Read full reviewReviewed on 30 Jun 2019 by Andy Arbuckle
The most memorable part of the holiday was the tour of Skye Read full reviewReviewed on 28 Jun 2019 by Pete Small
Our Highland Train experience was fantastic, from beginning to end. We couldn't have had a better guide than Ronnie, who was knowledgeable and blessed with a great sense of humour. Read full reviewReviewed on 20 Jun 2019 by Judy Jacobsen
Spean Bridge with the lovely view of Ben Nevis and the Jacobite train from Fort William to Mallaig were the most memorable parts of our holiday. Read full reviewReviewed on 24 May 2019 by David Chandler
The most memorable parts of our holiday were the beautiful scenery and the very friendly and hospitable people we met. The holiday was well thought out and organised by the tour operator Read full reviewReviewed on 06 Nov 2019 by Roy Thomson
The most memorable part of the holiday was the taxi ride on Skye. Read full reviewReviewed on 10 Sep 2019 by Pam Wortley
The Old Pines Hotel (and the) Jacobite Steam Train were the most memorable parts of the trip. Read full reviewReviewed on 12 Sep 2018 by Jackie Kelly
The most memorable part of the holiday was spending two days on The Isle Of Skye, it was so peaceful and tranquil, and everyone was very welcoming too. I would love to have stayed a bit longer, so a return journey will be on my list! Read full reviewReviewed on 15 Jun 2018 by Judy Byrne
Skye was the most memorable part of the holiday Read full reviewReviewed on 02 Aug 2017 by Caroline Fuchs
The trip around Skye was the most memorable...Excellent. Read full reviewReviewed on 26 Jun 2017 by Simon Hurst-Grover
The Jacobite Steam Train was the highlight! Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Aug 2017 by Sally Dobson
The train journey from Glasgow to Spean Bridge, then the Jacobite steam train from Fort Wiliam to Mallaig. Then the trip round Skye. The views were so beautiful. Read full reviewReviewed on 15 May 2017 by Maureen Tunningley
The most memorable was being able to walk in the inspiring scenery. Read full reviewReviewed on 18 Aug 2016 by Richard Lunt
I really enjoyed it. The weather tried to spoil it, but failed! Read full reviewResponsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
We are continually increasing our range of public transport holidays for those who actively choose low-carbon transport. This holiday has been carefully-designed to allow you to explore the West of Scotland and even the magical Isle of Skye without a car. It takes you beyond the end of the train line, by ferry and short taxi transfer. We recommend that you explore further on foot or by public transport in the local area. The accommodation chosen takes you a little off the beaten tourist track, so that you will have a more authentic experience. In each place, there are plentiful local walks, and some short trips available by local bus - we will provide suggestions and recommendations in your holiday pack, but do check the most up-to-date information with the staff at your hotel.We take the utmost care to choose local business partners who share our values and commitment to sustainable travel, preferring to work with locally-owned and managed businesses wherever possible. Your hotel in Spean Bridge is committed to home-cooked organic food, while the shellfish for the hotel restaurant on Skye is landed at the local pier. We build long-term relationships based on mutual trust with our business partners, with a joint commitment to excellent customer satisfaction and care for the environment.
We are corporate members of the John Muir Trust, an organisation committed to protecting the wild land of the Scottish highlands and islands.
People
For us, true sustainability means promoting and helping to maintain a way of life, where the economic benefit from tourism can make a genuine difference. That’s why we work almost exclusively with local, family-run businesses, not with large corporate organisations. We build close and lasting relationships with our business partners, based on mutual trust and an unerring commitment to customer satisfaction. We carefully select these partners to ensure that they share our values of sustainable and responsible travel. For example, the small hotel featured in this holiday on the Isle of Skye is based in the heart of a Gaelic community, and all staff are encouraged to learn the language, whatever their original native tongue.All of our holiday packs include "Robert's Recommendations", our specific tips on places to visit, places to eat and places to shop locally, all of which have been researched by us, and many of which are off-the-beaten track.
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