Scotland: Scenic Journeys of the Highlands and Islands 5311

Travel independently to Glasgow and assemble at Queen Street Station where we board the lunchtime train to Fort William. This is a particularly scenic journey though it begins in darkness as our train powers up the steep incline in the tunnel out of the station. Before long we are running along the shores of the Firth of Clyde, followed by views over Gareloch and Loch Long on our left and Loch Lomond on our right. The line continues through Glen Falloch before traversing the ‘Horseshoe Curve’ and crossing the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. On reaching Glen Spean the line turns west and heads down to Fort William on the shores of Loch Linnhe, beneath the towering bulk of Ben Nevis.

Here we will be met by our coach and transfer to our hotel.

We enjoy a spectacular day of coastal and island scenery today as we drive south from Fort William along the shores of Loch Linnhe with views of Castle Stalker and the mountains of Morvern. Crossing the impressive cantilever bridge at Connel, originally built for the railway to Ballachulish, we continue to Oban, the ‘Gateway to the Isles’, where we board our ferry to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Here we will visit Duart Castle, the 13th century home of the Chief of Clan MacLean. We can explore the dungeons, the state rooms and appreciate the strategic position of the castle from the top of the keep.

We then drive to Tobermory, with its famous colourful waterfront, for some free time and an opportunity for lunch (not included). Thereafter we will take the short ferry crossing from Fishnish to Lochaline and drive through the magnificent mountain scenery of Morvern, before crossing Loch Linnhe by the Corran ferry and returning to Fort William.

This morning we begin with a look at the Caledonian Canal, built by Thomas Telford between 1803 and 1822, and in particular Neptune’s Staircase, an impressive series of eight inter-connected locks that lowers vessels step-by-step to sea level. We then enjoy a cruise on Loch Linnhe, the long fjord-like sea loch that lies at the southern end of the Great Glen Fault. In the afternoon we savour a scenic drive through the magnificent mountain scenery of Glen Coe, sculpted by the last Ice Age. The haunting beauty of the glen is unrivalled in Scotland and is a mecca for walkers, mountaineers and skiers.

Today we have a treat for the senses as we journey back in time on the Jacobite steam train and experience one of the most memorable and spectacular railway journeys in the world - the famous Fort William to Mallaig line following The Road to the Isles.  "The Jacobite" combines the romance of the steam era with the opportunity to drink in the stunning views of this wild and historic part of Scotland. From the slopes of Ben Nevis the line runs through rugged mountains, past sea and inland lochs and onto the shores of the Atlantic at Mallaig. The route also takes us over the massive Glenfinnan viaduct overlooking Loch Shiel, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. There is time to enjoy lunch (not included) in Mallaig, whether you choose fish and chips, crab sandwiches or freshly landed lobster. You may also want to take a closer look at our locomotive here and enjoy the unique smell that is a blend oil, smoke and steam.

On arrival in Fort William later in the afternoon we drive through the Great Glen and along the shores of Loch Ness to Inverness, our base for the next three nights.

The second boat trip of our holiday is enjoyed today as we cruise on Loch Ness, the largest volume of fresh water in the British Isles. We will also enjoy views of the much-photographed ruins of Urquhart Castle, and in the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the shores of the Moray Firth where we hope to spot the resident pod of dolphins.

A classic train journey awaits. Using the scheduled diesel train service from Inverness, our route takes us through Strath Bran and the isolated little station at Achnasheen, on into Strath Carron to the head of Loch Carron, passing Stromeferry, the one-time terminus of the line, before we reach the current terminus at Kyle of Lochalsh. This afternoon, we visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle.

Our tour concludes today but there is no let up in the scenic delights as we board the Cairngorm funicular railway for sweeping views. Later, we’ll catch the train from Aviemore to Glasgow, where the group will disperse or make onward connections.