From Edinburgh: 2-day Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen

Wilderness and Warriors…

Leaving Edinburgh behind on this magical, historic 2-day tour, we'll head north to the Forth Railway Bridge. Snap a photo of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a memory to treasure and symbol of Scotland. Opened in 1890, the Forth Railway Bridge is a true Scottish icon recognised all over the world for being the first major steel structure, a key milestone in the development in modern railway engineering. To this day, this fantastic piece of history still holds the record for being the world's longest cantilever bridge.



The journey North continues…

We'll head further north to the 'geographical centre of Scotland' and of the gateways to the Highlands, Pitlochry, for a quick stop and bite to eat. Perched on the edge of the River Tummel, Pitlochry is home to one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, Edradour. Leaving this beautiful town, we'll once again head north on our journey, taking us through the breathtaking Drumochter Pass. Skirting the stunning peaks of the Cairngorm National Park, you'll pass the home of 5 of the UK's highest mountains.



Through the mountains to Culloden…

Passing Aviemore, we'll drive via the Clava Cairns, a 500-year-old temple and ancient cemetery. This ancient burial ground features in the well-known Outlander books, the iconic scene when Claire falls through time to the 1700's. From here we'll continue on to Culloden *, last stand of the Jacobites against the government forces. Explore the battlefield and walk in the footsteps of the hundreds of clansmen who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause or immerse yourself in the interactive history found inside of the Culloden Visitor Centre *. Leaving this harrowing battlefield behind,



Take a cruise and visit Urquhart Castle or Nessie spot from the shore…



Loch Ness is the largest body of water in Britain by volume; incredibly, all lakes and rivers of England and Wales would fit in it. With these dimensions, it’s not surprising that a monster is believed to live in the depth of the Loch. The famous “Nessie” was first seen by St. Columba in the mid-6th century. But it wasn’t until the 1930s that the mysterious creature came to widespread notice when it was seen again by an American couple. Since then, there have been thousands of sightings, and who knows? Maybe you will be the next to spot it. During our time at Loch Ness, you have a few options. You have the opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle and then join a cruise on Loch Ness (cruise and castle combined: additional £28.00 per person).



We'll finally be heading to Fort Augustus, a peaceful little village on the banks of Loch Ness, our overnight stop for this tour.



Overnight: Fort Augustus

Your second day on tour would begin short journey to Fort Wiliam, where you will be able to jump aboard the Jacobite Steam Train! Known for being one of the world’s greatest train journeys, this train ride will take you past Britain’s highest mountain, deepest loch, shortest river and most westerly station. You may know it as the Hogwarts Express!



You’ll cross the viaduct featured in the ‘Harry Potter’ films and pass the Glenfinnan Monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the beginning of the 1745 Jacobite rising before arriving in Mallaig, the pretty fishing village at the end of the famous West Highland Railway. Enjoy the journey and remember to take in those unmissable views of the highlands.



Whilst spending a lunchtime stop in Mallaig you can spend some time learning about Mallaig’s fascinating historical past at the Mallaig Heritage Centre, or sample some of Scotland’s freshest seafood. After a delicious lunch, hop back on the vintage steam engine for the journey back to Fort William, where your driver-guide will be waiting to show you more of Scotlands stunning scenery, including the breathtaking Glen Coe.



Heading south on your return to Edinburgh, you’ll enjoy a drive through Glen Coe, Scotland’s most famous and scenic glen, where the MacDonalds were betrayed. This beautiful glen may seem a little familiar due to its starring role in one of the ‘Harry Potter’ films. Our journey through Glen Coe takes us to Rannoch Moor, a remote expanse of peat bog and marsh, it’s one of Scotland’s last great wildernesses and is not to be missed, these landscapes are so stunning it was the perfect place to film a scene in James Bond’s ‘Skyfall’.