Itinerary

Our “Highland Railways and Hills” tour takes in much of Scotland, using a mixture of scheduled service trains, steam railways, ferries – and feet! Scotland’s railways offer access to incredible scenery, and trains provide views so much better than you will ever see from a car. The itinery below is designed to be flexible to allow for any level of fitness – on a “Highland Railways and hills” tour in 2008 our oldest group member was 80 and the youngest 18!

Although you will a small rucksack to carry additional clothing and food during the day, you will need to have reasonably light luggage for the transfer days. Baggage transfers will be arranged for travel days to and from the Isle of Skye – we can also arrange secure left luggage in Edinburgh for the duration at no extra cost.

Sunday
Leaving Edinburgh Waverley on a mid morning train, you will travel to Aviemore and check into the hotel before an afternoon walk through the Rothiemurcus forest. If the group is feeling exceptionally fit, we may stop en route at Pitlochry for an ascent of Ben Vrackie before onward travel to Aviemore. (Rothiemurcus: 8km/5m, flat, good trail or Ben Vrackie: 10km/6m, 600m/2000ft ascent, good trail)

Monday
A journey on the Strathspey steam railway – whose station is opposite our hotel! – takes us to Broomhill. A spectacular walk follows, through the ancient Rothiemurchas Forest and into the Cairngorm Mountains. The walk ends at Glenmore on the shores of Loch Morlich, from where a bus takes us back to the hotel. (14km/8m, 100m/300ft ascent)

Tuesday
Blaven
A Scotrail train from Aviemore takes us to Inverness, where we transfer onto train for Kyle of Lochalsh. The Kyle line is one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world, and is known as the “Skye train”. At Kyle, we transfer to a bus fort the short hop to Broadford on the Isle of Skye, where a quality bed and breakfast forms our base for the next few days. Time permitting, we will have an afternoon coastal walk from Broadford and admire views of the surrounding Cullin mountain range.

Wednesday
A full day of walking on Skye. We’ll go up into the hills if the weather is kind, and if not an equally spectacular coastal walk is planned. (10km/6m, 100m/300ft ascent, mainly good tracks).

Thursday
Jacobite Trainl Fort William
A bus takes us from Broadford to the ferry terminal at Armadale, on the Southern end of Skye. From here we cross the Sound of Sleat by ferry, and arrive back on the mainland at Mallaig. The next section of train travel is a real treat, the “Jacobite” main-line steam excursion along the utterly spectacular West Highland line to the busy town of Fort William. We spend the night here at a town centre hotel.

Friday
A late departure from Fort William means keener walkers can join us for a morning excursion up beautiful Glen Nevis. However, we need to be back at the station for 11.30 when we rejoin the West Highland line for a service to Corrrour – Britain’s most remote station. From here we make an ascent of Ben Na Lap, which provides astonishing views without being too steep a climb! Returning on the evening train to Fort William. (10km/6m, 450m/1500ft ascent, rough path)

Saturday
Our last day, and we take the morning train from Fort William southwards towards Glasgow, skirting the banks of Loch Lomond. Arrival in Edinburgh should be around 12.30, giving additional time to explore the Scottish capital before setting out for home if you wish.

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