Journey to the heart of the Highlands, exploring historic sites like Inveraray and Duart Castle before experiencing the legendary Jacobite Steam Train ghlands, exploring historic sites like Inveraray and Duart Castle before experiencing the legendary Jacobite Steam Train

Your holiday begins today in Scotland's largest city, Glasgow. Make your way to our hotel in Glasgow, where you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers this afternoon. With check-in available from 3pm, you can head out and start exploring before our first dinner as a group this evening. Glasgow is situated on the River Clyde and has a welcoming atmosphere with art, culture, music and attractions to interest every visitor.

Stroll through the West End, admiring the architecture of the University of Glasgow and exploring Kelvingrove Park. Alternatively, you could admire the 22 galleries on display at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which has free entry. If the weather is pleasant, enjoy a leisurely walk along the River Clyde, soaking up the city's rich history and culture.

After breakfast, enjoy time at leisure to discover more of Glasgow. Early this afternoon, we gather at the train station for a scenic rail journey on the West Highland Line to Crianlarich in Glen Strathfillan. As we leave Glasgow, we are quickly surrounded by the wild and windswept Scottish Highlands as we travel through landscapes of mountains, steep-sided lochs and heather moors. Sit back and take in the rugged beauty that passes by our windows.

After checking in to our hotel on arrival, there's time to relax or take a leisurely stroll before our dinner this evening. The quaint village of Crianlarich is the perfect base to explore the Highlands, with its cosy pubs, welcoming locals and rich history dating back centuries. Meander through Glenbruar House Gardens, enjoy a serene stroll along the River Fillan, and marvel at the picturesque views of the surrounding mountains.

This morning, we travel by coach to Tarbet for a cruise on Loch Lomond. Enjoy your lunch on board while surrounded by the impressive scenery. As we travel, our guide's live commentary shares tales from the loch and provides fascinating insights into its history and geological wonders.

After soaking up the beauty of Loch Lomond, we head to Inveraray, a town on the western shore of Loch Fyne. With time at leisure here, you could visit Inveraray Castle, a unique castle with Baroque, Palladian and Gothic-style architecture, surrounded by glorious gardens. For a different side of the past, you could explore Inveraray Jail. This 19th-century prison and courthouse is now a 'living museum' recreating the history of the era. Returning to our hotel later this afternoon, there's time to relax before dinner this evening.

Please Note - For departure 21st June, Days 3 & 4 have been swapped around.

We experience more of the Scottish Highlands by rail after breakfast. Heading for Oban, a charming coastal town, our train makes its way westward, and we experience striking views of the Glen Ogle viaduct and the tranquil waters of Loch Awe. After the scenic journey, we board the ferry in Oban and set sail for the Isle of Mull.

Arriving at Craignure, our coach drives us to Duart Castle, the ancient home and seat of the Clan Maclean. We enjoy a guided tour of the imposing 13th-century estate, built on the end of a peninsula jutting into the Sound of Mull. Explore the medieval architecture, wander the grounds, and absorb tales of clan warfare and Highland culture.

Our next destination is Tobermory, the capital of the Isle of Mull. After our coach journey here, there is time at leisure to explore. This fishing port is famous for its brightly coloured houses, and you could wander by them enroute to its sheltered bay. Later, we catch the ferry back to Oban from Craignure, where our coach takes us back to our hotel in time for dinner this evening.

We experience the final leg of the West Highland Line today on the Jacobite Steam Train*. Boarding the restored carriages at Fort William, discover why this journey is renowned as one of the best and most scenic in the world. A highlight of the route is crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a marvel of engineering with 21 arches, that you may recognise from the 'Harry Potter' films.

The train continues towards the coast, unveiling wild and wonderful views across the vast Scottish countryside. After passing through Arisaig, the line descends towards Mallaig, a quaint fishing port that looks over the Isle of Skye. With free time here, you could visit the picturesque harbour, where there's a choice of local Scottish pubs that serve delicious seafood dishes, as well as other traditional meals.

We retrace our journey on the Jacobite Steam Train this afternoon, arriving in Fort William and then transferring back to our hotel in Crianlarich for our final dinner in the Highlands.

*Please note that journeys are steam-hauled where possible - some departures may use the ScotRail scheduled service.

For departure 20th September our journey back to the hotel this afternoon will be via coach.

The beauty of the Scottish Highlands is unending, and this journey provided a memorable glimpse at its cultural destinations and colourful landscapes. We sailed across the majestic Loch Lomond to explore historic Inveraray and discovered Highland history at Duart Castle before soaking up the charm of Tobermory. The ideal ending to our holiday came with a scenic ride on the iconic Jacobite Steam Train, with its vintage carriages and stunning route.

As your holiday comes to a close after breakfast this morning, it's time to bid farewell to Crianlarich. We head back to Glasgow by train, where you can continue exploring on your own or make your way home.

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed above.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Arguably one of the world's great railway journeys, the Jacobite steam train sets off from Fort William under the watchful gaze of the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Travelling through stunning scenery on the northwestern reaches of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig, the 42-mile route heads westwards along the northern shore of Loch Eil, with dramatic landscapes never far from view. Crossing the 21 arches of the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct - famed for its appearance in the Harry Potter films - the route heads into breathtaking Highland wilderness, providing great views of Loch Eilt, before crossing more viaducts as the tracks follow the Road to the Isles to the small port town of Mallaig on the coast.

Providing the entirety of mainland Scotland with transport links, Abello Scotrail is a fantastic commuter service that means even the farthest reaches of this wild and wonderful country is easily accessible. Running since 1983 under a variety of operators, this service has numerous lines, including one that stretches from the tip, Thurso, down to Edinburgh.

The lines on the Scotrail service are some of the most scenic in the world. The Kyle Line, the West Highland Line, and the Hadrian's Wall line are all services by Scotrail trains. The West Highland Line, stretching between Glasgow to Mallaig, stopping off at Fort William and with an offshoot line to Oban, is arguably the most famous of this line. There are numerous stunning sights to look out for on this route - from the breathtaking wilds of the highlands, to the peaks of the craggy mountains, to the iconic 21-spans of the beautiful Glennfinnan Viaduct.

Another famed line that we utilise on the Scotrail network includes the Kyle of Lochalsh line, running 63 miles between Dingwall and Kyle of Lochalsh. With spectacular views of the Isle of Skye as you come towards the pretty Kyle of Lochalsh, this particular line is certainly a glorious introduction to both of the Highlands of Scotland and the Hebrides. Other particularly beautiful places that the network explores include the Cairngorm National Park, on the Inverness to Edinburgh line, which passes through magnificent and verdant pine forests, as well as nearby the iconic Cairngorm Mountain.

The stock that traverses the lines are comfortable and modern, with spacious carriages and seating, as well as large windows through which to see the passing beauty of the Scottish countryside. New trains will be coming soon in the next few years, with more services, power sockets, Wi-Fi, and improved accessibility.

Also known as 'the Iron Road to the Isles', a journey on the West Highland Line is an epic rail adventure that takes passengers through some of the world's most beautiful and dramatic landscapes. In fact the line has twice been voted the world's best rail journey by readers of Wanderlust magazine.

Running from Glasgow's Queen Street station, the train runs through the city's outskirts and on to Helensburgh. From here the train begins its ascent into the famous Highlands.

Soon the train skirts the beautiful Loch Long, followed by the immense Loch Lomond, as it makes its way up the ever-increasing gradients. The journey continues alongside the Loch - Britain's largest body of inland water - whilst winding through pretty wooden slopes.

Continuing northward through charming isolated villages, the train then climbs more than 500 feet (150 m) in just five miles, before arriving at the tiny hamlet Crianlarich. Here the West Highland Line splits into two branches. One continues to Fort William and Mallaig, the other heads west to Oban.

The 3-star Best Western Crianlarich Hotel is situated in the village of Crianlarich amidst some of Scotland's most breathtaking scenery. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, and all of the well-appointed rooms have a television and tea and coffee making facilities.

Situated in Glasgow's vibrant city centre, Hotel Indigo exudes contemporary elegance and charm. Prominent landmarks are within easy access, such as the Gallery of Modern Art and the Glasgow Science Centre.

Guest rooms are tastefully decorated, welcoming travellers with the promise of comfort and luxury. Each room includes modern amenities including a flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, a mini fridge, and air conditioning.

The stylish onsite restaurant serves local dishes prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. It's a comfortable setting for conversation over a drink while admiring the mural overhead, which showcases renowned local Glaswegians.

We can book UK rail tickets from your local station to and from Glasgow to join your holiday. Please call us to discuss your requirements.