Experience the magic of a Christmas holiday in Scotland, from historic Edinburgh to festive Inverness, with a Christmas Eve journey on the Kyle Line and traditional Scottish celebrations

In the Scottish capital today, your festive holiday begins. After meeting the Tour Manager and checking into our hotel, you're free to start exploring.

Edinburgh's Old Town has lots of historic sites including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. There are plenty of other attractions well worth visiting too, such as Holyrood Palace, home to the royal residence of the Palace of Holyrood house and the seat of Scotland's new Parliament, Arthur's Seat viewpoint, the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Back at the hotel this evening, we relax with festive mulled wine before dinner.

This morning we board our train for the journey northwards to Inverness. Gaze out of the window as we travel over the iconic Forth Bridge, through the wild and dramatic scenery of the Cairngorms and past the charming Highland towns of Kingussie, Pitlochry and Aviemore, all decked out in their winter finery.

Checking in to our hotel on the banks of the River Ness, there is time to relax with a drinks reception and make the most of the hotel's facilities before this evening's festivities. Regrouping later, a traditional Scottish dinner with live entertainment awaits.

It's Christmas Eve and we embark on a festive journey along the picturesque Kyle Line, a true embodiment of Scotland's railway heritage. Snaking through the misty lochs and towering mountains of the Highlands, we glide through the Torridon Hills and reach the shores of Loch Alsh.

Just a short drive away the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle is perched atop a tiny island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh. Take some time to admire and take photos outside this iconic fortress, which has played a role in several films. After, we return to our hotel for dinner with a complimentary bar between 7-10pm.

Live entertainment is provided throughout this special evening, filling us with the joy and spirit of Christmas Eve. For those who would like to attend a Christmas Eve church service, warm soup will be waiting on your return.

Christmas Day morning begins with breakfast, accompanied by a celebratory Bucks Fizz. Afterwards, Santa Claus visits to spread Christmas cheer, after which we are served some warming mulled wine.

This afternoon, you could walk beside the River Ness, before we sit down to a traditional Christmas lunch with champagne at the hotel. With time to relax and socialise, you could toast to the King's Speech with a dram or two before the festivities start up again this evening. We enjoy a festive buffet dinner with a complimentary bar included from 7-10pm. The entertainment tonight features Scottish music and traditional dancing, the perfect way to end this special day.

Today we travel by coach to the scenic shores of Loch Ness, part of the Great Glen. This area is a long fault line stretching over 60 miles, from Inverness in the north to Fort William in the south.

We stop off at the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre which details the long history and complex geology of the area, as well as a section dedicated to Nessie herself, the world-famous Loch Ness Monster. We return to Inverness via Fort Augustus and Urquhart Castle, set on a headland looking over the loch. Dinner tonight includes a complimentary bar from 7-10pm.

We return to Edinburgh this morning, travelling through the spectacular scenery of the Cairngorms once again. After checking into our hotel, you have free time to go sightseeing. Discover famed attractions still decked out in their festive regalia, explore the city's Christmas markets or enjoy a walk through the streets of the Georgian New Town. After, you could enjoy a warming drink in a traditional pub.

Our last evening together is a fantastic occasion. We are treated to a Great Scots dinner, accompanied by traditional Scottish piping, dancer and storytelling - a wonderful end to our Scottish Christmas holiday.

After our final breakfast in Edinburgh, our wonderful Christmas holiday draws to a close. The mountains and lochs of The Highlands have been a breathtaking backdrop as we celebrated the festive period by staying in Inverness, travelling along the heritage Kyle Line and exploring the mysteries of Loch Ness before a grand end back in Edinburgh.

Once you check out of the hotel, you are free to begin your journey home or continue celebrating the season in Edinburgh or the Highlands.

Our Classic range is what we're known for. Enjoy curated moments with plenty of inclusions. Centrally located hotels, premium travel options and engaging group tours with a seasoned expert are included. You'll be in groups with an average of 20-25 travellers and a maximum of 30*. *Scandinavian and Worldwide tours are on average 30-35 and a maximum of 40.

The Kyle Line takes us on one of the most scenic rail journeys in the British Isles, travelling between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh.

On leaving Inverness, the line hugs the shores of the Beauly Firth before heading north to Dingwall. From here, the line immediately turns inland and climbs over the Highlands. As a result of a dispute with the landowners of the time, the builders of the railway were forced to make a sharp detour around Strathpeffer. After a steep climb to Black Rock the line descends through beautiful wooded hillsides until it reaches Garve on the shore of Loch Garve. On a still clear day this loch perfectly mirrors the surrounding hills and trees. From Garve station the line climbs up to the broad straths leading to the West Coast before climbing to the summit of the line at Luib.

The line then descends to the magnificent scenery of Loch Carron, where it twists and turns in and out of the loch side inlets. Plockton station and village, with yachts anchored in the shelter of its beautiful bay, is the next passing point, and was the location for the BBC Television series 'Hamish Macbeth'.

The final section of the journey is perhaps the most dramatic (and the most expensive), as it was carved through the solid rock that leads to Kyle Pier. Kyle of Lochalsh ("strait of the foaming lake") sits at the entrance to Loch Alsh, opposite Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. The two villages were formerly connected by a ferry service, but this was replaced by the Skye Bridge in 1995.

Read about the experiences of a member of the Great Rail Journeys Marketing team during his journey on the Kyle Line

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.

The Radisson Collection Hotel is a luxury hotel located on the historic Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It is housed in a restored building that combines contemporary design with elements of the city's rich history. Located on the Royal Mile, at the heart of Edinburgh's bustling city centre, the hotel is within walking distance of attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Scottish Parliament. The hotel features The Melrose Spa & Health Club, which as a spa, a well-equipped fitness centre, and an indoor swimming pool. Stylish guestrooms feature modern amenities, including flat-screen televisions, high-speed internet access, and plush bedding.

Set on the banks of the River Ness just a short distance from Inverness city centre, this welcoming 4-Star hotel is decorated in traditional style with rich fabrics and classic décor. The hotel's leisure facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub, gym and beauty centre, while guests can also relax over afternoon tea in the River View Lounge, dine in the Eight on the River restaurant or opt for more informal dining options in the brasserie. Guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, desk, tea & coffee-making facilities, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.

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

Extend your holiday in Edinburgh with alternative rail and accommodation arrangements. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.