Description

Loch Ness, the Highlands and all aboard the Jacobite Steam Train

The Jacobite Tour will take you through a landscape rich in history, myth and legend - among the sites you'll see will be Culloden, last stand of the Jacobites against the British government forces. You'll be travelling through some of the best scenery in Scotland - from the dizzying heights of the Drumochter Pass to the stunning peaks of the Cairngorms national park. The first days ends at Drumnadrochit, a beautiful and welcoming village on the shores of Loch Ness.

Day 1
Leaving Edinburgh behind on this magical, historic two-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 of modern railway engineering. To this day, this fantastic piece of history still holds the record for being the world's longest cantilever bridge.

As we head over the Firth of Forth, we'll be making our way to the small highland village of Dunkeld, perfectly perched on the banks of the River Tay, the longest river in Scotland and seventh-longest in the United Kingdom. Enjoy your time in Dunkeld by taking a riverside walk to see the Dunkeld bridge, the largest Scottish bridge built by Thomas Telford, or visit the magical Dunkeld Cathedral. Part ruin, part parish church, this cathedral takes pride of place in this well-preserved historic town, also home to the resting place of the notorious Wolf of Badenoch, the third surviving son of King Robert II of Scotland. Make sure to explore the town to see the brightly coloured little houses, a sight which cannot be missed.

Leaving this historic Highland town behind, 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 five of the UK’s highest mountains.

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, in the iconic scene when Claire falls through time to the 1700s. From here we’ll continue on to Culloden, the 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, 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

Day 2
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before a short journey to Fort William will finally 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 end of the famous West Highland Railway. The other half of the group will take this part of the journey to Mallaig in the bus with your driver-guide, giving you the opportunity to see the train cross the iconic Viaduct. Either way, you will be able to sit back, relax, enjoy the ride and don’t forget to take in those unmissable views of the highlands.

Get ready to depart as the train and bus arrive into Mallaig, a stunning west coast fishing town, for lunch. Mallaig, Mel Vik in old Norse, means sand dune bay, the perfect description for this vibrant port, the end to the ‘Road to the Isles’. Spend some time learning about Mallaig’s fascinating historical past at the Mallaig Heritage Centre, or sample some of the freshest seafood Scotland has to offer. After a delicious lunch, the groups roles will reverse, with the other half of the group now having the opportunity to take the vintage steam engine for the journey back to Fort William, whilst  your driver-guide will transport the other half of the group along the Road to the Isles for an opportunity to watch as the train passes over the majestic viaduct. When the group re-unities in Fort William, you will begin your journey to the breath-taking scenery of Glen Coe.

Heading south, you’ll enjoy a drive through Glen Coe, Scotland's most famous and scenic glen, where the MacDonalds were betrayed. This awe-inspiring glen was carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic explosions to create the stunning mountains we know and love. 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 beauty not to be missed, so stunning it was the perfect place to film a scene in James Bond’s Skyfall. At 50 square miles of peat bog and marsh, it’s one of Scotland’s last great wildernesses. From here, our last leg of the journey home begins with a drive through Stirlingshire, passing by the likes of Stirling Castle and the Kelpies, before arriving back into Edinburgh.

Attention: Please be advised that the availability of The Jacobite Steam Train experience may be impacted due to ongoing suspensions by the Jacobite Steam Train operator (West Coast Railways). If the train for your booked departure is cancelled, rest assured that your tour will still operate, and you will receive a refund for the steam train portion. Furthermore, you will receive a complimentary boat cruise on the beautiful Loch Ness and a visit to Urquhart Castle- situated on the banks of the Loch.

The West Scotland Experience Tour!!!

<- More Scotland Tours