One-week scenic Scotland by train itinerary
Explore Scotland by train in just one week on this Scottish rail itinerary featuring castles, lochs and mountains as you travel from Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Highlands and Isle of Skye.
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Travel across Scotland by rail from the lowlands to the highlands, with historic cities, ruined castles, deep blue lochs, mountain peaks and wild moorland along the way.
This one-week railway journey takes you from the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow and heads north into the Scottish Highlands, crossing to the magical Isle of Skye before finishing in Inverness – and includes two of the UK’s most spectacular rail routes.
Our Scenic Scotland by train one-week itinerary will show you which trains to take, how much they cost, how to book and what to see, do and where to stay along the way.
One-week scenic Scotland by train itinerary
Day 1: Edinburgh
Start your Scotland by train trip with a full day in Edinburgh. See the historic highlights of the Old Town – listen to bagpipers on the cobbled streets of the Royal Mile, learn about Scotland’s history at the National Museum of Scotland, hear the One O’clock Gun being fired at Edinburgh Castle, or follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter on Victoria Street.
Alternatively head across to the wide Georgian streets of the New Town to admire the artworks at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, climb to the top of the Scott Monument, wander along the leafy Water of Leith or watch the sun set from Calton Hill.
Or why not check out some of Edinburgh’s more unusual attractions? You can go underground to the buried streets of Mary King’s Close, visit the gory Surgeons’ Hall Museum (if you’re not too squeamish) or take an evening ghost tour.
Edinburgh’s an unexpected gem for foodies, with a range of food and drink tours* where you can try local delicacies – from handmade chocolates and Scottish cheeses to whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience and distillery tours at Edinburgh Gin.
Where to stay in Edinburgh: Splash out on a stay on the Royal Mile at the gloriously over-the-top Witchery by the Castle*. This 16th-century Gothic hotel has nine suites with four-poster beds and rolltop baths, eclectically decorated with antiques, artworks, gilt and velvet. It’s full of old-school glamour, with one of the city’s most romantic restaurants.
Read more: The ultimate weekend in Edinburgh itinerary
Day 2: Edinburgh > Glasgow
Next morning, catch a train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Central/Queen Street (a short walk from each other). The journey only takes an hour and trains run frequently, so you can decide how early you want to leave. Then spend the rest of the day in Glasgow.
Where Edinburgh is all about history, Scotland’s second city has a bit more of an edge, and has transformed itself from an industrial centre to a city of art and culture. Admire the Art Nouveau designs of Glasgow’s famous son Charles Rennie Mackintosh at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum or over afternoon tea at the Willow Tea Rooms.
Or explore some of the city’s more contemporary artworks on the City Centre Mural Trail, a self-guided walk through Glasgow which links 25 works by different local artists.
Take a walk along the River Clyde past the modern architecture of the SSE Hydro and Armadillo to the quirky Riverside transport museum, where you can take a tour of the Glenlee, a restored tall ship that’s one of just a few built on the Clyde that are still afloat.
Or visit Scotland’s oldest museum, the Hunterian, part of the campus of the University of Glasgow. And explore the city’s medieval cathedral and atmospheric hillside Necropolis.
Where to stay in Glasgow: The five-star Kimpton Blythswood Square* is a luxurious conversion of a Georgian terrace which was once home to the Royal Scottish Automobile Club. There are 113 stylish rooms – with a rooftop penthouse if you want to splash out – plus an underground spa, private cinema, restaurant and bar with evening wine hour.
Read more: The ultimate weekend in Glasgow itinerary
Day 3: Glasgow > Fort William
Then head north on the 3 hour 50 minute journey to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, departing Glasgow Queen Street at 08.22 and arriving in Fort William at 12.12.
The West Highland Line is one of the world’s most scenic train trips. It runs along the banks of Loch Lomond, around the arching Horseshoe Curve at Ben Dorain, past the UK’s highest altitude train station in Corrour (which featured in the film Trainspotting) and across remote Rannoch Moor on a line suspended above a peat bog.
Fort William is set on the banks of Loch Linnhe in the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis – making the town a real hub for hikers, bikers and other adventure-seekers. The climb to the top of Ben Nevis takes five–seven hours, weather permitting, so you might have to add in an extra day to your trip if you want to tackle the peak.
If you fancy something more sedate, it’s a pretty 1.5-mile walk along the River Lochy to the ruins of 13th-century Old Inverlochy Castle and the Ben Nevis Distillery, where you can do a tour and tasting of their whiskies. You can also learn more about the history of the Highlands (and see Rob Roy’s sporran) at Fort William’s West Highland Museum.
Where to stay in Fort William: Spend the night behind bars in former police station The Garrison* in the centre of town. Choose from a modern en-suite room, or an original cell that’s been converted into compact double or bunk room with shared bathroom.
Read more: 13 great things to do in Fort William and Glencoe
Day 4: Fort William > Isle of Skye
The following day, reboard the West Highland Line for the 1.5-hour journey from Fort William to Mallaig across the curving Glenfinnan Viaduct and past lochs and the sandy beaches of Morar. If you depart Fort William at 08.15 you arrive in Mallaig at 09.38.
Or from April–October you can also ride the Jacobite steam train, better known as the Hogwarts Express (departs Fort William at 10.15 and arrives Mallaig at 12.26).
Then swap the train for the ferry to the Isle of Skye. Ferry times vary throughout the year, with 8–10 sailings a day in summer. If you have time for lunch before you sail, try locally caught prawns or fish and chips at Mallaig’s Fishmarket Restaurant.
The ferry from Mallaig takes 45 minutes to Armadale in Skye. From Armadale you can catch the Stagecoach 52 bus to Portree. Note buses don’t run very often and you may need to change in Broadford in low season. So it may be worth taking a taxi if there are a group of you – it takes an hour and costs £90–£100, but you need to book well in advance.
Portree is the capital and largest town on the Isle of Skye, set around a picturesque harbour with pastel-painted houses and surrounded by hills. It’s the hub of transport and tours for the island, and a good place to shop for souvenirs, with local producers including the Isle of Skye Soap Co, Skyeskyns and Isle of Skye Distillers all having shops in town.
Where to stay in Portree: The Cuillin Hills Hotel* is half a mile outside of Portree but comes with knockout views across the Bay of Portree to the Cuillin Mountains from its 15-acre gardens. Inside are traditional Scottish touches, from tartan fabrics to local seafood in the restaurant and a malt whisky bar with over 130 varieties to choose from.
Read more: Isle of Skye itinerary: The best of the island in 3 days
Day 5: Isle of Skye
Today you have the whole day to explore the Isle of Skye – buses connect Portree with many parts of the island, but it’s easier to either hire a car for the day (book in advance as availability’s limited) or take a guided day tour of Skye’s highlights. There’s a small group day tour* (£90 per person) which departs Portree at 9am and returns at 6pm.
The Isle of Skye is known for its magical landscapes, with dramatic rock formations around the Quiraing which look like something from another planet (and are a film location favourite). Admire the 200-foot Old Man of Storr and the steep cliffs at Kilt Rock.
Visit the lighthouse at Neist Point and look out for dolphins and whales, or tour imposing lochside Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland.
Skye has plenty of myths and legends – get away with the fairies at the Fairy Glen, a grassy glen with rock spirals and ancient trees dripping with moss. Or follow the 1.5-mile path to the Fairy Pools with their clear green waters and cascading waterfalls.
Day 6: Isle of Skye > Inverness
The next day, catch the CityLink bus from Portree to Kyle of Lochalsh, where you pick up the train for the journey to Inverness. There are a couple of different options – the number 915 bus from Portree Square departs at 10.35 and arrives in Kyle at 11.36.
Or if you’d like to visit nearby Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland’s most photographed castles, you can catch the earlier 07.30 bus from Portree to Dornie, arriving at 08.48. Then travel back to Kyle of Lochalsh (15 minutes away) by bus or taxi after visiting the castle.
Take the 13.46 train from Kyle of Lochalsh for the 2 hour 40 minute journey to Inverness, arriving at 16.27. The Kyle Line is another of the UK’s top scenic train routes. Opened in 1870, it runs through remote landscapes, following the coast with views of Syke, across moorland and past the Torridon Peaks – keep an eye out for deer on the way.
Spend the evening in Inverness – capital of the Highlands. Follow the path along the River Ness to the Ness Islands, a group of tree-covered islands connected by elegant Victorian footbridges. Or head up to Inverness Castle to watch the sun set over the city, before checking out some of Inverness’ live music scene at pubs like Hootananny.
Where to stay in Inverness: End your trip in style with a night at the five-star Rocpool Reserve*. This Georgian house has been converted into a lavish boutique hotel with bar and restaurant. Its luxurious rooms come with Egyptian cotton bedding, emperor-size beds and 24-hour room service – and some have outdoor hot tubs, saunas or balconies.
Read more: A weekend in Inverness: 2-day itinerary
Day 7: Inverness
Spend the final morning of your Scotland by train trip seeing more of Inverness. Learn about the history and culture of the Highlands at the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and shop for secondhand books at Leakley’s. Or if you have time you can take a half-day trip out to either Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, or the battlefield at Culloden.
Then if you’re flying back home, Inverness Airport is 10 miles north of the city. The two are connected by the Stagecoach 11 bus in around 35 minutes. Or if you’re travelling back to Edinburgh, the train journey from Inverness takes 3.5 hours. There’s also the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train which connect Inverness to London in around 11 hours.
More time?
If you have more time, you could head north to John O-Groats – most northerly point of mainland Britain – Dunrobin Castle and Wick on a day tour* from Inverness.
Or catch the train south to Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park for mountain hikes in summer, skiing in winter and the Strathspey Steam Railway. There are also plenty more Scottish cities to discover nearby, including Dundee, Aberdeen and St Andrews.
How much does it cost?
When you’re planning a Scottish rail trip, you can either book individual tickets or get a railpass, which can be a better deal if you’re under 28/over 60, want more flexibility or are booking late. Here’s how prices break down for the two different options on this route.
Individual tickets
Ticket prices depend on how early you book and if you’re booking a specific train or want to be flexible. There are three main fare categories: Advance, Off-Peak or Anytime.
- Advance tickets are cheapest and can be booked 8–12 weeks in advance, but are non-transferable so you’re tied to a specific train.
- Off-Peak tickets are valid on any train outside weekday peak hours.
- Anytime tickets are most expensive but can be bought on the day and used on any train.
Using the cheapest Advance fares, the cost of trains on this route starts at £69 per person:
- Edinburgh > Glasgow: from £15.60
- Glasgow > Fort William: from £21.20
- Fort William > Mallaig: from £8.90 (£69 for The Jacobite)
- Mallaig > Armadale (by ferry): from £6.00
- Kyle of Lochalsh > Inverness: from £17.30
You can also save a third on all rail fares with a Railcard*. These cost £30 with different versions for 16–25s, 25–30s, Seniors and Disabled People. You can also get a Two Together railcard for two named adults travelling together, or a Friends and Family Railcard for up to four adults and four children. Both UK and overseas residents are eligible.
The railpass option
There are various rail passes available, and which you’re eligible for depends on where you live. If you live outside the UK, you can can get a InterRail/Eurail pass (InterRail is for European residents and Eurail is for non-European residents).
For the Scotland by train itinerary, the best InterRail/Eurail option is the One Country Great Britain pass for 4 travel days within 1 month, which costs £207 for adults, £174 for youths aged 12–27 or £186 for seniors in second class.
ScotRail also offers its own rail passes, which are available to both UK and overseas residents. The best option for this itinerary is the Spirit of Scotland Pass for 4 days within 8 days, with unlimited travel by train, ferry and coach. It costs £149 for adults and is half price for children aged 5–15, with discounts for Railcard holders.
Passholders are recommended to make seat reservations – though it’s probably only worth doing for long-distance services or at busy peak times so you’re guaranteed a seat – which you can do for free at any UK train station up to two hours before departure.
Note The Jacobite steam train is privately owned so isn’t covered by any rail passes.
How to book
There are a variety of websites where you can book UK train journeys, but some charge a booking fee. To avoid fees you can book direct with ScotRail and either use a mobile ticket on your phone or collect them from a ticket machine or a counter at the station. Or if you have an international credit card you can book with Rail Europe* for a small fee.
Don’t want to do it yourself? You can also book a custom trip based on this Scenic Scotland by train itinerary through our partners Byway,* the flight-free holiday platform, including train travel and accommodation.
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We found your guide incredibly useful in planning our trip to Scotland. We, two married American seniors, are interested in something close to a 21-day train tour that includes everything you put on your 7-day trip plus extra time at the Isle of Skye and coming down the east coast — Dundee, Aberdeen and St. Andrews. We are wondering how you would plan such a trip. Would love to chat privately with you.
Sounds like a great trip! You’re welcome to email me at [email protected] and will help if I can.
excellent, just what i was looking for.
Thanks Allison, glad it was useful!
Hi Luce!
I’m so glad I found this! My daughter and I will be arriving in late June. She’s doing a study aboard in Ireland and I plan on meeting up with her at the end to do this trip. I’m using your itinerary to help us plan. I drove us around Ireland last year and want to enjoy the views while in Scotland, thus the train. I’ve read that Edinburgh and Glasgow are easy to get around for visiting the sights. Is Fort William similar or should I book a guide for the day? Most of the guides seem to be day trips from another city, Glasgow or Edinburgh. Any recommendations for a guide while at the Isle of Skye or Fort William? I am planning to stay for two or three nights on Skye.
Hi Tammy, Fort William is fairly small (much smaller than Edinburgh and Glasgow) so you’ll have no problem getting around. There’s a day tour from Portree in Syke which you can take around the island (https://www.getyourguide.com/-t167618/?partner_id=AECWD5H) to see the main sights – and local buses if you have more time to explore.
I’m so happy to come across this! I am planning a solo trip to Scotland (from the US) next year and didn’t want to rent a car or rely on multi day tours. This is SO helpful and hits everywhere I wanted to go! My trip will be 10-12 days, excluding travel days to/from the US so I plan on extending in Edinburgh and maybe Fort William for some hiking.
Thank you!
Thanks Laurel, so glad it was useful!
Hello- We are seniors from the US and would like to start a train tour in Inverness to Skye, then Skye to Glasgow with an overnight stay at Cameron House on Loch Lamond on 9/21. Would we take to train to Glasgow and then find transportation to Cameron House? We would return to Glasgow for a night then a train to Edinburgh. Would you recommend the Spirit of Scotland pass for this travel? Can you advise the best train routes. We would start in Inverness on Sept. 20 and would need to be in Edinburgh by 9/24. Is this workable?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Hi there, I think the first part of the trip would be very tight if you don’t leave Inverness on the 20th Sept and need to be in Loch Lomond on the 21st as you wouldn’t have any time to see Skye (there are no trains on Skye and the buses are limited so I would usually recommend 2/3 days minimum to make the connection to Glasgow).
@Lucy Dodsworth, Hi- Thank you for your advice and we agree. Thinking now to start in Glasgow, take the train to Mallaig and then return to Loch Lomond. After Loch Lomond travel to Inverness and then do a day trip to Kyle with a return to Inverness, then the next day travel to Edinburgh. Does this make more sense time wise and still provide the scenic travel?
That sounds a lot better – hope you have a great trip!
Hi Lucy,
Thanks a lot for this itinerary, looks great. We are actually planning a week in Scotland in May.
We are not really interested in Glasgow and we were thinking about making our first stop after Edinburgh at Tarbet (have a cruise on the Loch and walk around)
Can you let me know your opinion and any suggestion ?
Thanks a lot.
Serge
Hi Serge, yes you could definitely swap that in. It’s 2.5 hours by train from Edinburgh to Arrochar and Tarbet (with a change in Glasgow), so if you took a morning train on Day 2 you could do a boat trip in the afternoon and stay the night there, then catch the train to Fort William the next day which is 2.5 hours and carry on the itinerary from there.
Great itinerary! I am considering taking the train from Glasgow to Mallaig, ferry to Armadale and bus to Portlee in one day next month. How do the buses run from Armadale to Portlee this time of year? Are there tours of Skye running in February? I’m planning on a three day stay in Portlee. Any suggestions?
Hi Tim, there are buses Stagcoach 52 buses between Armadale and Portree but they’re not very frequent this time of year to you would need to time it carefully (timetable here: https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/North%20Scotland/Highlands/Skye%20Revised%202022.pdf). You would probably need to take a private tour in February – try Real Scottish Journeys who do winter tours.
Hi,
Great itinerary. Would like to go Glasgow to Oban, Oban to Fort William. What is the best way Oban to Fort William. Additionally, recommend a stop between Inverness and Edinburgh.
Thanks
Hi, Oban to Fort William is slow by train (4 hours) but you can take the West Coast Motors 918 bus instead which is less than two hours. It does only run a couple of times a day though (https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/westcoastmotors/WCMO/918-timetable-20220815-14e38acb.pdf). Between Inverness and Edinburgh you could stop off in Aviemore to see the Cairngorms, or do a short diversion to Leuchars to visit St Andrews which is a lovely city.
@Karen, Thank you Lucy for your insight. Any thoughts on the Spirit of Scotland pass?
In short,we are two seniors traveling, Edinburgh to Glasgow,train, to Oban,train,to Ft. William,bus,to Skye,train,taxi to Dorrie,bus,Kyle of Lock to Inverness,train, Inverness to Edinburgh,train. In April. I tried to add up separate fares,still confusing.Need flexibility in case of changes.Also, is it advisable to reserve a seat on the Ft. William to Mallaig , ferry section. Would appreciate your guidance
The Spirit of Scotland pass is a good idea as it lets you be flexible. And yes do book the ferry well in advance as that does get booked up.
Thank you for your helpful ideas. We will be touring Scotland by train in late April using a very similar itinerary. We plan to purchase the Spirit of Scotland Rail pass. Once I purchase that, am I able to reserve seats for the various legs of the train journey? We live in the US, so I need to do everything I can online. On the Scotrail website, it looks like I need to buy individual tickets in order to get a seat reservation online. If we can’t make seat reservations, do we just arrive early to help guarantee we get on the desired train? Thank you for any insight on reserving seats with the Spirit of Scotland Rail pass!
Hi, you don’t need to make seat reservations with the Spirit of Scotland pass, and a lot of trains don’t take reservations. The ones that do on this route are Glasgow > Fort William and Inverness > Edinburgh – you can’t reserve online using the pass but you can do it at stations, so could make reservations when you first get to Scotland, or call 0344 811 0141 when you arrive in the UK.
Hi Lucy,
I am planning a trip from May 4-13. For now, I have a couple nights in Edinburgh, one in Glasgow, and one in Fort William.
Here are some concerns and questions I have:
I booked the Jacobite on Thursday. It’s a return—so it’ll go from Fort William to Mallaig, and the back.
I’m a little worried about how to get from Armadale to Portree without a vehicle. Should I just take the return train to Fort William and try to go to Iverness?
I’ve never been and we are trying to avoid renting a vehicle if possible.
Also, for the other train trips, other than Jacobite, should I try to book trains in advance?
I’m just worried and I don’t want to get stuck. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Maggie
Hi Maggie, for the Jacobite you have to buy a return ticket but you can get off at Mallaig and not go back to Fort William. For the journey from Armadale to Portree, I’d advise pre-booking a taxi if you’re not keen on relying on the buses (Fort William to Inverness isn’t really advisable by train – you have to go all the way back to Glasgow so it takes 8+ hours!). You shouldn’t need to book the other trains in advance but you can do if you want to be sure of a seat – they can be booked via Scotrail normally 2-3 months in advance. Hope you have a great trip!
@Lucy Dodsworth,
Do you know if there are buses that run from Fort William to Inverness daily?
Hi, yes there is the Citylink bus (times vary through the year but it does run daily) https://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables-service-updates/inverness-fort-william/
Hi Lucy we are planning a trip for the middle of october 2023. i love the whole itinerary of this trip! We would like to fit in a trip to st. Andrews and i am wondering your thoughts on going from inverness to St. Andrews by train or going back to Edinburgh and then to St. Andrews.
So glad I found your site!!
Cindy
Hi Cindy, St Andrews is a lovely city so would be great to add it into the itinerary. It’s easiest to reach from Edinburgh (via train to Leuchars which takes around an hour) so ideally it’d be best to add it in right after Edinburgh but before Glasgow, as you can then travel on from Leuchars to Glasgow in around two hours.
Thank you for this great itinerary! I am planning a trip for my husband and I (we’re in our 50’s) and my two 20 yr old daughters in March 2024. My one daughter will be studying abroad for the semester in Grantham England. We plan to fly to Heathrow, take the train to Grantham, spend one night there and then continue by train to Edinburgh and follow your itinerary back to Edinburgh. Should we get a rail pass? Or pay as we go? Is Britrail or Scotrail better? And can we still follow your itinerary during March when the days are shorter? Any adjustments we should make?
Thank you so much for any insight and advice.
Hi Barbara, if you have your itinerary fixed then single advance tickets are the cheapest option, but if you want more flexibility (especially in March when the weather may not be so good) then the ScotRail pass is better value than the Britrail one as it also includes the ferry. March should be fine though do check ferry times well in advance as there are less services off season.
Hi Lucy, Thanks very much for this helpful itinerary. I am considering this for my trip to Scotland this summer. I would like to spend extra time in Edinburgh and am less interested in Glasgow. Do you know if it’s possible to take an early train from Edinburgh to Glasgow and then the train from Glasgow to Fort William on the same day (rather than spending a night in Glasgow)? And if so, do you think I would need an extra day to explore Fort William, since I would be arriving there later in the day? Thanks for your help! Angela
Thanks Angela – yes you can travel from Edinburgh to Fort William in one day. There are only a few services a day (7.15am, 11.15am and 5.15pm on weekdays) and it takes around 5 hours with a change in Glasgow. So if you got the early service you’d still have the afternoon to look around Fort William.
You article has been so helpful. I really appreciate the detailed information including your recommendation on rail passes. Thank you so much. This is exactly the help that I have needed in planning our trip.
You’re very welcome, great to hear that it’s been useful!
Hi Lucy, My wife & I will be travelling to Scotland in May and have started planning out 9 days there using this guide. It has been very helpful so far, but just wondering if hiring a private driver is even possible in case we get stuck somewhere along the route you have laid out. I’m sure it is probably very expensive, but could be necessary in an emergency.
Any information you can help us with would be very appreciated!!
Thanks, Robert
Hi Robert, there are taxi firms in most areas which can provide transfers if you need them – and also several firms which have drivers like Highland Chauffeur Drive or Aura Journeys (I’ve not used a driver personally so can’t say which is the best unfortunately).
I’m so happy to see that seeing Scotland without a car and not on an organized tour is possible! The only problem is… we are a large group of 16 (9 adults and 7 children), so I wonder how difficult it will be to get transportation from the ferry landing to Portree. The children are all school age and good travelers, so no problem there, but it seems like it could be quite costly in taxi fares even if we split up into 4 vehicles. Also, how essential do you think seeing Glasgow is? We generally gravitate towards outdoor activities and historical sites. Glasgow seems like a fun and edgy place, but not sure that’s the vibe we’re after. Is it possible to go from Inverness back to Edinburgh on the train directly? Or is there another place to stop along the way as we make our way back to Edinburgh that might be worthwhile? Thanks so much!
Hi Lindy, as I group I would definitely recommend sorting out transfers to Portree well in advance – hiring a minibus and a driver might be the best option to fit you all in. There are direct trains from Inverness to Edinburgh which take around 3.5 hours. If you’re more interested in the outdoors side you might want to spend an extra day in Fort William and hike around Ben Nevis or Glencoe, or you could add in a stop in Aviemore in the Cairngorms on the way back to Edinburgh which is lovely.
Hi! I started planning a route for a solo trip around Scotland in spring 2024 (I know, I am a planner!) and then found this page and it was almost the same route as I had thought to do- I am SO glad you provided all the details, I had no idea where to stop or what the cost estimates would be- thank you so much for all the recommendations and details- I am so excited!
Ah thanks so much, that’s great to hear – hope you have a wonderful trip!
Once we get to the area of isle is skye are cars available to hire
There are a few car hire offices in Armadale where you could pick up a car to explore, though supplies are limited so you’d need to book in advance.
We are really excited to explore Scotland by train. We are nervous about site seeing once we get to an area. Are there any locations that you would recommend renting a car or will public transport or taxi allow you to get to all of the sites?
Hi, this itinerary is designed so you don’t need a car – though it is useful to have one in Skye if you don’t want to take a tour. You can get them to meet you at the ferry port, though you do need to book well in advance as supplies are limited and can get quite booked up.
I so appreciate this site! We will be in Scotland October 25th to November 1st. What do you think about this time of year with your itinerary. I’d really like to follow it almost to a tee!
Respectfully,
Ani
Hi Ani, late October should mean some nice autumn colours (my photos from Inverness were taken around the same time) but definitely bring waterproofs as it can be wet in Scotland at any time of year, and there may be a chance of ferries being cancelled if it’s stormy.
Hi, Lucy. My wife and I just returned from a 17 day trip through Scotland following the path you laid out in your blog, but staying a few extra days in most places. It all worked out great, except for the transport between Armadale and Portree. I had imagined a queue of taxis waiting at the ferry, but you can’t simply get off the ferry at Armadale and hop in a taxi. There are no taxes available–they are booked solid on tours. Turns out you have to have booked a taxi far in advance. The going rate, I learned, is 100 pounds. What we ended up doing was to take the CitiLink bus from Armadale to Broadford. There I was lucky enough to get a taxi to take us from the Broadford Post Office to Portree. (Finley from Broadford Taxi was the one who rescued us from the Post Office and took us to Portree. The cost was 60 pounds. If anyone finds themselves in a similar situation I highly recommend reaching out to him at 07919957456). By the way, in Glasgow we stayed at the Dakota Hotel. Not as close to the train station, but a wonderful hotel with a most amazing restaurant on premises.
We are taking your one week tour of Scotland but we have nine days. Do you think we should spend three nites in Inverness or three nites in Portree? Love your blog.
Hi Joe, I would probably add on the extra time in Skye as there’s a lot to see there (though public transport is a bit hit and miss on the island so a tour or hire car might be the easiest way to get around).
Thank you for this post! Does this itinerary work well in reverse? We are starting in Edinburgh and flying out of Glasgow. Thank you for letting me know.
Yes that should work fine – you’ll need to rejig the train/ferry times a bit for the reverse though, but all the details are on the National Rail website and Calmac ferries to help you plan.
Debi – The West Highland line branches at a place called Crianlarich: if you have a rail pass, take the train from Fort William to Crianlarich and then change there for a train to Oban. If you don’t have a rail pass, take a bus south from Fort William (Fort Bill, as the locals say) to Oban. The bus is actually faster since the train has to travel south to Crianlarich, then west to Oban. There’s not much to do in Crianlarich. From Oban you can take the train south to Glasgow: in summer, usually at the weekend only, ScotRail runs a direct train from Edinburgh, otherwise you have to change in Glasgow or one of the intermediate stations to get to Edinburgh.
If you are traveling on a budget, the main bus operators (Stagecoach/City Link & First) offer area tickets for multiple days. Also, ScotRail offers a Glasgow area pass (covers trains, some buses and the Glasgow Subway) and a pass that offers travel between Glasgow to Fife, the Borders and as far north as Stirling. These passes, called Rovers, can be found on the ScotRail web site. There are restrictions on travel time to avoid commuter hours.
(I grew up in Scotland and travel there regularly – I take the public transport when visiting.)
Thanks for the extra info!
Your Blog is so valuable. thank you!!
We are traveling Scotland with public transportation in late July. We are wanting to take the train from Glasgow to where we can catch a bus or take the ferry then a taxi or bus to Portree. You describe it so well that I think it is possible. We would like to stop in Oban on the way back to Glasgow. We would so appreciate any details you can give us in planning what we can do.
Will I be able to get to the Culloden Memorial with this train itinerary?
Yes you should have time on Day 7 if you have a late afternoon flight or train home – Culloden is about 6 miles outside of Inverness and takes about 30 mins by bus or 15 mins by taxi.
I just wonder about dragging your luggage all over on a day to day basis. I assume many hotels are not going to be open upon arrival for checking in so you have to hope they will store it for you?? Other than that it seems like fun. )
Hi Teri, most hotels allow you to leave your luggage with them even if you can’t check in yet, or there are left-luggage facilities at the main stations like Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. There are also companies like Nanny Bag or Stasher where you can pay to leave a bag at a range of shops or hotels you don’t have to be staying at so there are lots of options (though it’s easiest if you pack light!).