Jacobite Steam Train, Skye and The Highlands Small Group Tour
Exploring the magical Isle of Skye and the picturesque Scottish Highlands including a trip on the real Hogwarts Express makes for a very special touring experience.
Jacobite Steam Train, Skye and The Highlands Small Group Tour - 4 day tour
About this Tour
Jacobite Steam Train, Skye and Highlands Tour
4 day/3 night tour
Skye is the most beautiful and romantic of Scotland’s islands, as you will discover on this leisurely tour. This feature-packed itinerary includes haunting Glen Coe, picturesque Eilean Donan Castle and mysterious Loch Ness. Enjoy a comfortable two-night stay on the Isle of Skye, allowing a relaxing tour of the island’s many attractions. The tour ends on a high with a trip on the famed Jacobite Steam Train, the real Hogwarts Express!
Fort Augustus - take time out to go “monster spotting” by the banks of Loch Ness
Eilean Donan Castle - visit one of the World’s most photographed castles
Portree - relax in this attractive fishing port and browse the many handcraft shops for a memorable souvenir
Isle of Skye - see the famous sights, including the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the craggy Cuillin Hills
Jacobite Steam Train - get your camera ready as the real Hogwarts Express steams over the Harry Potter Bridge
Movie locations - Harry Potter, Braveheart and James Bond
Guest house accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh - Glen Coe - Loch Ness
Our Highland adventure starts as we depart the historic centre of Edinburgh and make our way to the banks of the Forth Estuary. Here, we will see the three magnificent bridges that span the Firth of Forth. The mighty Forth Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks.
Next, we enter the picturesque Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, known for its tranquil lochs, rolling hills and dense forests.
Soon, we slip into the Highlands and head for Strathyre. Then, as we ascend Black Mount, we will see impressive views of Loch Tulla.
The barren and desolate landscape of the great Moor of Rannoch extends as far as the eye can see. It won't surprise you to learn that this is one of the remotest areas in Europe.
We stop in Glen Coe, where the grandeur of the mountain scenery belies the tragic events that took place here. In 1692, troops of the Campbell Clan murdered 40 MacDonalds in a shameful act. The sorry tale will be retold when we stop to savour this spectacular landscape of the glen.
Fort William, which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis, is our gateway to the beauty of the Great Glen, which slices through the heart of the Highlands. At the heart of this geological gem is the village of Fort Augustus, our home for tonight. Located on the southern shores of Loch Ness, amongst stunning scenery, it makes the perfect location to spot "Nessie", the Loch Ness Monster.
Overnight: Fort Augustus, Loch Ness
Day 2 - Loch Ness - Eilean Donan Castle - Isle of Skye
After a relaxing breakfast, you can either relax in Fort Augustus, watching the boats transit the locks of the Caledonian Canal, or you could opt to enjoy a scenic cruise on Loch Ness.
Later, we leave Fort Augustus behind and head westwards along the banks of Loch Cluanie.
Glen Shiel is a majestic corridor of mountains and history. Look out for the towering peaks of the Five Sisters, which dominate the landscape as we hear the fascinating story of the 1719 Battle of Glen Shiel. Our next stop played a pivotal role in the battle.
Charming Eilean Donan Castle sits on an islet at the point where three lochs merge. The scene is iconic and is sure to be familiar to you. The scene is even more stunning in real life than you ever imagined. We'll make a stop so you can visit the castle, learn its history and post images on your social feeds to impress your friends!
The modern road bridge will take us seamlessly onto the magical Isle of Skye and our island accommodation.
Overnight: Isle of Skye (2 nights)
Day 3 - Exploring the Isle of Skye
After a restful sleep and breakfast, we explore the beautiful Isle of Skye. Today's itinerary starts with the impressive mountain ranges of the Black and Red Cuillin Hills, which dominate the landscape and make the island such a draw with mountaineers.
Spend free time in Portree, the island's main town. Brightly coloured houses overlook the picturesque natural harbour, making an excellent backdrop for a selfie! Take time to browse the many traders surrounding the town's main square. It's the ideal place to pick up a handcrafted souvenir of your travels.
The Trotternish Peninsula is famous for its unusual rock formations and spectacular seascapes. We start our journey with a visit to the magical Fairy Glen with its strange cone-shaped hills. Next, we have breathtaking views of the impressive Trotternish Ridge and the Old Man of Storr, a black monolith that towers 50 metres high. Further on is Kilt Rock, where the formation is said to imitate the pleats in a kilt, and the Quiraing, which resembles a mountain range in miniature.
Day 4 - Isle of Skye - Jacobite Steam Train - Edinburgh
It's time to bid farewell to island life, but first, we tour the lush Sleat Peninsula, known as the Garden of Skye. Look out for colourful wildflowers, native woodlands, and scenic coastal vistas.
At the little port of Armadale, board a ferry for the short crossing of the Sound of Sleat to reach the historic fishing port of Mallaig. Enjoy time for lunch and, if time permits, the chance to enjoy a short wildlife-spotting cruise.
Soon, we're heading to the station where the Jacobite Steam Train awaits to take us on a memorable journey along the scenic West Highland Line.
Once the train puffs out of the station, look out for the rapids of the River Morar, one of Scotland's shortest, which flows from Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater lake in Europe. See the sparkling white sands at Arisaig and Morar before passing Loch nan Uamh, where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed at the start of his ill-fated 1745 Jacobite Uprising.
Soon, we steam past the banks of Loch Eilt, where the excitement mounts on our approach to the legendary Glenfinnan Viaduct. As we cross what has become known as the "Harry Potter Bridge", see the Glenfinnan Monument, built in memory of the clansmen who fought for the Jacobite cause.
Next, we pass by the shores of Loch Eil, where the bulk of Ben Nevis - Britain's tallest mountain comes into view. After crossing the Caledonian Canal, the train pulls into Fort William station, signalling the end of this legendary railway journey.
On arrival in Fort William, we rejoin our coach and meander our way through Glen Spean and into the scenic beauty of the Cairngorms National Park.
The next part of our journey involves driving through the Grampian Mountains to reach Highland Perthshire, where we will stop in delightful Pitlochry.
Finally, we travel through the ancient Kingdom of Fife and cross the Firth of Forth to reach the journey's end in central Edinburgh and the end of our Highland adventure.
Details
What's Included
Accommodation
- 3 nights guest house accommodation
- Location: Fort Augustus (1) and Isle of Skye (2)
Meals
- Breakfast (3)
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- One-way Jacobite Steam Train trip on the West Highland Railway Line
Tour Essentials
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Isle of Skye ferry tickets
- Live commentary in English
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
What's NOT Included
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure Information
From 1 Parliament Square
Royal Mile/High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Check-in: 08:15 hrs
Tour Departs: 08:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 18:30 hrs
Child details
Concession discount applies to adults aged 60 years and above; students and children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Small Group Tour
Enjoy a more personal travelling experience with a maximum of just 16 passengers.
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes guest house accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Luggage Allowance
One medium sized suitcase/bag per person (maximum weight: 15 kilos)
Jacobite Steam Train
A one-way journey on the Jacobite Steam Train is included in the price of this tour.
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility, admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
HEX 02865
Blogs and Guides - discover insider tips and ideas
From £790.00
Jacobite Steam Train, Skye and The Highlands Small Group Tour
Exploring the magical Isle of Skye and the picturesque Scottish Highlands including a trip on the real Hogwarts Express makes for a very special touring experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Small Group Tour?
With a maximum of just 16 passengers, a Small Group Tour provides a more personal and flexible travelling experience. You’ll enjoy more time off the bus, with freedom to explore free from the crowds.
While you will see all the highlights, these tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways, so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours cannot reach.
Small group tours are operated by purpose-built mini-coaches with air-conditioning, panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore.
Many travellers prefer small group touring as it’s considered more authentic and there is a better chance to connect with locals as well as their fellow explorers.
Can you tell me about the optional extras on this tour?
To give you maximum flexibility, the cost of admission fees and other optional extras are not included in the tour price. This gives you complete freedom to choose as the mood takes you. On this tour, there are optional visits to:
Loch Ness Cruise
Eilean Donan Castle
Skye Museum of Island Life
The links above will give you more information on these attractions, including current admission prices. At some locations, a special discount is offered to tour participants; your driver/guide will give you more information if this applies. Credit/debit cards are not always accepted, so you should plan to have sufficient cash with you should you wish to make any visits.
What is the journey on the Jacobite Steam Train like?
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this memorable trip will take you past a list of impressive extremes.
Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!
The train will cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument. The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view.
Standard class tickets are included in the cost of the tour. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to upgrade these tickets to First Class.
Where will I be staying on the Isle of Skye?
This tour has a two-night stay on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Where on the island you will stay will depend on which day of the week your tour departs:
Tours departing on Tuesdays: Uig
Tours departing on Saturdays: Kyleakin/Broadford
All communities have restaurants that serve evening meals. Booking in advance is highly recommended.
What type of room should I choose?
There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect:
Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)
Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
Discover more about your accommodation options here.
Is there a luggage allowance?
For safety reasons there is a luggage allowance of 15kg (33lb) per person in a bag similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 40cm x 20cm / 21in x 16in x 10in) and a small day-pack for your essential items.
Click here for helpful tips, packing list and details of left luggage facilities.
Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
-
Rating: (5 /5) 29 Sep 2025
A work-with-you company. Semi-flexible itinerary in a beautiful country, with stops at a few less-traveled sites. Guide told stories and had a music playlist to go with it. Loved the 2 days one Isle of Skye. I recommend the extra day there.
Renae from Brigham City, US
-
Rating: (4 /5) 29 Aug 2025
Excellent tour, interesting stops along the way to use facilities, eat, and see beautiful castles, waterfalls and cows! Top notch accommodation at Fort Augustus and Skye, and great guide/driver. I highly recommend this tour!
Rosemary from Victoria, CA
-
Rating: (5 /5) 15 Aug 2025
Alex was great! He was very knowledgeable and knew where and when to beat the crowds and take advantage of the weather. The group was fun and I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see the highlands and the isle of Skye. It incorporated a number of different features we wanted to see in a limited amount of time. Thanks for a fun vacation for our first time but not our last to Scotland!
MaryAnne from Hilton Head Island, US
LOADING...
