Scotland’s Highland Railways:
An Inverness Journey
Where Scotland moves in quiet beauty.
Across the Highlands, the rails thread through landscapes shaped by wind, water and time — moorland, mountains, silver lochs and the soft light of early spring. This four‑day journey invites you to experience Scotland at its most peaceful: travelling the Highland Main Line, tracing the coast to Kyle of Lochalsh, pausing in the harbour village of Plockton, and settling into the gentle rhythm of Inverness, the Highland capital.
This is rail travel the way Scotland intended it to be — unhurried, scenic, and quietly unforgettable.
A small‑group journey to Scotland’s Highland capital
2027 Departures • Maximum 16-20 Guests
Available -
March - October (4 Days)
DIRECT DEPARTURES AVAILABLE FROM - EDINBURGH
WITH OPTIONAL CONNECTIONS VIA TML FLYCONNECT (HEATHROW / GATWICK)
& TML RAILCONNECT
Welcome to the Highlands …
Every Scenic Rail Journey is shaped with intention — gentle pacing, thoughtful connections, and landscapes that unfold slowly from the window of the train. This Highland Escape brings together iconic railway lines, warm Highland hospitality and moments of quiet beauty, creating days that feel unhurried, atmospheric and deeply rooted in place.
From the coastal charm of Plockton to the woodland calm of Dunkeld, each day offers space to pause, breathe and experience Scotland in a way that feels authentic, scenic and quietly unforgettable.
Scenic Rail Journey Itinerary
Please note: Our March and October departures may follow a slightly revised itinerary format to take account of seasonal weather conditions and reduced daylight hours. All core elements of the experience are maintained, but timings and daily sequencing may be adjusted to ensure comfort, safety and the best possible guest experience.
DAY ONE — Edinburgh → Inverness
A gentle afternoon departure into the Highlands
Guests arriving via TML FlyConnect from Heathrow and Gatwick land in Edinburgh within minutes of each other, allowing a calm and seamless start. After luggage collection, we travel to Edinburgh Waverley to meet guests joining via TML RailConnect.
Your Highland Escape begins with the 13:35hrs direct service from Edinburgh to Inverness — a calm, afternoon departure that settles you straight into the rhythm of the rails.
As the train climbs through the Pass of Drumochter, the landscape opens into wide moorland, distant peaks and the soft, shifting colours of late afternoon. This is one of Scotland’s great railway journeys: unhurried, scenic, and perfectly paced for a gentle start to your four‑day Escape.
Arriving in Inverness early evening, you step directly into the Royal Highland Hotel — a warm, heritage‑rich base just moments from the station. The evening is yours to relax, enjoy dinner, or simply settle into the quiet charm of the Highland capital.
DAY TWO — The Kyle Line & Plockton
Scotland’s most cinematic coastal railway
This morning, you travel west on the legendary Kyle Line — a route celebrated for its sweeping views of lochs, mountains and the dramatic coastline of Wester Ross. From Loch Garve to Achnasheen and the silver waters of Loch Carron, this is one of the most atmospheric rail journeys in Europe.
At Plockton, you pause for a gentle lunch overlooking the harbour — pastel houses, calm water, and the quiet charm of this coastal village.
After lunch, your journey continues by road, travelling back to Inverness. The return route follows the coastline and glens at a relaxed pace, offering a different perspective on the Highland landscape.
Evening at leisure in Inverness.
DAY THREE — Inverness → Pitlochry → Blair Atholl Distillery → Dunkeld House
Highland charm, soft early‑spring colours and a gentle whisky moment
After a calm Highland morning, you board the train southbound from Inverness, travelling once more along the Highland Main Line as the landscape shifts from wide moorland to wooded glens and soft early‑spring colours.
Late morning, you arrive in Pitlochry — a Victorian railway town full of Highland character. There’s time for a gentle wander through cafés, shops and riverside paths before continuing your journey.
Early afternoon, a comfortable minicoach collects you from Pitlochry, travelling a short distance south to Blair Atholl Distillery. Nestled at the foot of the Grampian mountains, Blair Atholl is one of Scotland’s most atmospheric distilleries, known for its rich, mellow spirit and warm Highland welcome.
Here, you enjoy a gentle, unhurried distillery experience — time to learn about traditional whisky making, breathe in the warm aromas of the still house, and savour a quiet tasting moment shaped by heritage and craft.
After your visit, your minicoach continues south through woodland and riverside scenery to Dunkeld House Hotel — a peaceful, elegant retreat on the banks of the River Tay. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax, walk the riverside paths, or simply enjoy the calm of this Highland estate.
Evening at leisure.
DAY FOUR — Dunkeld → Edinburgh
A gentle close to your Highland journey
A calm Highland morning sets the tone for your final day. After breakfast, you leave Dunkeld House mid‑morning, travelling the short distance to Dunkeld & Birnam station — a quiet, tree‑lined stop on the Highland Main Line.
Here, you board the mid‑morning service to Edinburgh, settling in as the train follows the River Tay south before crossing into the rolling landscapes of Perthshire and the Forth Valley.
You arrive into Edinburgh around lunchtime, where you can continue your journey home using TML FlyConnect or TML RailConnect, offering relaxed onward travel options shaped with care.
Your Highland rail Escape ends here — shaped by calm pacing, scenic lines and the quiet beauty of Scotland’s landscapes.
YOUR HOTELS
Inverness (TBC)
(Resort Hotel)
New paragraph
The 4* Dunkeld House Hotel
(Overnight Hotel Sunday)
The Oban Bay Hotel & Spa borders the bay with spectacular views to the isles. A destination, as much as a base for exploring Scotland’s west coast. Seafood and prime cuts regularly appear on the hotels award-winning Grill Room’s menu. The public areas include sunroom windows to watch the ferries drift by over afternoon tea or a nightcap. The hotel also offers a Thermal Experience with outdoor hot tub and sauna, which provide natural sources of relaxation complimenting the hotels ishga spa treatments perfectly. The Oban Bay Hotel offers a gateway and a getaway in one. LIFT - YES
What's Included -
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Thoughtful touches shaped for calm, scenic travel
Rail Travel
- Rail travel from Edinburgh on the 13:35hrs direct service to Inverness
- Highland Main Line (northbound and southbound)
- Mid‑morning rail service from Dunkeld & Birnam to Edinburgh
Road Travel
- Comfortable journey from Plockton to Inverness
- Minicoach transfer from Pitlochry to Blair Atholl Distillery and onward to Dunkeld House
Dining
- Dinner included each evening
- Daily Scottish breakfast
- Gentle lunch stop in Plockton
Experiences
- Full journey on the Kyle Line
- Scenic pause overlooking Loch Ness
- Blair Atholl Distillery experience and tasting
- Free time in Inverness, Pitlochry and Dunkeld
Accommodation
- Two nights at the Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness
- One night at 4* Dunkeld House Hotel, Dunkeld
Hosted Travel
- Scenic Rail Journeys Host throughout
- All rail and road arrangements curated by TML Travel Group
Onward Travel Options
- Continue your journey home using TML FlyConnect or TML RailConnect
| SRJ-0001 | PRICE PER PERSON | SINGLE OCCUPANCY SUPPLEMENT |
|---|---|---|
| 12/03/2027 | TBC | |
| 18/03/2027 | TBC |
All experiences & journeys are operated by TML Travel Group Limited and are subject to availability and terms & conditions of the TML Travel Group Scenic Rail Journeys trading charter. All prices are per person based on sharing a twin/double bedded room and are valid for new bookings only. Single occupancy supplement and Insurance not included. Offers maybe withdrawn at any time. Every attempt is made to keep the information guides up-to-date, however experiences & journeys maybe subject to change and you will be notified. if this is the case. MINIMUM NUMBER OF GUESTS TO OPERATE 10.
