Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Scenic Rail Tour

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Scenic Rail is one of our most popular small group tours. 

Inverness and Edinburgh

Stay at top hotels, the Apex Grassmarket Hotel in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.  The 4-star Inverness Palace Hotel and Spa, situated in the center of Inverness along the River Ness is our Highlands home.  Bountiful breakfast included each day.   Professional guided walking tours in each city.  In Edinburgh, VIP admission included Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Royal Yacht Britannia and all major attractions.  Get around the city with a Royal Edinburgh Hop-On Hop Off bus pass, included with the trip. 

Highland Day Trips 

Inverness is the perfect launching pad to the visit the Highlands.  See "Nessie" on our Loch Ness cruise on the way to Urquhart Castle.  Finish the day at Culloden Battlefield where the Jacobite defeat changed Scottish history in an instant.    What an exciting adventure it is to spend the day to travel to Skye.  Arrive by perhaps the most scenic train journey in Europe, then our driver and guide greets us there to go to the amazingly beautiful places in Skye where the big busses simply cannot get to.  Then, what would a trip to Scotland be without going to Dunrobin Castle with beautiful gardens and a thrilling falconry exhibition?  On the way back to Inverness, nothing is better than stopping at Glenmorangie Distillery for a tour and a wee dram.  And for Outlander fans, we have more than one special surprise for you. 

Edinburgh Day Trips

There is plenty of see and do in short distance of Edinburgh.  You will love visiting St. Andrews.  Yes it is the home of golf but it is much more than that.  Explore the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral and walk the grounds and buildings of it's prestigious university.   Our guide explains the history, brings you into the majestic buildings, and tells the iconic stories.  Spend another day out in the countryside to visit Abbotsford, the home and gardens of Sir Walter Scott. After lunch, we have an appointment at mystical Rosslyn Chapel, of Da Vinci Code fame. 

Two Spectiacular Rail Journeys:

Ride the rails from Inverness to Kyle of Localsh on the way to the Isle of Skye.  This is one of the most impressive train rides in all of Europe.  Travel by rail from Inverness to Edinburgh passing by picturesque mountains,  fast moving rivers, and spectacular scenery. 

Free Time

There is shopping, music, biking, pubs, parks, theater, museums, gardens, hikes, and all sorts of activities to enjoy and we give you the time to do it. 

• Everyone feels welcome with a small group of 12-16 friendly travelers.  We move about efficiently and at our own pace. 

• Two stunningly beautiful train journeys. 

• Plenty of free time budgeted into the itinerary.

• Solo travelers as well as those with travel partners welcome.  Each tour is different, but usually half of our travelers are solo women travelers.

• Professional and licensed guides.

• Personal Service: We make sure travelers are well-prepared for the tour. We advise on all aspects of the trip such as air itineraries, money matters, packing, passports, and what to expect on this tour.  We are here to help - call us (413.528.2125) or email your questions.

We travel with 12-18 people. This offers the opportunity to do what we want to do, on our own schedule. We provide all local transportation as well as admission to those sites listed on the itinerary.

Breakfast is included each day of the tour. Every day we plan a relaxing lunch and dinner. Please join us or go out on your own - we are glad to offer our best recommendations.

Our guide is with us during the day. Tour leaders are with the group 24/7. Unless otherwise noted, we ask travelers to be ready to go at 9:30 a.m. for a full and active day of touring.

Well before departure date, each traveler is supplied with a “final” detailed itinerary along with a complete and detailed information packet. It has advice on packing, money matters, passports, weather, etc. We make sure travelers are well-prepared. And of course, we are always available to personally answer any questions you may have.

Check-in at the 4-star Inverness Palace and Spa Hotel located on the scenic Ness River. Depending upon traveler arrival time, we will set a time to meet to get to know our travel companions. Our licensed professional guide greets us at the hotel for a for a walking tour. Hear the stories of rebellions, witchcraft, prophecies, clans, Jacobite curses and yes, the Beatles.

Today is a day for castles, monsters, “Outlander”, and Scottish lore. The finest way to see Loch Ness is with a deluxe water cruise. There are indoor and outdoor viewing areas for your pleasure. The ship is sonarequipped to detect any mysterious underwater activity and after visiting the fully stocked bar on-board, The Professor guarantees a sighting of the Loch Ness monster! Nothing says "castle" like famous Urquhart Castle. It has seen great conflict in its 1,000-year history as it passed back and forth between the Scots and English during the Wars of Independence. It’s a beautiful spot for a photo as it looks over the great Loch Ness. We finish the day by traveling to the site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden between the Jacobites and British armies that marked the dismantlement of Highland Society. This one-hour battle changed Scotland's history forever.

Today, travel up the scenic coast to Dunrobin Castle. This is as good as it gets in the Scottish Highlands. Be treated to beautiful scenery, a tour of the famed castle, falconry, majestic gardens and a great day out in the Highlands. On the way back to Inverness, visit the famed Glenmorangie Distillery for a tour and tasting.

This might be the most scenic train ride you have ever been on. Roll through stunning landscape from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh. Upon arrival, our driver and private van meet us at the train station. Enjoy an unforgettable and breathtaking journey through the dramatic Isle of Skye – you’ve never seen anything like it. There are plenty of stops along the way for perfect photo ops. On the return to Inverness there is time for a picture stop at Eilean Donan Castle. What a day

Free day in Inverness. There is plenty to see and do like visit old bookstores, bike along the canal, stroll the Victorian Market. We have plenty of suggestions to fill your day.

Check out of the Inverness Palace hotel after breakfast. Taxis take us to Inverness train station. It is a scenic and relaxing ride from the Highlands down to Edinburgh Waverly Station. Transfer to the centrally located and comfortable Apex Grassmarket Hotel, located in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. Let’s get checked in, do a quick orientation, and have a wonderful Scottish welcome this evening.

The best way to explore Edinburgh is on foot. The city is one of the world's finest capital cities, teeming with cultural diversity and impressive history. A professional and licensed guide tells of the history, traditions, and architecture of this 1,000-year-old city. Visit the Royal Mile, Princess Street Gardens, St. Giles (where Queen Elizabeth lay in rest), Calton Hill and more. After lunch, go to the dominating fortress of Edinburgh Castle. Stunning views, knights in shining armor, and the Scottish Royal Crown jewels are all there.

It's getaway day from Edinburgh as we take the lovely trip up to St. Andrews. There are scenic stops along the way until we arrive in the historic town. St. Andrews is the home of golf, but there is so, so much more to this place. Our professional, licensed guide takes us to the University of St. Andrews and ancient cathedral. We also find those nooks and crannies that The Traveling Professor tours are known for. It's a delightful half-day walk full of stories, legends, history and the characters that make St. Andrews what it is. Those interested in golf can walk the most historic and famous golf course in the world or stroll the famous beach of "Chariots of Fire".

A private van and driver pick us up at the hotel for a delightful trip to the Scottish Borders with scenic stops along the way. Abbotsford is the beautiful countryside former home and gardens of Sir Walter Scott. Then it is on to Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” for an interesting and mystical Scottish experience.

It would not be a Traveling Professor tour if we did not give travelers time to enjoy themselves on their own. With a premium Hop-On, Hop-Off bus pass, there is plenty to see and do. We provide VIP admission to The Royal Yacht Britannia and Palace of Holyroodhouse, the royal summer residence. Visit markets, museums, historic sites, pubs, shopping opportunities. It’s a great day of leisure on this free day in Edinburgh.

Enjoy breakfast. We are here to help you get on your way to your next destination.