West Highland Line railway vacation in Scotland. Helping Dreamers Do

From

£685

£735

4 Days excluding flights

More info:Price (per person) based on 2 adults sharing a room for 3 nights on a B&B basis, with 1 including dinner. Also includes return train travel from Glasgow to Fort William, 1st class travel on the Jacobite, return ferry to Skye & taxi transfers on Skye.

Tailor made

“Four days on board the world famous West Highland, with glorious overnight stops en route. From Spean Bridge to Skye. It's Scotland at its most sublime. ”

Highlights

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Departure information

This trip can be tailor made from April to October

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Responsible tourism

Responsible tourism: West Highland Line railway vacation in Scotland

Environment

We are continually increasing our range of public transport vacations for those who actively choose low-carbon transport. This vacation has been carefully-designed to allow you to explore the West of Scotland and even the magical Isle of Skye without a car. It takes you beyond the end of the train line, by ferry and short taxi transfer. We recommend that you explore further on foot or by public transport in the local area. The accommodation chosen takes you a little off the beaten tourist track, so that you will have a more authentic experience. In each place, there are plentiful local walks, and some short trips available by local bus - we will provide suggestions and recommendations in your vacation pack, but do check the most up-to-date information with the staff at your hotel.

We take the utmost care to choose local business partners who share our values and commitment to sustainable travel, preferring to work with locally-owned and managed businesses wherever possible. Your hotel in Spean Bridge is committed to home-cooked organic food, while the shellfish for the hotel restaurant on Skye is landed at the local pier. We build long-term relationships based on mutual trust with our business partners, with a joint commitment to excellent customer satisfaction and care for the environment.

Community

For us, true sustainability means promoting and helping to maintain a way of life, where the economic benefit from tourism can make a genuine difference. That’s why we work almost exclusively with local, family-run businesses, not with large corporate organisations. We build close and lasting relationships with our business partners, based on mutual trust and an unerring commitment to customer satisfaction. We carefully select these partners to ensure that they share our values of sustainable and responsible travel. For example, the small hotel featured in this vacation on the Isle of Skye is based in the heart of a Gaelic community, and all staff are encouraged to learn the language, whatever their original native tongue.

All of our vacation packs include "Robert's Recommendations", our specific tips on places to visit, places to eat and places to shop locally, all of which have been researched by us, and many of which are off-the-beaten track.

8 Reviews of West Highland Line railway vacation in Scotland

4.5 out of 5 stars

SHOW

Reviewed on 12 Sep 2018 by Jackie Kelly

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Spending two days on The Isle Of Skye, it was so peaceful and tranquil, and everyone was very welcoming too. I would love to have stayed a bit longer, so a return journey will be on my list! The Jacobite Steam Railway was great fun also.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Pack lightly, and take comfortable walking shoes! There is a lot of traveling on trains etc, so you have to be one step ahead all the time, but it is all very enjoyable. The tour of Skye is well worth doing, the scenery is breath taking.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, any where a little remote will benefit from tourism, as it can be a good source of income.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Amazing! A lot to see in a few days, a little more time to relax would have been nice , but the scenery is quite spectacular, even if the weather isn't at times!

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2018 by Judy Byrne

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Skye

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Hire car or book tour on Skye. Insist on dinner confirmation from hotel on skye and not just from travel company

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

yes

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Reviewed on 02 Aug 2017 by Caroline Fuchs

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The trip around Skye.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Be prepared for all weathers.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes, I would imagine our vacation benefited local people. I don't know how it would reduce environmental impacts or support conservation, but I don't think it did any damage.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Excellent. The operator organised everything superbly and gave us very instructive paperwork and maps.

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2017 by Simon Hurst-Grover

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The Jacobite Steam Train was the highlight!

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Our tour operator made everything so easy. Also be prepared for unpredictable Scottish weather!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Yes I feel it benefitted local people as we stayed at family run accommodation with local staff and local suppliers.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Excellent. We went for my Dads 70th and we both loved it, it was the ideal trip. Perfectly organised by the team and must mention Ken & family at our accommodation. So helpful & friendly, a relaxing lodge rather than hotel with superb food and drinks.

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2017 by Sally Dobson

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The train journey from Glasgow to Spean Bridge, then the Jacobite steam train from Fort Wiliam to Mallaig. Then the trip round Skye. The views were so beautiful.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

If possible allow enough days to see everything at a gentle pace.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Very much so. The population of the Highlands depends on tourism for a lot of their income.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Very good.

Reviewed on 15 May 2017 by Maureen Tunningley

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

Being able to walk in the inspiring scenery.

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

May was a good time to be in Scotland. If taking the steam train, be sure to book first class. The first class carriages were beautifully renovated, but the other carriages were not very good and I would have been very disappointed had I been booked in them.

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

Since tourism seems to be the main activity I suppose we contributed but using the hotels and visiting attractions.

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Very good.

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2016 by Cheryl Brewin

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The trip round the island

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

Read the operator's response here:

Many thanks indeed Cheryl. We are continually increasing our range of public transport vacations for those who actively choose low-carbon transport.
We take the utmost care to choose local business partners who share our values and commitment to sustainable travel, preferring to work with locally-owned and managed businesses wherever possible.

Thanks,

Zoë

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2016 by Richard Lunt

1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?

The scenery is stunning. A pity about the weather, but can't be helped!

2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?

Do prepare for the weather. Wind factor can make it feel even colder. And, as you want to be outside as much as possible, take proper walking type waterproofs, whether you are a serious walker or not, and whatever the forecast!

3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?

The vacation benefits local economies, of course. But to think it can actually reduce 'environmental impacts' is preposterous. It also did nothing to support conservation - it was a vacation, for goodness sake!

4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?

I really enjoyed it. The weather tried to spoil it, but failed!