Our journey begins in Edinburgh, join us as we explore the Royal Mile before jumping aboard some of Scotland’s most scenic railways. You’ll be treated to panoramic views of rolling hills, tranquil lochs, and towering mountains. Each rail journey will transport you through the very essence of the Low and Highlands.
Off the train, lace up your boots for hikes through Scotland’s most iconic landscapes. Get a taster of the West Highland Way, wander through the villages of Perthshire, trek along the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Ness, and bask in the majesty of the Inner Hebrides. You can even opt to trek to the summit of Ben Nevis. Each hike is carefully curated to soak in the natural beauty and rich history that defines Scotland.
As you travel, you’ll also have the chance to explore charming villages, visit ancient castles, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Scots over a wee dram of whiskey.
This tour promises an unforgettable blend of adventure, culture, and stunning landscapes.
Edinburgh, Scotland
13 – 27 July 2025
After arrival, we’ll gather at 6 pm for a welcome dinner in the back streets of Edinburgh Old Town. This is your chance to meet fellow travellers and share excitement for the journey ahead. A casual evening to kick off our adventure!
O/N Edinburgh (2 night)
This morning we’ll take a walking tour through the heart of Edinburgh, where history and charm collide. We’ll take our time to meander down the Royal Mile, a bustling historic thoroughfare with centuries-old buildings, quirky shops, and hidden closes. We’ll discover tales of the past at St Giles’ Cathedral, the eerie Mary King’s Close and so much more.
The rest of the day is yours to explore independently. You may head straight to the castle, or perhaps go in search of Harry Potter memorabilia, or a foodie tour is more your thing, the options are endless in this vibrant city.
After breakfast there’s time to get any last minute supplies, as shops will be few and far between for the next few days. We will head to the station to catch the train to Glasgow late morning. Sit back and relax as we take in the Scottish lowlands between these two major cities. We will only stop in Glasgow long enough to change trains. We’ll then take the 90-minute journey along the legendary West Highland Line.
As the landscape transforms from urban charm to Highland splendour, use this time to get to know your new found friends. Once we arrive in Ardlui, our home for the night, why not celebrate your first evening in the Highlands with a ‘wee dram’ of whiskey? It’s the perfect way to toast the start of our journey before hitting the trails tomorrow. Slàinte Mhath!
O/N Ardlui (1 night)
With a hearty breakfast to fuel us, we’ll board the passenger ferry near our accommodation and cross over to the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. Our hiking adventure begins here, and what a start it is! For the next two days, we’ll be heading north along Scotland’s renowned West Highland Way. Keep an eye out for red deer roaming the slopes of Glen Falloch as we pass through tranquil conifer forests, eventually arriving in the picturesque village of Crianlarich mid-afternoon.
O/N Overnight Crianlarich (1 night)
We’ll start with a gentle walk through Strath Fillan, (Strath meaning valley, Fillan named after an Irish Monk who came to Scotland as a hermit and became a saint). St Fillan is the patron saint of those with emotional disorders – we may call on him for strength if it rains all day while we are hiking!
Robert the Bruce was a follower of Fillan. We’ll pass through Dalrigh, known as the ‘King’s Field,’ where we’ll see the ruins of St. Fillan’s chapel, a reminder of the spot where Robert the Bruce faced defeat in 1306.
We’ll continue north tracing the lower slopes of the Munros (Muros? Mountains over 3000ft/914m). The trail leads us down to the tiny village of Bridge of Orchy, nestled beside the railway and offering stunning views.
O/N Bridge of Orchy (1 night)
As yesterday was quite a big day, you can opt to take the morning off or take a scenic loop walk to the shores of Loch Tulla, nestled at the base of the remote Black Mount Munros.
This afternoon, relax aboard the train as we journey further north on the West Highland Line. The route crosses Rannoch Moor, a vast and remote landscape dotted with small lochs and home to herds of red deer. We’ll descend into Fort William which is the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. Fort William is the self-proclaimed outdoor capital of the Scottish Highlands and will be our base for the next two nights.
O/N Fort William (2 nights)
During our two-night stay in Fort William, you might choose to take on the challenge of a self-guided hike to the summit of Ben Nevis (1,345m), by following the well-trodden ‘Mountain Track’ route. With the right gear for the ever-changing weather, you could be rewarded with panoramic views from the summit plateau. Another option is to take part in the local 5km Parkrun (free pre-registration required). This single loop can get boggy and muddy, so be prepared.
Alternatively, join us for one of Scotland’s best short walks, just a 20-minute taxi ride away: the rocky path through the Nevis Gorge. This trail leads to the breathtaking Steall Falls, surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Mamore Munros.
A few years ago, the Wanderlust Travel Awards added ‘Best Rail Journey’ as a category in their awards. And the winner was? The train to Machu Picchu in Peru? A train through the Swiss Alps? A ride through the Canadian Rockies? No. Readers of Wanderlust Magazine voted for the wonderful West Highland line from Glasgow to Fort William & Mallaig as the world’s best train journey. Today, we’re in for a treat as we travel along the most beautiful stretch of the West Highland Line, from Fort William to the west coast port of Mallaig.
One of the journey’s highlights is crossing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, with its 21 curving arches. The breathtaking scenery continues as the train winds through remote glens, with towering summits rising over 700 metres above the tracks. As we approach the rugged west coast, we’ll be treated to views of the Small Isles of Rum and Eigg, and the sparkling Silver Sands of Morar. The train finally arrives in the charming port of Mallaig.
From this quaint fishing village, we take a 40-minute ferry ride to the Isle of Skye, and a transfer will take us on the final leg of today’s journey – the small town of Broadford.
O/N Broadford (2 nights)
Your day starts with a short transfer from our accommodation to Torrin, where we’ll follow the path that hugs the dramatic coastline. On a clear day, we’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Cuillin Ridge towering over the ocean. As we walk, we’ll pass by deserted crofters’ cottages, sheltered beaches, cascading waterfalls, and even an abandoned marble quarry, eventually returning to Broadford.
After breakfast we will transfer (35mins) to Skye’s ‘capital’, Portree, overlooking the Isle of Raasay. Today is your day at leisure. But don’t rest too much as there is plenty to see and do. Spend a leisurely day exploring Portree at your own pace. Wander through local shops, take a stroll along the coast, or opt for a wildlife-watching boat trip from the harbour (own expense). If you’re up for more adventure, a taxi ride will take you to the Old Man of Storr, where you can hike up to this famous rock formation. Visible from Portree, the Old Man of Storr is a must-see for any visitor.
Portree offers plenty of dining options from classic fish and chips by the colourful harbour to savouring delicious local cuisine in one of the town’s great restaurants. Finish your day with local music in a lively pub, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this charming town.
O/N Portree (1 night)
Today we say goodbye to the Inner Hebrides and head east over the Skye Bridge back to the mainland. This time we’ll take the Kyle Train Line to Scotland’s most northerly city, Inverness. Arriving around lunch time, here your time is your own. You might like to visit a whisky distillery or two or three, or take a historical walking tour of the city. You can also go in search of Nessie in his loch. The choice is yours.
O/N Inverness (2 nights)
After breakfast we’ll transfer out of Inverness to the shores of Loch Ness to join the final section of the Great Glen Way, a 125km through walk from Fort William to Inverness – another one of Scotland’s renowned Great Trails. From the drop-off point we’ll follow the mostly downhill route, into Inverness along quiet country roads, forest trails and canal-side paths with views over the Moray Firth.
After a big day of hiking I think we’ll deserve a good old fashioned pub for some haggis for dinner?
We’ve been north, east, west and now it’s time to start heading south on our Scottish Adventure. Taking the train out of Inverness we pass through the vast Cairngorm National Park, Scotland’s largest. We stop at the charming Highland village of Blair Atholl, located at the southern boundary of the National Park.
Spend the afternoon exploring the idyllic pine forests of Atholl Estates, or visit Blair Castle, the historic home of the Earls and Dukes of Atholl as far back as the 1200s. Fuel up on mouth-watering homebaking, or buy a fresh loaf from the old Watermill cafe before heading out to meander along woodland paths and traverse heather-clad hills surrounding the castle.
O/N Blair Atholl (2 nights)
This morning we take the train to Pitlochry just a 10 min ride away. As today is Saturday, you may like to join in the parkrun in Faskally Wood (free pre-registration required). It’s a 5 km walk/run through the ‘foresters’ classroom’. The woodland layout is largely manmade, created in the 19th century by a Forestry Commission school. Young foresters were trained to repair woodlands ravaged by felling for the war effort, and the wood was perfect for testing new ideas. Whether you choose to join the park run or not, we’ll take our time exploring the quaint village of Pitlochry and then hike along the relatively flat trail along the River Tummel back to Blair Atholl.
Tonight is our farewell dinner together.
After a slow morning and a hearty breakfast we’ll take our final train journey back to where we started, Waverley Train Station in Edinburgh. On arrival at the station, our tour will be complete. This will be approximately 1.30pm.
If you would like to spend more time in Edinburgh or onward travel, we are happy to help you plan this.
As a former police officer and part-time ICON tea lady (a job she took way too seriously as those who know her will know that tea is something of an obsession), Suzanne took over ICON Adventures in 2015, since then has been curating organised tours and bespoke travel arrangements to far-flung corners of the globe.
With a penchant for off-the-beaten-track destinations Suzanne also fearlessly leads her own unique hiking and cultural tours across the globe. She brings not only a can-do attitude but also a bloody-well-will-do attitude as she leads the ICON team and her tours. Her attention to detail and dedication to her clients means you want her planning your trip!
With Suzanne in charge of a tour or helping to organise independent travel for you, you can be rest-assured it will be like her tea, done to the highest and most meticulous standard.