5 Days & 4 Nights

4.2

Edinburgh to Inverness Escape

Experience the best of the Highlands between Edinburgh and Inverness on foot and by train
Stay in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland's historic capital city
Choose from varied walks, on forest trails and among castle grounds
Take a tour of Scotland's smallest distillery, Edradour, in Pitlochry
Ride the train from Edinburgh through beautiful countryside to meet the sea at Inverness

Connect two of Scotland's bucket-list destinations - Edinburgh and Inverness - on this short break rail & hike tour. Combine scenic rail journeys with a variety of relaxed walking options in the heart of Scotland. Explore Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, Botanic Gardens, Arthur’s Seat, or Carlton Hill for stunning views. Then, escape to the stunning Perthshire countryside for a two-night stay in Blair Atholl, a village of stone cottages centered around Blair Castle. Hike Glen Tilt or stroll woodland trails before following riverside paths to lively Pitlochry, perfect for a distillery visit. Continue by train through Cairngorm National Park to Inverness, where riverside walks, coastal views, and cozy pubs await. If you have longer to explore Scotland by train we recommend our Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike tour, or treat yourself on our The Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike In Style tour.

From £695.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Edinburgh and overnight

Arrive in Edinburgh, easily accessible by rail from across the UK or from further afield via the city's well-connected airport. Stop by your accommodation to drop off your luggage before heading out to explore Scotland’s capital.

Stroll among the narrow cobbled streets and wind your way up the Royal Mile towards Edinburgh Castle. Linger here simply to soak in this unique city-scape from above—the view is rivalled only by those from Carlton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. Come evening take your pick of the city’s many delightful eateries—up-scale, charming or traditional—there's plenty to choose from! An optional city explorer walk is provided on the Macs App taking you to all the sights and recommended places of interest in the city. It also includes must-try bars and restaurants.

If arriving later in the day, why not book an extra night or two so you can fully explore? There is plenty to see!

Optional Edinburgh Explorer walk: 10 km (6 miles); Ascent: 265m (869ft) / Descent: 274m (989ft)

Overnight Edinburgh

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Six Brunton Place | Guest House

This charming B&B is located in the heart of Edinburgh, just a short walk from Waverley Train Station. The various rooms have been thoughtfully decorated and equipped with modern facilities. With its welcoming hosts and delicious breakfast options, this is the perfect base from which to explore the city.

Motel One Edinburgh Princes | 3 Star

Motel One Edinburgh Princes is a well located boutique hotel in Edinburgh city centre close to the Waverley Train Station. This modern hotel boasts a stylish bar and a 24-hour front desk to cater to your every need. Each room at Motel One Edinburgh-Princes is beautifully designed, offering free Wi-Fi, a sleek flat-screen TV, and a chic, contemporary bathroom for a truly comfortable stay.

Premier Inn – Edinburgh, Royal Mile | Hotel

Located on one of the most prestigious and historic streets in Scotland, Premier Inn Edinburgh Royal Mile hotel has new-generation bedrooms each featuring an impressive 40" flat screen TV, bright, modern bathroom with a large shower head and slumber-inducing, king-size Hypnos beds. You can even indulge in contemporary dining at Thyme, their on-site restaurant. Edinburgh Old Town tops the charts when it comes to tourist and historical attractions. It's where you'll find the famous Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood house, the Scottish Parliament building and much more.

Day 2 Train to Blair Atholl and optional walks 4.5 miles / 7 km

Leave the bustling city of Edinburgh for the serene forest trails of Blair Atholl in Perthshire. Take a scenic 2-hour train ride to the village, drop your luggage with your host, and explore the Atholl Estate's walks, centered around the majestic Blair Castle, home to the UK's last legal private army.

Spend the remainder of the day in a leisurely fashion - visit Blair Castle, walk among it's elaborate walled gardens and grand tree-lined avenues. In summer the walled gardens are in full bloom, and in autumn the trees are on fire with beautiful autumnal reds, oranges and yellows. Make sure to allow time to sample delicious baked goods from the watermill's tearoom after a bracing walk along forest trails. For a slightly longer walk, head to Glen Tilt, surely one of Scotland's most stunning glens.

After a meal at one of the village's pubs or restaurants, we recommend the historic Atholl Arms, settle into your cosy room for a two night stay.

Optional walks to choose from:

Blair Castle loop walk: 7km (4.5 miles); Ascent: 115m (377ft) / Descent: 115m (377ft)
Glen Tilt viewpoint: 8km (5 miles); Ascent: 150m (492ft) / Descent: 150m (492ft)
Glen Tilt full loop: 15km ( 9.5 miles); Ascent: 270m (885ft) / Descent: 270m (885ft)

Overnight Blair Atholl

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ptarmigan House | Guest House

The house sits in its own large grounds overlooking the fields, golf course and the hills beyond. All rooms have en-suite facilities and are tastefully decorated to suit the style of the house.

The Atholl Arms | Hotel

The Atholl Arms Hotel, with its superb façade and Highland grandeur, stands proudly opposite the castle in the heart of the village. The traditional Highland decor, think rich colours and a smattering of tartan, alongside modern amenities are part of what makes a stay at the Atholl Arms special. There is also a cosy lounge with a fireplace, and a hikers Bothy Bar for casual drinks and evening meals.

Dalgreine Guesthouse

A warm and traditional welcome awaits you at Dalgreine Guesthouse. Every room is elegantly decorated and has tea and coffee making facilities. In addition to enjoying the elegantly furnished bedrooms, you can also relax in the outdoor seating area in the secluded garden at the front of the house.

Day 3 Walk to Pitlochry and return to Blair Atholl 9 miles / 14 km

Today's walk connects peaceful, understated Blair Atholl with the buzzing market town of Pitlochry. It is an easy undulating and varied riverside route along quiet country roads and through open farmland and meandering woodland trails. Walk via Soldier's Leap, a famous spot in Killiecrankie. The story goes that during the 1689 Battle of Killiecrankie, an English soldier made a leap of escape that spanned 18 ft across the gorge just south of the town. The walk today passes directly by the viewpoint so you can judge the legend's accuracy for yourself. Arrival in the Victorian spa town of Pitlochry, which really is in the heart of Scotland.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to walk to Pitlochry and have an easier day you can take a local train or bus from Blair Atholl which takes approximately 15 minutes.

Ascent: 42m (137ft) / Descent: 87m (285ft)

Overnight Blair Atholl

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ptarmigan House | Guest House

The house sits in its own large grounds overlooking the fields, golf course and the hills beyond. All rooms have en-suite facilities and are tastefully decorated to suit the style of the house.

The Atholl Arms | Hotel

Dalgreine Guesthouse

Day 4 Train to Inverness and optional walks/visit to Loch Ness 7 miles / 11 km

Start your day early and travel by rail to Inverness, passing through the Cairngorms National Park, home to Scotland's only remaining pine forest. You'll have plenty of time to explore the capital of the Highlands and its nearby attractions. Enjoy a scenic loop along the tranquil River Ness and Caledonian Canal. Alternatively, we can organise a boat and coach trip to the iconic Loch Ness, home of the mythical Loch Ness Monster, also nicknamed "Nessie". History enthusiasts can visit the historic Culloden Battlefield, the site of the 1745 Jacobite uprising, located just a short bus ride away.

If possible, consider extending your stay in Inverness by a night or two to see more sights.

Ascent: 27m (88ft) / Descent: 25m (82ft)

Overnight Inverness

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ballifeary Guest House | Guest House

Ballifeary Guest House is an impressive Victorian Villa with many original features. It is ideally located only a matter of yards from Eden Court Theatre and a short walk from the River Ness where you can find many restaurants, Inverness Castle and the cathedral. Rooms have been refurbished to a high standard offering every comfort you would expect.

Ardross Glencairn Guest House | Guest House

Glencairn and Ardross Guest House is a family run guesthouse. The building is an elegant detached listed Victorian building situated in a quiet street close to the scenic River Ness. Room are comfortable and tastefully furnished and have all the amenities you require.

Cavell Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Built in 1842, your accommodation is a well-appointed Victorian villa with stunning views over the River Ness and Cavell Gardens. All rooms have TV, hospitality tray, hairdryers and free wireless Internet. They also have available on request bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, iron and ironing board and DVD player.

Day 5 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 18kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 18kg is equivalent to 1 8-oz steak. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Travelling by train is a simple and flexible way to ensure you experience as many of Scotland’s highlights as possible on this short break itinerary. Enjoy a scenic rail journey from Edinburgh, through the forests of Perthshire and the Cairngorm mountains, to the iconic Highland city of Inverness. This Rail & Hike holiday is perfect for first-time and experienced walkers alike with a variety of optional walks to choose from.

Trip Type:

Discovery | Think of it as a ‘local’s guide’ to the best of the region. It includes a combination of activity and transportation to give you the freedom to explore and cover more ground at your own pace. We do all the research and organisation for you. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy!

Activity:

Rail and Hike | Perfectly planned itineraries discovering the best of a destination both by train and on foot.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Whisky

Accessible by Rail

Grade & Terrain

This trip is graded easy to moderate and includes optional daily walks of up to 21 km/13 miles. The terrain may be rugged underfoot at times with some hills but nothing too strenuous. You should enjoy a good level of fitness to make the most of this trip, but bear in mind all the walks are optional so if you don't feel like walking you can simply enjoy the sights instead.

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation Information

Included in the trip are 4 nights of accommodation in hand-picked 3-4* small hotels, B&Bs or guesthouses. We carefully select friendly accommodations offering great value, food and a warm welcome. The properties we normally use are detailed in the itinerary, however these are subject to availability and when they are fully booked alternatives of an equal standard will be offered.

You can add extra nights at any point during your stay. We particularly recommend doing so in Edinburgh and Inverness as there is so much to see and do, please contact us for details. Please note that bookings in August may take longer to confirm due to the very high demand created by Edinburgh's Fringe Festival.

There's also the option of treating yourself to a 4* hotel upgrade in Edinburgh, like the Hotel Du Vin, listed as an upgrade example in the itinerary below.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This holiday is available to solo walkers, although a solo supplement is payable. If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single room supplement is payable.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants.

In your tour information documents we provide a list of recommendations for food and drink options along the way - from charming cafes, cosy pubs, Michelin Star restaurants and family-run restaurants serving the best local produce. Edinburgh in particular will have you spoiled for choice, so if you’re a real foodie we recommend doing some research before you travel. Otherwise, opt for one of our suggestions, or ask your hosts to recommend one of their favourite places.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an incredibly popular overnight destination throughout the year. Room rates can vary significantly during peak months due to high demand, as most accommodations now operate on a dynamic pricing model. Therefore, if demand is high on your chosen dates, an additional supplement may be added to your booking to cover the extra cost. This will always be discussed with you for approval before finalising the booking.

Navigation What's Included

Included

4 Nights in hand-picked 3-4* B&B's, guest houses and small hotels
4 Breakfasts
Train travel from Edinburgh to Blair Atholl
Train travel from Blair Atholl to Inverness
Tour Information & Route Notes via your "My Account" guest portal
Access to GPX tracks and route notes on the Macs Adventure smartphone app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to Edinburgh / from Inverness
Return travel from Pitlochry to Blair Atholl on day 3 - 15 min train or bus (paid locally)
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Upgrade to 4* hotel accommodation in Edinburgh

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

By Air: Edinburgh Airport is well-served by a variety of airlines from across the Uk, Europe and worldwide - check available destinations here. From the airport you can travel by tram or airport shuttle bus to the city centre in approx. 30 minutes.

By Train: If you're flying into London it's possible to reach Edinburgh within approx. 4 hours. Otherwise, see Scotrail for Scottish train links and National Rail for UK links.

By Bus: The website www.travelinescotland.com is handy for researching bus timetables throughout Scotland.

Your trip includes standard class travel on Scotrail train services as detailed in your itinerary. These are 'anytime' tickets that can be used at any time during the specific date of travel. Full details can be found in your pre-departure information pack.

Getting from the End

By Air: Inverness Airport is a small airport, there are a number of possibilities for onward travel - extend your stay in Scotland via a flight to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney or Shetland. Otherwise, if you're travelling worldwide or connecting to elsewhere in Europe it's possible to do so via Dublin, London or Amsterdam. You check Inverness Airport's destination here.

By Train: If you're returning to Edinburgh you can return the way you arrived in Inverness, by rail, on a 3 hour jounrey to Edinburgh Waverley. From here you can travel to a number of UK destinations, including London possible in approx. 4 hours. See Scotrail for Scottish train links and National Rail for UK links. Alternatively, if you're extending your stay in Scotland you can get to Skye by rail to Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast and then to Skye by bus.

By Bus: Citylink and Stagecoach bus operators provide links t a number of great locations across the Highlands if you plan to extend your stay.

Baggage Transfer

The trip is designed so that during the hikes you are free to walk with just a day pack - you'll travel with your bags on the train and arrive at your accommodation to drop off your luggage before heading out to explore with just a day pack. No luggage transfers are required on this itinerary.

Info & FAQ

General Information

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of all our tour documentation for online delivery. On this tour all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Equipment

Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.