Having gone to University in Scotland, and travelled back every few years, I've travelled Scotland by train many times. This is the Scotland itinerary (by train) that I give my friends going there for the first time!
Edinburgh
Start your journey in Edinburgh. It's one of UK's most historic cities and one of my favorite in Europe. Plus it has an international airport and is a direct train from London so it's easy to get to!
Visit
- Edinburgh Castle (it's in the city centre): These days I don't find the Royal Mile worth visiting in itself- too many tourist traps- but you will see it as you walk to the castle. I prefer Victoria Street with its independent shops instead.
- Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill: it's not every day you find an extinct volcano a short walk from the center of the city (Arthur's Seat) but, if you need an easier hike, Calton Hill also has great views.
- Old Town: my favorite part is Victoria Street with its colourful houses. Pretty steep though!
- New Town: Stockbridge is one of my favorite parts of Edinburgh
- Holyrood Palace
- Day Trips: St Andrews, Crail/ Anstruther from Waverley station off Princes Street.
I haven't included the Scottish islands on this trip since we're travelling by train but you can take a small bus tour to eilean donan castle, the Isle of Sky, loch lomond & the trossachs national park etc from Edinburgh (or Glasgow, which is our last stop on this journey.)
Tip: if Arthur's seat is too much for you, you can go to Calton Hill instead. It's not quite as steep.
Getting there
Fly into Edinburgh Airport. Some airlines will need you to break the journey in London but a few international airlines go direct.
Inverness
From Edinburgh, take the train to Inverness, the gateway to the Scottish highlands, this is a sleepy little city but I very much enjoyed it.
Visit
- historic Culloden battlefield
- a whisky distillery
- Glencoe
Fort William
Next, we'll head to Fort William. This is a great place for outdoor activities but do note that it rains A LOT. (The town is quite sleepy.)
Things to Do
- iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct: Take the famous Jacobite steam train you see in the Harry Potter films
- visit Mallaig: from here you can take a ferry to Knoydart, the last British wilderness but the ferry won't operate when the winds are too strong
- loch linnhe (sea loch)
- loch shiel (freshwater loch): for Harry Potter fans, the village of glenfinnan (on the shores of Loch Shiel) was featured in the films.
- if you only have time for 1 national park, visit cairngorms national park, UK's largest national park.
- Ben nevis distillery: this is one of Scotland's oldest distilleries and located at the foot of Ben Nevis so a good time saver is to combine the 2.
Glasgow
Take the west highland line (from either Fort William or Mallaig) to Glasgow. This train journey has some of the best views!
Glasgow isn't my favorite Scottish city but it has its far share of shops so this is a good place to pick up souvenirs and for some retail therapy.
We're ending the journey here as you can fly out of Glasgow Airport.
I've planned the journey this way so that you can see these 2 major Scottish cities. (However, you can also return to Edinburgh if that's where you're flying out of.)
Any questions about this Scottish train itinerary? let me know in the comments!
