Journey by Steam to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in 2019

In May 2019, Flying Scotsman is returning to some of the most beautiful lines in Northern Britain for the first time since its refurbishment on Steam Dreams’ Highlands & Islands Explorer! 

The Highlands & Islands Explorer nine day holiday promises to be a magical tour, taking in some truly spectacular Highland scenery, with long daylight hours, lakes, mountains, sea and islands. Arguably the highlight of the tour will be our stay in Fort William, where Pullman passengers will be staying in the most luxurious accommodation Steam Dreams has yet offered.

Click here to view the holiday brochure online or fill in a form here to receive an email quote for your holiday.

Tour options:

  • Highlands Option: 1 night in Edinburgh, 3 nights in Inverness, 2 nights in Fort William, 2 nights in the Lake District or
  • Islands Option: 1 night in Edinburgh, 2 nights in Inverness, 2 nights on The Isle of Skye, 1 night in Fort William, 2 nights in the Lake District

Fares from £1,995

MapExplorer
Map of the route

9 – 17 May 2019

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Edinburgh with Flying Scotsman

We leave London Victoria behind a vintage diesel locomotive for a quick run to York, where we will be joined by Flying Scotsman for the beautiful stretch of railway for which it was built. We will cruise along the East Coast Mainline, heading over the Royal Border Bridge and into Edinburgh.

PG David Rogers - Border Bridge
Flying Scotsman on the Border Bridge

Day 2 – Edinburgh to Inverness with Flying Scotsman

After breakfast in our hotels, we set out mid morning over the Forth Railway Bridge with Flying Scotsman. Our route from here will take us via Perth to arrive in Inverness in the evening.

Day 3 – Inverness to Dunrobin Castle or day at leisure

You have the option to join B1 Mayflower for the journey along the coast to the famous castle of Dunrobin, or join other excursions including a trip to Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield or a boat trip on Loch Ness.

PG-Black Five-Doll MWALKER
The journey to Dunrobin hugs the coastline

OPTION 1 – HIGHLANDS

Over the next three days you will have a chance to sample some of the most scenic lines in Europe – Inverness to The Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness to Fort William via the West Highland Line and finally an optional trip on the Jacobite, over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.

Day 4 – Kyle of Lochalsh with B1 Mayflower

Day 5 –  Inverness to the Lowlands, and the Lowlands to Fort William with B1 Mayflower

Day 6 – Day at leisure in Fort William, a trip on the famous Jacobite, a cruise on Loch Linnhe, trip to Glen Coe, Neptune’s staircase or a day trip to Iona or Mull

OPTION 2 – ISLE OF SKYE

Day 4 – Enjoy a stunning journey to the Kyle of Lochalsh with B1 Mayflower, where you have the option to visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle before we all head by coach over the bridge to Skye and to our hotels, where we will stay for two nights.

Day 5 – Day at leisure on Skye, a day trip to St Kilda (weather permitting), Flora MacDonald’s tomb or Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

Day 6 – Skye to Fort William including The Jacobite steam train

Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct in Scotland with a steam train
The Jacobite train on the Glenfinnan ‘Harry Potter’ Viaduct

Day 7 – Fort William to the Lake District

We leave Fort William behind B1 Mayflower and head out across the West Highland Line to the Firth of Clyde. In the Lowlands, we continue over Beattock Summit and past Carlisle to Penrith, where we disembark for two nights at the edge of Ullswater in the northern Lake District.

Day 8 – A day at leisure in the Lake District

Enjoy a day at leisure or join us on optional excursions to local attractions including the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.

Ullswater
Ullswater, Lake District

Day 9 – Penrith to London

After breakfast in the hotel, we return steam hauled from Penrith to London Euston with Mayflower.

Click here to view the holiday brochure online or download your own version. 

For more information, or to book, please call the Booking Office on 01483 209888.


Comments

22 responses to “Journey by Steam to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in 2019”

  1. Highlands and the isles of Scotland in May 2019. Please can I have a price

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    1. Hi there if you email info@steamdreams.co.uk with your postal address we can send you a hard copy of the brochure which includes a breakdown of prices and options

      Like

      1. Jane Holloway Avatar
        Jane Holloway

        PLEASE SEND STEAM HOLIDAYS BROCHURE TO MRS HOLLOWAY, 5 COPPICE GARDENS, CROWTHORNE, RG45 6EE

        Like

      2. Hi Jane a copy of the brochure has been posted out today for you.

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  2. Marjorie Cassidywalmsley Avatar
    Marjorie Cassidywalmsley

    Please send me details of this trip

    Like

    1. Hi Marjorie, if you send your address details to info@steamdreams.co.uk we can send a copy of the brochure to you in the post.

      Like

  3. Anthony Harrington Avatar
    Anthony Harrington

    Will the flying scottsman travel betwee Doncaster and Kings Cross in 2919?

    I ask because It would be a nostalgic trip for me, having made that journey several times on the train as a child in the fifties as a child when the Locomotive was in regular service between Edinburgh and London

    Like

    1. HI Anthony, at the moment there are no plans for Flying Scotsman to run between Doncaster and Kings Cross, but keep an eye on this webpage for updates: http://www.flyingscotsman.org.uk/events/scotsman-on-the-tracks/

      Like

  4. Diane Hosseini Avatar
    Diane Hosseini

    It’s fabulous it brings back memories to when I was a child i remember seeing the flying Scotsman in Waverly Station and actually being on it.. hope to see it again..

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  5. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate to this fantastic blog!

    I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed
    to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this website with
    my Facebook group. Talk soon!

    Like

  6. Jodie Stephen Avatar
    Jodie Stephen

    Hi, does anyone know roughly what time the flying Scotsman will be arriving in inverness on 10th may? My 7 year old son is obsessed with the flying scotsman so we are going to make the 3 hour trip to Inverness to see it arriving and hopefully come back to see it on the Saturday.

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    1. Hi Jodie unfortunately we are not able to publish timings of when Flying Scotsman will be at specific locations but your local station staff may be able to help.

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  7. Could you please tell me what day and time the Flying Scotsman will be departing Inverness, many thanks!

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  8. Daniel Appleyard Avatar
    Daniel Appleyard

    Will Flying Scotsman be hauling the train as it failed yesterday or Sunday on a tour due to injectors? If anyone knows

    Like

  9. Neil Kearns Avatar
    Neil Kearns

    Flying Scotsman and Mayflower worked north from the WCRC depot at Southall to York earlier today.

    Like

  10. Anthony Hill Avatar
    Anthony Hill

    Will the Flying Scotsman be travelling through Cramlington on route from Newcastle to Edinburgh on 9 or 10 May 2019? If so, is there an approximate time?

    Like

    1. I’m afraid we are not able to share timings or route information for Flying Scotsman trips. This is following guidelines from Network Rail and the British Transport Police to reduce trespassing

      Like

  11. Mr Brian Ryder Avatar
    Mr Brian Ryder

    Please can we have times to give people living in the countryside have a chance to see a steam train in action. Thank you.

    Like

    1. Timings are posted on our website here: https://www.steamdreams.co.uk/page.php?pageid=12
      We will be returning to Scotland next year

      Like

  12. Peter young Avatar
    Peter young

    Can you please tell us if you are able to take a day trip on board the flying Scotsman when it is in Inverness this weekend? And if so where can we obtain prices from?

    Like

  13. Susan Merillat Avatar
    Susan Merillat

    I love to have details of a trip in 2021 if able. Susan Merillat.

    Thanks very much Susan

    Like

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