Edinburgh & the Highlands by Steam

Your holiday begins in Edinburgh, where you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group at our hotel located near the Palace of Holyroodhouse. After checking in, you have time to explore the Scottish capital's architecture, history and cultural scene at your own pace.

You might choose to visit the iconic Edinburgh Castle, perched high above the city, or enjoy a scenic walk up Arthur's Seat for panoramic views over the capital. The city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing the Old Town's historic Royal Mile and the New Town's renowned Georgian architecture. Wandering the cobbled streets, it's easy to see why the city came to be regarded as the 'Athens of the North'.

This evening, we enjoy a three-course dinner at our hotel.

• Dinner

After breakfast this morning, we travel by coach to Falkirk and view a feat of modern engineering. The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift in the world, connecting the Forth & Clyde and Union canals. We get the full experience with a boat trip that includes two full rotations on the wheel and a canal ride when we reach the top.

Continuing to the city of Stirling, there's time to find lunch or explore. Known as the 'gateway to the Highlands', it is steeped in history. Pivotal battles such as Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn were fought nearby as Stirling Castle held great strategic importance. Strolling Stirling's charming streets dotted with medieval landmarks, you can soak up views of the castle perched on a rugged outcrop overlooking the winding River Forth.

We leave Stirling by train, heading north into Perthshire to the picturesque small town of Blair Atholl. On the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park, this is our base for the next four nights. After checking in to our hotel, there's time to unwind before dinner.

Please note: the running order of the itinerary may vary.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning after breakfast, we gain an insight into Scotland's long and fascinating history at Scone Palace.

There's time to explore the Gothic Revival stately home and its grounds. On this site was Scone Abbey, where 42 Scottish kings were crowned, including Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Kenneth McAlpin, the first king of Scotland. Surrounding the palace are 100 acres of woodland, with borders of flowering shrubs creating a peaceful setting for a scenic walk. After, we return to Blair Atholl to visit the impressive Blair Castle. A vision in white stone, the castle feels lifted from the pages of a fairytale. With its grand interiors and beautifully landscaped gardens, the castle showcases Scottish design through the ages.

There's time to explore the castle and grounds, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to unwind and discover more of Blair Atholl at your own pace. You may wish to sample one of the town's welcoming restaurants, offering everything from traditional Scottish dishes to locally sourced fine dining.

• Breakfast

One of the world's most iconic rail journeys awaits after breakfast this morning as we embark on a return journey along the West Highland Line.

A highlight of the route is crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a marvel of engineering with 21 arches that you may recognise from the Harry Potter films. As the train continues towards the coast, wild and wonderful views across the vast Scottish countryside unfold outside your window. After passing through Arisaig, the line descends towards Mallaig, a quaint fishing port that looks over the Isle of Skye. With time at leisure here, you can wander along the picturesque harbour, soaking up the atmosphere of a thriving fishing port, and discover the traditional Scottish pubs that serve a range of local seafood dishes, where you may choose to enjoy a relaxing lunch before our return journey.

Returning to Blair Atholl later this afternoon, the evening is yours to dine independently.

• Breakfast

Making the most of our final full day after breakfast, we take a memorable round-trip journey on the Strathspey Steam Railway. Departing from Aviemore, we follow the historic Highland Railway route to Broomhill along the stunning River Spey. Given its brownish hue from the peat moorlands, the Spey is one of Scotland's most important, as one of the nation's 'big four' salmon rivers it also provides water to numerous whisky distilleries.

From Aviemore, we continue by coach past the tranquil shores of Loch Morlich as we ascend Cairngorm Mountain for our next scenic rail journey. The 1.2-mile Cairngorm Mountain Railway is a funicular that climbs steeply, offering sweeping views across the Highlands. At the summit, step out into the crisp mountain air and admire the panoramic vistas. Here you can take a moment to relax and soak up the scenery or enjoy a drink or bite to eat with a view.

Returning to our hotel, we gather for our final dinner as a group.

• Breakfast, Dinner

The landscapes of Scotland have charmed us, from the cobblestoned streets of Edinburgh to the breathtaking scenery and soaring mountain ranges of the Highlands. We have journeyed aboard famous rail journeys, admired landmarks like the Falkirk Wheel and embraced Scottish history at Scone Palace and Blair Castle.

As your holiday comes to a close after breakfast this morning, we make our way back to Edinburgh from Blair Atholl by rail. Arriving in Edinburgh, you are free to make your way home or alternatively, you can continue exploring independently.

• Breakfast