The Scottish Grand Tour is one of the great rail journeys of the world.
Travel between Glasgow, the Isle of Skye, Inverness and Edinburgh on some truly dramatic rail lines: the West Highland Line, Kyle Line, and Highland Main Line.
Start anywhere on this circular route, and hop on and off at stations along the way.
You'll pass mountains, lochs and forests, and travel through the lush farmland of Perthshire. And as you leave the mountains behind, you’ll see the landscapes get steadily wilder. Does any other train journey in the UK offer such variety? We don’t think so.
Hop on and off at any station on your route and explore Scotland your way – with train and coach travel on just one ticket. Get four days’ travel over eight consecutive days for £89.
What’s in it for me?
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Key facts
Four days’ travel over eight consecutive days on the West Highland Line, Kyle Line, and Highland Main Line for £89.
Benefits
- One ticket for train and coach
- Flexible – you choose when to travel
- No need to book in advance
- Discounts for Railcard users
- Free travel for under 5s, and half price for children aged 5-15
- Hop on-hop off as much as you like
Need to know
- Travel in one direction – clockwise or anti clockwise
- Valid on ScotRail services, for Standard Class off-peak travel
- The eight-day period starts on the first day of travel
- There’s a £10 admin fee for changes or refunds
Suggested route
Start in Glasgow. Head north on the West Highland Line along the Clyde sea lochs, Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor. From Fort William the train passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and on to Mallaig.
From Mallaig, take the CalMac ferry (ferry ticket must be purchased separately) to Armadale on the Isle of Skye: you might stop here for a few days to explore the Munros and Faerie Pools. Then take the coach over the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh. Rejoin the train and set course for Inverness. From there, you’ll get the Main Highland Line south to Edinburgh or Glasgow.
The coach connection to Kyle of Lochalsh is included in your ticket.
Journey times
- West Highland Line: Glasgow to Mallaig (for the ferry to Armadale) – approx 5 hours 30 minutes
- Kyle Line: Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness – approx 2 hours 40 minutes
- Highland Main Line: Inverness to Edinburgh – approx 3 hours 30 minutes
Places to see
- Glasgow – Scotland’s biggest city, for arts, culture, and shopping
- Fort William – for mountain biking, skiing, hill walking, and other adrenaline-fuelled sports
- Isle of Skye – stunning landscapes and Munros, and a Michelin-star restaurant
- Inverness – capital of the Highlands, with history, culture, and plenty of outdoor activities
- Edinburgh – a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an exciting mix of history, outstanding architecture, festivals, food and fun
What’s included
Your Grand Tour of Scotland travel pass includes:
- Unlimited travel on the West Highland Line, Kyle Line and Highland Main Line in one direction for four days in a period of eight consecutive days
- Coach travel on Skye between Armadale and Kyle of Lochalsh* – check timetables at www.stagecoachbus.com
- Standard Class train travel at any time, except on the Highland Main Line and between Glasgow and Edinburgh on weekdays before 09.15
- There's also 10% discount for taxi and car hire on Skye with Kyle Taxis/Skye Car Hire – to book call 01599 534323 or email [email protected]
Map of route
Download Scottish Grand Tour route map
You can buy the Scottish Grand Tour travel pass:
- From the ticket office at any staffed station
- By phone on 0344 811 0141
- As an M-Pass mobile ticket – find out more
What it is
The M-Pass is a mobile ticket delivered to your phone.
Pass activation
After purchase you’ll receive an email with a link to activate your M-Pass and select your travel dates. The email will come from our partner ACP Rail International (sender: [email protected] )
Your travel dates must be:
- UK residents: within three months of the purchase date
- International visitors: within 11 months of the purchase date
Activate your pass when your travel dates are confirmed. You cannot make changes or get a refund after activation.
Pass delivery
Once you’ve activated your M-Pass, you’ll receive another email with the pass attached as a PDF file.
Before you travel download this M-Pass directly to your mobile phone.
You will need to show the M-Pass on your phone to station and on-train staff on request. Printouts are not accepted. You must also show valid photo ID.
Refunds
- The M-Pass is non-refundable once you've clicked "Activate" on the activation website
- You can apply for a refund, subject to a £10 administration fee, for each unused (unactivated) M-Pass cancelled before the expiry date
- To apply for a refund contact ACP Rail International at [email protected] and quote your transaction ID number (PNR)
Yes, you can get a refund, subject to a £10 administration fee, for each unused ticket given back to us before the date of travel. The M-Pass is also non-refundable once you've clicked "Activate" on the activation website.
ShareYou get four days of unlimited Standard Class travel over eight consecutive days.
Travel in one direction only: clockwise or anti clockwise.
Your travel is flexible, but the validity period is not: the eight-day period starts on your first day of travel.
ShareThe travel pass is a one-way journey (clockwise or anti-clockwise) between Edinburgh, Glasgow, Mallaig, Armadale (Skye), Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness and back.
Start anywhere on this circular route and hop on and off at stations along the way, including:
Glasgow | Arrochar & Tarbet (for Loch Lomond) | Fort William | Mallaig | Isle of Skye | Inverness | Aviemore | Pitlochry | Perth | Stirling | Edinburgh
Where can I travel by rail?
Travel with ScotRail on the following routes:
- West Highland Line: Glasgow or Edinburgh – Fort William/Mallaig
- Kyle Line: Inverness – Kyle of Lochalsh
- Highland Main Line: Glasgow or Edinburgh – Inverness via Perth (valid on trains departing after 09:15 and any time at the weekend)
Where can I travel by coach?
The coach takes you between Armadale and Kyle of Lochalsh, with Stagecoach. Check latest timetables at www.stagecoachbus.com
- Public bus services on Skye can be sporadic and often only operate during the Summer season
- Stagecoach No 51 runs directly between Armadale (ferry connection) and Kyle of Lochalsh (rail connection) but is only available Monday - Friday and doesn't operate all year round
- For other services (Nos 50, 52, 152, 917) change at Broadford/ Armadale Road End on Skye
Taxi services and car hire on Skye
Taxi and car hire is available on Skye with Kyle Taxis/ Skye Car Hire. Train passengers get a 10% discount.
To book:
- Call: 01599 534323
- Email: [email protected]
Monday to Friday
On weekdays you can travel on ScotRail services:
- At any time of day on the West Highland Line: Glasgow – Fort William/Mallaig
- At any time of day on the Kyle Line: Inverness – Kyle of Lochalsh
- After 09:15 on the Highland Main Line: Glasgow or Edinburgh – Inverness via Perth
- After 09:15 between Glasgow and Edinburgh
Saturday and Sunday
At weekends you can travel on ScotRail services at any time of day on these routes.
Winter operations
There are reduced bus and ferry services over the winter. Check onward travel connections before you buy tickets and travel.
There's a 10% discount for taxi and car hire on Skye with Kyle Taxis/Skye Car Hire. To book call 01599 534323 or email [email protected]
Share- From the ticket office at any staffed station
- By phone on 0344 811 0141
- Online, as an M-Pass mobile ticket
Standard National Railcard discounts apply to full-priced travel passes.
National Railcards include: 16-25, 26-30, Disabled Persons Railcard, Family & Friends, HM Forces, Senior and Two Together Railcards.
ShareYes, you have unlimited travel, but you can't change the travel validity period of travel passes.
ShareYes, you have the freedom to break up your journey as long as your travel pass is still valid.
Share