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
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Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Edinburgh and overnightArrive 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)

Located in the heart of Edinburgh, just a short walk from Waverley Train Station, this beautiful B&B has a variety of room types, access to free wifi and en suite rooms. Each room is thoughtfully decorated and with it's welcoming hosts and delicious breakfast options it's the perfect base from which to explore the city.

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.

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.
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)

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, 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.
Please note there are not many options for eating in Blair Atholl so we suggest pre-booking your evening meal.

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.
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)

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, 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.
Please note there are not many options for eating in Blair Atholl so we suggest pre-booking your evening meal.

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.
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)

Ballifeary Guest House is an impressive Victorian Villa with many original features. It has a large private car park for guests use and a secured shed for those with bikes. It is ideally located only a matter of yards from Eden Court theatre and a short walk from the River Ness where many restaurants, the Cathedral and Castle can be found. The rooms have been recently refurbished to a high standard offering every comfort you would expect.

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.

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.
After breakfast this Rail & Hike holiday comes to an end, unless you decide to extend your stay in the Highlands from Inverness. Otherwise, bid farewell to the Highlands for now and head south to Edinburgh on the train (3.5 hours). We can arrange an additional night in Edinburgh for you if this fits with your travel plans.
This trip has a carbon score of 4kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 4kg is equivalent to 2.5 avocados. 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 about how we've carbon counted our trips.
Other Information
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.
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!
Rail and Hike | Perfectly planned itineraries discovering the best of a destination both by train and on foot.
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
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.
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. We book en suite rooms as standard. If there are no en suite rooms available in an overnight location, we may book a room with shared facilities, but we would always inform you in advance if this was the case.
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.
This route is quite well waymarked. Navigation is straightforward with the Macs Adventure smartphone app which has maps, GPS tracks and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation on this tour will be made simple and you cannot get lost.
- 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
- 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)
- Additional nights along the route
- Upgrade to 4* hotel accommodation in Edinburgh
The trip is available to start on any day of the week, depending on accommodation availability, from the beginning of April until mid-October. If you'd prefer to avoid the busiest months for tourists we recommend travelling in April, September and October - the colour of the leaves in Perthshire are beautiful in the autumn too! However, May is a great month for travelling in Scotland, the weather tends to be driest (although you never know in the Highlands!) and the flowers of Blair Castle gardens and Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens will be coming into bloom for the summer months.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival (August): Please note that during the very popular Edinburgh Fringe festival, which takes place throughout the month of August, the city will be very busy and accommodations are in high demand. Because of this a supplement applies to any booking during the month of August.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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