Comfortable rooms in this loch side hotel look out to sea and the Slate Islands. Enjoy Scottish fare created with fresh local ingredients – your meal’s provenance part of the experience. Watch the sunset over Asknish Bay as you dine in the hotel’s cosy restaurant. Your guide will be on hand to point out Pictish carvings and tell the story of the Kingdom of Dalriada. Learn how thousands of years of the human story are immortalised in this special place.Įnd the day with a visit to a hillfort of importance. We’ll take you on a walking tour into Prehistory in the company of an expert local guide. There are over 350 ancient monuments within a six mile radius of Kilmartin village. Standing stones stick out from farmers’ fields like broken teeth chambered cairns fill the landscape. The train slows as Oban Bay comes into view – fishing boats and ferries pass in and out of this pretty seaside town.Īlight here from the train then continue by minibus into Kilmartin Glen. Loch banks become coastline, heather and grasses become brown kelp and beach. Catch a glimpse of Kilchurn Castle through the window – a 15 th century ruin on the banks of Loch Awe – then watch as waterfalls drop over rock faces in threads of white and black.įollow the waters of Loch Etive as they pass under the grey ribs of Connel Bridge and out to sea. The train splits at Crianlarich – the rear section disappears into moorland and heather, your carriage instead moves westward towards the coast. Less than an hour into the journey and Scotland has transformed. Loch Long stretches below then tapers into the Loin waters the train continues to rise till Loch Lomond appears and the might of mountain and water combines.

Mountain peaks flash between gaps in the trees then vanish behind a blur of green. The rail track starts to climb and lowland becomes highland. The skeletons of dismantled cranes and piers haunt the river bank, fishing boats sit high out the water, ghosts of the city’s industrial past. Watch out the window as the River Clyde spreads into the firth. Tall buildings become suburbs become open stretches of water and land. Read about the measures we took to keep our 2021 small group guided tours safe here.īegin your journey along The West Highland Line. Early booking is strongly advised as places are strictly limited.ĭo not hesitate to let us know if we can assist with tailor-made arrangements for you pre or post this scheduled tour. With a maximum of 14 passengers per group, you can be sure of highly personal service from your knowledgeable, local tour leader on this exclusive McKinlay Kidd small group rail tour. Spend time in St Columba’s island then ride The Jacobite steam train by coast and through mountain.Įxperience a week built on moments of fascination and drama – Scotland’s Highlands & Islands the stage for this epic journey. Wander through the garden grown by ocean heat and stand upon the rock that bound a ruler to the land. In the company of a local guide, take the path of the first pilgrims, visit the resting place of 60 monarchs and uncover a Scottish Kingdom founded by pirates. This week-long small group rail tour will stay with you for a lifetime. Discover the hidden treasures of Kilmartin Glen & Dalriada.

Visit the unique islands of Staffa and Iona.

Journey by train on the West Highland Line.

Prehistoric kingdom west isle reserve