If you’re looking for a 7-day Scotland itinerary by train, this guide is for you. Starting and ending in Glasgow, this itinerary takes you through the Highlands on one of Scotland’s most scenic railways. 

 

In one week, you’ll swap city streets for island castles, journey past lochs and wide moorlands and stay in a remote Highland village along the way. 

 

Take a day trip to the Isle of Arran, with its coastal walks, castles and distilleries. Venture north to Fort William, set at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. Continue to Glenfinnan and see iconic sights, including the viaduct and the seasonal Jacobite steam train. 

 

From dramatic lochs and picturesque castles to rugged mountains and island adventures, this itinerary makes it easy to see some of Scotland’s most striking scenery without a car.

 

7-Day Scotland Itinerary by Train at a Glance 

 

Here’s a quick overview of the places you’ll visit on this 7-day itinerary by train: 

 

• Day 1: Glasgow 
• Day 2: Isle of Arran day trip
• Day 3: Fort William 
• Days 4-5: Glenfinnan 
• Day 6: Fort William
• Day 7: Glasgow

 

Day 1: Glasgow 

 

Welcome to the first day of your 7-day itinerary by train from Glasgow! Today depends on your arrival time. Once you’re settled, head out and explore Scotland’s second city and cultural capital. 

 

You could follow the City Centre Mural Trail and spot artwork and Scottish legends like Billy Connolly painted on the side of buildings. Visit the West End, one of Glasgow’s coolest neighbourhoods. Ashton Lane has a lively selection of bars and restaurants to spend an evening in. 

 

Explore Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and step inside the medieval Glasgow Cathedral. Built in the 12th century, its Gothic architecture is spectacular. Take some time to see St Mungo’s tomb in the crypts. 

 

Behind the cathedral is Glasgow Necropolis, with its huge collection of Victorian graves. Some fifty thousand people are buried here, and many have elaborate headstones. Walking tours are available.  

 

Alternatively, you might prefer to do a walking tour of Glasgow city centre or head to Pollok Country Park to see the famous Highland cows. You can look at them in a field safely behind a fence.  

 

Day 2: Isle of Arran day trip 

 

The Isle of Arran is dubbed ‘Scotland in Miniature,’ as it has Highlands and Lowlands. It’s such an underrated gem, and easy to get to by train and ferry on a day trip from Glasgow. 

 

Take the 08:34 train from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour, then catch the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Brodick on Arran. The whole journey from the city takes about two hours, and the train and ferry line up with each other. Make sure to book your ferry tickets in advance.

 

You could either spend the day in Brodick (it has a castle and garden), or you could explore by bus. There are three bus routes departing from the ferry terminal, and they all line up with the ferry.  

 

Take the 324 bus to Lochranza for gentle coastal walks, the ruins of Lochranza Castle and whisky tastings at the distillery. You could also go hiking in Glen Rosa or take the bus to the Machrie Moor Standing Stones. Make sure you keep an eye on your return bus and ferry back to Glasgow. 

 

Day 3: Glasgow to Fort William 

Today, it’s time to venture north to the Highlands via Scotland’s most scenic railway, the West Highland Line. It’s just one direct service and it takes nearly four hours to Fort William, so sit back and enjoy the views. 

 

Sit on the right if you can, as you’ll see the northern end of Loch Lomond, surrounded by the Arrochar Alps. Watch the landscape become vast moorlands as you skim up through Rannoch, and look out for Corrour, the UK’s highest and most remote main line train station. There are no roads here, so the only way to reach it is on foot or by train!

 

All too soon, you’ll arrive at Fort William, the ‘Outdoor Capital of the UK.’ One of the most accessible places to reach by train in Scotland, the town sits on Loch Linnhe at the foot of Ben Nevis. 

 

Depending on your arrival time, you could head out and explore. The Wildcat Cafe serves tasty vegan brunch, cakes and coffee, while Black Isle Bar has a top-notch selection of local beers and organic wood-fired pizza. 

 

Day 4: Fort William to Glenfinnan 

 

Today, you’re getting back on the West Highland Line, but this time, it’s just a 30-minute train journey to Glenfinnan. This is one of the most beautiful villages in the Highlands. Most people pass through and don’t really see it, but you get a few days here to explore at your own pace. 

 

Glenfinnan is famous for the railway viaduct and the Jacobite steam train that crosses it. If you’re a fan, you might recognise it from the Harry Potter film franchise as the Hogwarts Express. If you’re there from April to October, you’ll be able to see it. 

 

Check into your accommodation in the village. You can take the opportunity to go glamping, stay in a cosy B&B or spend a few nights in a vintage train car at Glenfinnan Station. 

 

Once you’re settled, stroll down to the viaduct. It’s about a 30-minute walk away from the village via a scenic trail that skirts the edge of the glen. The route starts behind the train station. 

 

Make sure you look inside the visitor centre near the viaduct, which has a free exhibit on Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. There’s also a cafe here if you’re feeling hungry. 

 

Carefully cross the (busy) road opposite the visitor centre, and look at the Glenfinnan Monument on the shores of Loch Shiel. It was built to remember the Highlanders who lost their lives during the rebellion. See if you can spot the statue of the Lone Highlander at the top. 

 

Day 5: Glenfinnan 

You have a full day in Glenfinnan! You could spend it relaxing and soaking up the rugged Highland views, or go exploring. Make sure you take a look at the Church of Saint Mary and Saint Finnan. The gothic architecture is very scenic against the Highland backdrop. 

 

The Station Museum is worth a look at, and the Dining Car is a lovely cafe inside a 1950s vintage train. It’s a great spot for lunch. You could also wander down to Loch Shiel, where you’ll find some walking trails starting from the Monument. 

 

Loch Shiel Cruises runs boat tours from the pier. Bring binoculars as you might see white-tailed and golden eagles, red deer and the Jacobite train. 

 

If you feel like you’ve seen enough of Glenfinnan, complete the final leg of the West Highland Line. Taking less than an hour, it’s a truly stunning journey as you skim past tiny villages, mountains and lochs, including Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater lake in the British Isles. 

 

You could alight at Morar and explore the Silver Sands of Morar, a series of pristine white sand beaches hugged by turquoise waters. Camusdarach Beach is a highlight, just south of the River Morar estuary. It’s a great spot for a picnic. 

 

Another option is to go to Mallaig at the end of the line. This fishing town has cafes, restaurants and walking trails overlooking the Isles of Skye, Rùm and Eigg to the west. 

 

If you head northeast, you’ll also see Loch Nevis and the Knoydart Peninsula, one of the UK’s last true wildernesses. It has one tiny village, which you can only get to by boat from Mallaig or a two-to-three-day walk from Kinloch Hourn!

 

Day 6: Glenfinnan to Fort William 

Leave Glenfinnan and return to Fort William. Get there early enough to see some of the main attractions around the town, as you’ll need to plan some bus routes. 

 

For an easy half-day adventure, head to Banavie and see Neptune’s Staircase, a series of locks on the Caledonian Canal. It’s an easy walk down the canal to Corpach, where you can see the rusted-out remains of a fishing vessel. 

 

If you’re keen to go a bit further, take the bus to the Glen Nevis Gondola. Open year-round, it’s the UK’s only mountain gondola and gives you dramatic panoramic views of the Nevis Range without any climbing. From there, you can follow some well-marked trails to scenic viewpoints. 

 

Another option in summer is to walk to Steall Falls. It’s the second-highest waterfall in Scotland. There is a moderate hike to reach it, and the starting point is from the car park. A bus can take you to the bridge at the Lower Falls, or you can book a taxi. 

 

Day 7: Fort William to Glasgow

On your last day of this itinerary, all you need to do is make your way back down to Glasgow on the scenic West Highland Line. Soak up the views one last time as you say goodbye to the Highlands. 

 

Depending on the time you arrive in the city,  you could do a few of the activities you didn’t manage to cover on your first day. For food, a favourite place is Maki & Ramen. It serves katsu curry, ramen and sushi with vegan and vegetarian options available. It’s a delicious way to celebrate the end of this Scotland itinerary by train. 

 

Alternative route to Inverness 

If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to Scotland, you could take the bus from Fort William to Inverness instead. Citylink is a comfortable coach, and you can enjoy views of Loch Ness as you reach the capital of the Highlands. 

 

In Inverness, you can explore the Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobites and Bonnie Prince Charlie met their defeat. From there, take the train south along the edge of the Cairngorms National Park until you reach Edinburgh. You’ll want about three extra days to do this alternative route. 

 

Final Thoughts 

Scotland’s scenic railways make it easy to explore the country without a car, and you’re not confined to cities. This one-week itinerary by train takes you to an island and up to pretty villages in the remote West Highlands. 

 

You’ll have a chance to see iconic sights, like Glenfinnan Viaduct, Ben Nevis and Corrour, all by public transport. You’ll see castles, sip whisky and ride one of Scotland’s most beautiful railways. 

 

Use Traveline Scotland to plan your public transport routes instead of Google Maps. It’s much more accurate and reliable. Book the West Highland Line on ScotRail in advance to save money on tickets and try to reserve a seat, as the train can get busy. 

Ways to Personalize This Itinerary

One of the easiest ways to customize this trip is by adding extra nights in places that interest you most:

Extra Days in Glasgow: Add 1-2 nights at the beginning to fully explore Glasgow’s museums, architecture, and vibrant music scene. Visit the Riverside Museum, take a day trip to Loch Lomond, or explore the historic Clydeside shipyards.

Longer on Arran: Instead of a day trip, spend 2-3 nights on the Isle of Arran. This gives you time to do some serioushiking in Glen Rosa or spend time bicycling around.

Extended Highland Stay: Add extra nights in Fort William or Glenfinnan to take on more ambitious hikes, such as climbing Ben Nevis (allow a full day

Add Special Experiences and Private Guides

Whisky Experiences: Book guided whisky tastings at specific distilleries along your route. There are some in almost every town.

Wildlife Watching: Book specialized wildlife tours with local guides who know the best spots for seeing red deer, golden eagles, seals, and potentially even whales and dolphins along the west coast.

Historical Expertise: Book private guides or group tours from people who  who specialize in Jacobite history, clan heritage, or railway history to deepen your understanding of specific aspects of Scottish culture.

Time Your Trip for Special Events

Depending on the time of year you are visiting, you may be lucky enough to experience some amazing celebrations.

Edinburgh Tattoo (August): If you add Edinburgh to your itinerary, timing your visit for August allows you to experience the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Highland Games (May-September): Various Highland Games occur throughout summer across Scotland. Adding a day to attend one offers an authentic cultural experience with caber tossing, Highland dancing, and pipe bands.

Jacobite Steam Train Season (April-October): The seasonal Jacobite steam train only runs from spring through autumn. Plan your Glenfinnan visit accordingly if riding this iconic train is a priority.

Hogmanay (New Year): Scotland’s New Year celebration is legendary. Consider extending your trip to experience Hogmanay festivities in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Author Bio

Francesca Brooking is the founder of Little Lost Travel, a UK blog dedicated to outdoor adventures in Scotland. A passionate hiker and nature enthusiast, she has been exploring Scotland for more than 10 years. She provides practical advice, car-free itineraries, and ethical wildlife experiences to help others enjoy trips by train, bus, and on foot. Her aim is to make outdoor travel in Scotland simple and accessible.