Grand Tour of Scotland by Train Traveller Reviews

We took a fourteen day tour of the Highlands by train organised by McKinlay Kidd. It was exceptionally well organised with all train tickets, taxis, ferries and other transport all taken care of. The accommodation was excellent.It was very well put together and avoided a lot of the areas heavy with tourists, as well as introducing us to some beautiful areas of Scotland that we would not otherwise have thought to go.There was a glitch due to a problem with Scotrail which McKinlay Kidd fixed exceptionally quickly, for which we were thankful. We would happily organise another holiday with them.

Quick responses to emails. The holiday was well organised. We had a small glitch that was no fault of McKinlay Kidd which they quickly found an alternative for. Quality organisation.

My wife and I had an excellent experience using McKinlay Kidd - they organised the whole trip around Scotland. Everything went life clockwork and we were met and greeted when expected and all communication with the company was spontaneous and friendly. Would thoroughly recommend using this company again.

A friendly, well organised and efficient running tour operator.

From start to finish, it was first rate all the way. All I had to do was sit back and enjoy. The lodgings were just perfect, and the food so wonderfully presented that I took pictures of it to send to my friends in the States. The private tour guides were very friendly and knowledgeable of the area, so it seemed more like traveling with good friends!

Every thing was very well put together and complete. When I arrived at my hotel in Glasgow, I was presented with the complete itinerary and travel vouchers. All I really had to do was sit back and enjoy!

We did the Grand Tour of Scotland by rail. It was a very good break. All the arrangements worked, the scenery was magnificent, and the food exceptional almost everywhere.

McKinlay Kidd organised everything and all the arrangements worked: trains, ferries, tours, taxis. I couldn't fault them. Several of the hotel managers/landladies also commented that they find them an excellent company to do business with. It was all so easy, and best of all we didn't have to do any driving!

Starting in Glasgow, we took the train to various locations in Scotland. Most stops were two nights with 2 being of one night each. Our tour took us to Spean Bridge, Arisaig, Skye (by ferry), Plockton, Inverness, Thurso, Kingussie and Pitlochry, ending in Edinburgh. Our trip also included a ride on the Jacobite Train, a visit to the Isle of Rum (via ferry) and the Orkneys (via ferry). Breakfast was always included, as well as three dinners.

We really believe McKinlay Kidd was exceptional in designing a great trip. Their documentation provided was accurate and thorough. Any interactions with staff were helpful and customer focused. They have spoiled us!

This was an environmentally and socially responsible holiday by train and ferry through most of Scotland including The Isle of Skye and the Orkney Islands. This is a good trip if it's your first time in Scotland because you will get a good overview of the country. It was organized by McKinlay Kidd, I travelled solo, met wonderful people and had a wonderful time. All the difficult parts were done for me. I stayed at locally run B&Bs or boutique hotels. Some of the B&Bs were so beautiful and well-run that I felt I was on a movie set. The scenery is breathtaking and if you enjoy long walks in beautiful countryside, this is a good trip to take. The tour also includes Glasgow, Inverness, and Edinburgh city stays to balance out the quiet country life.

McKinley Kidd did all of the hard work and were flawless in delivery and performance. I experienced 2 minor glitches during my trip (that were not the fault of McKinley Kidd). They responded to the issues in record time (within 1 hour). I was happily stunned as I expected to deal with the issues on my own. They select beautiful properties for overnight that are well-located, or a little off the beaten path but with good access to nearby attractions. All transfers and transportation were well-managed and comfortable. I would definitely book another McKinlay Kidd Holiday and have already recommended them to several friends.

Starting in Glasgow we took trains to Spey Bridge & then on to Arisaig via the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig where we took a full day taxi tour of Glencoe & Glenfinnan monument/viaduct. Then ferry to Sky followed by a full day taxi tour of the island in snowy conditions which served to enhance the stunning scenery. At our suggestion we travelled to Plockton via Eilean Donan castle. Then train to Inverness & after a free day there we moved to Thurso for the Orkney islands. We did a full day tour of the historical sites. Train to Kingussie then two days in Pitlochry & finally terminating in Edinburgh. Train travel is very relaxing. All taxis had been pre arranged & the whole two weeks ran like clockwork regardless of the complexity. The hotels had been carefully & wisely chosen & we would recommend most of these to friends. Some of them served evening meals which represented a gourmet experience. We were most impressed with the detailed holiday arrangements & the flexibility in meeting new requests/changes. We would have no hesitation in recommending this holiday & the company.

See above.

We traveled independently by train throughout Scotland with the tour company booking the trains, accommodation, and transportation. Most of the trip was in rural Scotland and local transportation and tours were also booked by travel company.

Good communication with our travel agent Carol prior to the trip. Every detail was planned carefully so we had all our seats booked on trains, we were met at each stop and transferred seamlessly to each accommodation or activity. The accommodation and activities were excellent and provided a good variety for our 3 week trip. We had one conflict which was addressed within minutes of sending an email when we were not expecting to hear back until the next business day.

It was well organised with plenty of variety. The documentation was detailed, clear and expertly laid out. All the hotels were well above average with delicious meals. We had excellent suggestions for walks, excursions and other restaurants The weather was good and the scenery divine. The trains taxis and lifts were all on time clean and comfortable with very pleasant drivers

Excellent, kind and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble The whole trip was well thought out

We have had the most marvellous tour organised to perfection by McKinley Kidd. With short hops on trains, steam train and a ferry as well as charming taxi transfers, we saw much of the magic of the Western Highlands. Spean Brisge to Mallaig, Arisaig and Morar, over to Skye and great beauty, Kyle and the lovely Plockton before Fort George and Inverness.

McKinley Kidd worked tirelessly to provide a superb experience tailored to our wishes. Courteous, kind, thoughtful and innovative, we highly recommend them.