If you are a long-standing reader of the Girl on the Move, then you know we like our train journeys. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I really love these. It could be that you see the country fly past you, or maybe it’s nostalgic for me. Whatever it is, recently we decided to go for our first one set in the UK; 2 weeks in Scotland.
Our route covered Glasgow, Fort William, Inverness, Stirling, Edinburgh and then back to Glasgow again. It was an incredible adventure which let us really get to know Scotland; the culture, the landscapes, the food.
If you have ever considered an epic two weeks in Scotland by rail, this one is for you. I hope that you enjoy it.
2 Weeks in Scotland | A Rail Trip Itinerary
📍 Stop 1: Glasgow (Days 1–4)
We started our journey in Glasgow. People often overlook Glasgow for its pretty cousin Edinburgh, but I think that the city has lots to offer. For people who are new to the city, there is plenty to see and there are actually a fair amount of day trips which you can go on.
For our time in Glasgow we spent time exploring the West End, the historic sites such as the Cathedral and the Necropolis. We also visited the Riverside Museum and the famous University, as well as looking around the shops and restaurants.
Glasgow is also in a great position to explore the surrounding country. We also took a day trip to Loch Lomond, which was perfect for a day enjoying the August sun.
For more information on what we did, check out my 24 hours in Glasgow post, where I go into more depth. I’ve also written about the best day trips from Glasgow, including a day trip to Loch Lomond.
📍 Stop 2: Fort William (Days 4–6)
On Day 4 we headed up to Fort William. We caught a very early train from Queens Street and went up the majority of the West Highland Line. This is supposedly one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, up there with the iconic Kandy to Ella train in Sri Lanka.
Fort William is a small town which doesn’t have much in it. To be honest, you could probably cover the town and nearby Loch in a couple of hours. The main activities in Fort William are day trips to some of the most beautiful places in the UK.
We decided to visit the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was made famous by Harry Potter. On the other full day, we visited Glen Coe and explored the trails. We didn’t climb Ben Nevis this time as we wanted to go and see more of the surrounding area.
For more information, check out my post on 48 hours in Fort William, which covers what you can do and accommodation options.
Top Tip: Book your train tickets here months in advance. They go quickly and you don’t want to be stranded in Glasgow. Because of the popularity you can’t pre-choose your seats either.
📍 Stop 3: Inverness (Days 6–9)
Whilst not as famous, the train from Fort William to Inverness is another beautiful journey through the Highlands. Inverness really surprised me; I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was a beautiful, small city.
Whilst the city is small, there are a few things to do. You have Leakey’s Bookshop and some beautiful walks up the River Ness. However, I love Inverness because of its location. During our stay, we went on a day trip to John O’Groats and a cruise along Loch Ness, where we explored Urquhart Castle. We also visited the nearby Culloden Battlefield, which was an amazing experience.
Check out my blog posts linked above for more information on the individual outings, or my post on 48 hours in Inverness for a detailed overview.
📍 Stop 4: Stirling (Days 9–10)
As we approached the latter part of our 2 weeks in Scotland, we visited Stirling. This small, quaint city was made famous by Braveheart and is perfect for history-buffs. It also is extremely pretty and picturesque.
The main attractions here are Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Both of these are packed with information and tell stories about the country’s turbulent past. The Monument is also located within the Abbey Craig; which is perfect for leisurely strolls.
Check out my post on 24 hours in Stirling for more information. I promise that this will be a highlight of your 2 weeks in Scotland!
📍 Stop 5: Edinburgh (Days 10–13)
No 2 weeks in Scotland would be complete without a stop in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is packed with history and culture, and has plenty of interesting sites to see. There are also plenty of open green spaces and tasty restaurants.
We split our days doing different things in Edinburgh. On one day we braved the path up to Arthur’s Seat to take in the view, and the next we explored Edinburgh Castle. The final day was spent exploring the city, walking down the old streets (including Victoria Street) and visiting the National Museum of Scotland.
We did cram a lot into Edinburgh, but for more information check out my 48 hours in Edinburgh post. I cover everything you’ll need to know for this section of the trip.
Final Thoughts | 2 Weeks in Scotland
2 weeks in Scotland is best done by rail and I hope that this short itinerary, along with my other posts, have persuaded you. By train, you can kick back and relax and watch the Highlands go by. Yes, there may be a few days where public transport doesn’t play by the rules, but it really adds to the experience.
I hope that I’ve covered everything that you need to know but, if you have any questions, just let me know. I always love hearing from you.
