I want to spend about a week in Scotland but am not up to hiking or long treks around a city. How, where can I get the best information about train tours. I am thinking of a luxury train tour where I have my own bunk. I am an older woman and use a walker much of the time. I do not want a tour where I have to be getting on and off a van everytime we stop in a new place and in and out of hostels or hotels. I would hope to go in September or October.
Posted by
Chicago
1424 posts
I appreciate your situation, but my thought is that the sights you might want to see
in a region like Scotland require some access that a train cannot reach. So even if
you find a train that has overnight accommodations, you are still looking at getting
on and off the train for day excursions, which could be using a van, and walking
around, whether it is castles, farms, towns, etc.
Hopefully someone else might have some ideas, but if you have somewhat limited
mobility, Scotland is not the first place I'd think of. What comes to my mind is
some kind of coastal cruise ship in Iceland, Norway, or a river cruise.
Posted by
Freedonia
19223 posts
The only train that comes close to what you want is the Royal Scotsman.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2452 posts
As been has pointed out, you will be quite limited in what you will see in Scotland by train if you do not take a mini coach or taxi to get to various sights.
If you can manage stairs, perhaps small ship cruising would work for you.
Hebrides Cruises has a sailing that travels between Inverness and Oban on the Caledonian Canal.
Another possibility is a small cruise ship to visit the islands and coastal areas. You would need to discuss your requirements with the cruise line to see if it would meet your needs.
2 companies to consider are Noble Caledonia and Hebridean Island Cruises.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4753 posts
If you can afford a luxury train, maybe you want to consider a private car tour? Cities are hilly, public transport requires stairs, slopes and walking to get to sights. A car can get you to any accessible parking, advise of what sites are later and walker accessible.
Posted by
OP
central Texas
8 posts
Thanks for all the responses to my query about train tours of Scotland. I had seen some ads and thought it looked appealing but I see your points about the steps and walking needed to actually visit most of the sites. A private car trim does make the most sense. I'll think about that, maybe on a day to day basis depending on my primary location. Thanks!
Posted by
420 posts
Alan Cummings made four tv episodes on the Royal Scotsman and PBS has rights to them in USA. Hunt around for "Alan Cumming's Most Luxurious Train Journeys Scotland". It does show the amount of times passengers are on and off the train.
Posted by
West Virginia
252 posts
I just completed the RS 13 day Scotland tour. Our guide Alasdair MacDonald was absolutely outstanding-humorous as well as knowledgeable. He has his own luxury SUV for private tours. I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Here’s a link for his private tours.