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Caerlaverock Castle

Passes & Offers for Holidays, Attractions & Travel in Scotland

Scotland can offer great value for money. Here’s our one-stop shop for great offers, deals and passes that can make trip planning easy and save your money. Before you visit Scotland's paid-for attractions, check if there are any hotel offers, attractions or travel passes, or dining out deals available. 

Get Outdoors and Enjoy Days Out this Winter and Spring in Scotland

Scotrail Highland Explorer near Dalmally

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• Travel around Scotland with ScotRail’s Kids for a Quid offer where kids can hop on board for just £1 with a paying adult.
• Enjoy up to 50% off select attractions when you travel by bus, bike or on foot. Find out more about Good Journeys in Scotland.
• Scotland offers a range of attractions that are free to enter , enjoy museums, galleries, ancient ruins and even some of our most spectacular castles, there’s plenty to choose from.

Kings College Chapel, Aberdeen

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• This winter and spring support local businesses with Scotland Loves Local featuring a range of products, experiences, food & drink and more that gives back to Scottish towns, villages and businesses.
• On the lookout for something special to add to your Sunday roast?  Go Rural and find what you're looking for at one of Scotland’s farms and farm shops. With a variety of meats, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, eggs, home baking, dairy and more all locally reared or produced, you’re guaranteed great quality and mouthwatering dishes. Many farms offer agritourism gift vouchers for tours and experiences, so if you're looking to take that farm trip a little further, you're in luck!

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From money-off attractions to travel passes, there are lots of ways to holiday for less in Scotland.

Culzean Castle and Country Park

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Skip the queue and visit bucket list attractions at a discounted price.

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Offers for Edinburgh, and the north east of Scotland.

Travel Passes & Offers

Stagecoach MegaRider

For local travel by bus, the MegaRider bus ticket gives you unlimited travel on Stagecoach buses in a chosen area.

Citylink Explorer Pass

Travel between cities and towns by coach with Citylink and make savings with 3-day, 5-day or 8-day passes.

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Find hop-on, hop-off buses in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness and take in all the local attractions.

BritRail Pass

Exclusively for international visitors, these passes allow unlimited travel through Scotland, England and Wales.

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This pass includes 4-day or 8-day unlimited rail travel, as well as ferry journeys, subway and tram services, bus routes and much more.

ScotRail Club 50

Discounts and flat fares for over 50s with membership for £15 a year.

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Is Scotland's Explorer Pass Worth It?

Updated: Dec 23, 2021

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I have personally used and would recommend.

There are so many castles all across Scotland, it can be overwhelming when you're trying to figure out which ones to visit, especially if you're limited on time. Luckily, I stumbled across the Explorer Pass which saved a lot of time, and most importantly - money! Let's face it, castles are not cheap to get into, especially if they're top tourist destinations. The smaller, less popular castles may boast a cheaper entrance fee, but if you're planning on visiting numerous ones it'll quickly add up.

Scotland's Explorer Pass doesn't have every single castle on it, but it does have some of the best ones, and even better, some that I hadn't even thought of visiting before. There are different versions of the pass to buy, but I opted for the 7 day pass which you can use over a span of 14 days and it cost just £38 . This was ideal because I didn't have to cram everything in, day after day, so I could really enjoy those 7 days I was actually castle hopping. There is also the option of a 3 days pass which you can use over 5 days for £29 . There's a map online that shows you all of the 77 attractions , so you can easily plan your trips and see what castles are near one another.

Driving in Scotland is a lot of fun, so I would highly recommend planning a self-drive tour of all of the castles. I took an electric car all over Scotland, so I had to meticulously plan each castle stop, and had I been able to locate enough charging points, I would have been able to fit in a few more intriguing castles, especially around the Edinburgh area. Not convinced? Well, what if I told you that I ended up paying well under half of what I would have done had I bought tickets for each individual castle? Yes, the Explorer Pass is that amazing, and perfect if you're visiting Scotland on a budget.

Tip: Make sure you look up the entry fee's for the historic sites you want to visit beforehand and calculate if the pass will be worth it to you. Below are all of the sites I visited with the Explorer Pass, and I've included what their entry fees would have been had I not had the pass. Keep reading to find out if Scotland's Explorer Pass is really worth it.

1. Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle sits along the shore of Loch Ness, and was once one of Scotland's largest castles. Today it sits as a ruin, but it's in a very picturesque spot, and after your visit you can go on a boat tour to try and spot the Loch Ness monster. This is a great place to visit in Scotland by car, because the drive to it is just as beautiful as the castle's location.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £12

2. Stirling Castle

Despite visiting a lot of Scottish castles, Stirling Castle is still my favourite. It has been an important castle throughout Scottish history, and was a favourite residence of the Stewart kings and queens. There has been extensive restorations done in the interior, so it looks how it would have done hundreds of years ago. There is also a gorgeous unicorn tapestry hanging in one of the rooms which is a personal favourite of mine.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £17.50

3. Castle Campbell

Situated in the town of Dollar, just outside of Stirling, sits Castle Campbell . This one isn't for the faint of heart. It's quite a trek through the woods and up an enormous hill, but the views from the top are worth it, even though the castle is a ruin. It dates back to the 15th century, and was home to the powerful Campbell earls. It also has connections to Mary Queen of Scots and John Knox.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £6

4. Doune Castle

Doune Castle is also in the Stirling area, and was famously used in Outlander as Castle Leoch as well as Monty Python and the Holy Grail . You may also recognize it from the pilot episode of Game of Thrones , where it was used as Winterfell . It dates back to the 14th century, and has one of the best preserved great halls in Scotland. One of the many reasons you should consider renting a car in Scotland is so that you can easily add castles such as this to your itinerary, without worrying about the time it will take on public transportation to get there.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £9

5. Lochleven Castle

Lochleven Castle is actually on its own personal island, and you need to go on a short boat ride to get to it. It takes about 10 minutes to get to on the boat, but make sure you check the weather beforehand. We managed to get the last boat over to the island because there was a storm on its way.

Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned at Lochleven Castle for a year towards the the end of her reign, where was forced to abdicate before making a daring escape to the mainland. The early 15th century tower still stands mostly intact, and offers stunning views of the mainland.

6. Elcho Castle

If you're driving around Perth, Elcho Castle is located very close to the city itself. It's a 16th century fortified mansion, which is incredibly well preserved. Don't be alarmed if you start driving through someone's farm, the castle is on the other side of it. This isn't an overly touristy castle, so you'll probably have it all to yourself.

7. Huntingtower Castle

You will also find Huntingtower Castle in the Perth area. It has a strange layout inside and if you look closely you can see paintwork dating back to the 16th century on the ceiling. This castle is very easy to add to your Scotland road trip itinerary, and takes almost no time at all to explore.

8. Stanley Mills

Although it's not a castle, admission to Stanley Mills is still on the Explorer Pass. It's quite an interesting stop if you're in the Perth area visiting the last two castles I mentioned. These water-powered mills were used to produce cotton at the height of the Industrial Revolution, and eventually closed in 1989. It's now a museum which gives great insight into an important part of Scottish history.

9. Threave Castle

One of the more interesting castles included in Scotland's Explorer Pass is Threave Castle . It's not a big castle by any means, but in order to get to it, you need to ring a bell, and a ferryman will appear to take you across the water to it.

Threave Castle dates back to the late 14th century, and became the stronghold of the Black Douglases. Before reaching the dock, you will need to walk around 10 minutes through a field and the forest, which is nice if the weather cooperates. Some of the castles on the Explorer Pass take a bit of walking to get to, so I find that the best time of the year to visit Scotland is in the summer months when the weather tends to be a little better.

10. Caerlaverock Castle

Located in the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland, Caerlaverock Castle is one place that I was really excited to visit. I won't bore you with historic facts or its architectural genius, because there's a lot to talk about, except to say that it still has a moat around it and dates back to the 13th century. It's considered one of Scotland's greatest medieval castles, and should definitely be added to any Scottish road trip.

11. St Andrews Castle

This is a personal favourite of mine, since I went to university in St Andrews, but I promise I'm not being too biased. St Andrews Castle sits on top of a cliff overlooking the sea, and was once the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of the town. It dates back to the 13th century, and you can go underground and crawl through a 16th century siege mine too, which I would recommend doing as long as you don't mind confined spaces.

12. St Rule's Tower

Located in the stunning ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, St Rule's Tower provides incredible views of the town and the Kingdom of Fife below. It was once part of the 12th century Augustinian church which was first built on this site. Only a few people can fit at the top, and you need to climb up a lot of steps to get to it, but the view is definitely worth it!

13. Linlithgow Palace

A lot of trips to Scotland include Edinburgh for obvious reasons ,but there are a large number of historic locations to visit in the surrounding area too. Linlithgow Palace for example, is quite a short drive from Edinburgh and should definitely be added to your list while you're planning a trip to Scotland. It's a very famous royal Scottish palace, and was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £7.20

14. Craigmillar Castle

If you're planning on visiting Edinburgh but are wondering what other castles the city has to offer, Craigmillar Castle is one of them. I had personally never heard of it before purchasing the Explorer Pass, and it was closed when we tried to visit, but it's one of the most perfectly preserved castles in Scotland and well worth stopping at, especially if you've rented a car. This 14th century castle is where Mary Queen of Scots fled to after the murder of her close friend Rizzio, and was where the plot to murder her husband, Lord Darnley, was hatched.

15. Blackness Castle

There are a lot of castles near Edinburgh to explore, but Blackness Castle has to be one of the most unique ones. This boat shaped 15th century castle was used in Outlander as Fort William and in the movie Mary Queen of Scots as the Palace of Holyroodhouse . Throughout history it was mainly used as a garrison or state prison, and provides gorgeous views of the Firth of Forth and Fife. If you're looking for day trips in Scotland and are leaving from Edinburgh, you can easily see Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace in one trip.

16. Edinburgh Castle

You didn't think I was going to miss Edinburgh Castle did you? I was actually very surprised that it was included in the Explorer Pass because of its pricey entrance fee. This castle is one of the most famous castles in the world, and a key part of Edinburgh's World Heritage old town. It has been beautifully preserved, and its oldest part dates back to the 12th century. No driving tour of Scotland is complete without a stop here. Even if you've been in it before (like I had), you should still put your Explorer Pass to good use and visit it again.

Entry fee without Explorer Pass: £19.50

There are many more fantastic castles and historic sites to visit with the Explorer Pass, but these are the 16 that I managed to visit with my 7 day pass. So, the big question is how much did I save with the Explorer Pass? I spent just £38 for the pass , and had I paid for each individual ticket at the sites, I would have ended up spending £137.20. That is a huge savings of £99.20 ! And I'm sure I could have fit a few more castles into the mix as well. So, is the Explorer Pass really worth it? Definitely. Click here to buy the Explorer Pass, or you can purchase it on the day at any of the locations on the map.

Scotland is full of beautiful places to discover, but my ultimate favourite spot is St Andrews. There is so much more to this coastal town than its golf courses, so if you're thinking of visiting St Andrews, check out my recommendations here . And if you're wondering where to stay, I would recommend treating yourself to Rufflets Hotel . Scotland is also very well known for its stunning nature and landscapes, so if you're a fan of walking, you'll love walking along the Fife Coastal Path , which passes through St Andrews at one point. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with my travels!

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Don’t miss out! To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking tickets online in advance to guarantee entry to our sites. This is essential when planning a visit to some of our busiest sites including Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Elcho Castle, Inchmahome Priory, Lochleven Castle, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, Skara Brae, Stirling Castle, and Urquhart Castle. Explore iconic sites and Scotland's fascinating history with our Explorer Pass - a great and easy way to visit many of our properties! The pass is valid for 14 consecutive days. The pass includes entry to the sites mentioned above. Visits must be booked in advance.

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Aberdour Castle and Gardens

Arbroath Abbey

The grounds and visitor centre (exhibition, shop & toilets) are open

The abbey is closed while high-level conservation works take place.

Balvenie Castle

Biggar Gasworks Museum

Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, Kirkwall

Earl's Palace is currently closed

Access to Bishop's Palace only. Free and no booking required.

Blackness Castle

We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry.

Bothwell Castle

Broch of Gurness

Caerlaverock Castle

There is currently no visitor access to the West range, outer stair and North West and East towers.

Cairnpapple Hill

Castle Campbell

Corgarff Castle

Opening on Wednesday 1 May

Craigmillar Castle

Open, some restrictions in place

Dirleton Castle

There is currently no visitor access to the Guard House, South Entrance and De Vaux range

Doune Castle

We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry

Dryburgh Abbey

Visits will be by guided tour

Dumbarton Castle

Dunblane Cathedral

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Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel

Edinburgh Castle

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Elcho Castle

Elgin Cathedral

Fort George

Glasgow Cathedral

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Hermitage Castle

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Inchmahome Priory

Iona Abbey and Nunnery

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

Jedburgh Abbey

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Kildrummy Castle

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Lochleven Castle

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Melrose Abbey

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St Andrews Castle

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St Andrews Cathedral

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Sweetheart Abbey

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Tantallon Castle

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Introducing two itinerary ideas, itinerary one: day 1 - visiting dundee / st andrews, itinerary two: day 1 - visiting galashiels / north berwick, itinerary one: day 2 - edinburgh to thurso, itinerary two: day 2 - edinburgh to aberdeen, (the grand tour route), (a return journey on the jacobite), itinerary one: day 4, skye to glasgow, itinerary two: day 4, fort william to tobermory, itinerary one: day 5, a day trip from glasgow, itinerary two: day 5, tobermory to glasgow, itinerary one: day 6, a day trip to bute, itinerary two: day 6, a day trip from glasgow, itinerary one: day 7, a day trip to oban, itinerary two: day 7, a day trip to arran, itinerary one: day 8, glasgow to newcastle, itinerary two: day 8, glasgow to the lake district, please support showmethejourney, other ideas for exploring scotland by train.

Seeing Scotland By Train - With a Spirit Of Scotland Pass

These Spirit Of Scotland itineraries will take you to the isles of Orkney, Bute, Mull, Arran and Skye.

Spirit of Scotland Passes valid for 8 days of travel can be purchased from staffed station ticket offices in Scotlland. (Passes are also available for 4 days of travel). They come in two parts, a ticket with a date on it, which you can use to open ticket gates, and a calendar on which you write the dates of travel on which you'll be using the pass, you don't have to be travelling on consecutive days.

You can use a Spirit of Scotland pass to travel in Standard Class (First Class upgrades are not available) on any non peak hour train in Scotland on your travel dates; as well as trains over the border to Berwick-on-Tweed and Carlisle. Seat reservations are available, but optional on these Scottish long-distance rail routes: 1. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Aberdeen 2. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Inverness 3. Glasgow <> Oban or Mallaig via Fort William 4. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Carlisle 5. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Berwick upon Tweed

Opting to reserve is highly recommended, and reservations can be arranged free of charge at ticket offices.

ShowMeTheJourney has come up with two itinerary ideas for making the most of a Spirit of Scotland Pass , valid for 8 days of travel Both trip ideas are along circular routes starting and finishing in Edinburgh, so you can jump in at any of the suggested overnight stops.

The idea is that you can mix and match the destination suggestions to suit you. For example, instead of heading on to Glasgow from Fort William on day four of Itinerary One, you could spend the night there and then pick up Itinerary Two, so that you can then head to the likes of Mull via Oban.

Though as the trains don’t run particularly frequently on Scotland’s most beautiful railway routes, ShowMeTheJourney has focused in the practical aspects of making these trips. However, it’s best to confirm departure times before heading to the station or planning your overnight stops - you’ll find the links to the info you'll need to check within this guide.

Itinerary One: 1. Edinburgh to St Andrews and or Dundee and back to Edinburgh 2. Edinburgh to Thurso (and Orkney) 3. Thurso to the Isle of Skye 4. The Isle of Skye to Glasgow, including a one-way ride on The Jacobite steam train 5. A day trip from Glasgow to somewhere fabulous 6. Glasgow to Bute back to Glasgow 7. Glasgow to Oban and back to Glasgow 8. Glasgow to Carlisle and on to Newcastle (Taking the train back from Newcastle to Edinburgh)

Itinerary Two: 1. Edinburgh to Galashiels and or North Berwick and back to Edinburgh 2. Edinburgh to Aberdeen 3. Aberdeen to Fort William; and a return journey to Mallaig on The Jacobite steam train 4. Fort William to Tobermory on Mull via Oban 5. Tobermory to Glasgow 6. A day trip from Glasgow to somewhere fabulous 7. Glasgow to Arran and back to Glasgow 8. Glasgow to Carlisle and on to The Lake District in England (Taking a train from The Lake District back to Edinburgh)

This first day of train travels allows you to leave your luggage in Edinburgh and head off for a day of exploring the attractions to the north of the Scottish capital. Frequent trains, which you can hop on and off with the pass, link the city to Dalmeny (for The Forth Bridge and South Queensferry), Leuchars (for St Andrews) and on to Dundee .

If the V & A Museum in Dundee is on your ‘must-see’ list, it’s best to see it on a day-trip from Edinburgh − this is because Dundee station doesn’t have any left-luggage facilities, meaning it’s comparatively awkward to stop off and visit the museum while on route to destinations further north.

An option is to head off on a day trip from Edinburgh to explore some beautiful destinations to the south and east of the Scottish capital.

Take a journey on the delightful Borders Railway to the charming town of Galashiels and here is a great guide to what you can do there on arrival.

Then if you have the time and energy to spare, when you’re back at Edinburgh station you can hop on another train and make the 35 minute trip to North Berwick and explore its beautiful beaches and more - as this local guide explains.

Head to Thurso via Inverness to experience the journey on the spectacular Far North Line . By taking the 14:00 train on from Inverness, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the dramatic scenery of this aptly named rail route, as Thurso is the UK’s most northerly railway station.

It’s worth taking a seat on the right of the train when boarding in Inverness as the secret of this route’s beauty is its mix of mountains, moors and sea - as far north as Helmsdale it offers one of Britain’s longest coastal train journeys. There are coastal and sea loch views available between these stations:

• Inverness > Muir of Ord
• Alness > Invergordon
• Tain > Culrain by the Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland.
• Golspie <> Helmsdale.

Though it’s wise to plan your itinerary so you’ll be making this journey from Edinburgh to Thurso on Mondays to Saturdays. You’ll then have time to lunch in Inverness between trains (the connections on the Edinburgh to Thurso journey are generally a tad awkward).

The 08:37 departure from Edinburgh, which arrives in Inverness just after midday, also makes one of Europe’s most incredible train journeys .

After departure from Perth, you’ll be travelling on Britain’s highest conventional railway, the aptly named ‘Highland Main Line’, which sounds wonderfully evocative and romantic; and it is!

Adding Orkney to a Spirit of Scotland itinerary

From May to September, if you’d like to take up the option of extending your journey north, in order to include spectacular Orkney on a round Scotland itinerary, there are two means of heading to the island from Thurso:

(1) Take local bus route/line 80 to John O’Groats. From there, you can travel on to Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, by a combination of the John O’ Groats ferry and connecting bus on from Burwick.

(2) Take the North Link Ferries service from Scrabster to Stromeness on Orkney. On arrival in Stromness, bus route/line X1 can take you on to Kirkwall. This second option is also available year round, but the only means of accessing Scrabster from Thurso is to book a taxi, as no local buses serve the ferry terminal. The journey is under two miles but, in the summer, it’s best to contact one of the local taxi hire companies and book ahead of your travel date.

A simple day’s travel on board a direct train to Aberdeen from Edinburgh, though take seat on the right-hand side of the train so that you can experience the fabulous coastal views.

This journeys conveys travellers over the magnificent Forth Bridge...

... and the UK's longest railway bridge over the River Tay.

The videos were filmed from trains travelling in the opposite direction.

Itinerary One: Day 3 - Thurso to Skye

To make the most of the scenery later on, when taking the second journey of the day, it’s best to take the train due to depart from Thurso at 08:34 (Monday to Saturday). So if you’ve added to Orkney to your itinerary you’ll need to head back to Thurso and spend the night there before taking this train. (Or you could travel in one day from Orkney to Inverness, spending the night there before picking up Itinerary Two).

You'll be connecting in Inverness for a train to Kyle Of Lochalsh, sit on the right when boarding in Inverness for the best views. This journey really does save the best till last because, after departure from Strathcarron, the vistas over the sea lochs are phenomenal.

Then connect in Kyle of Lochalsh for a bus, on which you can use your pass, over to the stunning Isle of Skye (this is the timetable ). The bus stop is a three to five minute walk from the station exit; head up to the main road, turn left, and the bus stop is on the road named ‘the old Slipway’, which is second on the left.

Choose a location on Skye that’s served by both the bus from Kyle and the bus to Armadale which you’ll be taking on Day Four. Suitable options include Broadford , Sconser and Portree .

It’s also wise to book your accommodation on Skye before you base the rest of your itinerary around staying here; when ShowMeTheJourney followed this route, I planned the journey about a month beforehand and then discovered that trying to find anywhere to stay in a suitable location on Skye, was nigh on impossible.

If the idea of including Skye on an around Scotland itinerary is what appeals the most, then the Grand Tour Ticket sold by Scotrail could be a better alternative than the Spirit Of Scotland Pass. It includes:

• A journey from Glasgow to Inverness
• The journey described above from Inverness to Skye
• The route onwards from Skye back to Glasgow, if you travel by the Scotrail trains from Mallaig.

Itinerary Two: Day 3 - Aberdeen to Fort William

Take a train from Aberdeen on the lovely route to Inverness...

...and then from there, at 13:00 and 15:00 a City Link bus on route 919 departs for Fort William (the journey, on which Spirit of Scotland passes can be used, takes 2hrs 5mins).

It’s best to confirm the train and bus times ahead, the connections in Inverness are usually conveniently timed, so you’ll want to make the most of them. The bus station in Inverness is a five-minute walk from the station. Turn right when exiting from the front of the station, then take the second right onto Margaret Street.

During its operating season from late May to late October the Jacobite steam train makes a return journey from Fort William on the spectacular route to Mallaig, including the journey over the Glenfinnan Viaduct showcased in the Harry Potter movies.

Because you’ll be waking in Fort William, you’ll be able to take the morning departure from there, so will be able to travel to and from Mallaig on the steam train. Though book ahead as the most popular departures sell out weeks in advance.

It’s worth putting up with the connections on this day of travel as this is an unforgettable journey! The first stage is the beautiful journey across Skye on the bus to Armadale which is where the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland will depart from – the Spirit Of Scotland Pass is valid on the bus, but you will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

The train you’ll take from Mallaig is no ordinary train though. The optimum connection is to take the Jacobite steam train which, during its operating season from late May to late October, departs daily from Mallaig at 14:10. You’ll need to pre-book separate tickets for the Jacobite − ideally at least a month ahead, as seats typically sell out well in advance.

The Jacobite train arrives at Fort William station more than an hour before the train to Glasgow departs at 17:37. In summer, when days at their longest, it’s possible to enjoy the stunning West Highland Line scenery on this final leg of the journey (take a seat on the right-hand side when boarding in Fort William, in order to see the best of the views). Your train will arrive in Glasgow, at Queen Street station before 21:30.

Before committing to this route, it’s worth confirming the schedules of the bus to Armadale. The bus may arrive in Armadale around an hour before the ferry departs and then the ferry may get to Mallaig more than hour before you depart on the steam train – time enough for a lovely fish and chip lunch in the café at Mallaig station.

If you don’t take The Jacobite, or will be travelling on days when it isn’t operating, that train from Fort William to Glasgow, will commence its journey in Mallaig around an hour after the steam train is scheduled to depart. There are multiple pubs and cafes in Mallaig in which to wait for the direct train to Glasgow.

Take the train, which usually departs Fort William at 11:40 to Crianlarich, it will be the train heading to Glasgow and take a seat on the right to make the most of the spectacular views!

On arrival in Crianlarich there should be a connection of around 50 minutes into a train to Oban, which will arrive there just before 15:30. If you want to head to Tobermory, on the Island of Mull, there’s usually a ferry to Craignure , departing at 15:55, which connects with a bus on to Tobermory (the ferry terminal in Oban is a five-minute walk from the train station). You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Or spend a couple of nights in Oban and make a day trip on the ferries to Mull or beautiful Lismore – the ferry crossings to both islands take under an hour.

This is an opportunity to make a comparatively short day trip by train from Glasgow, the options include.

- Loch Lomond – by taking a train to Balloch - New Lanark – by taking the trains to Lanark - Stirling Castle - take a frequent train from Glasgow Queen Street - The Falkirk Wheel - take bus route/line 6 from Falkirk Grahamston station, which is served by 2 x trains per hour from Glasgow Queen Street - avoid the trains to Falkirk High station. (Both the castle and the wheel can be easily be combined on one day trip, there are frequent trains between Falkirk and Stirling).

When boarding the train in Oban it’s best to take seats on the right, as during the journey you’ll then be able to see the stunning views over Loch Awe, Lochan na Bi, Loch Gare, Loch Long and the River Clyde.

If you’ve opted to stay in Tobermory, the journey from there to Glasgow, can take only around 4hr 30 mins, with the optimum transfers from bus, to ferry and then on to the train. You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Every hour, a train from Glasgow Central journeys to Wemyss Bay railway station. There will be time to appreciate this truly magical station before the ferry departs for Rothesay (in the summer, the boats connect with every train arrival).

This delightful ferry crossing takes around 35 minutes and, on arrival, you can see the best of Bute touring the island on an open-topped bus.

You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Take one of those comparatively short day trips from Glasgow listed above, or head off on the day trip to Bute.

At 10:33 a train will usually depart from Queen Street station for Oban .

The charming coastal town is pretty much the perfect location for a late lunch. On Mondays to Saturdays the train from Glasgow will arrive there at 13:43 and the trains back to Glasgow should be departing at 16:11 and 18:11.

But on the fresh part of the journey between Clanriach and Oban, from the left of the train there will be views over Lochan na Bi and then after Dalmeny the railway is by the shore of Loch Awe.

Then before and after Connel Ferry station , there are some coastal views to be savoured over on the right. So it can be a good idea to take a seat on the other side of the train on the return journey to Glasgow.

Trains from Glasgow Central station take less than 45 minutes to make the journey to Ardrossan Harbour station, where an easy transfer is available to the ferries that travel over to Brodick, the main town on the island of Arran . You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

It’s possible to depart Glasgow after 11:00 and see the best of the island on a straightforward day trip, but you should **[check the Due to the variety seen in its majestic landscape, Arran has been described as ‘Scotland in miniature’ and a network of local bus routes link the ferry terminal in Brodick to beauty spots across the island. Though the buses are timed to connect with the ferry arrivals, so it’s best to take time out to explore the charms of Brodick when arriving back in the village; before awaiting the ferry back to the mainland.

The Mondays to Saturday only schedule is:

• Depart Glasgow Central by train at 11:18
• Arrive Ardrossan Harbour at 12;05
• Depart Ardrossan Harbour at 12:30
• Arrive Brodick at 13:25
• Depart Brodick on bus/line route 324 at 13:40; the route goes along the island's north coast
• Arrive Blackwater at 15:02
• Depart Blackwater at 15:40 on bus/line route 322 , which takes the The String road through the mountains across the island
• Arrive Brodick at 16:08
• Depart Brodick at 16:40
• Arrive Glasgow at 18:50

During the summer, the final ferry of the day usually departs from Brodick at 19:20.

Make a diversion into England and spend some time in the fabulous city of Newcastle . At the ticket office in Glasgow, you can book a ticket from Carlisle to Newcastle (the Spirit of Scotland Pass will take you as far as Carlisle). On arrival in Carlisle, you’ll usually need to connect for a train on to Newcastle , but the train that departs Glasgow at 16:13 provides a direct link.

Having spent some time enjoying Newcastle, it’s then an easy and spectacular journey back to Edinburgh on your 9th day of travels; try to sit on the right-hand side of the train to make the most of the fabulous sea views pictured above (you’ll also save money if you book an advance ticket for the trip back to Edinburgh).

The Spirit Of Scotland Pass will convey you over the English border to Carlisle, so an option is take the slower and longer route to that city on the wonderful and aptly named Carlisle Line . Then from Carlisle in less than 30 minutes you’ll be at Penrith North Lakes station , which is so named because of the access it offers by public transport to The Lake District .

Hourly buses on routes X4 or X5 stop just outside the station and provide a connection to Keswick , on Derwentwater (journey time 41 minutes) and guaranteed connections are available in Keswick on to Basenthwaite village and Cockermouth. Route 555 provides an hourly service on from Keswick to Ambleside , the location of Wordsworth’s cottage at Rydale and to Windermere.

There are also comparatively frequent direct trains from Glasgow to Penrith , you can buy a ticket for the part of the journey from Carlisle to Penrith at Glasgow Central station.

There also multiple direct trains per day from Penrith North Lakes that will take you back to your starting point in Edinburgh in under two hours; and this journey makes for a wonderful climax to your adventure.

Penrith North Lakes station also has direct trains to Birmingham, London, Manchester and Liverpool; though book ahead to save money with Advance tickets on the journey from Penrith.

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So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you .

Simon Harper

I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

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This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

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Each pass is valid for either one, two or three consecutive calendar days and is simply scanned at each experience to gain entry.  Passes are only activated when you enter the first experience of your visit.  We email your pass right away so you can print or simply show it on your phone. You might need to book ahead for some experiences but we will always keep you right. 

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Open return airport transfer, hop-on hop-off city bus, local boat trip and free entry to our favourite experiences and walking tours from around Edinburgh. We also share our favourite local spots perfect for when you’re thirsty, hungry or just a bit curious. These experiences are curated by people who live here based on what visitors and locals love to see and do. 

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You will need to pre-book for some experiences, but we will always keep you right. Our attractions page is kept up to date with what’s included (and open). Any new experiences added (or re-opened) before your visit will of course be included in your pass.

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Visit vaults under old Edinburgh, stand on top of towering monuments, see inside stately homes, delve deep in a coal mine, escape on a boat trip on the River Forth, be super-enthralled by the supernatural on a haunted history tour, marvel within a medieval house … pop them all and more into your pocket. Enjoy sights worth seeing, off the beaten track, away from the crowds, beyond the usual and near perfect.

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Free south bridge vaults walking tour - normally £18 per person

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Free Harry Potter Walking Tour - normally £15 per person

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  BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass

Please note that from 25th April 2023 ferry travel is no longer included within the Spirit of Scotland Pass.

Any ferry travel should be purchased separately from www.calmac.co.uk .

Demonstrating great integrated transport, the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass is valid on the National Rail Network and certain coach routes.

Scotland has so much to see from the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, to many long sandy beaches and you can also visit many of the Scottish Hebridean islands too. Travel the length and breadth of Scotland using the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass.

Class of travel : Standard (2nd) class pass available

Discounts : Child  (plus various discounts off coach and ferry operators - see pass benefits)

Validity : Flexible – 4 Days (in 8 Days) and 8 Day (in 15 Days)

Boundaries : Carlisle and Berwick-upon-Tweed

Exclusions : BritRail Passes are valid for travel on all National Rail services. However, some exclusions do apply:

BritRail Spirit of Scotland Passes are not valid on Caledonian MacBrayne ferries, Glasgow Underground, road links between airport and railway stations, privately owned railways, Tram links, steam services, nor any other services that are not run by National Rail.

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Money Savers And Discount Passes For Attractions and Travel

Updated 2022-08-05

When visiting Scotland there are a few money savers that are worth looking at, like free entry attractions and discount travel passes to help your money go a little further.

Everyone wants your business, which is good news if you’re looking for some welcome ways of saving money. The information given on this page is aimed at doing just that, so when you get around to planning your travel itinerary, at least you’ll know where to take advantage of some of our attractions and travel that will help your money go further.

MONEY SAVERS ON ATTRACTIONS…

National Trust For Scotland Membership: Enjoy unlimited access – from coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness. Get more information about the National Trust for Scotland family membership and seniors offers.

Royal Edinburgh Sightseeing Pass: Hop-on hop-off bus tours (48 hours unlimited) includes admission to royal attractions: Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Get more info about the Royal Edinburgh Ticket offer.

FREE ENTRY ATTRACTIONS…

Glasgow Museums: You can’t get a better money saving offer than FREE! All of Glasgow’s museums are free, including the Transport Museum, the Burrell Collection, and Scotlands top (free) attraction, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum . There are 13 museums across the city, and the full list is on the Glasgow Museums website.

Edinburgh Museums: Many museums in Edinburgh are also free – The Museum of Scotland, Museum of Edinburgh, Royal Museum, and National Galleries of Scotland. More info is available on Edinburgh Museums , the official Scottish tourism website.

DISCOUNT BUS TRAVEL PASSES…

Scottish Citylink Discount Passes: Save money with the Explore Pass, multi journey tickets, child and student discounts, family discounts, etc. More information on the Scottish Citylink website.

DISCOUNT RAIL TRAVEL PASSES…

First Scotrail Freedom of Scotland Pass: This pass is valid for the Scottish rail network throughout the whole country and includes ferry services to and from the Islands. Covers any 4 out of 8 days consecutive travel or any 8 out of 15 consecutive days travel. Also valid on all Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services within Scotland.

First Scotrail Central Scotland Rover Pass: This pass gives you unlimited rail travel for any 3 days out of 7. Covers the whole Central Belt from Glasgow to North Berwick, and stops in between, including the cities of Edinburgh and Perth.

First Scotrail Highland Rover Pass: This one gives you unlimited rail travel for any 4 consecutive days out of 8, and it also covers some coach and ferry travel services. More information is available on the FIRST SCOTRAIL official website.

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