Rail holiday specialist Ffestiniog Travel is offering two itineraries that explore beautiful landscapes – The Western Isles of Scotland and The Far West of Ireland. 

Its tour to The Western Isles of Scotland this September, travels the length of the Outer Hebrides before exploring the Isle of Skye and returning to the mainland to for rail journeys and cultural visits.

The 13-day itinerary, departing 7 September, costs from £2,355 pp (two sharing) including 12 nights’ B&B (one each in Glasgow and Inverness and two each in Edinburgh, Fort William, Lochboisdale, Tarbert and Portree), ten evening meals, rail and road journeys and excursions as per the itinerary, and the services of a tour leader throughout.

The Far West of Ireland ten-day escorted tour explores the country by train, combining journeys on Iarnród Éireann’s modern fleet with heritage rail experiences.

It visits the cities of Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork, plus the scenic Dingle Peninsula, Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum (to learn more about the pioneering days of aviation and passenger travel across the North Atlantic, and the rich maritime history of the River Shannon), Kilrush’s  Vandeleur Walled Garden and Blennerville Windmill, Co. Kerry’s distinctive landmark and a living reminder of Ireland’s rich industrial past.

This holiday also includes a ‘5 in 15 Day Explorer Pass’, three days of which can be used for independent travel during free days in the itinerary.

Departing 21 September, the price is from £1,465 pp (two sharing) including nine nights’ B&B (three in Dublin, two each in Limerick & Cork, one each in Galway & Tralee), return ferry (Holyhead to Dublin), rail and road journeys and excursions as per the itinerary, a 5 in 15 Day Explorer Pass and the services of a tour leader throughout.

Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a Charitable Trust, the profits from which go to support the world-famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.