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Belmond Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland from Dublin

11-day escorted luxury rail trip from Dublin to Scotland via London

Illustration of Belmond Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland from Dublin

Railbookers operates this 11-day escorted luxury journey that begins in Dublin and finishes with the Belmond Royal Scotsman's three-night Highlands route. After two nights in Dublin, including a small-group food tour from Trinity College, Day 3 crosses the Irish Sea by ferry to Holyhead and continues by rail into London for two nights, with a full-day guided tour taking in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Changing of the Guard. A direct train then carries travelers to Edinburgh for two nights, using the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and a small-group whisky tour, before boarding the Royal Scotsman for three nights through the Highlands, with excursion choices including Attadale Gardens, Plockton, or a guided hike. The trip closes with a final Edinburgh night after the train crosses the Tay Bridge. This is the longest of the Royal Scotsman itineraries, suited to luxury-minded travelers who want Dublin and London woven into the Scotland rail journey rather than flying directly into Edinburgh.

What to know before you look closer

  • The operator publishes no current departure dates in the available materials; confirm scheduling directly with Railbookers before booking.
  • This itinerary adds full stays in Dublin and London, plus a ferry crossing, before the Royal Scotsman portion begins; travelers wanting only the Scotland rail journey may prefer one of the shorter Edinburgh-based itineraries.
  • Edinburgh sightseeing on Days 5, 6, and 10 relies on an included pass for self-guided exploring; only the food tour, London tour, whisky tour, and Highlands excursions are run as escorted activities.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Dublin

    Your Journey Begins in Dublin

    Private transfer to your hotel; explore central Dublin at leisure.

  2. Day 2overnight: Dublin

    Dublin

    Small group food tour starting at Trinity College; traditional pubs and a local speakeasy.

  3. Day 3railovernight: London

    Dublin to London

    Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, then rail to London.

  4. Day 4overnight: London

    London

    Full-day guided tour: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, and a Thames River cruise ticket.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Edinburgh

    London to Edinburgh

    Direct train from London to Edinburgh; explore with your Royal Edinburgh Ticket.

  6. Day 6overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Continue exploring, perhaps The Royal Yacht Britannia, then a Scotch Whisky tour.

  7. Day 7overnight: Onboard Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Board the Belmond Royal Scotsman for a three-night journey from Perth through the Highlands via Dunkeld, Pitlochry, and Aviemore; overnight at Boat of Garten.

  8. Day 8overnight: Onboard Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    North from Keith to Inverness then Kyle of Lochalsh; options include Attadale Gardens, Plockton, or a guided hike.

  9. Day 9overnight: Onboard Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Rothiemurchus Estate activities in Aviemore, a Speyside distillery tasting, then on to Dundee for a farewell dinner and dancing.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Breakfast onboard as the train crosses the Tay Bridge into Fife and arrives in Edinburgh; final overnight stay.

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in Edinburgh

    Check out after breakfast and private transfer to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A small-group food tour in Dublin starting at Trinity College, taking in traditional pubs and a local speakeasy.
  • Day 3Cross the Irish Sea by ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, then continue by rail into London.
  • Day 4A full-day guided tour of London, taking in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London, plus a Thames River cruise ticket.
  • Day 7Board the Belmond Royal Scotsman for a three-night journey from Perth into the Highlands, stopping overnight at Boat of Garten.
  • Day 10Breakfast is served onboard as the train crosses the Tay Bridge into Fife before arriving back in Edinburgh.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Dublin
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Edinburgh
  • 3 nights accommodation onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman in a twin cabin
  • All excursions as specified in the itinerary
  • Small group food tour in Dublin
  • Ferry from Dublin to Holyhead
  • Small group tour of London with the Changing of the Guard and River Cruise
  • Multi-day Royal Edinburgh Ticket with entrance to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Small-group whisky tour from Edinburgh
  • Private airport transfers in Dublin and Edinburgh
  • Private transfers to and from the Edinburgh train station for your Royal Scotsman journey

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, including rail from Holyhead to London, a direct train from London to Edinburgh, and three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an escorted luxury train journey; Dublin and Edinburgh city time uses included tours and passes rather than one continuous guide.
How do you get from Dublin to London?
By ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, then rail on to London.
Which trains are used?
The Belmond Royal Scotsman for the Highlands portion, in a luxury twin cabin, plus direct rail from London to Edinburgh.
What is included?
A small-group Dublin food tour, the Dublin to Holyhead ferry, a full-day London tour with the Changing of the Guard and a river cruise ticket, the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, a whisky tour, all Highlands excursions, and private airport transfers in Dublin and Edinburgh.

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