Search

Railbookers

Belmond Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland from London

9-day escorted luxury rail trip from London to Scotland's Highlands

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

Railbookers operates this 9-day escorted luxury train journey from London to Edinburgh, built around three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman. The trip opens with two nights in London, including a full-day guided coach tour of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard, and the Tower of London. A direct train then carries travelers to Edinburgh for two nights, using the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and a Scotch whisky tour, before boarding the Royal Scotsman on Day 5 for afternoon tea through the Highlands, stopping overnight at Boat of Garten. Day 6 follows Britain's scenic route to Kyle of Lochalsh with a choice of Attadale Gardens or Plockton, and Day 7 offers Rothiemurchus Estate activities from clay pigeon shooting to a guided forest bathing walk, plus a Speyside distillery tasting. The train returns to Edinburgh on Day 8 for a final overnight before departure. This suits luxury-minded travelers who want London woven into a rail-centered Scotland journey.

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.
  • The excursion descriptions for Days 6 and 7 onboard the Royal Scotsman are only partially detailed in the source materials, cutting off mid-sentence; confirm the complete list of activity options with Railbookers.
  • Edinburgh sightseeing on Days 3, 4, and 8 relies on an included pass and leisure time for self-guided exploring; only the London tour, whisky tour, and Highlands excursions are run as escorted activities.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    Your Journey Begins in London

    Welcome to London! Your private transfer will meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to get acquainted with the city and start checking off your must-see attractions! Spend the rest of the day exploring the city, perhaps enjoying some traditional fish and chips for dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    London

    Get to know London in one day on this sight-packed, full-day tour with a guide. Traveling by air-conditioned coach, see top London attractions such as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and enjoy fast-track entry and a guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and then visit the Tower of London. Break for a pub lunch, and receive a ticket for a Thames River sightseeing cruise to use after your tour.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Edinburgh

    London to Edinburgh

    After breakfast, take a direct train from London to Edinburgh. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is yours to discover the city on your own or simply rest up. With the use of your included Royal Edinburgh Ticket, you can explore the likes of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

  4. Day 4overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    After breakfast, continue the exploration of Edinburgh with your pass as it is valid for 48 hours. Visit any sights you didn’t get to see the day before – perhaps with a visit to The Royal Yacht Britannia. Afterwards, embark on a Scotch Whisky tour and sample some of the finest goods straight from the Distilleries.

  5. Day 5railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Meet your private transfer driver at your hotel for a short ride to the train station. Your Royal Scotsman journey begins with a scenic ride through Scotland's stunning landscapes, from Perth to the Highlands. Enjoy afternoon tea as you pass through Dunkeld, Pitlochry, and Aviemore before stopping for the night at Boat of Garten in the peaceful Cairngorms. After dinner, unwind with live Gaelic music and folk melodies in the Observation Car, best enjoyed with a local dram.

  6. Day 6railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    This morning, the train travels north from Keith to Inverness, then onward to Kyle of Lochalsh along Britain’s most scenic route, with lunch served onboard. Stop at Strathcarron to visit Attadale Gardens, exploring its Water Garden, Japanese Garden, and Sunken Garden, followed by light refreshments with your hosts. Alternatively, alight in Plockton to spot wild seals, enjoy bay views of the Applecross Mountains, and savor a Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. For a more active option, take a guided hike near Kyle of Lochalsh, exploring woodlands, castles, and lochs, with chances to spot red deer and golden eagles. Rejoin the train in Kyle of Lochalsh, your overnight stop and gateway to the Isle of Skye.

  7. Day 7railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    The train departs Kyle early, retracing part of yesterday’s route to Inverness. In Aviemore, choose from activities at Rothiemurchus Estate, including fishing, clay pigeon shooting, wild swimming (pre-booked), or a guided forest bathing walk. Refreshments in the historic hunting lodge follow. Return for lunch onboard, then visit a Speyside distillery for a private whisky tasting or enjoy a leisurely cycle along the River Spey or nearby lochs. Rejoin the train in Boat of Garten and head to Dundee. Celebrate your final evening with a special dinner and lively dancing in the Observation Car, a perfect farewell to your journey.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and crosses the Tay Bridge into the former Kingdom of Fife. Arrive in Edinburgh and bid farewell as your Wild Spirit of Scotland journey comes to an end. Your private transfer will meet you at the station and take you to your hotel for a final overnight stay in Edinburgh.

  9. Day 9rail

    Your Journey Ends in Edinburgh

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and meet your private transfer for your ride to the airport. If you’d like to extend your journey to another city, just ask your Rail Expert and we can help you make all the arrangements.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A full-day guided coach tour of London taking in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, a guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard, the Tower of London, and a Thames River cruise ticket.
  • Day 5Board the Belmond Royal Scotsman for afternoon tea through Dunkeld, Pitlochry, and Aviemore, stopping overnight at Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms with live Gaelic music after dinner.
  • Day 6Travel Britain's most scenic route from Keith to Inverness and on to Kyle of Lochalsh, with a stop at Attadale Gardens or an alternative stop at Plockton to spot wild seals and views of the Applecross Mountains.
  • Day 7Choose from Rothiemurchus Estate activities including clay pigeon shooting, pre-booked wild swimming, or a guided forest bathing walk, followed by a Speyside distillery whisky tasting.
  • Day 8Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and crosses the Tay Bridge into Fife before arriving in Edinburgh.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 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 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 London 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 direct rail from London to Edinburgh and three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
A full-day guided coach tour covers London sightseeing, Edinburgh time uses an included pass, and the Highlands portion aboard the Royal Scotsman includes staffed excursions.
Which train is used?
The Belmond Royal Scotsman, running Edinburgh through the Highlands and the Isle of Skye region back to Edinburgh.
What is included?
A full-day London tour with the Changing of the Guard and a Thames River cruise ticket, the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, a Scotch whisky tour, all Highlands excursions, private airport transfers in London and Edinburgh, and private transfers to the Edinburgh train station.
How much activity is involved onboard?
Day 7 offers optional clay pigeon shooting, pre-booked wild swimming, a guided forest bathing walk, or a leisurely cycle at Rothiemurchus Estate.

Similar journeys