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Belmond Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland from Paris

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

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

Railbookers operates this 11-day escorted luxury journey from Paris to Scotland, built around three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman. The trip opens with two nights in Paris, including a gourmet dinner cruise on the River Seine and priority access to the Eiffel Tower with an audio guide. A direct high-speed train then carries travelers to London for two nights, with a full-day guided tour of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Changing of the Guard, before a further direct train reaches Edinburgh for two nights using the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and a Scotch whisky tour. The Royal Scotsman journey begins Day 7 with afternoon tea through the Highlands, stopping overnight at Boat of Garten, and continues through Kyle of Lochalsh and Rothiemurchus Estate, where activities range from clay pigeon shooting to a guided forest bathing walk. The train returns to Edinburgh on Day 10 for a final overnight before departure. This is the most city-heavy Royal Scotsman itinerary, suited to luxury travelers who want Paris and London built into the Scotland rail 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 8 and 9 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.
  • General sightseeing time in Paris (Day 1) and Edinburgh (Days 5, 6, 10) is self-guided; the Seine dinner cruise, Eiffel Tower visit, London tour, whisky tour, and Highlands excursions are the escorted or ticketed elements.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to Paris! Your private transfer will meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel. Check in and begin exploring the many charms of Paris. Also, take time to discover the delicious Parisian cuisine, such as steak-frites, fresh baguettes, and croque-monsieur (a crispy ham and cheese sandwich with Béchamel sauce.) Why not head over to the Champs Elysees and explore before your gourmet dinner and sightseeing cruise on the River Seine? Enjoy panoramic views of Paris at night as you are wined and dined.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Today, you'll have priority entrance to the Eiffel Tower with summit access and an audio guide. This iconic landmark offers stunning views of the city, and your audio guide will provide insight into the tower's history and design.

  3. Day 3railovernight: London

    Paris to London

    Board a direct high-speed train this morning before checking 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.

  4. Day 4overnight: 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.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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.

  6. Day 6overnight: 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.

  7. Day 7railovernight: 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.

  8. Day 8railovernight: 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.

  9. Day 9railovernight: 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.

  10. Day 10railovernight: 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.

  11. Day 11rail

    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 1Explore Paris and enjoy a gourmet dinner cruise on the River Seine.
  • Day 2Priority entrance to the Eiffel Tower with summit access and an audio guide.
  • Day 4A full-day guided tour of London taking in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Changing of the Guard, the Tower of London, and a Thames River cruise ticket.
  • Day 7Board the Belmond Royal Scotsman for afternoon tea through Dunkeld, Pitlochry, and Aviemore, stopping overnight at Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms.
  • Day 10Breakfast 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 Paris
  • 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
  • Gourmet Dinner Cruise on the River Seine
  • Tickets for the Eiffel Tower with Priority Entrance and Audio Guide
  • 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 Paris 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 a direct high-speed train from Paris 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 a mix: the Eiffel Tower, London, whisky, and Highlands elements are guided or ticketed, while general city time in Paris and Edinburgh is self-guided.
Which trains are used?
The Belmond Royal Scotsman for the Highlands portion, plus direct high-speed rail linking Paris, London, and Edinburgh.
What is included?
A gourmet dinner cruise on the Seine, priority Eiffel Tower access with an audio guide, a full-day London tour with the Changing of the Guard and a river cruise ticket, the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, a Scotch whisky tour, all Highlands excursions, and private airport transfers in Paris and Edinburgh.
How much activity is involved onboard the Royal Scotsman?
Day 9 offers optional clay pigeon shooting, pre-booked wild swimming, a guided forest bathing walk, or a leisurely cycle at Rothiemurchus Estate.

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