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Belmond Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland to London

Eight-day Edinburgh-to-London trip with three nights aboard Belmond Royal Scotsman

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

Railbookers runs this eight-day rail package from Edinburgh to London, built around three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman. The trip opens with two days in Edinburgh, including a Royal Edinburgh sightseeing pass covering Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, plus a small-group whisky tour. On day three you board the Royal Scotsman for an afternoon tea departure through Perth toward the Cairngorms, stopping overnight at Boat of Garten. The following days carry you to Kyle of Lochalsh near the Isle of Skye, with stops at Attadale Gardens or Plockton to see seals and the Applecross Mountains, plus a choice of Highland activities and a Speyside whisky tasting. The journey ends with two nights in London and a guided city tour taking in Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London. This suits travelers who want a structured, upscale itinerary that pairs sleeper-train travel with city sightseeing, rather than a fully independent trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists six hotel options in both Edinburgh and London; the specific hotel you get depends on the accommodation tier and city selected, not a single named property.
  • Some Day 5 Highland activities, including wild swimming, must be pre-booked rather than chosen on the day.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Your Journey Begins in Edinburgh

    Welcome to Edinburgh! Your private transfer will meet you at the airport and bring you to your hotel. 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.

  2. Day 2overnight: 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.

  3. Day 3railovernight: 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: 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.

  5. Day 5railovernight: 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.

  6. Day 6railovernight: London

    Edinburgh to London

    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. Catch a direct train to London – ready for a stay in the capital for two nights. Check in to your hotel and then head out in the evening to explore all London has to offer.

  7. Day 7overnight: 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.

  8. Day 8rail

    Your Journey Ends in London

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and meet your private transfer for your ride to the airport. If you would 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 3The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh via Perth for the Highlands, serving afternoon tea while passing Dunkeld, Pitlochry, and Aviemore before stopping for the night at Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms.
  • Day 4The train travels from Keith to Inverness and on to Kyle of Lochalsh, with a stop at Attadale Gardens or an alternative stop at Plockton to see wild seals and views of the Applecross Mountains.
  • Day 5Guests can choose Highland activities at Rothiemurchus Estate, including fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or a guided forest bathing walk, followed by a private whisky tasting at a Speyside distillery.
  • Day 7A full-day London tour visits Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London, and includes watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Included

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman in a twin cabin are included, along with a direct train from Edinburgh to London.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Railbookers arranges private transfers, hotels, and set excursions, but some time, such as your first afternoon in Edinburgh, is left free to explore on your own.
Which trains does this trip use?
The Belmond Royal Scotsman travels from Edinburgh through Perth, the Cairngorms, Inverness, and Kyle of Lochalsh over three nights, and a direct train connects Edinburgh to London afterward.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers a choice of hotels in Edinburgh, including the InterContinental Edinburgh The George and Hotel Indigo Edinburgh, and in London, including the Conrad London St. James and London Hilton on Park Lane.
What's included besides the train?
Hotel breakfasts, a Royal Edinburgh sightseeing ticket, a small-group whisky tour, a guided London city tour with the Changing of the Guard and a river cruise, and private airport transfers.

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