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Belmond Royal Scotsman Scotlands Classic Splendours

Eleven-day London and Edinburgh trip with four nights on the Royal Scotsman

Illustration of Belmond Royal Scotsman Scotlands Classic Splendours

Railbookers runs this 11-day rail journey between London and Edinburgh, built around four nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman. The trip opens with two nights in London, including a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour and a walking food tour past London landmarks. A train then carries you to Edinburgh for two nights, with skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle and a guided scotch whisky experience. On day five you board the Royal Scotsman at Waverley Station, crossing the Forth Railway Bridge toward Aberdeen, then continuing to Kyle of Lochalsh, Speyside, and Cairngorms National Park, with stops for castle visits, distillery tastings, and outdoor activities like fishing or clay pigeon shooting. The train returns to Edinburgh, and a further train carries you back to London for a final night. This trip suits travelers who want extended city time in London and Edinburgh paired with a multi-night luxury train journey through the Highlands.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists six hotel options in both London and Edinburgh; which one you get depends on the tier and city you choose.
  • Parts of days 3 and 9 are left free for independent exploration in Edinburgh rather than guided touring.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    London

    Get to know the storied streets and landmarks of London using your included hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour. Icons include Big Ben, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    London

    Today have a light breakfast and wear comfortable shoes as this walking tour lasts over three hours with your tour guide telling you lots of history on the way. There are lots of stops and you will have the opportunity to eat traditional British food (such as award-winning Fish and chips, World Famous Sausage Rolls and traditional Bacon and egg Baps), sample tasters from street food vendors, enjoy English cheeses paired with local beer/cider and try a classic British Dessert alongside a Fresh Pot of Tea. Plus, with all our tours, there is our Secret Dish, which you can only find out about on the day. Come the evening, why not treat yourself to an exciting West End show or have drinks at the opulent Ritz hotel?

  3. Day 3railovernight: Edinburgh

    London to Edinburgh

    Travel by train through the English countryside to the beautiful hills and lochs of Scotland to Edinburgh. Upon arrival, the remainder of the day is yours to discover the city on your own or simply rest up. See Georgian New Town, the Royal Mile, and the Sir Walter Scott monument.

  4. Day 4overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Use your included skip-the-line admission to Edinburgh Castle, where you can visit the Scottish crown jewels and the legendary Stone of Scone. Later, enjoy your guided scotch whisky experience, which includes a tasting session, a ride through a replica distillery, and a viewing of the world's largest collection of whisky.

  5. Day 5railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Today, you'll board the luxurious and iconic Belmond Royal Scotsman for a four-night journey! Traveling north, you'll cross the Forth Railway Bridge and enjoy afternoon tea and lunch as the train passes through Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen before arriving in Keith. This evening, an informal dinner will be served in the Observation Car with accompanying entertainment.

  6. Day 6railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    This morning, the train departs Keith and travels toward Inverness. Around lunchtime, you'll approach Kyle of Lochalsh (the most scenic route in the UK) and you'll disembark the train in the picturesque village of Plockton. You can choose from a seal-watching boat excursion or a visit to the crowd-pleasing Eilean Donan Castle. Back onboard, enjoy a formal dinner followed by coffee or cocktails in the Observation Car. Spend the night on the train in Kyle of Lochalsh.

  7. Day 7railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    The train departs Kyle of Lochalsh this morning and relax as the train travels through beautiful landscapes. You'll disembark in Garve to visit and tour the Glen Ord Distillery (founded in 1838) as well enjoy a private tasting and nosing session. Back on the train, you'll venture south to Carrbridge where you'll get to explore Ballindalloch Castle on Speyside. Optional excursions include a private castle tour, a nine-hole round of gold on the castle's course, or an exclusive visit to Scotland's only single-estate distillery. Following an informal dinner onboard the train, a Highlander will share stories and culture with guests. Spend the night on the train at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway.

  8. Day 8railovernight: onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Overnight Onboard The Belmond Royal Scotsman

    Visit the Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park with your choice of either fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or touring the estate. Enjoy lunch on the train as it travels south to Dunkeld, where you'll disembark and visit the Glamis Castle and gardens. A formal dinner is served on the train as you enjoy onboard entertainment. Spend the night on the train in Dundee.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Following breakfast, the train will travel south back to Edinburgh, where your Belmond Royal Scotsman journey ends. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own or get some rest at your hotel.

  10. Day 10railovernight: London

    Edinburgh to London

    Board your train back to London. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and perhaps find a local, popular restaurant for dinner where you can reminisce about your journey.

  11. Day 11

    Your Journey Ends in London

    Check out of your hotel and continue with your onward travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 5Boarding the Belmond Royal Scotsman for a four-night journey, the train crosses the Forth Railway Bridge and passes Arbroath, Montrose, and Aberdeen before reaching Keith.
  • Day 6Near Kyle of Lochalsh, the train stops in Plockton for a choice of a seal-watching boat excursion or a visit to Eilean Donan Castle.
  • Day 7A stop in Garve includes a private tasting and nosing session at Glen Ord Distillery, founded in 1838.
  • Day 8At Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park, guests choose between fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or a tour of the estate before visiting Glamis Castle in Dunkeld.

Included

  • Rail travel as specified in itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Edinburgh
  • 4 nights accommodation onboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman in a double cabin
  • All excursions as specified in itinerary
  • Meals on and off the train as specified in itinerary
  • Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour in London
  • Small-group food tour in London
  • Skip-the-line admission to Edinburgh Castle and walking tour

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The trip includes train travel from London to Edinburgh, four nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman, and the return train from Edinburgh to London.
Which trains does this trip use?
A UK Rail service connects London and Edinburgh, and the Belmond Royal Scotsman travels north from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, Kyle of Lochalsh, Speyside, and Dunkeld before returning.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers a choice of hotels in London, including the Kimpton Fitzroy London and Conrad London St. James, and in Edinburgh, including the InterContinental Edinburgh The George.
What's included onboard the train?
Four nights in a double cabin, all meals and alcohol, 24-hour steward service, and excursions in Plockton, Garve, Speyside, Cairngorms National Park, and Dunkeld are included.
How much walking is involved?
Day 2 includes a walking tour of London lasting over three hours, plus a guided Edinburgh Castle visit on day 4 and optional walking excursions at castle and distillery stops along the train route.

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