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Planet Rail · Luxury train holiday

Belmond Royal Scotsman – Taste of the Highlands – 2 night Journey

Luxury train through Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh with fine dining

Illustration of Belmond Royal Scotsman – Taste of the Highlands – 2 night Journey

The Belmond Royal Scotsman, operated by Planet Rail, is a 4-day, 3-night luxury train journey through the Scottish Highlands, departing and returning to Edinburgh. Your first day is spent exploring Edinburgh independently, staying at a 5-star hotel in the city centre. On Day 2, the train departs Edinburgh early afternoon and travels north on the Highland Line through Perthshire, passing Gleneagles, Perth and Pitlochry, arriving at Boat of Garten for overnight stabling. An informal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car follow. Day 3 includes a motorcoach excursion to Rothiemurchus Estate, where you choose among clay pigeon shooting, a guided ranger-led walk through Caledonian pine forest and moorland, or independent exploration. Day 4 returns you by train through Fife and across the Forth Railway Bridge to Edinburgh. All meals and drinks aboard are included, as are the on-train hosting and estate excursions. This journey suits luxury-focused travellers, couples, repeat rail enthusiasts, and those seeking fine dining and Highland scenery without the pace of multiple hotel changes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Prices shown are per person sharing a twin compartment; Grand Suite availability is extremely limited and costs from £12,000 per person
  • Day 1 is unguided; you make your own way to your Edinburgh hotel and explore the city independently

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arrive into Edinburgh

    Make your own way to the Scottish capital and your central 5-star hotel. Time to explore the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town, the Royal Mile with Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House, St Giles’ Cathedral, Arthur’s Seat, the Royal Yacht Britannia or the islands of the Firth of Forth. Edinburgh has more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere in the UK outside London.

  2. Day 2overnight: On board Royal Scotsman (Boat of Garten)

    Edinburgh - Boat of Garten

    The Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh early afternoon, heading west through Linlithgow to Stirling and past Gleneagles to the ‘Fair City’ of Perth, then north on the Highland line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl, with a glimpse of Blair Castle, to Boat of Garten for overnight stabling. An informal dinner is served, followed by entertainment in the Observation Car.

  3. Day 3overnight: On board Royal Scotsman (Dundee)

    Boat of Garten - Dundee

    After breakfast, travel by motorcoach to Rothiemurchus. The estate’s diverse landscape spans river flood plain, heather moorland, forestry plantations and majestic Caledonian pine forest. Enjoy activities including clay pigeon shooting or a guided tour with one of the Park Rangers, learning about local flora and wildlife.

  4. Day 4rail

    Dundee - Edinburgh

    After breakfast the train leaves Dundee and travels through the former Kingdom of Fife, crossing the Firth of Forth on the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge to arrive in Edinburgh Waverley, where your journey ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh and travels north on the Highland Line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl, passing Blair Castle, to reach Boat of Garten for overnight stabling
  • Day 3A motorcoach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate, where you can try clay pigeon shooting, take a guided Highland walk with the estate rangers, or explore the Caledonian pine forest and heather moorland
  • Day 4The train travels through the Kingdom of Fife and crosses the Forth Railway Bridge to return to Edinburgh Waverley

Included

  • An overnight stay in Edinburgh at a highly-rated 5-star hotel (subject to availability)
  • 2 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman in a twin compartment, based on two people sharing
  • All table d’hôte meals aboard the train
  • All alcoholic and other beverages aboard the train
  • All sightseeing excursions as shown in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The price includes 2 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman in a twin compartment, plus all table d'hôte meals and beverages aboard.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is hosted aboard the train with crew and estate rangers for excursions. Day 1 in Edinburgh is independent; you make your own way to your hotel. Days 2 to 4 include guided experiences at Rothiemurchus Estate and hosted rail journeys.
Which hotels are included?
One night at either The Balmoral Hotel or Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh (5-star, subject to availability). Two nights aboard the Royal Scotsman.
What activities are included?
All sightseeing excursions as shown in the itinerary, including a visit to Rothiemurchus Estate where you can try clay pigeon shooting, take a guided walk with a Park Ranger, or explore the landscape independently.
When does the trip run?
Planet Rail lists this journey for 2026. Check their website for exact departure dates.

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