Planet Rail · Luxury rail journey

Belmond Royal Scotsman – Western Scenic Wonders

Embark on an unforgettable luxury rail journey through Scotland's dramatic west coast, with stunning views and elegant onboard hospitality.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Edinburgh
Arrive into Edinburgh
Make your way to the Scottish capital and head to your central 5-star hotel for tonight. Enjoy time to discover Edinburgh: the Old Town and Georgian New Town, the Royal Mile with Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles' Cathedral, the Scottish Parliament, Arthur's Seat, the Royal Yacht Britannia, or the islands of the Firth of Forth including Inchcolm Island. Edinburgh has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other part of the UK outside London.
Day 2railovernight: On board the Belmond Royal Scotsman, Spean Bridge
Edinburgh - Spean Bridge
The Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh early afternoon and heads west through Falkirk, Clydebank and Dumbarton, skirting Glasgow to reach the northern bank of the Clyde. Near the mouth of the Clyde estuary at Craigendoran, the train joins the West Highland Line. Afternoon tea is served while travelling along Gare Loch and Loch Long, past Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) and Arrochar, with the first views of Loch Lomond.
Day 3railovernight: On board the Belmond Royal Scotsman, Bridge of Orchy
Spean Bridge – Bridge of Orchy
Breakfast is served as the journey continues west, passing Fort William with views of Ben Nevis (Britain's highest mountain) and Loch Eil. Guests travel to Glenfinnan Monument with historic storyteller Ray Owens, who explains the area's history, followed by afternoon tea at Inverlochy Castle; alternatively, guests can choose a moderate-grade walk to Steall Waterfall, the second-highest in the UK, with a mountain ranger (sturdy walking boots and waterproofs required). The train continues to Lochailort and north along the coast to Arisaig, where guests can disembark for a walk along Morar Sands with views across the Sound of Sleat to the Isle of Skye. Lunch is served as the train retraces its route to Fort William, where guests are guided around the town on a historical tour, before an informal dinner is served as the train heads south to Bridge of Orchy, where it stables overnight.
Day 4railovernight: On board the Belmond Royal Scotsman, Wemyss Bay
Bridge of Orchy – Wemyss Bay
Leaving Bridge of Orchy this morning, breakfast is served en route south towards Glasgow and Gourock. At Wemyss Bay, board the ferry across to the Isle of Bute, an island of seashore, moorland, farmland and forest. Visit Mount Stuart, Britain's most spectacular Victorian Gothic house, built for the 3rd Marquess of Bute with architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, home to one of the finest privately held collections of family portraits in Scotland. After afternoon tea, explore the house, the Rock Garden, the Wee Garden of rare southern-hemisphere plants, the Kitchen Garden, the Victorian Pinetum and the Limetree Avenue to the coastline. Return to the mainland and rejoin the train at Wemyss Bay, where a formal dinner (optional) is served and the train stables for the night.
Day 5
Wemyss Bay - Edinburgh
Depart Wemyss Bay this morning and enjoy breakfast while travelling east towards Edinburgh, where the journey comes to an end.

Included

Overnight stay with breakfast at a 5-star hotel in Edinburgh (subject to availability)
Nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman train, twin compartment, based on two 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