Discovery Trains · Luxe

Les Highlands de l'Ouest (Royal Scotsman)

4-day luxury Royal Scotsman night train through Scotland's Western Highlands

Les Highlands de l'Ouest (Royal Scotsman), a rail journey with Discovery Trains

Discovery Trains runs this 4-day, 3-night luxury circuit aboard the Royal Scotsman, the Belmond night train, starting and ending in Edinburgh. Departing at 2pm on day 1, the train passes Falkirk and Loch Lomond, with a walk to the Glen Falloch waterfall before stopping overnight at Spean Bridge. Day 2 passes Fort William with views of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, then a stop at Arisaig for a beach walk looking out to the Cuillin mountains of Skye, a visit to the Glenfinnan monument, and afternoon tea at Inverlochy Castle, before the train continues overnight to Bridge of Orchy. On day 3, the tour visits Mount Stuart House, a Victorian Gothic mansion on the Isle of Bute, followed by a farewell dinner aboard as the train heads to Kilmarnock for the final night. A quiet breakfast on day 4 precedes the return to Edinburgh at around 9:40am. It suits travellers who want a short, fully catered tour of Scotland's western Highlands and islands built around named landmarks rather than a longer touring itinerary.

What to know before you look closer

  • Getting to Edinburgh to start the trip, and any hotel nights before or after, are not included; the operator lists these only as optional extras.
  • 6 of the 16 listed departures for 2026 and 2027 are already sold out.
  • The evidence gives one price per person for a Twin/Double cabin and does not state whether solo travellers pay extra for single occupancy.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, à Spean Bridge

    Édimbourg (Royal Scotsman)

    Départ à 14h00 vers l'ouest (Falkirk, Loch Lomond). Promenade jusqu'à la chute d'eau de Glen Falloch (10 m). Le train remonte vers le village de Spean Bridge pour la nuit. Dîner et divertissements en soirée.

    Meals: dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, à Bridge of Orchy

    Édimbourg - Glenfinnan (Royal Scotsman)

    Passage par Fort William, vue sur le Ben Nevis. Débarquement à Arisaig pour une promenade sur la plage (vue sur les montagnes Cuillin de Skye). Visite du monument de Glenfinnan et thé anglais au château d'Inverlochy. Route vers Bridge of Orchy.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, à Kilmarnock

    Glenfinnan - L'île de Bute (Royal Scotsman)

    Découverte de l'île de Bute et visite de Mount Stuart House (maison gothique victorienne, collection de portraits de famille). Dîner d'adieu à bord en route vers Kilmarnock.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  4. Day 4

    L'île de Bute - Édimbourg (Royal Scotsman)

    Petit-déjeuner tranquille en route vers Édimbourg. Arrivée approximative à 09h40.

    Meals: breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh at 2pm, passing Falkirk and Loch Lomond, with a walk to the Glen Falloch waterfall before the train continues to Spean Bridge for the first night.
  • Day 2The train passes Fort William with views of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, then guests disembark at Arisaig for a beach walk with views of the Cuillin mountains of Skye, followed by a visit to the Glenfinnan monument and afternoon tea at Inverlochy Castle.
  • Day 3On the Isle of Bute, the tour visits Mount Stuart House, a Victorian Gothic mansion with a family portrait collection, before a farewell dinner aboard as the train heads to Kilmarnock.
  • Day 4After a quiet breakfast on board, the train returns to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 9:40am.

Included

  • Trois nuits à bord du train de luxe Royal Scotsman
  • Tous les repas à bord : petit-déjeuner écossais complet, déjeuner à trois plats, dîner à quatre plats (plateau de fromages, café, thé, petits fours)
  • Toutes les boissons, y compris les boissons alcoolisées
  • Les visites mentionnées dans le programme
  • Divertissements dans le wagon Observation

Not included

  • Les pourboires et autres dépenses personnels

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The whole 4-day trip is spent aboard the Royal Scotsman, with all three nights sleeping on board.
Is it escorted or independent?
It runs to a set program: the Glenfinnan monument, Inverlochy Castle afternoon tea, and Mount Stuart House visit are all included stops mentioned in the itinerary.
Which train is used?
The Royal Scotsman (Belmond), travelling from Edinburgh to Glenfinnan, the Isle of Bute, and back to Edinburgh.
What is included in the fare?
Three nights aboard, all meals (a full Scottish breakfast, three-course lunch, four-course dinner with cheese board), all drinks including alcohol, the visits in the program, and entertainment in the observation car.
What is not included?
Tips and personal expenses, plus travel to and from Edinburgh, hotel transfers, extra hotel nights, and travel insurance, all listed as optional extras.
When does it run?
Discovery Trains lists 16 departures between May 2026 and September 2027, though 6 are already sold out.

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