Discovery Trains · Luxe

Les splendeurs de l'Ecosse (Royal Scotsman)

5-day luxury Royal Scotsman grand circuit across the Scottish Highlands

Les splendeurs de l'Ecosse (Royal Scotsman), a rail journey with Discovery Trains

Discovery Trains describes this 5-day, 4-night circuit aboard the Royal Scotsman, the Belmond night train, as its most complete Scotland itinerary, starting and ending in Edinburgh. After crossing the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge on day 1, the train reaches the Speyside region near Keith for the first night. Day 2 crosses Inverness and the Moray Firth to the village of Plockton, known for its flowering cottages and views of the Applecross mountains, with an optional seal-watching boat trip. On day 3, guests choose between Eilean Donan Castle or a crossing to the Isle of Skye, then visit the Glen Ord distillery for a guided tour and whisky tasting and stop at Ballindalloch Castle. Day 4 brings a transfer to the Rothiemurchus estate in the Cairngorms for fishing, clay pigeon shooting or a forest walk, plus a visit to Glamis Castle. The train carries a maximum of 38 passengers and includes a Dior Beauty spa car. It suits travellers who want the fullest version of this named train's route across the Highlands.

What to know before you look closer

  • The EUR 10,970 headline price covers a Twin/Double cabin; the Grand Suite, with a private lounge and spa treatment, costs EUR 27,740, more than double.
  • Several highlights, including the Eilean Donan Castle or Isle of Skye crossing on day 3 and the seal-watching boat trip on day 2, are described as optional rather than guaranteed.
  • 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.
  • 3 of the 29 listed departures for 2026 and 2027 are already sold out.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, région de Keith

    Édimbourg - Keith

    Départ de la gare Waverley, traversée du pont du Forth (UNESCO), thé dans la voiture d'observation, dîner gastronomique aux saveurs écossaises. Stationnement pour la nuit dans la région de Keith (Speyside).

    Meals: dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, à Kyle of Lochalsh

    Keith - Kyle of Lochalsh

    Traversée d'Inverness et du Moray Firth. Excursion au village de Plockton (cottages fleuris, vue sur les monts d'Applecross), possibilité de promenade en bateau pour observer les phoques.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, à Boat of Garten (Strathspey Railway)

    Kyle of Lochalsh - Boat of Garten

    Excursion facultative : château d'Eilean Donan ou traversée vers l'île de Skye. Arrêt à Garve pour la distillerie Glen Ord (visite guidée, dégustation de whisky). Château de Ballindalloch : jardins, golf, ou distillerie familiale.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: À bord du Royal Scotsman, région de Dundee

    Boat of Garten - Dundee

    Transfert au domaine de Rothiemurchus (Cairngorms) : pêche, tir au pigeon d'argile ou promenade en forêt. Visite du château de Glamis. Dîner de gala en soirée.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

  5. Day 5

    Dundee - Édimbourg

    Traversée du pont de Tay et de la région du Fife. Arrivée en gare d'Édimbourg peu avant 10h.

    Meals: breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh's Waverley station and crosses the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge, with tea in the observation car and a gourmet dinner of Scottish flavours before the train stops for the night in the Speyside region near Keith.
  • Day 2After crossing Inverness and the Moray Firth, the train stops at the village of Plockton, known for its flowering cottages and views of the Applecross mountains, with an optional boat trip to see seals in the bay.
  • Day 3Guests choose between visiting Eilean Donan Castle or crossing to the Isle of Skye, before a guided tour and whisky tasting at the Glen Ord distillery and a stop at Ballindalloch Castle for its gardens, golf course, or family distillery.
  • Day 4A transfer to the Rothiemurchus estate in the Cairngorms offers a choice of fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or a forest walk, followed by a visit to Glamis Castle and a gala dinner aboard.
  • Day 5The train crosses the Tay Bridge and the Fife region on the way back, reaching Edinburgh station just before 10am.

Included

  • Quatre 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 5-day trip is spent aboard the Royal Scotsman, with all four nights sleeping on board.
Is it escorted or independent?
It runs to a set program, though some highlights, such as the Eilean Donan Castle or Skye crossing and the seal-watching boat trip, are offered as optional choices rather than guaranteed activities.
Which train is used?
The Royal Scotsman (Belmond), travelling from Edinburgh via Keith, Kyle of Lochalsh, Boat of Garten and Dundee, and back to Edinburgh. It carries a maximum of 38 passengers.
What is included in the fare?
Four 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 29 departures between July 2026 and October 2027, though 3 are already sold out.

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