How much does it cost?

From £1,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,295 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes, rail travel from your home station to Aberdeen is included, plus two heritage rail excursions, the Royal Deeside Railway and the Caledonian Railway between Brechin and Bridge of Dun. Most sightseeing days use private coach.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes, an experienced Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.

What hotels are used?

The Station Hotel in Aberdeen for four nights, then the Malmaison Hotel in Dundee for three nights.

One departure is listed, in June 2027, from 1,699 GBP.

Railtrail Tours · Escorted tour

Royal Deeside Explorer 2027

Aberdeen and Dundee tour of royal castles with two heritage rail rides

Railtrail Tours operates this 8-day, 7-night escorted tour of Aberdeen and Dundee, based at the Station Hotel in Aberdeen for four nights and the Malmaison Hotel in Dundee for three. Private coach excursions reach Balmoral, the Glen Garioch Distillery, a Highland cattle farm, Crathes Castle, the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre and Glamis Castle, and the group rides two short heritage lines, the Royal Deeside Railway and the Caledonian Railway between Brechin and Bridge of Dun. Aberdeen days include a guided city tour and a dolphin-spotting harbour cruise, and Dundee includes a free day for the V&A museum and waterfront. A Tour Manager travels with the group throughout. It suits travelers drawn to royal history, castles and distillery visits who want a two-base itinerary with coach touring alongside a couple of short train rides.

What to know before you look closer

Most days use private coach for the castle, distillery and farm visits; the only train rides are two short heritage lines, a 2-mile trip on the Royal Deeside Railway and a 4-mile trip on the Caledonian Railway between Brechin and Bridge of Dun.
The single room supplement, from 2,139 GBP, is far above half of the twin-share price of 1,699 GBP, a significant premium for solo travelers.
Only one departure is currently listed, in June 2027, so date choices are limited.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Station Hotel, Aberdeen
Home station to Aberdeen
Journey from your home station to Aberdeen and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Station Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.
Day 2overnight: Station Hotel, Aberdeen
Balmoral Castle and Glen Garioch Distillery
This morning, we travel by private coach to Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family. Here, we discover the castle's fascinating history, famous residents and visitors, exploring the largest room in the castle, the Ballroom, plus the exhibitions, grounds, and gardens. Following our visit, we transfer to the Glen Garioch Distillery, one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland, for a tour and a wee dram of one of Scotland's most exclusive whiskies.
Day 3overnight: Station Hotel, Aberdeen
Aberdeen guided tour and dolphin cruise
After breakfast today, we enjoy a guided tour of the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen where we will visit the highlights of the city including the historic Old Town, the castellated Citadel at The Castlegate, and the striking gothic Marischal College. Following our tour, we enjoy free time to explore the city's many attractions including Provost Skene's House, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, and the famous shopping 'Granite Mile'. This afternoon, we enjoy a 1-hour harbour and dolphin cruise with a fascinating talk on the history of the port before sailing into Aberdeen Bay to spot dolphins and wildlife.
Day 4railovernight: Station Hotel, Aberdeen
Highland cattle farm, Crathes Castle and the Royal Deeside Railway
This morning, we travel by private coach to the Lochton of Leys Farmhouse, the home of Aberdeenshire Highland Beef, where we meet the herd of pedigree Highland cattle up close and learn about the history of this native breed on an exclusive 1-hour guided tour followed by tea/coffee served with shortbread. We then continue to nearby Crathes Castle where turrets, gargoyles, and the ancient Horn of Leys are just a few of the fascinating features we discover at this classic Scottish tower house. Following our visit, we make our way to the Royal Deeside Railway, which is unique in having served all British Monarchs, from Queen Victoria to King Charles III. We board our train for a two-mile journey before returning to our hotel in time for our evening meal.
Day 5railovernight: Malmaison Hotel, Dundee
Montrose Air Station, Caledonian Railway, on to Dundee
After breakfast, we enjoy magnificent views as we travel to Montrose to visit the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, the first operational military airfield in Great Britain, dedicated to aviation history dating back over 100 years. Following our visit, we continue to the Caledonian Railway for a return journey along the four-mile branch line between the town of Brechin to the countryside stop of Bridge of Dun. After our fascinating day of heritage, we continue our journey to Dundee and arrive at our hotel for the next three nights, the Malmaison Hotel.
Day 6overnight: Malmaison Hotel, Dundee
Free day in Dundee
Today, we enjoy a day at leisure in Dundee and we can visit the impressive V&A museum, discover maritime history at Discovery Point, explore the McManus Art Gallery & Museum, make use of the Dundee hop-on/hop-off bus, or stroll the waterfront before reconvening for our evening meal together.
Day 7overnight: Malmaison Hotel, Dundee
Glamis Castle and gin tasting
After breakfast, this morning, we journey by private coach to Glamis Castle and enjoy a guided tour to learn the rich history of the castle, the legendary setting of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. Following our tour, we spend some time in the quaint village of Glamis and visit the characterful Gin Bothy where we enjoy a talk and gin tasting in one of their cosy and rustic tasting rooms before returning to our hotel in the afternoon for our final evening meal together.
Day 8
Departure from Dundee
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Dundee and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2A visit to Balmoral Castle, including the Ballroom, the castle's largest room, followed by a tour and dram at the Glen Garioch Distillery, one of Scotland's oldest operating distilleries.
Day 3A guided tour of Aberdeen's Old Town and Marischal College, followed by a dolphin-spotting harbour cruise.
Day 4Meeting a herd of pedigree Highland cattle at Lochton of Leys Farmhouse, then visiting Crathes Castle and riding the Royal Deeside Railway.
Day 5A visit to the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, Britain's first operational military airfield, followed by a return trip on the Caledonian Railway between Brechin and Bridge of Dun.
Day 7A guided tour of Glamis Castle, the setting of Macbeth and childhood home of the Queen Mother, followed by a gin tasting at the Gin Bothy.

Included

7 nights bed, breakfast & evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Tour Manager

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £1,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,295 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes, rail travel from your home station to Aberdeen is included, plus two heritage rail excursions, the Royal Deeside Railway and the Caledonian Railway between Brechin and Bridge of Dun. Most sightseeing days use private coach.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes, an experienced Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout.
What hotels are used?: The Station Hotel in Aberdeen for four nights, then the Malmaison Hotel in Dundee for three nights.
When does it depart?: One departure is listed, in June 2027, from 1,699 GBP.