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Great Rail Journeys · Luxury Rail Journey

Royal Scotsman – A Taste of the Highlands

Four-day luxury train journey through Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

Illustration of Royal Scotsman – A Taste of the Highlands

Great Rail Journeys operates this four-day escorted journey aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman, one of the world's most prestigious luxury trains. You begin in Edinburgh with a night in a five-star hotel and a free day to explore the capital, then board the train at Edinburgh Waverley station and travel north through Perthshire into the Cairngorms. Two nights aboard the train include all meals, drinks, and entertainment, with a gala dinner served as the train rolls through the Scottish countryside. Your excursions are carefully curated: a morning at Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park where you can try clay-pigeon shooting, archery, or fishing; a private visit to Culloden Battlefield, site of the 1746 Jacobite Rising; and a guided tour with whisky tasting at Strathisla Distillery, Scotland's oldest continuously operating single malt producer. The pace is unhurried, with time to absorb the landscape from the Observation Car and enjoy the 24-hour steward service. This trip suits luxury-focused travellers, history enthusiasts, and those drawn to Scotland's rural heritage and whisky tradition.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £1,040 since 4 Jul, to £6,195.

£6,195£5,1554 Jul12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; book separately
  • Day 1 is largely unguided; you explore Edinburgh independently after hotel check-in
  • The package depends on hotel availability at The Scotsman Hotel or The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh; final choice may vary by date

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Arrive in Edinburgh and make your way to your chosen hotel. Free day to explore the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, galleries, theatres, local markets, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament.

  2. Day 2overnight: Royal Scotsman (onboard)

    The Royal Scotsman

    Embark from Edinburgh Waverley station aboard the Royal Scotsman, travelling north through the Perthshire hills into the Highlands. Arrive at the Cairngorm village of Boat of Garten this evening for dinner of fine Scottish cuisine and live entertainment in the Observation Car.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Royal Scotsman (onboard)

    The Cairngorms, Culloden and Strathisla Distillery

    Breakfast onboard, then a visit to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for outdoor activities including clay-pigeon shooting, archery, fishing or a guided estate tour. Lunch onboard, then a private tour of Culloden Battlefield, site of the final battle of the 1746 Jacobite Rising. Visit the historic Strathisla Distillery for a tour and tasting, then reboard for a journey south to Dundee with a gala dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4

    Homeward bound

    Leisurely breakfast as the Royal Scotsman returns to Edinburgh, completing the journey. Optional extended stay at an Edinburgh hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Depart Edinburgh Waverley aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman and travel through Perthshire into the Cairngorms, arriving at Boat of Garten for dinner
  • Day 3Visit Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park for outdoor activities including clay-pigeon shooting, archery, and fishing
  • Day 3Private tour of Culloden Battlefield, where the final battle of the Jacobite Rising occurred in 1746
  • Day 3Guided tour and whisky tasting at Strathisla Distillery, the Highlands' oldest continuously working distillery

Included

  • 2 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train
  • 1 night in an Edinburgh hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
  • All meals aboard the train and all beverages including alcoholic drinks
  • 24-hour steward service
  • Traditional entertainment on board

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £6,195 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $8,368 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. The package includes two nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train with all meals, beverages, and on-board entertainment included.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes, Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour. Day 1 in Edinburgh is free to explore on your own; the remaining days are guided with included excursions.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, and meals in Edinburgh on day 1 (except hotel breakfast).
When does this trip run?
Great Rail Journeys does not publish specific departure dates in this information; contact the operator to confirm availability.

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