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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Royal Scotsman - Classic panoramic tour

Five-day luxury train tour through Scottish Highlands on the Royal Scotsman

Illustration of Royal Scotsman - Classic panoramic tour

Rail Tour Suisse operates the Royal Scotsman, a five-day luxury sleeper train that departs from Edinburgh and winds through the Scottish Highlands before returning to Dundee. This fully escorted journey features mahogany cabins with en-suite facilities, an exquisite on-board restaurant, and an expert English-speaking guide who leads daily excursions. Days begin with breakfast served as the train travels past lochs and mountains; mornings feature activities such as wild seal boat trips in Plockton, walks on the Isle of Skye, visits to whisky distilleries and historic castles like Glamis, and options for estate activities in the Cairngorms. Afternoons and evenings return guests to the train for formal dinners, whisky tastings in the observation car, and Scottish entertainment. All meals, beverages, and excursion entrance fees are included. This trip suits couples seeking romance, luxury travellers accustomed to five-star service, repeat rail enthusiasts, food-and-wine lovers drawn to Speyside distilleries, and guided-comfort travellers who value hand-crafted itineraries with no logistical worries.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of 10560 CHF covers the train journey and all meals and entertainment; arrival and return travel to Edinburgh are not included
  • Spa car treatments are available at an extra charge
  • Single supplements apply; Grand Suite cabins cost significantly more than Twin/double cabins

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Keith

    Edinburgh

    Meeting point is the Balmoral Hotel at Waverley station. In the early afternoon, begin the journey along the picturesque east coast while served a sumptuous afternoon tea. The journey takes you via Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen to the market town of Keith in the heart of Speyside, famous for its whisky. An informal dinner is served on board, followed by the Scottish entertainment program.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kyle of Lochalsh

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    Leave Keith during breakfast on board. The train travels west along the Moray Firth towards Inverness. Lunch is served on the scenic route towards Kyle of Lochalsh. Disembark in Plockton, in a sheltered bay of Loch Carron, for a boat trip to see wild seals and a forest walk, plus a traditional Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. Spend the night in Kyle of Lochalsh. Formal dinner, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the panoramic coach.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Boat of Garten

    Boat of Garten

    A refreshing morning walk across the bridge connecting the mainland to the Isle of Skye. Leave Kyle during breakfast and travel part of yesterday's route back to Dingwall. An informal whisky tasting in the observation car with the onboard connoisseur. Disembark at Carrbridge to explore Ballindalloch Castle in Speyside (options include a private castle tour, 9 holes of golf, or a distillery view). Spend the night on board in Boat of Garten at the station of the private Strathspey Railway. Informal dinner, followed by tales and gun demonstrations from the Highlander.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dundee

    Rothiemurchus Estate

    Travel by coach to the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for fishing, an estate tour, or clay pigeon shooting. Reboard the train at Kingussie; lunch is served on the journey south to Dunkeld, where you disembark to visit Glamis Castle, childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Return to the train in Perth for a formal dinner and entertainment. Overnight on board in Dundee.

  5. Day 5rail

    Edinburgh

    After the last breakfast, the train arrives in Edinburgh at around 10:00 am.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Afternoon tea service as the train departs Edinburgh and travels the picturesque east coast via Arbroath, Montrose, and Aberdeen to Keith in Speyside whisky country
  • Day 2Boat excursion from Plockton to see wild seals and a forest walk, followed by a traditional Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel
  • Day 3Morning walk across the bridge to the Isle of Skye, followed by a whisky tasting in the observation car and exploration of Ballindalloch Castle with optional private tour
  • Day 4Coach excursion to Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park for activities such as fishing or clay pigeon shooting, then visit Glamis Castle before returning to the train in Perth

Included

  • Travel including overnight stay in the Royal Scotsman in the booked category
  • Excursions including entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Expert, English-speaking tour guide
  • Catering on board (all meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages)
  • Entertainment program on board

Not included

  • Arrival and return journey
  • Hotel accommodation on site
  • Entry fee (ETA) for GB
  • Any treatments in the spa car
  • Gratuities and personal expenses
  • Cancellation and travel insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. All travel aboard the Royal Scotsman sleeper train is included, along with all meals, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and entertainment on board.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. An expert, English-speaking tour guide accompanies the entire journey and leads all excursions.
What trains are used?
The Royal Scotsman, a luxury train with Twin/double cabins or Grand Suite accommodations.
Where does it start and end?
The journey begins in Edinburgh and ends in Dundee, with stops throughout the Scottish Highlands including Kyle of Lochalsh, the Isle of Skye, Inverness, and Speyside.
What is not included?
Arrival and return travel to Edinburgh, hotel accommodation on site, GB entry fees (ETA), spa treatments, gratuities, personal expenses, and cancellation or travel insurance.
When does it run?
Rail Tour Suisse operates 36 departures from April to November in 2026 and April to November in 2027.

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