How much does it cost?

From £19,995 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $27,009 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted journey with a guided tour of Edinburgh, guided visits to castles and estates, and a guide on the train throughout.

The Belmond Royal Scotsman, a luxury sleeper train with en-suite cabins, dining cars, and an Observation Car for entertainment and drinks.

What accommodation is included?

Seven nights aboard the Royal Scotsman in a cabin, plus two nights in an Edinburgh hotel on a bed and breakfast basis at the start and end.

Great Rail Journeys · Luxury Rail Journey

Royal Scotsman – Grand Western Scenic Wonders

Ten-day luxury train tour of Scottish Highlands aboard the Royal Scotsman

The Belmond Royal Scotsman is a luxury sleeper train operated by Great Rail Journeys for ten days of exploration through the Scottish Highlands and lowlands. Departing from Edinburgh, the train travels west on the West Highland Line through the dramatic landscapes of Glen Falloch and past Ben Nevis, crosses to the Isle of Bute by ferry, returns to the mainland through Glasgow, and continues north across the Forth Rail Bridge and through the Cairngorms to Kyle of Lochalsh before retracing its route back to Edinburgh. You spend seven nights aboard the train in an en-suite cabin and two nights in an Edinburgh hotel. The itinerary balances time aboard the train, where all meals and entertainment are provided, with escorted excursions: guided castle tours at Ballindalloch, Glamis, and Mount Stuart; a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia; a boat trip from Plockton to see wild seals; and optional activities like clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate. This tour suits luxury seekers, history-lovers drawn to Scottish castles and heritage sites, and couples seeking a relaxed pace with shared exploration of the Highlands.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £2,730 since 4 Jul, to £19,995.

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

The tour operates in reverse on some dates; confirm the itinerary direction when booking.
The Edinburgh hotel for nights 1 and 9 is listed as TBC (to be confirmed); the operator will assign the specific property.
Airport transfers are not included; you must arrange your own transport to Edinburgh on arrival and from the station on departure.
Single supplement pricing is not stated in the operator's information; confirm availability and cost for solo travellers before booking.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Arrive in Edinburgh and settle into your chosen hotel. Explore the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the arts scene, local food markets, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament.
Day 2railovernight: Royal Scotsman (onboard, Spean Bridge)
The Royal Scotsman
Embark in Edinburgh with afternoon tea as the train heads west to Craigendoran, gateway to the West Highland Line, passing Loch Lomond and Ben Arthur before climbing through Glen Falloch. Informal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car; overnight stationed in Spean Bridge.
Meals: Dinner
Day 3overnight: Royal Scotsman (onboard, Bridge of Orchy)
Glenfinnan and Fort William
Continue west through Fort William with views of Ben Nevis, skirting Loch Eil and crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Disembark at Glenfinnan for tales of Scottish heroes at The Old Station Restaurant, or a guided hike through Nevis Gorge to Steall Waterfall. Loop back to Fort William for an informal dinner; overnight in Bridge of Orchy.
Meals: Dinner
Day 4railovernight: Royal Scotsman (onboard, Kilmarnock)
Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute
Ferry from Wemyss Bay to the Isle of Bute to visit Mount Stuart, a Victorian Gothic house with an extensive family portrait collection. Return to the mainland; the train continues to Kilmarnock with a formal dinner enroute, resting overnight in Kilmarnock.
Meals: Dinner
Day 5railovernight: Royal Scotsman (onboard, near Keith)
Crossing the Forth Rail Bridge to the Highlands
Leisurely breakfast travelling along the Clyde through Glasgow to Edinburgh, with a guided city tour, a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia and a light lunch. The train then crosses the Forth Rail Bridge, continuing through Fife towards Keith, with an informal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Royal Scotsman (onboard, Kyle of Lochalsh)
Kyle of Lochalsh
Travel west along the Moray Firth towards Inverness, then on one of the UK's most scenic railway routes to Kyle of Lochalsh, overlooking the Isle of Skye. Disembark in Plockton for a boat trip to see wild seals or a dram at the Plockton Hotel. Formal dinner and a nightcap in the Observation Car; overnight aboard the train in Kyle of Lochalsh.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7railovernight: Royal Scotsman (onboard, Boat of Garten)
Boat of Garten
Optional three-mile round walk to the Isle of Skye. The train retraces the Kyle Line towards Inverness, skirting the Beauly Firth to Carrbridge, where you disembark to explore Ballindalloch Castle (private tour or distillery visit). Overnight aboard the train in Boat of Garten with dinner and local musical entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8railovernight: Royal Scotsman (onboard)
Rothiemurchus Estate
Visit Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for fishing, clay pigeon shooting or guided walks. Rejoin the train at Kingussie for lunch, travelling via Blair Atholl and Pitlochry to Dunkeld for an afternoon tour of Glamis Castle, childhood home of the former Queen Mother. Formal dinner onboard travelling back towards Edinburgh.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9railovernight: Edinburgh
Back to Edinburgh
The train leaves Dundee and crosses the Tay Bridge into Fife, arriving back in Edinburgh to conclude the seven-night journey. Farewell breakfast, then private transfer to your chosen hotel with the rest of the day free.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10
Homeward bound
The luxury tour ends today as you return home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Afternoon tea aboard the Royal Scotsman as the train departs Edinburgh westward toward Craigendoran, passing views of Loch Lomond and Ben Arthur before climbing through Glen Falloch
Day 3The train passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct with views of Loch Eil and Ben Nevis, with optional guided hike through Nevis Gorge to Steall Waterfall
Day 5Crossing the Forth Rail Bridge north of Edinburgh toward the Highlands, with morning guided tour of Edinburgh and visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia
Day 6Boat trip from Plockton to see wild seals, or dram of whisky at the Plockton Hotel, on the scenic route to Kyle of Lochalsh
Day 8Morning at Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park choosing from fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or guided walks; afternoon guided tour of Glamis Castle

Included

7 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train
2 nights in an Edinburgh hotel on a bed & 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

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed on more than one site. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

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Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £19,995 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $27,009 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted journey with a guided tour of Edinburgh, guided visits to castles and estates, and a guide on the train throughout.
Which train is used?: The Belmond Royal Scotsman, a luxury sleeper train with en-suite cabins, dining cars, and an Observation Car for entertainment and drinks.
What accommodation is included?: Seven nights aboard the Royal Scotsman in a cabin, plus two nights in an Edinburgh hotel on a bed and breakfast basis at the start and end.