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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Royal Scotsman - Heritage home and gardens

Five-day luxury train loop through Scottish Highlands, castles, and gardens

Illustration of Royal Scotsman - Heritage home and gardens

Railtour Suisse operates the Royal Scotsman, a luxury sleeper train that spends five days and four nights traveling through the Scottish Highlands, connecting Edinburgh, the Isle of Skye, and Dundee. The journey circles through some of Scotland's most celebrated private estates and gardens, including Pitmuies Gardens, the 18th-century Foulis Castle (where you are welcomed by the Clan Munro family), Ballindalloch Castle with its walled gardens, and the 2000-acre Clan Donald estate on the Isle of Skye. You sleep in mahogany cabins, dine in an exquisite on-board restaurant with fine wines and Scottish whiskies, and travel with an English-speaking guide. Excursions include castle tours, a coach trip to Rothiemurchus Estate at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains, and a private section of the Strathspey Railway. This journey suits luxury travelers, history enthusiasts, and couples seeking an all-inclusive Scottish escape where the train itself becomes your hotel and base.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of CHF 16,875 (approximately USD 21,021) covers train travel, meals, drinks, and excursions; arrival and return journeys to Edinburgh are not included.
  • Only two departures are currently listed (June 2026 and May 2027); confirm availability and dates before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Keith

    Edinburgh

    Departure in the early afternoon. The train heads north and crosses the Forth Railway Bridge, disembarking at Montrose to visit Pitmuies Gardens near Forfar, one of Scotland's finest private gardens. Back on the train, a pre-dinner drink in the observation car, followed by dinner as the train travels up the east coast through Aberdeen and into Speyside, arriving in Keith for an overnight stay.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kyle of Lochalsh

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    Over breakfast, the train travels to Inverness and Invergordon, where you disembark to visit the 18th century Foulis Castle, seat of Clan Munro, welcomed by Mrs Munro of Foulis and her son Hector; explore the grounds and courtyard garden, or join a whiskey tasting. Return for lunch as the train travels towards Kyle of Lochalsh past the Torridon Mountains, Achnashellach Forest and Loch Carron. Disembark at Plockton to visit Attadale on the west coast, home to a water garden, Japanese garden and sunken garden. Spend the night in Kyle of Lochalsh; informal dinner, followed by coffee and liqueur in the Observation Car.

  3. Day 3rail

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    After breakfast, travel to the Isle of Skye and the 2000-acre Clan Donald estate. Return to the train at Kyle of Lochalsh for a leisurely lunch travelling part of yesterday's route to Dingwall. In the evening, disembark to visit Ballindalloch Castle, with its beautiful walled gardens. At Boat of Garten, re-board the train and travel on the private Strathspey Railway.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dundee

    Rothiemurchus

    A coach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains, with parkland or outdoor activities. Lunch on the return journey to the train at Kingussie. The journey continues south to Dunblane, where you disembark in the late afternoon to visit Kilbryde Castle and Gardens, the last garden of the journey. Return to the train in Dundee for a gala dinner and a final night on board.

  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 1The train crosses the Forth Railway Bridge north of Edinburgh, then disembarks at Montrose to visit Pitmuies Gardens near Forfar, one of Scotland's finest private gardens.
  • Day 2At Foulis Castle, seat of Clan Munro, you are welcomed by Mrs Munro of Foulis and her son Hector to explore the grounds and courtyard garden or join a whiskey tasting.
  • Day 3Travel by train to the Isle of Skye and the 2000-acre Clan Donald estate, returning through Loch Carron and past the Torridon Mountains.
  • Day 4A coach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains for parkland or outdoor activities, followed by a visit to Kilbryde Castle and Gardens.

Included

  • Travel and accommodation on board the Royal Scotsman in the category booked
  • Excursions and entrance fees as per program
  • English-speaking guide
  • All-inclusive on-board catering (all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)
  • Onboard entertainment program

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 all train travel and accommodation included?
Yes. The price includes travel and accommodation on board the Royal Scotsman in twin or double cabins, all meals, all beverages (including Scotch whiskies, wine, and champagne), excursions with entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide. Arrival and departure journeys to Edinburgh are not included.
Which trains are used and do you sleep on board?
The Royal Scotsman is the sole train used. It is a luxury sleeper train; you spend four nights in mahogany cabins and one night in Dundee.
What are the main highlights of the itinerary?
Day 1: Pitmuies Gardens near Forfar and travel through Speyside. Day 2: Foulis Castle (an 18th-century seat of Clan Munro) and travel to Kyle of Lochalsh past the Torridon Mountains and Loch Carron. Day 3: Isle of Skye and the Clan Donald estate. Day 4: Rothiemurchus Estate at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains and Kilbryde Castle with gardens.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
This is a fully escorted journey. Railtour Suisse provides an English-speaking guide throughout, and all excursions are organized and included.
How much walking is involved?
The trip is moderately active. You walk through castle grounds and garden courtyards, and a coach excursion takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate where parkland or outdoor activities are available.
When do departures run?
Departures are scheduled for June 2026 and May 2027, both at CHF 16,875 per person.

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