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railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Royal Scotsman - Scotch Malt Whisky Tour

Five-day luxury train through Scottish Highlands with whisky distillery tours

Illustration of Royal Scotsman - Scotch Malt Whisky Tour

Railtour Suisse operates the Royal Scotsman, a luxury sleeper train that specialises in whisky-themed journeys through the Scottish Highlands. This five-day tour departs Edinburgh and travels north to Kyle of Lochalsh before returning south to Dundee, with the train serving as your accommodation throughout. You spend your days visiting three renowned distilleries: Glenmorangie, Tomatin, and Tullibardine, each offering private tours and tutored tastings guided by a Scotch Malt Whisky Society ambassador. On day 1, after boarding at Edinburgh Waverley, the train crosses the famous Forth Railway Bridge and offers an exclusive whisky nosing with whisky expert Charles MacLean. Day 2 takes you to the far northwest at Kyle of Lochalsh via spectacular mountain and loch scenery. Day 4 includes a coach excursion to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms, where you can fish, shoot clay, or tour the grounds. All on-board meals, drinks, and entertainment are included, and you sleep in either a Twin/double cabin or Grand Suite. This trip suits luxury-seeking couples and repeat rail travellers who want expert-led whisky education paired with five-star train accommodation.

What to know before you look closer

  • Arrival and return journeys to Edinburgh are not included; book your own transport to Waverley Station on day 1.
  • Entry fees for GB (ETA) and travel insurance are additional costs.
  • Spa car treatments incur an extra charge beyond the tour price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1rail

    Edinburgh

    Meet your Scotch Malt Whisky Society ambassador at the Balmoral Hotel for a welcome dram. The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley Station, travelling north over the Forth Railway Bridge across the Firth of Forth. Afternoon tea is served through the former Kingdom of Fife, followed by an exclusive whisky nosing and tasting with whisky expert and author Charles MacLean.

  2. Day 2rail

    Tain

    After a full Scottish breakfast on board, disembark in Tain to visit the Glenmorangie Distillery: traditional production methods, a tutored tasting, and a light lunch. The train continues along Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains, through Achnasheen, the Luib summit and Strathcarron, then follows Loch Carron past Attadale, Stromeferry, Duncraig and Plockton, arriving at Kyle of Lochalsh, gateway to the Isle of Skye. The day concludes with a formal dinner on board, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Observation car.

  3. Day 3rail

    Carrbridge

    Breakfast is served as the train heads east towards Carrbridge. Before lunch, join the whisky ambassador in the Observation Car for a tasting of single cask whiskies. Lunch on board, then disembark in Aviemore to visit the Tomatin Distillery, with a tutored tasting of three Tomatin single malts. Return to the train in Boat of Garten for an informal dinner, with local musicians entertaining in the observation car.

  4. Day 4rail

    Rothiemurchus Estate

    After breakfast, travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, with fishing, clay pigeon shooting or an estate tour. Return to the train at Kingussie for a leisurely lunch on board heading south. Later, visit the Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford for a private VIP tour, samples from the barrel, and a tutored tasting of three Tullibardine Highland Single Malts. Re-board the train in Perth for a formal dinner on the way to Dundee, with Scottish country dancing on the station platform.

  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 Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley Station, crossing the Forth Railway Bridge over the Firth of Forth; an exclusive whisky nosing with expert Charles MacLean follows afternoon tea.
  • Day 2Visit Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain for a tutored tasting and light lunch; the train then follows Loch Carron and arrives at Kyle of Lochalsh at the gateway to the Isle of Skye.
  • Day 3The train passes Aviemore; disembark to visit Tomatin Distillery for a tutored tasting of three single malts, then return to Boat of Garten for dinner with local musicians in the observation car.
  • Day 4Coach excursion to Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park offers fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or an estate tour; later, a private VIP tour of Tullibardine Distillery with barrel samples and tastings.

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
  • Travel documents

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 covers four nights aboard the Royal Scotsman in your chosen cabin category (Twin/double or Grand Suite), all on-board meals, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and the entertainment program. Getting to Edinburgh Waverley on day 1 and returning home from Dundee on day 5 are not included.
Which distilleries do you visit?
Glenmorangie in Tain (day 2), Tomatin near Aviemore (day 3), and Tullibardine in Blackford (day 4). Each includes a private or VIP tour and tutored tasting.
Who leads the whisky education?
An expert, English-speaking ambassador from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society accompanies the group. Whisky expert and author Charles MacLean leads the nosing and tasting on day 1.
When do departures run?
Railtour Suisse operates nine departures between April 2026 and October 2027, with sailings in April, June, August, September, October, and November. Prices start at CHF 13,690 (USD 17,054) per person in a Twin/double cabin.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. You will walk around distillery grounds and through the train, handle your own luggage on and off, and participate in on-board tastings. Day 4 offers optional activities (fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or an estate tour) at Rothiemurchus.
Is this trip escorted?
Yes. A Scotch Malt Whisky Society ambassador and expert guide accompany the entire journey, providing education and coordinating all on-shore excursions.

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