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Vacations By Rail · Independent rail tour

Royal Scotsman – Scotland's Classic Splendors

Six-day luxury train journey through Scottish Highlands aboard Belmond Royal Scotsman.

Illustration of Royal Scotsman – Scotland's Classic Splendors

The Belmond Royal Scotsman, operated by Vacations By Rail, is a six-day luxury train journey through the Scottish Highlands and coast. You spend one night in Edinburgh at either The Scotsman or The Balmoral Hotel, then board the Royal Scotsman for four nights of travel and accommodation aboard the train. The journey departs Edinburgh across the Forth Rail Bridge, travels the northeast Scottish coast through Arbroath and Aberdeen, then heads west to Kyle of Lochalsh, Speyside, and Dundee. Each day balances time aboard the train, where you enjoy full Scottish breakfasts, three-course lunches, and four-course dinners with all beverages, with optional excursions: seal-watching from Plockton, distillery visits at Blair Athol and Ballindalloch, clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms, and a three-mile optional walk toward the Isle of Skye. Evening entertainment and storytelling occur in the Observation Car. This tour suits luxury-seekers, repeat rail travellers, couples seeking an indulgent Highland escape, and food-and-wine enthusiasts drawn to whisky distillery tours and fine dining.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 12,395 covers the package and rail fare; confirm whether any rail passes or seat reservations require separate validation.
  • Day 1 accommodation is at a choice of two Edinburgh hotels (The Scotsman or The Balmoral Hotel a Rocco Forte Hotel); final hotel depends on your selection.
  • Many activities on Days 3, 4, and 5 are optional; confirm the availability and timing of Attadale Gardens, castle visits, distillery tours, and the Isle of Skye walk before booking.
  • This is an independent tour: you navigate on your own following a planned itinerary, not guided at each stop.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    A private transfer takes you to your selected hotel. Explore Edinburgh's Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, arts scene, food markets, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament building.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Keith (onboard)

    The Royal Scotsman

    Board the Royal Scotsman in Edinburgh, traveling north across the Forth Rail Bridge with a leisurely afternoon tea, along the coast through Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen to Keith. Informal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Kyle of Lochalsh (onboard)

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    Journey west along the Moray Firth toward Inverness, with lunch aboard, on one of the UK's most scenic railway routes. Option to explore Attadale Gardens near Strathcarron or continue to Plockton for a boat trip to see seals. Formal dinner and an evening in the Observation Car.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Strathspey Railway (onboard)

    Boat of Garten

    An optional three-mile round walk over the bridge to the Isle of Skye. The train retraces the route to Dingwall with views of Highland moors; in Garve, a bespoke shopping experience or guided walk. After lunch onboard, arrive in Speyside to visit Ballindalloch Castle or its distillery. Highland storytelling in the evening, with an overnight stay on the private Strathspey Railway.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5railovernight: Dundee (onboard)

    Rothiemurchus Estate

    Travel by coach to the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for fishing, clay pigeon shooting or an estate tour. Rejoin the train for lunch, then on to Dunkeld with a choice of Glamis Castle or Pitlochry and the Blair Athol Distillery. Gala dinner and entertainment aboard the train in Dundee.

    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6

    Homeward bound

    A final breakfast aboard as the Royal Scotsman glides back to Edinburgh. A private transfer back to Edinburgh Airport, or to your hotel in Edinburgh if extending your stay.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Board the Royal Scotsman in Edinburgh and cross the Forth Rail Bridge, then travel the Scottish coast through Arbroath, Montrose, and Aberdeen to Keith with afternoon tea and informal dinner in the Observation Car.
  • Day 3Journey west along the Moray Firth on one of the UK's most scenic railway routes, with options to visit Attadale Gardens or take a boat trip from Plockton to see seals.
  • Day 4Choose an optional three-mile round walk to the Isle of Skye, then travel through Highland moors to Speyside to tour Ballindalloch Castle and its distillery, followed by Highland storytelling aboard the train.
  • Day 5Travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park to try clay pigeon shooting or fishing, then rejoin the train for a route through Dunkeld with a choice of Glamis Castle or Blair Athol Distillery near Pitlochry.

Included

  • 1 night in an Edinburgh hotel on a bed & breakfast basis
  • 4 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train
  • All meals aboard the train: full Scottish breakfast, three-course lunch, and four-course dinner including cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petits fours
  • All beverages aboard the train including alcoholic drinks
  • 24-hour steward service
  • Traditional entertainment on board

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Arrival and departure flights

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of USD 12,395 includes four nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman, plus one night in an Edinburgh hotel. Arrival and departure flights are not included.
Are meals included?
Yes. All meals aboard the train are included: full Scottish breakfast, three-course lunch, and four-course dinner with cheeseboard, coffee, tea, and petits fours. All beverages, including alcoholic drinks, are also included.
Is this an escorted tour?
No. Vacations By Rail operates this as an independent rail tour. You travel on your own following a well-planned itinerary; you are not assigned a guide at each stop.
Which train am I traveling on?
The Belmond Royal Scotsman, which departs Edinburgh and travels north across the Forth Rail Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh, through the Cairngorms, and to Dundee.
What activities are included?
The itinerary includes optional visits to Ballindalloch Castle, Rothiemurchus Estate (fishing or clay pigeon shooting), Glamis Castle, and Blair Athol Distillery, plus a seal-watching boat trip from Plockton. A three-mile optional walk to the Isle of Skye is also available.
How much walking is involved?
Most days involve walking through train carriages and around train stops. An optional three-mile round walk is offered on Day 4; guided castle tours and estate activities involve light to moderate walking.

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