railtour suisse · Luxury train journey

Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland

Four-day luxury overnight train circuit through the Highlands, castles and whisky country

Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland, a rail journey with railtour suisse

Railtour Suisse operates this four-day, three-night trip aboard the Royal Scotsman, a luxury train that circles out of Edinburgh and back. On day one, the train travels north to Perth over afternoon tea, then through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl into the Highlands, stopping for the night at Boat of Garten amid the Cairngorms, with a dinner of day-caught wild salmon, hand-dived scallops, Aberdeen Angus beef and foraged Scottish ingredients. Day two heads to Kyle of Lochalsh past Loch Luichart and the Torridon Mountains, with a choice between the Attadale Gardens estate or a boat trip from Plockton to see wild seals. Day three retraces part of the route to visit the Tomatin Distillery, founded in 1897, and Ballindalloch Castle, the 'Pearl of the North', before a gala dinner and Highland ceilidh on the way to Dundee. The train reaches Edinburgh on the morning of day four. It suits travellers drawn to Scottish history, whisky and hearty regional food, with an English-speaking guide throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • The quoted price is per person for the twin or double cabin; the Grand Suite option costs CHF 23,480 per person, well over triple the standard rate.
  • Day 2 and day 3 each offer an either/or choice of excursion (Attadale Gardens or Plockton; Tomatin Distillery or an onboard storyteller), so not every stop is seen on a single trip.
  • Arrival and return travel to and from Edinburgh, and any hotel stay before or after, are not included in the package.
  • The UK entry authorization fee (ETA) is not included and needs to be arranged separately.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Boat of Garten

    Edinburgh

    The journey begins with the train's whistle. Travel north to Perth over afternoon tea, continuing through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl into the Highlands, past Aviemore to Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway. The train stops here for the night amid the peace of the Cairngorms. Dinner on board (day-caught wild salmon, hand-dived scallops, Aberdeen Angus beef, foraged Scottish ingredients), followed by entertainment in the panoramic carriage. With no more than 40 guests on board.

  2. Day 2rail

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    The train departs from Boat of Garten towards Inverness. Lunch is served en route to Kyle of Lochalsh, passing Loch Luichart, the Torridon Mountains, Achnasheen, Luib Summit and Achnashellach Forest, descending to Strathcarron. Options include visiting the Attadale Gardens (a 30,000-acre estate) or disembarking at Plockton for a boat trip to see wild seals and a Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. Return to the train at Kyle of Lochalsh, gateway to the Isle of Skye. After dinner, local musicians entertain in the observation car.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Dundee

    Aviemore

    Leave Kyle at breakfast, retracing part of yesterday's route towards Inverness. Disembark to visit the Tomatin Distillery (founded 1897), or relax on board with a Highland storyteller. After lunch on the train, disembark in Aviemore to visit Ballindalloch Castle, the 'Pearl of the North'. Reboard in Aviemore for a final gala dinner on the way to Dundee, with a Scottish ceilidh on the platform.

  4. Day 4rail

    Edinburgh

    Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and crosses the Tay Bridge into the former Kingdom of Fife. The journey ends in Edinburgh.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Afternoon tea while traveling north to Perth, then on through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl before the train stops for the night at Boat of Garten amid the Cairngorms.
  • Day 1Dinner on board features day-caught wild salmon, hand-dived scallops, Aberdeen Angus beef and foraged Scottish ingredients.
  • Day 2Guests choose between visiting the Attadale Gardens estate or disembarking at Plockton for a boat trip to see wild seals and a Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel.
  • Day 3A stop at the Tomatin Distillery, founded in 1897, or a Highland storyteller on board, followed by a visit to Ballindalloch Castle, the 'Pearl of the North'.
  • Day 3A final gala dinner on the way to Dundee, with a Scottish ceilidh on the platform.

Included

  • Travel including overnight stay in the Royal Scotsman in the booked category
  • Excursions including entrance fees according to the travel programme
  • Expert, English-speaking tour guide
  • Catering on board (all meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages)
  • Entertainment programme 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 costs and travel insurance

Also sold by

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package covers the overnight stays aboard the Royal Scotsman across all three nights, at Boat of Garten, Kyle of Lochalsh and Dundee.
Which route does the train take?
The Royal Scotsman travels from Edinburgh via Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Boat of Garten, Kyle of Lochalsh, Aviemore and Dundee, then back to Edinburgh.
Is the trip guided?
Yes. An expert, English-speaking tour guide is included throughout the trip.
What is included?
Onboard overnight stays, excursions with entrance fees per the travel programme, all meals, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, the entertainment programme, and travel documents.
What is not included?
The arrival and return journey to Edinburgh, hotel accommodation on site, the UK entry fee (ETA), spa car treatments, gratuities and cancellation and travel insurance.
When does it depart?
There are 28 scheduled departures between May 2026 and October 2027, running in the months of April through October.

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