Belmond · Luxury rail journey

Scotland's Classic Splendours

5-day Royal Scotsman circuit through the Scottish Highlands

Scotland's Classic Splendours, a rail journey with Belmond

Belmond runs this five-day, four-night circuit aboard the Royal Scotsman, with a Train Manager on board throughout, departing Edinburgh and crossing the Firth of Forth on day one. Day two heads west along the Moray Firth to Kyle of Lochalsh, with a choice of Attadale Gardens or a boat trip to see wild seals near Plockton. Day three opens with an early-morning walk over the bridge to the Isle of Skye, followed by a private visit or distillery stop at Ballindalloch Castle in Speyside. On day four, travelers reach Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for a choice of country pursuits, then choose between Glamis Castle and Blair Athol Distillery before a gala dinner. The final day returns to Edinburgh. All meals, alcoholic beverages, and steward service are included throughout. This suits travelers who want a broad tour of Highland scenery and estates with a fixed, fully organized itinerary rather than a self-driven route.

What to know before you look closer

  • Several stops offer a choice of activities, Attadale Gardens or a Plockton boat trip and woodland walk on day 2, a bespoke shopping experience or a guided walk on day 3, and fishing, clay pigeon shooting, or an estate tour at Rothiemurchus, or Glamis Castle versus Pitlochry and Blair Athol Distillery on day 4, so not every traveler experiences the same version of the trip.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm availability directly with Belmond.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Keith

    Edinburgh

    The train departs Edinburgh and heads north, crossing the Firth of Forth via the Forth Railway Bridge. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea passing Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen before arriving in Keith, followed by an informal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Kyle of Lochalsh

    Kyle of Lochalsh

    Head west along the Moray Firth towards Inverness, capital of the Highlands, with lunch served en route to Kyle of Lochalsh, the most scenic railway route in the UK. Travel through Achnasheen, Luib summit and Achnashellach Forest to Strathcarron for a visit to Attadale Gardens, or stay on board to Plockton for a boat trip to see wild seals, a woodland walk and a traditional Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. A formal dinner is served, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Observation Car.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Boat of Garten

    Boat of Garten

    Join an early-morning walk over the bridge linking the mainland to the Isle of Skye. Breakfast is served as the train retraces part of the previous day's route to Dingwall. Disembark in Garve for a bespoke shopping experience or a walk with the Highland storyteller. Lunch is served as the train departs Inverness for Carrbridge, disembarking for a private tour or distillery visit at Ballindalloch Castle in Speyside. The night is spent on board at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway, with an informal dinner and tales from the Highlander.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Dundee

    Rothiemurchus

    Travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for fishing, clay pigeon shooting or an estate tour. Rejoin the train at Kingussie for lunch heading south to Dunkeld, disembarking for a visit to Glamis Castle or the town of Pitlochry and Blair Athol Distillery. Return to the train in Perth for a gala dining experience and entertainment, with an overnight stay on board in Dundee.

  5. Day 5rail

    Edinburgh

    After breakfast, the train heads south to Edinburgh, where the itinerary ends.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The train crosses the Firth of Forth via the Forth Railway Bridge before an afternoon tea past Arbroath, Montrose, and Aberdeen.
  • Day 2A boat trip to see wild seals in Loch Carron near Plockton, with a woodland walk and a traditional Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel.
  • Day 3An early-morning walk over the bridge linking the mainland to the Isle of Skye.
  • Day 3A private tour or distillery visit at Ballindalloch Castle in Speyside.
  • Day 4Country pursuits, fishing or clay pigeon shooting, at Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, followed by a choice of Glamis Castle or Blair Athol Distillery.

Included

  • Four nights aboard the Royal Scotsman luxury train with 24-hour steward service
  • All meals aboard the train: full Scottish breakfast, two-course lunch, three-course dinner including cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petit fours
  • All beverages including alcoholic drinks
  • A private visit to Ballindalloch Castle, a choice of country pursuits at Rothiemurchus Estate, guided tour of Glamis Castle, a seal-watching boat trip and a visit to Blair Athol Distillery
  • Traditional ceilidhs on board, evening entertainment in the Observation Car and a gala dining experience

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, four nights aboard the Royal Scotsman with 24-hour steward service.
Which train is used?
The Royal Scotsman, a round trip from Edinburgh through Keith, Kyle of Lochalsh, Boat of Garten, Rothiemurchus, and Dundee, and back to Edinburgh.
Is it escorted?
Yes, a Train Manager is on board throughout.
What is included?
All meals and alcoholic beverages, a private visit to Ballindalloch Castle, a choice of country pursuits at Rothiemurchus Estate, a guided tour of Glamis Castle, a seal-watching boat trip, and a visit to Blair Athol Distillery.
How much walking is involved?
The trip includes an early-morning walk over the bridge to the Isle of Skye, a woodland walk near Plockton, and a choice of country pursuits such as fishing or clay pigeon shooting at Rothiemurchus Estate.

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