Belmond · Luxury rail journey

Taste of the Highlands

3-day Royal Scotsman journey into the Scottish Highlands

Taste of the Highlands, a rail journey with Belmond

Belmond runs this three-day, two-night round trip aboard the Royal Scotsman, departing Edinburgh Waverley Station and heading north through the former Kingdom of Fife into the Highlands, with dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car the first evening. On day two, travelers transfer by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, where broadcaster and food anthropologist Ghillie Basan and her son Zeki teach Scottish wildlife and Highland survival skills over a barbecue lunch, before the train continues through Inverness and Keith, with an optional stop at Strathisla Distillery, the source of the malt used in Chivas Regal. The final day returns to Edinburgh. All meals, alcoholic beverages, and steward service are included throughout. This suits travelers who want a short, immersive taste of the Highlands, its scenery, distilling, and outdoor traditions, without planning the route themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • A visit to Strathisla Distillery on day 2 is offered as an option, not a fixed part of the itinerary for every traveler.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates for this itinerary; confirm availability directly with Belmond.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Boat of Garten

    Edinburgh

    Settle into your private quarters as the train departs Edinburgh and journeys north through the former Kingdom of Fife into the dramatic scenery of the Highlands. In the evening, enjoy a convivial dinner followed by entertainment in the Observation Car, as the train reaches the village of Boat of Garten, its stabling point for the night.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Dundee

    Boat of Garten to Dundee

    Wake to majestic vistas and breakfast in the restaurant car, then travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, where Ghillie Basan and her son Zeki teach Scottish wildlife and Highland survival skills over a barbecue lunch. Return to the train at Carrbridge for a relaxing afternoon travelling through Inverness and Keith, with the option to visit Strathisla Distillery. Soak up spectacular panoramas travelling south through Aberdeenshire and Angus, followed by a splendid gala dinner and jazz music.

  3. Day 3

    Edinburgh

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as you leave Dundee behind and make your way back to Edinburgh aboard the Royal Scotsman.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The train departs Edinburgh Waverley Station and travels north through the former Kingdom of Fife into the Highlands, with dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car that evening.
  • Day 2A barbecue lunch at Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, with Ghillie Basan and her son Zeki teaching Scottish wildlife and Highland survival skills.
  • Day 2An optional visit to Strathisla Distillery, source of the malt used in Chivas Regal, while traveling through Inverness and Keith.

Included

  • Two 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 visit to Rothiemurchus Estate, including a barbecue lunch with cuisine and survival skills lessons from Ghillie Basan and her son, Zeki
  • A trip to the Strathisla Distillery
  • Traditional ceilidhs on board, evening entertainment in the Observation Car and dining experiences

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, two nights aboard the Royal Scotsman with 24-hour steward service.
Which train is used?
The Royal Scotsman, a round trip from Edinburgh to Boat of Garten and Dundee, and back to Edinburgh.
What is included?
All meals and alcoholic beverages aboard the train, a barbecue lunch and Highland survival skills lesson at Rothiemurchus Estate, a trip to Strathisla Distillery, and onboard ceilidhs and entertainment.
Is it escorted?
The trip includes 24-hour steward service throughout; the evidence does not name a specific tour guide or ambassador for this package.

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