How much does it cost?

From £12,555 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $16,959 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is train travel included?

Yes. Four nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train are included, along with all meals and beverages on board.

Which distilleries do you visit?

Great Rail Journeys includes private tours and tastings at Tomatin Distillery (producing since 1897) and Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford. You also receive an exclusive whisky tasting session with expert Charles MacLean aboard the train.

The Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley, crosses the Forth Rail Bridge, travels the Kyle Line through Loch Luichart and Torridon to Kyle of Lochalsh, visits Carrbridge and Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms, and returns to Edinburgh via Dundee.

What activities are included?

The package includes private distillery tours with tastings, a morning of outdoor activities (archery, fly fishing, or clay-pigeon shooting) at Rothiemurchus Estate, single-cask whisky tasting in the Observation Car, formal dinners, Scottish country dancing at Dundee, and membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for one year.

What is not included?

Cancellation and travel insurance, flights, and airport transfers are not included.

Great Rail Journeys · Luxury train tour

The Royal Scotsman - Scotch Malt Whisky Trail

Six-day luxury train journey through Scottish Highlands with whisky distillery visits

Great Rail Journeys operates this six-day luxury rail journey aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman, a storied train that carries guests through the Scottish Highlands between Edinburgh and Kyle of Lochalsh. The itinerary spans four nights on the train and one night in an Edinburgh hotel, with days built around private tours of Tomatin and Tullibardine distilleries, exclusive tastings led by whisky expert Charles MacLean, and outdoor pursuits at Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park. All meals, drinks, and entertainment on board are included, along with a one-year membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The journey crosses the Forth Rail Bridge, travels the scenic Kyle Line past Loch Luichart and Torridon, and concludes with Scottish country dancing at Dundee. This trip suits couples, whisky connoisseurs, and repeat luxury rail travellers seeking an all-inclusive escape through the Highlands.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £3,220 since 4 Jul, to £12,555.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The price shown is for the package only; flights and airport transfers are not included and must be arranged separately.
This is marketed as an independent tour but includes structured daily experiences and meals; confirm with Great Rail Journeys whether a guide is present throughout or only at specific stops.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Edinburgh (The Scotsman Hotel or The Balmoral Hotel)
Edinburgh
Arrive in Edinburgh and make your way to the chosen hotel, with the rest of the day free to explore the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, galleries and theatres, food markets, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament building.
Day 2railovernight: The Royal Scotsman
The Royal Scotsman
Begin at Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel with a welcome dram from a whisky ambassador, then depart from Edinburgh Waverley, crossing the Forth Rail Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife. Enjoy afternoon tea complemented by an exclusive whisky tasting session led by expert and author Charles MacLean, drawing on his 18 published books.
Day 3overnight: The Royal Scotsman (Kyle of Lochalsh)
Kyle of Lochalsh
Continue along the picturesque Kyle Line, past Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains, through the Highlands via coastal Plockton to Kyle of Lochalsh, the gateway to the Isle of Skye. The day concludes with a formal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car.
Day 4overnight: The Royal Scotsman (Carrbridge)
Carrbridge
A hearty Scottish breakfast heading toward Carrbridge, with a special single-cask tasting in the Observation Car, then a visit to the historic Tomatin Distillery (producing Highland single malts since 1897) with a tutored tasting session. An informal dinner onboard follows, with local musicians providing entertainment.
Day 5railovernight: The Royal Scotsman (Dundee)
Rothiemurchus
A coach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for outdoor activities such as archery or fly fishing, followed by lunch aboard the train heading south. The afternoon features a VIP tour of Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford with cask sampling, concluding with a formal dinner and Scottish country dancing on the platform at Dundee station.
Day 6
Homeward bound
Cross the Tay Bridge into Fife, returning to Edinburgh over a full Scottish breakfast with fellow travellers, concluding the journey. Optional extended stay available at a hotel in Edinburgh.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Depart Edinburgh Waverley and cross the Forth Rail Bridge while enjoying afternoon tea and an exclusive whisky tasting session with expert Charles MacLean.
Day 3Travel the Kyle Line through Loch Luichart and Torridon mountains to Kyle of Lochalsh, the gateway to the Isle of Skye.
Day 4Visit the historic Tomatin Distillery, producing Highland single malts since 1897, for a private tour and tutored tasting session.
Day 5Coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in Cairngorms National Park for outdoor activities, then VIP tour of Tullibardine Distillery with cask sampling.
Day 6Cross the Tay Bridge returning to Edinburgh, concluding with Scottish country dancing on the platform at Dundee station.

Included

4 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train
1 night in an Edinburgh hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
All meals aboard the train and all beverages including alcoholic drinks
24-hour steward service
Membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for one year
Traditional entertainment on board

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour
Flights and Airport transfers

Also sold by

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

Vacations By Railfrom $12,395

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £12,555 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $16,959 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is train travel included?: Yes. Four nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train are included, along with all meals and beverages on board.
Which distilleries do you visit?: Great Rail Journeys includes private tours and tastings at Tomatin Distillery (producing since 1897) and Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford. You also receive an exclusive whisky tasting session with expert Charles MacLean aboard the train.
What is the route?: The Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley, crosses the Forth Rail Bridge, travels the Kyle Line through Loch Luichart and Torridon to Kyle of Lochalsh, visits Carrbridge and Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms, and returns to Edinburgh via Dundee.
What activities are included?: The package includes private distillery tours with tastings, a morning of outdoor activities (archery, fly fishing, or clay-pigeon shooting) at Rothiemurchus Estate, single-cask whisky tasting in the Observation Car, formal dinners, Scottish country dancing at Dundee, and membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for one year.
What is not included?: Cancellation and travel insurance, flights, and airport transfers are not included.