How much does it cost?

From £9,215 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $12,448 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. The package includes three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train, with all meals, all beverages including alcoholic drinks, and 24-hour steward service

Is this an escorted tour?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour. The itinerary includes optional excursions at Tomatin Distillery, Attadale Gardens, and Plockton, plus a private visit to Ballindalloch Castle

What trains are used?

The journey is aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman from Edinburgh to Dundee and back to Edinburgh, with a short heritage railway trip on the Strathspey Railway to Boat of Garten

One night in an Edinburgh hotel (either The Scotsman Hotel or The Balmoral Hotel, both bed and breakfast) and three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman train

Great Rail Journeys · Luxury train tour

The Royal Scotsman - Wild Spirit of Scotland

Five-day luxury train loop through Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh

The Royal Scotsman, operated by Great Rail Journeys, is a five-day luxury train journey that departs from Edinburgh, travels through the Scottish Highlands, and returns to the capital. Guests spend three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman, a five-star heritage train with Edwardian-era interiors, and one night in an Edinburgh hotel. The route heads north from Edinburgh through Perth and Pitlochry to the Highlands, then follows the Kyle Line, one of Britain's most scenic rail routes, past Loch Luichart and the Torridon Mountains toward Kyle of Lochalsh. The return journey passes through Aviemore and includes a crossing of the Forth Bridge into Edinburgh. Along the way, passengers visit Ballindalloch Castle in the Speyside whisky region, tour Tomatin Distillery for single-malt tastings, and explore Attadale Gardens. All meals and beverages aboard the train are included, as is 24-hour steward service and evening entertainment. This trip suits luxury-seeking travellers, experienced rail passengers, couples, and those drawn to Scotland's whisky heritage and castle culture.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £1,280 since 4 Jul, to £9,215.

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

On Day 3, passengers must choose between visiting Attadale Gardens or taking a boat trip from Plockton to observe wild seals; both cannot be done
On Day 4, passengers must choose between touring Tomatin Distillery or staying aboard for a Highland storyteller experience
No departure dates are listed; confirm availability with Great Rail Journeys before booking

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Edinburgh (The Scotsman Hotel or The Balmoral Hotel)
Edinburgh
Arrive in Edinburgh and make your way to the selected hotel. Free time to explore the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the arts scene, local food markets, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament building.
Day 2railovernight: The Royal Scotsman (Boat of Garten)
The Royal Scotsman
Board the Royal Scotsman at Edinburgh Waverley and head north through Perth into the wild landscapes around Pitlochry and Blair Atholl, enjoying afternoon tea onboard. A short trip on the private Strathspey Railway leads to Boat of Garten for the night, followed by dinner and live entertainment in the Observation Car.
Day 3railovernight: The Royal Scotsman (Kyle of Lochalsh)
Kyle of Lochalsh
Breakfast as the train departs toward Inverness, then continue on the scenic Kyle Line with lunch enroute past Loch Luichart and the Torridon Mountains. At Strathcarron, choose to visit Attadale Gardens, or stay aboard to alight at Plockton for a boat trip to see wild seals, a woodland walk and a Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. Return to the train at Kyle of Lochalsh, stabled for the night, with local musicians in the Observation Car after dinner.
Day 4railovernight: The Royal Scotsman (Dundee)
Aviemore
Breakfast enroute to Inverness, then a choice of visiting Tomatin Distillery for a whisky tasting or staying onboard for a Highland storyteller. After lunch on the train, disembark in Aviemore for a private tour of Ballindalloch Castle in the Speyside whisky region. Rejoin the train for the journey to Dundee, with a grand gala dinner and Scottish country dancing on the station platform to close the evening.
Day 5rail
Homeward bound
Breakfast as the train leaves Dundee for Edinburgh, crossing the Forth Bridge. The journey concludes on arrival in Edinburgh, with the option to extend the stay at a hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley and travels north through Perth and Pitlochry toward Blair Athol, passing rolling hills and dramatic peaks
Day 3Journey along the Kyle Line, one of Britain's most scenic rail routes, past Loch Luichart and the Torridon Mountains to Kyle of Lochalsh
Day 4Optional tour of Tomatin Distillery to taste single malts, or remain aboard for a Highland storyteller; afternoon excursion to Ballindalloch Castle in Speyside
Day 5The train crosses the Forth Bridge on its return to Edinburgh, concluding the Highland journey

Included

3 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
Traditional entertainment on board

Not included

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

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £9,215 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $12,448 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. The package includes three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train, with all meals, all beverages including alcoholic drinks, and 24-hour steward service
Is this an escorted tour?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted tour. The itinerary includes optional excursions at Tomatin Distillery, Attadale Gardens, and Plockton, plus a private visit to Ballindalloch Castle
What trains are used?: The journey is aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman from Edinburgh to Dundee and back to Edinburgh, with a short heritage railway trip on the Strathspey Railway to Boat of Garten
Where do I stay?: One night in an Edinburgh hotel (either The Scotsman Hotel or The Balmoral Hotel, both bed and breakfast) and three nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman train