Discover The Scottish Highlands Aboard The Royal Scotsman
The Belmond Royal Scotsman is the Caledonian answer to the Orient Express.
This luxurious cruise train offers a variety of Highland holidays, ranging between two and seven night tours aboard.
Travelling from the capital’s Waverley Station, the Royal Scotsman winds its way north through stunning scenery, passing glens, skirting lochs, and following miles and miles of Scottish coastline. The train travels through Dunkeld, Blair Atholl, Inverness, Culloden and Dundee, offering passengers an authentic taste of the Highlands and showcasing the true heart of Scotland.
Today’s Royal Scotsman is the second to carry the name. It succeeds the 1985 original, which comprised a series of leased carriages, running for five years and winning the Queen’s Award for Export in 1986. In 1990, a new collection of bespoke carriages was purchased.
These classic Pullmans were transformed into the most sumptuous of carriages, with sleeper cabins that included luxurious beds, dressing tables and wardrobes, along with en-suite bathrooms and constant hot water supplies. The new train also featured a unique and enchanting Observation Car withveranda and outside viewing platform, two dining cars, five state cars and a service car, a sequence that was specifically arranged so that guests could fully appreciate the landscapes that this new Royal Scotsman would offer.
The Royal Scotsman boasts the atmosphere and attention to detail of a 5-star country retreat, combined with the excitement and adventure of an authentic Highland getaway.
Michelin quality food, superb wine and carefully selected whiskies guarantee delicious and indulgent evenings, while beautifully fitted cabins offer both character and comfort. Appealingly with a capacity of only 36 passengers, the Royal Scotsman boasts an impressive staff-to-customer ratio, meaning service is second to none.
The Royal Scotsman journeys at a leisurely pace, ensuring that you enjoy the splendours of the Scottish countryside and can relish the untouched scenery that has been seen by very few others. This beautifully decorated, elegant train provides the perfect environment for reconnecting with the one you love, or sparking new friendships with like-minded fellow guests.
In addition, The Royal Scotsman experience is certainly one for fans of the natural world. The unspoiled beauty of the Highlands, coupled with activities like walking, clay pigeon shooting and fishing, makes it the perfect adventure for outdoor types. Of course, upon returning to the Royal Scotsman and your own private cabin, the wildness of the great outdoors is promptly exchanged for the finest luxury and opulence.
At Planet Rail we offer a three-day Highland holiday aboard the Royal Scotsman. Find out more by reading on.
Belmond Royal Scotsman: A 3 Day Highland Journey
Day One
Your holiday begins on the platform at Edinburgh Waverley station, where you’ll be greeted by a kilted bagpiper and a flute of champagne. Gathering in the cosy Edwardian Observation Car, passengers will receive a warm welcome from the train director before departing Edinburgh in the early afternoon. Within the first hours of the journey, you’ll be transported into the striking landscapes of the Highlands.
Evening sets in and a delicious dinner is served, soon followed by entertainment. Finally when the evening draws to a close, rest assured you’ll enjoy a pleasant, uninterrupted night’s sleep while the train stables overnight in Boat of Garten.
Day Two
Breakfast is served and passengers can choose from a Scottish full breakfast or Continental offering. Appetite satisfied, you then board a coach to Rothiemurchus Estate, which sits in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Widely considered one of the most beautiful places in the UK, and with an air of magic and wildness about it, this excursion is certainly a highlight of the trip.
Choose from activities such as clay pigeon shooting, fly-fishing, archery and quad trekking, or opt for a more subdued tour of the Estate. Those with a penchant for wildlife photography can also practise their camera skills in the estate’s hides, capturing images of roe deer, ospreys and songbirds.
Passengers re-join the Royal Scotsman for lunch, feasting on specially prepared delicacies whilst travelling on to the legendary Culloden Battlefield. Here, you are treated to a private tour of the site that witnessed the last full-scale battle on British soil, and the final stand of a royal dynasty that can be traced back to the Dark Ages. Through the afternoon and evening, the trip continues through Aberdeenshire and Angus, stopping off for a tour of Strathisla Distillery and a spot of whisky sampling.
Stunning vistas prevail in the onward journey to Dundee, treating passengers to panoramic views of Scotland’s mountains, valleys, rivers and forests. A formal dinner is then served, each course reflecting seasonal trends and produce, and complemented by a cellar of the finest wines. The Royal Scotsman then comes to a gentle halt for overnight stabling in Dundee and all can enjoy a restful final night.
Day Three
The final day is spent travelling through the former Kingdom of Fife, crossing the Firth of Forth to arrive back safely in Edinburgh Waverley. If you would like to retain the holiday mood when the train pulls onto the platform; dedicate a few hours to exploring Edinburgh, an elegant, urban contrast to the landscapes you’ve just experienced. Of course, if this three-day trip seems far too fleeting, there are extended Highland adventures available on the Royal Scotsman.
The Belmond Royal Scotsman tour of the Highlands is a magical experience, and guaranteed to leave you feeling inspired, relaxed and eagerly awaiting your next adventure. To find out more about this holiday, or the other scenic rail journeys on offer at Planet Rail, please get in touch with one of our friendly experts on 01347 825292 or email info@planetrail.co.uk.