Royal Scotsman Tours

The Royal Scotsman offers a choice of three different tours, whether you are looking for a unique and relaxing way to explore the history and culture of Scotland, to celebrate a special occasion, or merely escape for a well earned rest. Discover the many faces of Scotland on our four-night "Classic" tour which takes you on a stylish adventure through the lands of over 70 clans, enjoy an active weekend of country pursuits in the Scottish Highlands on our "Highland Fling", or take a short break and join our "Caledonian Retreat" through the wild and ancient heartlands of Scotland.

From the spectacular Southern Highlands with its varied landscape of great glens, lochs and waterfalls; to the wild grandeur and romance of the West Highlands and the Isle of Skye; to the rich arable farmlands of the North East, this popular tour provides an exclusive insight into the Scottish way of life, from centuries past to the present.

THE CLASSIC TOUR

Four Nights

DAY 1 EDINBURGH - DALMALLY - TAYNUILT

Your tour departs from Edinburgh in the early afternoon and heads west on the majestic West Highland Line to Dalmally, where you disembark to visit Inverawe Smokehouse, situated in grand mountain scenery overlooking the River Awe. Watch the locally caught fish being cured and smoked, and afterwards join the Campbell-Prestons in their home to sample some of the delicacies over a glass of wine. You stable overnight at the Victorian station of Taynuilt, and after dinner are entertained by the accordionist, Paddy Shaw.

DAY 2 TAYNUILT - DUNKELD - CARRBRIDGE - BOAT OF GARTEN

This morning the train passes through the historic town of Stirling and "The Fair City" of Perth, before heading north to Blair Atholl to visit The House of Bruar, whose unique environment provides country clothing halls, cloth room, cashmere hall, library, golf shop and other exclusive Scottish products. Alternatively, take a walk to the spectacular Falls of Bruar nearby. This afternoon visit Ballindalloch Castle, the much loved home of the Macpherson-Grants. The train stables overnight at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway.

DAY 3 BOAT OF GARTEN - PLOCKTON - KYLE OF LOCHALSH

This morning visit the Highland Wildlife Park, set in 260 acres of beautiful Strathspey, before heading north through Culloden Moor to Inverness, then west to Kyle of Lochalsh, on what is arguably the most scenic rail route in Britain. Visit the picturesque village of Plockton, situated on the shores of Loch Carton - browse around the art gallery, take a walk in beautiful countryside and discover breathtaking views, or simply get to know the locals! You stable overnight in Kyle, and after a formal dinner Mary Strachan entertains with her clarsach.

DAY 4 KYLE - KEITH - DUNDEE

Visit the romantic Isle of Skye this morning with its magnificent Cuillin Mountains. Learn about the island's harsh history and Gaelic culture before heading east to Keith during lunch to visit Strathisla for a tour of the distillery and to sample some of the products! Afterwards the train follows the east coast through Aberdeen and Scotland's golfing country to Dundee, the "City of Discovery" for overnight stabling.

DAY 5 DUNDEE - EDINBURGH

The train departs during breakfast this morning and crosses the magnificent Tay and Forth Railway Bridges on its return to Edinburgh, where your tour ends.

THE HIGHLAND FLING

Two Nights - Friday to Sunday

If you enjoy the great outdoors and prefer a more active adventure, then what better way to relax and unwind than a weekend with us enjoying country pursuits in the magnificent Scottish Highlands.

FRIDAY EDINBURGH - CARRBRIDGE - BOAT OF GARTEN

Your tour departs Edinburgh early afternoon and heads north through "Macbeth" country to Cambridge, where you disembark for an exclusive tour and drinks reception at Ballindalloch Castle, set in the magnificent surroundings of the Spey Valley. The train stables overnight at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway.

SATURDAY BOAT OF GARTEN - ELGIN - KEITH

Enjoy clay pigeon shooting and off-road driving in the majestic Caledonian pine forests and heather moorlands of Rothiemurchus Estate, or learn about the abundant wildlife on your personal Highland safari. During lunch travel to Elgin where you can shop fox the world's forest cashmere at Johnstons Woollen Mill. After a formal dinner enjoy a traditional ceilidh at Strathisla Distillery, learning traditional Scottish dancing and sampling the "water of life"! You stable overnight near the market town of Keith.

SUNDAY KEITH - EDINBURGH

You depart early from Keith this morning and head south, following the east coast through Aberdeen and Arbroath, famous fox its "smokies", to Dundee. The train then crosses the magnificent Tay and Forth Railway Bridges, to arrive in Edinburgh where your tour ends.

THE CALEDONIAN RETREAT

Two nights - Sunday to Tuesday

Get away from it all for a few days on this relaxing tour combining history, culture and fun through spectacular "Braveheart" country - Argyll with its great glens and waterfalls, and Perthshire with its prodigious green and varied landscape of rolling hills and lush forests.

SUNDAY EDINBURGH - DALMALLY - TAYNUILT

Your tour departs Edinburgh early afternoon and heads west through some of Scotland's most dramatic landscape. We pass Gare Loch, Loch Long and the glen of sorrow - Glen Coe on the way to Dalmally where you disembark for Inverawe Smokehouse, a flourishing family business producing a high quality range of smoked Scottish fish and game. After your tour enjoy a private drinks reception in the family home. You stable overnight at Taynuilt, and after dinner enjoy entertainment in the Observation Car.

MONDAY TAYNUILT - BLAIR ATHOLL - STIRLING

This morning the train follows the narrow shelf carved out of the hillside between the slopes of Ben Cruachan and the River Awe, through Stirling and Perth, the ancient capital of Scotland, to Blair Atholl where you visit The House of Bruar. This afternoon visit the magnificent Glamis Castle, seat of the Strathmore and Kinghorne family since 1372, and childhood home to HRH The Queen Mother. During a formal dinner travel to Gleneagles where you take part in an evening of traditional Scottish music and dance. You stable overnight in Stirling, with its magnificent Royal Castle dominating the surrounding countryside.

TUESDAY STIRLING - EDINBURGH

The Royal Scotsman departs Stirling during breakfast this morning and makes its way back to Edinburgh, where your tour ends.