Royal Scotsman - Classic panoramic tour

The meeting point for this trip is the Balmoral Hotel at Waverly station. In the early afternoon, you will begin your journey along the picturesque east coast while you are served a sumptuous afternoon tea. The journey takes you via Arboath, Montrose and Aberdeen to the market town of Keith in the heart of Speyside, which is famous for its whisky. An informal dinner is served on board, followed by the typical Scottish entertainment program.

You leave Keith during breakfast on board. The train travels west along the Moray Firth towards Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Lunch is served today on what is probably the most scenic rail route in the UK towards Kyle of Lochalsh. Disembark in the picturesque fishing village of Plockton, which boasts an incomparable location in a sheltered bay of Loch Carron. Here you will see a colony of wild seals during a boat trip. During the trip, enjoy the magnificent view across the bay to the Applecross Mountains. Later, a forest walk is on the program. A traditional Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel is also on the agenda. You will spend the night in Kyle of Lochalsh, where you will truly feel like you are at the end of the world. Dinner is formal, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the panoramic coach.

Today your host will take you for a refreshing morning walk across the bridge that connects the mainland to the Isle of Skye. You'll leave Kyle while breakfast is being served and travel part of yesterday's scenic route back to Dingwall. Have your cameras ready for the view of Plockton across the bay on the left, where you can see whitewashed cottages with fishing boats and yachts at anchor. As the train winds its way north, join your fellow passengers in the observation car for an informal whisky tasting with our onboard connoisseur and learn about the history of Scotland's national drink, Uisge Beatha, or 'water of life', as the ancient Celts called the fiery amber nectar we now call Scotch whisky. Afterwards, head south to Carrbridge, where you will disembark and explore the romantic Ballindalloch Castle in beautiful Speyside. Options at Ballindalloch include a private castle tour, 9 holes of golf on the castle's own golf course or an exclusive view of Scotland's only distillery on a stately estate. You will spend the night on board in Boat of Garten at the station of the private Strathspey Railway. After an informal dinner, our Highlander will regale guests with tales and gun demonstrations.

Today you will travel by coach to the Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, where you will have the opportunity to go fishing or take a tour of the estate. However, clay pigeon shooting is the most popular activity among the tour participants. After re-boarding the train at Kingussie, lunch is served on the journey south to Dunkeld. Disembark there for a visit to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Return to the train in Perth for a formal dinner and entertainment. Overnight on board in Dundee.

After the last tasty breakfast, the train arrives in Edinburgh at around 10:00 am.