Royal Scotsman - Great Western Highlands Tour

The meeting point for this trip is the Balmoral Hotel at Waverly station. If you are lucky, the whisky tour will take place at the same time. Then the Whisky Ambassador will welcome you with a first drum (the preferred tasting glass in Scotland). In the early afternoon, you begin the 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.

Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and crosses the Tay Bridge. Disembark in Edinburgh and be escorted to the Royal Yacht Britannia for a guided tour and light lunch on board. Alternatively, you will have free time to explore Scotland's vibrant capital. In the early afternoon, re-board the train and head west. Near the mouth of the Clyde is Craigendoran, the starting point of the West Highland Line. Enjoy afternoon tea as you travel along the edge of Gare Loch. Continuing north, the train passes Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy before heading to Rannoch Moor, one of Scotland's last truly wild areas. An informal dinner is served on the way to Spean Bridge, followed by lively entertainment from local musicians in the observation car.

As the train continues westwards, you will catch sight of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. Get off the train in Arisaig. Stroll across the expanse of the famous Silver Sands of Morar. The view sweeps across to the majestic Cuillin Mountains on the Isle of Sky. After a delicious lunch on board, disembark and visit the historic Glenfinnan Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charlie gathered the members of the clans. Here you can also join a guided tour to the spectacular Steall Waterfall, which plunges 120 meters into the picturesque Nevis Gorge. Casual dinner on board during the train journey to the pretty Bridge of Orchy, followed by an entertainment program.

In Wemyss Bay, take the ferry to the enchanting Isle of Bute. It is home to Mount Stuart, the eccentric neo-Gothic Victorian ancestral seat of the extravagant 3rd Marquess of Bute. Back on board, a festive dinner awaits you during the onward journey to Kilmarnock.

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