Royal Scotsman - Scotch Malt Whisky Tour

Meet your Scotch Malt Whisky Society ambassador at the Balmoral Hotel. Here you will enjoy a welcome dram before your departure. Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley Station and travels north over the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge across the Firth of Forth. Afternoon tea is served as you travel through the former Kingdom of Fife. The train continues east along the coast through Carnoustie, Arbroath and Aberdeen before arriving in the market town of Keith in the heart of the Speyside whisky region. After an informal dinner, enjoy traditional Scottish entertainment by local musicians.

This morning, the train travels west from Keith towards Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. On an excursion you will visit the impressive new Macallan Distillery in the heart of the Speyside whisky region. Founded in 1824 by Alexander Reid, it gives you an insight into the process, production, people and passion that make this revered Scotch so special.In Inverness, re-board the train and take a seat for lunch as you travel along arguably one of Britain's most scenic railroad lines. The line passes Loch Luichart and the Torrodion Mountains, which geologists believe were formed before the beginning of life. The train then follows the edge of Loch Carron through Attadale and Stromeferry before reaching the pretty fishing village of Plockton. A formal dinner is served that evening, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the observation car.

Breakfast is served as the train heads east towards Carrbridge. Before lunch, join your whisky ambassador in the Observation Car for a special tasting of some single cask whiskies. Lunch is served on board and you disembark in Aviemore to visit the historic Tomatin Distillery and learn the secrets behind the famous Highland single malt. End your tour with a tutored tasting of three Tomatin single malts, each showing why this is considered the 'softer side of the Highlands'. Return to the train in Boat of Garten for an informal dinner. Local musicians will be waiting to entertain you in the observation car while you enjoy a nightcap or two.

After breakfast, travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Choose from a range of activities on the estate, including fishing, clay pigeon shooting or an estate tour.Return to the train at Inkussie and enjoy a leisurely lunch on board as you travel south through Blair Atholl and Pitlochry to Dunkeld. Later, visit the Tullibardine Distillery in the village of Blackford. Your private VIP tour includes samples straight from the barrel, a visit to the bonded warehouse and a tutored tasting of three Tullibardine Highland Single Malts. Re-board the train in Perth and prepare for a formal dinner on the way to Dundee. The infectious beat of the music tonight might inspire you to do some lively Scottish dancing on the platform. A fitting finale to your whisky journey.

After the last tasty breakfast, the train arrives in Edinburgh at around 10:00 am. You will now be invited by your whisky ambassador to spend the morning at the exclusive headquarters of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Edinburgh's elegant New Town. You are now a member of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society for a whole year.