Grand Tour
of Scotland

The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh in the early afternoon, heading north through Perth and the Perthshire hills on the Highland Line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl with its imposing white castle above the valley. Afternoon tea is served as the landscape grows more dramatic heading into the Highlands. The train settles for the night at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway, surrounded by the quiet of the Cairngorms. Dinner on board celebrates Scotland's finest natural ingredients, and the Observation Car provides the entertainment afterwards with the camaraderie that tends to develop quickly among no more than 36 guests on one of the world's great trains.

An early departure from Boat of Garten takes the train north to Tain, where guests disembark mid-morning for Glenmorangie Distillery. Established in 1843, Glenmorangie is one of the most celebrated distilleries in Scotland, known for its craftsmanship and innovation with cask finishes. The tour concludes with a private tasting in the warehouse before lunch at nearby Glenmorangie House, where the food and setting reflect the quality of the whisky.

The train continues north towards Wick, and after dinner on board, guests alight for Dunnet Bay Distillers, the producers of Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka, two exceptional spirits handcrafted from locally foraged botanicals. Drinks on the sandy beach by bonfire with entertainment follow, weather permitting. Dunnet Bay sits close to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the British mainland, and the sense of being at the far edge of things is palpable.

After a hearty Scottish breakfast on board, a short coach ride takes guests to Gill's Bay for the ferry crossing to the Orkney Islands. Orkney contains some of the best-preserved Neolithic archaeological sites in Europe, and Skara Brae is the highlight: a remarkably intact stone village containing an intricate maze of interconnected dwellings, occupied for around 600 years before being abandoned around 2500 BC. A traditional lunch at a local hotel is followed by further exploration of the island before the evening ferry back to the mainland. An informal dinner is served as the train travels south towards Dingwall for the night.

An early breakfast before a full day on the Isle of Skye, where two very different options are available. The first is a day with RVIVAL, specialists in bespoke wilderness experiences, immersed in the environment of Skye with a break for lunch outdoors. Activities might include descending waterfalls, tracking wildlife or hiking off the beaten track. The second is a guided tour of the island's sites and legends with a historian, including a visit to Dunvegan Castle and its remarkable gardens, lunch at a local restaurant and free time to explore Portree with its colourful harbour. The train returns to Kyle of Lochalsh in the late evening for a lavish informal dinner and live music from a traditional Scottish folk band.

Following a leisurely brunch on board, the train heads east and a coach takes guests along the Royal Deeside route through castles, pine forests and charming villages. Queen Victoria had a real passion for this part of Scotland and the landscape has attracted visitors ever since. The excursion centres on Crathes Castle, a 16th-century tower house formerly owned by the Burnett family, with a labyrinth of turrets, towers, oak-panelled rooms and painted ceilings that reward a thorough visit. The train stables overnight in Dundee, and an elegant formal dinner is served on board.

Breakfast is served as the train crosses the Tay Bridge and travels into Fife. Guests disembark at Leuchars for St Andrews, where a private tour takes in the magnificent ruins of the medieval castle and cathedral. Time at leisure to explore the town's other attractions or browse the cobbled streets follows before the group moves to the pretty coastal village of Elie in the East Neuk of Fife for lunch. The Ship Inn at Elie offers local seafood and views over the harbour, which dates from the 16th century and was once used by pilgrims making for St Andrews. The Firth of Forth stretches away to the south. The train collects everyone at Leven and travels southwest towards Ayr for the night.

The morning begins with a private boat cruise on Loch Lomond, 23 miles of fresh water with mysterious islands, abundant wildlife and layers of legend and folklore that repay the time given to them. Lunch is served back on board as the journey continues south towards Dumfriesshire.

The evening excursion is to Drumlanrig Castle, the turreted sandstone home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The castle contains important collections of silver, porcelain, French furniture and art, and the surrounding 90,000-acre estate takes in formal gardens, ancient woodland and miles of footpaths. The gala dinner that follows is served in the State Dining Room, a fitting finale for the Grand Tour of Scotland. A drinks reception follows before the celebration continues with farewell drinks in the Observation Car as the train makes its way to Kilmarnock for the final night.

An early departure from Kilmarnock and a leisurely final breakfast as the train heads east to Edinburgh Waverley, where seven nights and eight days covering the full breadth of Scotland comes to an end. From the Cairngorms to Orkney, from the Isle of Skye to the East Neuk of Fife, from Loch Lomond to Drumlanrig: no other journey on the Royal Scotsman covers so much ground quite so well.

Itineraries and timings shown may be changed for seasonal or operational reasons.