Scotland: The West and the Highlands (7 Nights) 2027 and 2028
Eight days that begin on the West Highland Line and end in the Cairngorms, with the silver sands of Morar, Mount Stuart, the seals of Plockton, Ballindalloch Castle and Glamis along the way.
Previously called the Grand Western Scenic Wonders, this journey now carries Belmond's name of Scotland: The West and the Highlands. As the name suggests, the west comes first: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glenfinnan and the Isle of Bute, before the train passes back through Edinburgh and heads north to Keith, the Kyle of Lochalsh line and the Cairngorms. Accommodation on this journey is in the Grand Suites.
The estimated departure from Edinburgh Waverley is 1:56pm, with an estimated return at 9:40am on the final morning. Timings are indicative and can change because of national railway constraints, so please check your final itinerary for confirmed times.
Day by Day Itinerary
Edinburgh to Spean Bridge
The Royal Scotsman leaves Edinburgh Waverley in the early afternoon and heads west to Craigendoran and the start of the West Highland Line. Afternoon tea is served as the train runs along the shore of Gare Loch, with Loch Long, the rocky peak of Ben Arthur and Loch Lomond to follow before the line climbs through Glen Falloch and its waterfalls.
Beyond Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy the train crosses the vast, empty expanse of Rannoch Moor, one of the wildest stretches of railway in Britain. It arrives at Spean Bridge for the night, where an informal dinner is followed by lively entertainment in the Observation Car.
Spean Bridge to Bridge of Orchy via Arisaig and Glenfinnan
The train heads west through Fort William, with Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, towering over the town. The line follows Loch Eil and crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct before reaching Arisaig, where you leave the train for a walk along the Silver Sands of Morar and its views out to the islands. Lunch is served on board.
In the afternoon you can choose between a visit to historic Glenfinnan with a local guide, who brings the Jacobite story to life, or a hike through Nevis Gorge. Everyone rejoins the train at Fort William, and an informal dinner is served as it travels south to the small village of Bridge of Orchy for the night.
Bridge of Orchy to Kilmarnock via the Isle of Bute
The morning brings more fine Highland scenery as the train heads south towards Glasgow and the coast at Wemyss Bay, where a ferry crossing takes you to the Isle of Bute. Here you visit Mount Stuart, a spectacular Victorian Gothic house built for the 3rd Marquess of Bute, with remarkable interiors and beautiful gardens.
After afternoon tea you return to the train for a formal dinner and an evening of entertainment in the Observation Car as it travels to Kilmarnock for the night.
Kilmarnock to Keith via Edinburgh
Breakfast is served as the train heads east to Edinburgh. This morning you can join a guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith followed by a light lunch, or simply spend the time exploring the city at your own pace.
In the early afternoon the train crosses the Firth of Forth on the magnificent Forth Bridge and heads north through Fife. Afternoon tea is served as it follows the east coast through Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen to the market town of Keith, where an informal dinner and entertainment in the Observation Car round off the day.
Keith to Kyle of Lochalsh via Plockton
The train travels west along the Moray Firth to Inverness and then joins the Kyle of Lochalsh line, often described as one of the most beautiful railway journeys in Britain. Lunch is served as you pass Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains.
At Plockton there is a boat trip to see the wild seals, a woodland walk and a warm Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. Back on board, a formal dinner is followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Observation Car, with the train staying overnight at Kyle of Lochalsh, looking across to the Isle of Skye.
Kyle of Lochalsh to Boat of Garten via Garve and Ballindalloch
Early risers can start the day with a walk over the bridge to the Isle of Skye. Breakfast is served as the train retraces part of yesterday's route, stopping at Garve, where you can choose between a spot of shopping or a walk with a Highland storyteller. The journey continues past the Beauly Firth and the Caledonian Canal to Inverness.
After lunch you can visit Ballindalloch Castle, a much loved family home in Speyside, or its single-estate distillery. The train then stables overnight at Boat of Garten on the heritage Strathspey Railway, with an informal dinner and live music in the Observation Car.
Boat of Garten to Dundee via Rothiemurchus and Glamis Castle
After breakfast you head to the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park, where you can try fishing or clay pigeon shooting or join a tour of the estate, followed by refreshments. Lunch is served back on board at Kingussie as the train heads south.
At Dunkeld you leave the train for a visit to Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. You rejoin the train at Perth for a formal dinner on the way to Dundee, with evening entertainment and the chance to try some Scottish country dancing if you wish.
Dundee to Edinburgh
A final breakfast is served as the Royal Scotsman crosses the Tay Bridge and travels south through Fife to Edinburgh Waverley, arriving at around 9:40am, where your seven-night journey comes to an end. The Train Manager will be happy to help with onward transport or a hotel in Edinburgh if you need it.
Itineraries and timings shown may be changed for seasonal or operational reasons.
Departure Dates
2027
2028
Other dates are sold out or yet to be released. Please call us to check availability.
Prices Per Cabin
| Accommodation | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|
| Double Cabin | from £47,300 | from £44,000 |
| Twin Cabin | Not available | from £44,000 |
| Double Suite | from £47,700 | from £50,100 |
| Twin Suite | from £47,700 | from £50,100 |
| Grand Suite | from £85,800 | from £90,650 |