Scotch Malt
Whisky Trail

The journey begins before the train departs. Guests meet their whisky ambassador at the Balmoral Hotel for a welcome dram, which sets the tone for the days ahead. The Royal Scotsman then departs Edinburgh Waverley and heads north, crossing the Firth of Forth on the Forth Railway Bridge as the afternoon gets under way.

Afternoon tea is served as the train passes through the former Kingdom of Fife, and the first whisky event follows: an exclusive nosing and tasting session with Charles MacLean, whisky expert and author of eighteen books on the subject. MacLean is one of the most knowledgeable people in the world on Scotch whisky, and his ability to make the subject accessible to newcomers while keeping it interesting for aficionados is considerable. Whether you know your Speyside from your Islay or are coming to single malt for the first time, you are in good hands.

After a full Scottish breakfast the train arrives at Tain, where guests disembark for a visit to Glenmorangie House and Glenmorangie Distillery. Established in 1843, Glenmorangie is one of Scotland's most celebrated distilleries, known for its emphasis on craftsmanship, heritage and experimentation with cask finishes. The distillery tour takes in the traditional production methods before a tutored tasting, and a light lunch follows before the return to the train in the late afternoon.

The afternoon's travel more than compensates for the time indoors. The Kyle of Lochalsh line is consistently rated the most scenic railway route in the United Kingdom. The train passes Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains, climbs to the Luib summit, crosses Achnashellach Forest and descends to Strathcarron before skirting Loch Carron through Attadale and Plockton on the way to Kyle of Lochalsh. A formal dinner is served this evening, with coffee and liqueurs in the Observation Car as the train settles at Kyle for the night.

Breakfast is served as the train retraces part of yesterday's route as far as Dingwall. At Garve there is a choice for the morning: Campbell's of Beauly, a charming family-run emporium specialising in tweeds, cashmere and Scottish accessories, or a guided walk with a Highland storyteller along the Black Water, retracing the old droving routes that once carried cattle across this landscape.

The train reaches Inverness and heads south, and the afternoon brings another choice. The first option is Tomatin Distillery near Carrbridge, where the secrets behind this celebrated Highland single malt can be explored on a private tour. The second is Ballindalloch Castle, one of the most romantic privately owned castles in Scotland, with walled gardens that have been carefully maintained over centuries. Both are worth visiting on their own terms, and the train manager can help you decide. The train stables overnight at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway.

A coach takes guests to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park for the morning. Wild swimming, archery and fly fishing are all available, along with a general tour of this exceptional estate beneath the Cairngorm Mountains. Lunch is served on the return to the train at Kingussie.

The afternoon excursion offers two outstanding options. The first is a private tour of Lindores Abbey Distillery in the Lowlands, a site with a claim to be the birthplace of Scotch whisky: records show distilling here as early as 1494, carried out by the Tironensian monks of Lindores Abbey. The second is Glamis Castle, seat of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and childhood home of the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The castle has been visited and lived in by members of the Scottish and British royal families for generations, and the guided tour reflects that extraordinary history. The train then rejoins at Perth for a gala dinner on the way to Dundee, and a final night on board.

A full Scottish breakfast is served as the train crosses the Tay Bridge and makes its way south through the former Kingdom of Fife to Edinburgh, where the journey ends. Four nights in the company of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, covering some of Scotland's finest distilleries and most spectacular scenery from one of the world's great trains.

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