ROYAL SCOTSMAN
Luxury Scottish train extravaganza through the glens
THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN is
sheer romance on rails. Step aboard this luxury rolling country house to enjoy jaw-dropping scenery and mouthwatering cuisine in shameless style and comfort. Guests are piped on board this legendary vintage train in true Highland style, then whisked back to the lavish golden age of rail travel in
polished burgundy-crested coaches.
Royal Scotsman itineraries take in some of Scotland's most fabulous scenery. Watch the unfolding panorama of scenic glens and heather-covered hills outside from the Edwardian Observation Car lined with tartan sofas, then join fellow guests for a convivial dinner house-party style amid the
velvet and candelabra-lit splendour of the dining cars.
Places to visit during your stops – depending on which tour you choose – range from the Gothic splendour of Victorian Mount Stuart and turreted Ballindalloch Castle to the Highland Wildlife Park. Getting wanderlust?
Your carriage awaits.
Hit the Spot
You'll be rolling through the glens in incomparable style.
Bedtime
Slumber amid mahogany panelling and crisp linen sheets.
Be Savvy
It's twin beds, but what style!
Be Smitten
It's the grandest of Highland flings.
Gold-star gourmet dining
You’ll slumber on board stabled for the night in a quiet siding or station.
Bijou cabins (twin-bedded, but who cares?) come with mahogany panelling, crisp linen sheets and well appointed bathrooms.
There’s a
gold-star gourmet restaurant on board the Royal Scotsman: guests might dine on escalope of wild salmon, fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef and fairy-light soufflés. What's more, all drinks, down to that umpteenth (hic) glass of bubbly, are included. Daytime excursions are followed by lively
after-dinner entertainment: look forward to kilted storytellers, local fiddlers or a foot-tapping ceilidh.
This amazing experience naturally doesn't come cheap – but luxury train aficionados return to travel on this regal train year after year. “It's so romantic you’ll want to throw yourself off,” sighed one. We’d rather you didn’t!
The Royal Scotsman was reviewed for Room for Romance by
Mairiona Cotter
Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.
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Dining in
You’ll be amazed at what the chefs rustle up in the train’s galley kitchen. Look forward to the best quality Scottish produce fused with French cooking style. The panorama outside constantly changes as you
savour dishes such as warm salad of pigeon with blackcurrant and vinegar dressing, and iced hazelnut parfait with raspberry coulis.
Dining out
Royal Scotsman guests dine on board the train for lunch and dinner – it's all part of the experience.
Where?
The Royal Scotsman dining car
What’s cooking?
Try signature dishes like chicken and langoustine salad with baby squash and queen scallops, or bitter chocolate tart with kumquat marmalade.
Dress the part
You'll need smart attire for dinner: take slinky dresses, suits or kilts, and black tie.
Top table?
Dine à deux in the Victory dining car.
See & Do
What you see depends on the itinerary you choose. Highlights of the Royal Scotsman's two-night Highlander journey include visits to Blair Atholl, the battlefields of Culloden and the shooting estate of Rothiemurchus. The Classic four-nighter takes you to Keith on the east coast, Boat of Garden, the pretty village of Plockton and Kyle of Lochalsh, as well as fairytale Ballindalloch Castle. And you'll see plenty of lochs, glens and mountains rolling by.
Shop
Your journey starts at Edinburgh, where you can stock up on Scottish tweeds, tartans and just about everything else. Some trips include a visit to Johnston's of Elgin – great for cashmeres.
Play
There's evening entertainment on board, which very often includes a real Scottish ceilidh, with pipes and Scottish dancing.
DatesThe Royal Scotsman operates between April and October. You could well hit on local events and festivals during your tour, depending when you travel.
GETTING THERE
Location
The Royal Scotsman train operates from Waverley Station, Edinburgh EH1 1BB
Parking
There is long term parking adjacent to the station.
Trains
Arrive by Intercity train at Edinburgh’s Waverley station.
Taxis
GBP 15 to Edinburgh Airport.
Airport
Edinburgh – seven miles.
Rooms and suites
20 State cabins
Special features
Cabins on this luxury train come with private showers, beds (twin) dressed in fine linen and tartans, ceiling fans and wardrobes.
Also…
There's an observation car lounge with an outdoor deck (perfect for sipping champagne), impeccably drilled staff and an onboard library.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
Steel yourselves – a seven night trip aboard this legendary luxury train could set you back by GBP 4,000 - 5,000 a head. One-night trips start at around GBP 1,740 each.
Open/closed
The Royal Scotsman’s season runs from April to October.
Check-in
According to your scheduled departure time.
Check-out
After breakfast on your return to Edinburgh.
Breakfast
A full Scottish breakfast is served to tie in with the day’s off-train programme.
Room service
Available 24 hours a day
Children
Over-12s are permitted, though it’s not really recommended for under-15s.
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Languages
Various
Wedding license?
Yes – for up to 36 guests if you’d like to charter the train exclusively.