Scotland's Classic Splendors 5 days/4 nights

The Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury tourist train sets off north from Edinburgh, crossing the Firth of Forth from the impressive Forth Railway Bridge. The bridge, with a total length of over 2,5 km, was designed by engineer Sir John Fowler. It was built in 1879–1890. Its huge trusses are 110 m high. In 2015, the bridge was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Guests can enjoy afternoon tea as the train passes Arboath, Montrose and Aberdeen, arriving at Keith. In the evening, we invite you to an informal dinner served in the observation car. The train stops at Keith for the night.

In the morning, the luxury train departs Keith, heading west along the Moray Firth towards the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness. Lunch will be served to guests as the train heads towards Kyle of Lochalsh. Afterwards, guests will visit the picturesque village of Plockton, situated in the heart of the Highlands, on Loch Carron. Here you can go on a boat cruise to observe seal colonies, watch a theater performance and take part in a traditional highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel. As an alternative, guests can visit one of the most famous monuments in Scotland - Eilean Donan Castle, built on an island in Loch Duich, where they will learn how much painstaking work has gone into restoring the monument to its former glory. The castle was built in 1220 by the Scottish king Alexander II. According to legend, it served as a shelter for Robert the Bruce during his escape from the English army. For the night, the train and guests travel to Kyle of Lochalsh, where a formal dinner is served in the train's restaurant, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the viewing car. Please note: on some dates there is an alternative afternoon program during which guests are invited to lunch and take a tour to Cawdor Castle.

In the morning the train returns towards Dingwell. It is a good idea for guests to have their cameras ready at this time, because from the train you can clearly see Plockton on the opposite side of the bay - white houses rising over the water and fishing boats anchored in the bay. Guests disembark at Garve to visit the Glen Ord Distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland. Founded in 1838, it stands on the shores of the Black Isle west of Inverness. Glen Ord continues the traditional way of making whiskey. Guests will visit the distillery and then be invited to a private tasting of the Singleton whiskey produced here. The train then travels to Carrbridge, where guests will disembark to visit the 'Pearl of the North' - the romantic Ballindalloch Castle overlooking the River Spey. The castle has remained the property and home of the Macpherson-Grant family from the very beginning, when the first towers were built in 1546. Here you can take a private tour of the castle, play a round of golf on the exclusive golf course or visit Scotland's only distillery in a private residence. Guests will spend the night at the Boat of Garten on the privately owned Strathspey Railway. After an informal dinner, local residents will entertain guests with stories, legends and weapons demonstrations. Please note: on some dates there will be a different program during which, early in the morning, guests will have the opportunity to take a short trip to photograph the famous Eilean Donan Castle. The train will then head to Carrbridge for a tour of the Glenlivet Distillery.

In the morning, the train will take guests to the Rothiemurchus Estate, located in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. It will be an opportunity to test your shooting skills during clay pigeon shooting competitions, fishing and visiting the estate. Guests return to board the luxury Belmond Royal Scotsman train at Kingussie. Lunch will be served as the train heads south to Dunkeld. Here, guests will visit Glamis Castle, considered the most haunted in Scotland. Its oldest part dates back to the 1034th century. At that time, a residential tower was built here, which served as a royal hunting house, where in 80 Malcolm II, King of Scotland, was murdered. In the 1980th century, the castle was thoroughly rebuilt. Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, mother of Queen Elizabeth II, spent her childhood here. It includes, among others, Duncan's Hall, where William Shakespeare set the scene of the killing of the king in Macbeth. The castle grounds are accessed via a wrought-iron gate, made for the Queen Mother on her 25th birthday in XNUMX. The castle is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, and the estate itself covers an area of ​​XNUMX square kilometers. After visiting the castle, guests return to the train in Perth. That evening there will be a formal farewell time on the train with traditional entertainment. The train stops in Dundee for the night.

After breakfast, the train heads south, ending the run - and the tour of Scotland - at Edinburgh Waverley railway station.