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Royal Scotsman Grand West Highland (5 nights) from £3840pp

Enjoy the magnificent scenery of the West Highland Line and an exclusive view of Mount Stuart, a spectacular Victorian Gothic house. Then experience the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands as you head north, stopping along the way for a private visit to magnificent Ballindalloch and to try your hand at some outdoor activities on the Rothiemurchus Highland Estate.

Journey Dates & Times

Itinerary

Day One: Edinburgh - Spean Bridge

The Royal Scotsman departs from Edinburgh at 13.40 and heads west through Falkirk, Clydebank and Dumbarton to skirt Glasgow and reach the northern bank of the Clyde. Near the mouth of the Clyde estuary lies Craigendoran, the starting point for the majestic West Highland Line. Enjoy afternoon tea as you travel along the edge of Gare Loch. Loch Long comes into sight to your left, and after vanishing for a while, returns with a view of Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) with its distinctive peak.

Passing Arrochar you will get your first view of Loch Lomond. The train descends almost to the water's edge at Ardlui, and then climbs up Glen Falloch, whose many waterfalls provide an impressive display.

As you continue north you pass through Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy. There are spectacular views of Rannoch Moor before arrival in Spean Bridge where the train stables overnight. After a formal dinner you meet Ray Owens, a Highlander who brings to life the stories of Scottish heroes.

Day Two: Spean Bridge - Taynuilt

Breakfast is served as your journey passes through Fort William with views of Ben Nevis (Britain's highest mountain). Travelling beside Loch Eil you then pass Glenfinnan and Lochailort, before turning north along the coast until reaching Arisaig. Here you can disembark for a romantic walk along the beautiful Morar Sands, for excellent views across the Sound of Sleat to the beautiful Isle of Skye.

Rejoin the train where lunch is served as the train retraces the route towards Fort William then Spean Bridge before turning south. You arrive at Bridge of Orchy and disembark for a cruise on Loch Etive.

As you relax in the comfort of your cruise boat you will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of one of Scotland’s most beautiful lochs with majestic mountain views, sweeping glens and spectacular waterfalls. You return to the train at Taynuilt for overnight stabling. After an informal dinner you will enjoy entertainment in the Observation Car.

Day Three: Taynuilt – Wemyss Bay

Leaving Taynuilt you follow the previous day’s route to Glasgow before heading south to Gourock. At Wemyss Bay, board the ferry across to the Isle of Bute. From St Blane's Chapel at the south of the island to the abandoned townships in Glen More at the north, it seems that every stone has its tale to tell. Mount Stuart is Britain's most spectacular Victorian Gothic house. This was the architectural fantasy of the 3rd Marquess of Bute and his architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson.

Following your afternoon tea, you will have time to explore this magnificent house, its tranquil Rock Garden, the Wee Garden containing rare plants from the southern hemisphere, the Kitchen Garden and the Victorian Pinetum. The Limetree Avenue leads you to a secluded stretch of coastline and one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland.

You return to the mainland and rejoin the train in Wemyss Bay where a formal dinner is served and the train stables for the night.

Day Four: Wemyss Bay - Edinburgh

During breakfast you depart Wemyss Bay to arrive in Edinburgh at 09:44 where the first part of your journey ends. Now there is an opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Explore the historic Royal Mile, visit the Castle, take in an art gallery or relax with a coffee.

Should you so wish, a light lunch will be served for you in a local hotel before you re-join the train. You rejoin the train at Edinburgh Waverley for departure at 13.36. The Royal heads west through Linlithgow to Stirling, and then past Gleneagles on your way to Perth, the "Fair City". You then travel on to Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl. Once past the station you can catch a glimpse of Blair Castle.

Druimuachdar, the summit of this line, lies six miles south of Dalwhinnie, which is dominated by the pagodas of the nineteenth century distillery. You pass through Dalwhinnie to reach Newtonmore where you disembark to visit The Highland Folk Museum.

You return to the train at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway for overnight stabling. A formal dinner is served and afterwards you meet Ray Owens, who brings to life the stories of Scottish heroes.

Day Five: Boat of Garten - Dundee

Leaving Boat of Garten after breakfast you travel by coach to Rothiemurchus. The history of this estate is as varied as most of the Highlands of Scotland. Here you can enjoy clay pigeon shooting or a Highland Safari, where you learn about the local flora and wildlife from the Estate's Park Ranger.

You rejoin the train in Aviemore and head north to Inverness. Enjoy lunch as you pass Culloden, site of the last battle on mainland British soil in 1746. You then continue east following the Moray coast through Nairn and Elgin before arriving in Keith where you disembark for an exclusive visit to Strathisla distillery. You return to the train in Keith. Dinner this evening is informal as you journey to Dundee for overnight stabling.

Day Six: Dundee - Edinburgh

After breakfast, the train leaves Dundee and travels over the Tay Bridge then through the former Kingdom of Fife. You cross the Firth of Forth by means of the Forth Railway Bridge to arrive in Edinburgh Waverley station where your journey ends at 10.05.

How to book

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0844 482 1010