Post-Retreat Excursion
Highland Journey on Board the Royal Scotsman

Welcome on Board

Departure: Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 15:00 from Gleneagles Station

Arrival: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 09:30 at Edinburgh (Waverley Station)

The Royal Scotsman takes you straight to the heart of the Highlands, through landscapes of towering, pine-clad mountains, reflected in mirror-still lochs. With your own private cabin and an open-deck observation carriage from which to marvel at Scotland’s finest countryside, life on board is relaxed yet indulgent. And with just 35 guests, this is railway travel at its most personal.

Life on Board

Life on board this luxury train is relaxed and indulgent, with gastronomic dining and the convivival atmosphere of celebrating with friends.

Private Cabins

There are 14 twin, two double and four single State Cabins in our Sleeping Cars, each lined with rich marquetry. All have a private bathroom with shower, washbasin and toilet, constant hot water, high-quality toiletries and fresh towels every day. Rooms have been designed to offer the ultimate in luxury travel. Facilities include lower beds, a dressing table, a full-length wardrobe, individually controlled heating, ceiling fans, opening windows and a cabin service call button. On each bed there is a foam pillow, a hypoallergenic duvet and quilted cotton bed covers. With the train stabled at night in a quiet siding or station, a good night's sleep is guaranteed.

Observation Car

provides a wonderful vantage point from which to enjoy the spectacular Highlands scenery. Settle down in a comfortable sofa or armchair as you glide past castles, villages and glens. For open-air views, step out onto the veranda to appreciate the wild beauty of the countryside and coast. The perfect setting to enjoy an aperitif or after-dinner drink, sit back and enjoy the conviviality, conversation and relaxed country-house atmosphere. Nightly entertainment creates a memorable Scottish ambiance.

Along the Way

Along the Way, guests disembark to meet local personalities, talk to experts on subjects from salmon fishing to whisky and take part in fun activities – truly a Scottish rail vacation par excellence.

Highland Journey at a Glance

540 miles
Tour of Strathisla Distillery
Visit Rothiemurchus Estate
Visit Culloden Battlefield
Optional activities: clay pigeon shooting, fly fishing, Highland safari

Detailed Itinerary

Day One: Gleneagles - Boat of Garten

Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Gleneagles Station mid-afternoon and travels north-east to the ‘Fair City’ of Perth. Enjoy afternoon tea as the train continues on the Highland line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl with its imposing castle.

The rolling hills of Perthshire are replaced by more dramatic peaks and valleys as you travel north into the Highlands towards Aviemore, gateway to the Cairngorms National Park with its outstanding natural beauty and wide range of outdoor pursuits.

Your destination this evening is the peaceful Highland village of Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway. An informal dinner is served, followed by entertainment in the Observation Car.

Day Two: Boat of Garten – Dundee

Travel the short distance by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Rothiemurchus Forest is one of the largest and most important remnants of the native Caledonian pine forest which used to cover most of Scotland. Choose from a number of activities including clay pigeon-shooting, fishing or a guided tour of the estate with one of the Park Rangers. Afterwards, enjoy a warm welcome from your hosts as refreshments are served in their hunting lodge and you discover some of the rich history of this family-run estate.

Return to the train in Carrbridge for lunch before disembarking in Inverness to visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last major battle fought on British soil on 16th April 1746. Listen to our Highlander as he paints a vivid picture of how this battle changed the way of life in the Highlands forever.

From Nairn on the Moray Firth, travel east towards Keith. Enjoy an early evening visit to Strathisla Distillery, the oldest and one of the most picturesque working distilleries in the Highlands, and home to the malt which is incorporated into one of Scotland’s most famous blends, Chivas Regal.

As the track re-joins the coast, enjoy some spectacular panoramas on the way south through Aberdeenshire and Angus. Dinner is formal this evening and afterwards you are invited to enjoy some traditional Scottish music in the Observation Car.

Day Three: Dundee – Edinburgh

Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and travels south through the former Kingdom of Fife, crossing the Firth of Forth by means of the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge and arriving in Edinburgh Waverley Station where your journey ends.