The Belmond: Royal Scotsman - Taste of the highlands

This 3-day, 2-night journey leaves Edinburgh and travels north through the former Kingdom of Fife into the Highlands to Boat of Garten. The next day includes Rothiemurchus, Culloden and Strathisla, then the train runs south through Aberdeenshire and Angus to Dundee before returning to Edinburgh.

Departures are on sale from 30 September 2026 through 8 September 2027, giving plenty of choice across spring, summer and autumn. The departure list on this page shows each date with the fare for every cabin type.

The journey starts and ends in Edinburgh, departing Edinburgh Waverley station in the early afternoon. Check-in is at The Balmoral Hotel beside the station, and on day 3 breakfast is served as the train returns from Dundee to Edinburgh.

Three cabin types are offered: the Double Cabin with a matrimonial bed, the Twin Cabin with two twin beds, and the Grand Suite, the most spacious option. Fares for each cabin type are shown alongside every departure on this page.

The fare includes two nights on board, 24-hour steward service, all meals (full Scottish breakfast, lunch and a dinner with cheeseboard, coffee, tea and petits fours), all beverages, the visits to Rothiemurchus Estate, Culloden Battlefield and Strathisla, and traditional entertainment on board.

Travel insurance, domestic or international airfare, transfers before or after the train journey, gratuities for the crew, and personal items or souvenirs are excluded. We can add an Edinburgh hotel night before or after the journey on request.

The train uses dynamic pricing, so fares vary by date and cabin. The exact fare for each departure is shown on this page. Starting your booking online holds a cabin without a financial commitment, and our team can then check for current offers.

A deposit of 25 percent secures your cabin, and the remaining balance is due 125 days before departure. For autumn 2026 departures that are already inside that window, full payment may be requested at booking.

Boat of Garten is a Highland village on the private Strathspey Railway in the Cairngorms, where the train stables on the first night. After arriving you enjoy an informal dinner on board followed by entertainment in the Observation Car.

On the morning of day 2 a coach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, where you choose between clay-pigeon shooting, fishing or a tour of the estate. You then rejoin the train for lunch.

Culloden is the site of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite rising, one of the defining moments of Scottish history. Guests enjoy a private tour of the battlefield on the afternoon of day 2.

In the early evening of day 2 you visit Strathisla, one of the oldest working estates of its kind in Scotland, with its historic buildings and traditional craft. It is a short, relaxed visit before you return to the train for the formal dinner.

Yes. The first evening is informal (smart casual) and the second is formal, served on the scenic run south to Dundee. For the formal dinner, a dark suit, tuxedo or kilt is customary for gentlemen and a cocktail dress or tartan for ladies.

Day 1 climbs from Fife into the dramatic scenery of the Highlands and the Cairngorms. On day 2 the train makes a spectacular run south through Aberdeenshire and Angus to Dundee, often during dinner, before the final morning's journey back to Edinburgh.

Yes, it is the train's classic short journey, offering a full day of Highland excursions, one informal and one formal dinner, and the complete on-board experience in just two nights. It is also easy to combine with time in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Scotland.

The train stables overnight at quiet stations, at Boat of Garten on the first night and at Dundee on the second, so you sleep to stillness rather than motion. Travelling is done by day and in the evening, when the views are best.

Days follow an unhurried rhythm: a full Scottish breakfast, a morning excursion, lunch on board as the scenery passes, an afternoon or evening visit, then a multi-course dinner and live entertainment in the Observation Car.

Yes, a cabin can be booked for sole use at a single occupancy fare, which is higher than the per person sharing price. Contact us to confirm single availability for your chosen departure.

Child pricing bands are set by age at departure (under 5, and 5 to 10), but the journey is geared to adults, with a formal dinner and full touring days. Please contact us before booking with children so we can confirm acceptance and fares.

Every departure on this page is bookable directly, with the fare shown for each cabin type. For questions, email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, answered by a travel specialist or our AI assistant.