Belmond Royal Scotsman - Grand Western Scenic Wonders (Northbound)

This 8-day, 7-night journey leaves Edinburgh over the Forth Railway Bridge to Keith, rides the Kyle line to Kyle of Lochalsh, then visits Ballindalloch, Rothiemurchus and Glamis Castle. After a day in Edinburgh it takes the West Highland Line across Rannoch Moor to Morar and Glenfinnan, finishing with the Isle of Bute and a return to Edinburgh.

The two journeys share the same highlights in a different order. The Northbound running starts with the east coast, Speyside and the Kyle line, and saves the West Highland Line, Morar, Glenfinnan and the Isle of Bute for the second half. The Westbound running does the reverse.

Departures are on sale from 5 April 2027 through 20 September 2027. The departure list on this page shows each date and the fare for every cabin type, so you can compare spring, summer and early autumn options.

It begins at Edinburgh Waverley station, with check-in at The Balmoral Hotel beside the station, and departs in the early afternoon. The final night is spent near Glasgow, and breakfast is served on day 8 as the train travels east to Edinburgh for onward travel.

You can choose a Single Cabin, a Double Cabin with a matrimonial bed, a Twin Cabin with two twin beds, or the Grand Suite. The Single Cabin makes this a good option for solo travellers, and every cabin has an en suite with shower, washbasin and WC.

Cabins are lined with rich marquetry and furnished with Scottish wools and tartans, with lower berth beds, a dressing table, full-length wardrobe, opening windows, ceiling fans, a 220/240 volt supply, high-quality toiletries, a hairdryer and a cabin service call button.

Seven nights on board, 24-hour steward service, all meals, all beverages and all excursions are included: the Plockton seal trip or Eilean Donan Castle, Ballindalloch Castle, Rothiemurchus Estate, Glamis Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Morar Sands, Glenfinnan or the Steall Waterfall walk, and Mount Stuart, plus traditional entertainment.

Travel insurance, domestic or international airfare, transfers before or after the train journey, crew gratuities, and personal items or souvenirs are not included. We are happy to arrange Edinburgh hotel nights before or after the journey.

Fares follow dynamic pricing and vary by date and cabin type. The exact fare for each departure is shown on this page. You can start your booking online to hold a cabin without a financial commitment, then call us to check current offers.

A deposit of 25 percent secures your cabin, and the balance is due 125 days before departure. For an April 2027 departure, that falls around the start of December 2026.

Lunch is served on the Kyle line past Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains. At Plockton you can take a boat trip to the bay's wild seal colony with a Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel, or visit Eilean Donan Castle, the island fortress at the meeting point of three lochs, before a formal dinner at Kyle of Lochalsh.

On day 3 you disembark at Carrbridge for Ballindalloch, one of Scotland's most romantic castles. You can tour the house and grounds or play the castle's 9-hole golf course, among other options. In the evening at Boat of Garten, a Highlander recounts the history and heroes of the Highlands.

On day 4 you transfer to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for fishing, clay-pigeon shooting or an estate tour, with refreshments in the hunting lodge. In the afternoon you enjoy a private tour of Glamis Castle and its gardens, then a formal dinner with musicians and Scottish country dancing.

Yes. On day 5 the train crosses the Tay Bridge to Edinburgh, where you can choose a guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia followed by a light lunch on board, or free time in the capital, before rejoining the train in the early afternoon.

Yes. On the afternoon of day 5 the train joins the West Highland Line at Craigendoran, serves afternoon tea along Gare Loch, and climbs through Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy onto Rannoch Moor, one of Scotland's last true wildernesses, before dinner on the way to Spean Bridge.

The train passes Ben Nevis to Arisaig for a walk on the Silver Sands of Morar with views across the Sound of Sleat. In the afternoon you visit Glenfinnan with a storytelling Highlander and take cream tea at Inverlochy Castle Hotel, or, weather permitting, hike through Nevis Gorge to the Steall Waterfall.

On day 7 you take the 35-minute ferry from Wemyss Bay to the Isle of Bute to visit Mount Stuart, the Victorian Gothic house created by the 3rd Marquess of Bute, with interiors reflecting his passions for art, astrology and mythology. Afternoon tea in the Drawing Room is followed by the formal farewell dinner on board.

There are three formal dinners, on days 2, 4 and 7. A dark suit, tuxedo or kilt is customary for gentlemen and a cocktail dress or tartan for ladies. Other evenings are smart casual, and sturdy shoes and a waterproof layer are useful for the Morar walk and Steall hike.

Child pricing bands are set by age at departure (under 5, and 5 to 10), but the journey is adult-paced with long touring days and formal dinners. Please contact us before booking with children so we can confirm acceptance and the fare for your date.

Every departure listed 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.