Belmond Royal Scotsman - Grand Western Scenic Wonders (Westbound)

This 8-day, 7-night journey starts in Edinburgh and heads first onto the West Highland Line past Loch Lomond and Glen Falloch to Spean Bridge, Morar and Glenfinnan, then to the Isle of Bute. After a morning in Edinburgh it turns north through Speyside to Kyle of Lochalsh, Ballindalloch, Rothiemurchus and Glamis Castle, ending in Edinburgh.

Both seven-night journeys share the same highlights, but the Westbound running begins with the West Highland Line, Morar, Glenfinnan and the Isle of Bute, then covers the Kyle line, Ballindalloch, Rothiemurchus and Glamis in the second half. The Northbound running does the Highland circuit first and the West Highland Line last.

Departures are on sale from 9 April 2027 through 24 September 2027, covering spring, summer and early autumn in the Highlands. The departure list on this page shows each date with the fare for every cabin type.

The journey departs Edinburgh Waverley station in the early afternoon. Check-in is at The Balmoral Hotel beside the station, where you leave your luggage, and the journey ends back in Edinburgh on day 8 after breakfast on board.

You can choose a Double Cabin with a matrimonial bed, a Twin Cabin with two twin beds, or the Grand Suite. Every cabin has lower berth beds, an en suite with shower, washbasin and WC, a full-length wardrobe, opening windows, ceiling fans, a 220/240 volt supply and a hairdryer.

The fare includes seven nights on board, 24-hour steward service, all meals, all beverages and every excursion: Morar Sands, Glenfinnan or the Steall Waterfall walk, Mount Stuart, a guided Edinburgh visit, the Plockton seal trip or Eilean Donan Castle, Ballindalloch Castle, Rothiemurchus Estate and Glamis Castle, plus traditional entertainment.

Travel insurance, domestic or international airfare, transfers before or after the train journey, gratuities for crew members, and personal items or souvenirs are not included. We can arrange Edinburgh hotel nights 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 balance is due 125 days before departure. For an April 2027 departure, that means final payment around early December 2026.

After leaving Edinburgh the train heads through Falkirk to Craigendoran, start of the West Highland Line, as afternoon tea is served. Look out for the peak of Ben Arthur and a first glimpse of Loch Lomond before the climb up waterfall-lined Glen Falloch to Spean Bridge for the night.

The train passes Ben Nevis, Loch Eil and the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct to Arisaig for a walk on the Silver Sands of Morar, with views to Skye's Cuillin mountains. In the afternoon, visit Glenfinnan with a Highlander storyteller and cream tea at Inverlochy Castle, or join a ranger-guided hike through Nevis Gorge to the Steall Waterfall, weather permitting.

On day 3 you cross by ferry to the Isle of Bute to visit Mount Stuart, a Victorian Gothic mansion holding one of the finest private collections of family portraits in Scotland, with time to explore its remarkable gardens. A formal dinner follows back on board.

Yes. On day 4 the train returns from Gourock to Edinburgh for a guided tour of the capital and a light lunch; the journey inclusions list a guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia. The train then crosses the Forth Railway Bridge and heads north via Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen to Keith.

On day 5 the train follows the Moray Firth to Inverness and lunch is served on the Kyle line, one of Britain's most scenic railways. At Plockton you can take a boat trip to the wild seal colony and a Highland welcome at the Plockton Hotel, or instead visit Eilean Donan Castle and hear how it was restored.

On day 6 the train skirts the Beauly Firth and crosses the Caledonian Canal north of Loch Ness, then you disembark at Carrbridge for Ballindalloch Castle. Choose a private tour of the castle or nine holes on its own golf course, among the options, before the night at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway.

On day 7 a coach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms National Park for fishing, clay-pigeon shooting or a guided walk. After lunch through Blair Atholl and Pitlochry, you visit Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late Queen Mother, before the formal farewell dinner at Dundee.

Dinners alternate informal and formal throughout, with formal dinners on days 3, 5 and 7. On formal nights a dark suit, tuxedo or kilt is customary for gentlemen and a cocktail dress or tartan for ladies; informal evenings are smart casual.

The train stables at quiet stations so you sleep to stillness rather than motion. Overnight stops include Spean Bridge, Bridge of Orchy, Keith, Kyle of Lochalsh with views over Loch Alsh to Skye, Boat of Garten and Dundee.

Solo travellers can book a cabin for sole use at a single occupancy fare, higher than the per person sharing price. Child pricing bands exist by age at departure, but this is an adult-paced journey with formal dinners, so contact us to confirm acceptance and fares before booking with children.

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.