Overview
Two nights hosted by Lorna McNee - Great British Menu champion and the head chef whose cooking won Glasgow's Cail Bruich a Michelin star within five months of her arrival. A champagne afternoon tea on departure, a champagne-and-canape reception and her four-course dinner at Boat of Garten, a barbecue lunch at Rothiemurchus, a wine masterclass with L'Art du Vin and a whisky tasting, closing with a gala dinner en route to Dundee.
Departs Edinburgh around 13:45, returning about 10:05 on the final morning; all meals and drinks included.
Your Itinerary
Edinburgh to Boat of Garten - Champagne Tea & McNee Dinner
Board at Edinburgh Waverley and depart in the early afternoon. A champagne afternoon tea is served as the train travels the Highland line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl, passing its imposing castle, towards Aviemore and the Cairngorms.
At Boat of Garten, a champagne and canape reception leads into the main event: a four-course dinner created and hosted by Lorna McNee.
Boat of Garten to Dundee - Rothiemurchus & Gala Dinner
After breakfast, coach to Rothiemurchus Estate for clay-pigeon shooting, fishing, an estate tour or a guided hike with a park ranger. Lorna hosts a barbecue lunch against the Cairngorm backdrop.
Rejoin the train at Carrbridge for a champagne reception as the journey turns south through Aberdeenshire and Angus to Dundee, City of Discovery. Dress for the gala dinner, then join Lorna in the Observation Car for music and farewell toasts.
Dundee to Edinburgh - Farewell Breakfast
A final breakfast is served as the train travels south through Fife and crosses the Forth Railway Bridge into Edinburgh Waverley, arriving about 10:05.
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Terms & Conditions
Booking Conditions
Deposit: 25% of the total fare confirms your booking. Balance: due 120 days before departure; bookings made within 120 days of departure are payable in full at booking.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made in writing and take effect when acknowledged. Charges apply as a percentage of the total fare for the person(s) cancelling:
- 120 days or more before departure: 25%
- 119–90 days before departure: 50%
- 89–30 days before departure: 70%
- 29 days or less before departure, or no-show: 100%
Date changes follow the same charge schedule as cancellations. A booking may be transferred to another guest up to 14 days before departure (an amendment fee plus any supplier costs apply); name changes require at least 7 days' written notice. No refunds are made for unused services or no-shows.
Important
Comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation is strongly recommended. Schedule per Belmond's Trains & Cruises booking conditions (world excluding EEA/UK, last updated 11 February 2026). Palace Tours' terms and conditions also apply.
Inclusions & Exclusions
What's Included
- 2 nights aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman with dedicated cabin service
- All meals, including table d'hôte dinners, breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas
- Fine wines, spirits and beverages throughout the journey
- A full programme of off-train excursions and visits
- Onboard entertainment and use of the Dior Spa Car
Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
It is a two-night, three-day journey. The train departs Edinburgh Waverley around 13:45 on day 1 and returns to Edinburgh at about 10:05 on the final morning, after nights at Boat of Garten and Dundee.
Lorna McNee is a Great British Menu champion and the head chef whose cooking won Glasgow's Cail Bruich a Michelin star within five months of her arrival. She creates and hosts the signature dinner on this journey and joins guests throughout.
Fares start from around USD 10,896 per person sharing, with sole occupancy from around USD 21,792. The price depends on the cabin type, and the exact fare is shown on this page.
The train travels north from Edinburgh on the Highland line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl towards Aviemore and the Cairngorms, stopping at Boat of Garten. On day 2 it turns south through Aberdeenshire and Angus to Dundee, then returns through Fife and over the Forth Railway Bridge to Edinburgh.
On the first evening at Boat of Garten, a reception with canapes leads into the main event: a four-course dinner created and hosted by Lorna McNee. She also hosts a barbecue lunch at Rothiemurchus the next day and joins guests for the gala evening.
On day 2 a coach takes you to Rothiemurchus Estate, where you can choose clay-pigeon shooting, fishing, an estate tour or a guided hike with a park ranger. Lorna McNee then hosts a barbecue lunch against the Cairngorm backdrop.
Three cabin types are offered: a Double Cabin with a matrimonial bed, a Twin Cabin with two twin beds, and the Grand Suite. Our specialists can help you choose and check availability for the August departure.
The fare includes two nights aboard with dedicated cabin service, all meals including breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners, all beverages throughout, the full programme of excursions, onboard entertainment and use of the spa car.
Dinners alternate between informal evenings, when smart casual is fine, and formal or gala nights. On gala nights a dark suit, tuxedo or kilt is customary for gentlemen and a cocktail dress or tartan for ladies. On this journey the second evening is the gala dinner en route to Dundee.
Journeys depart from Edinburgh Waverley station, with check-in at a hotel beside the station where you can leave your luggage before boarding. The train departs around 13:45 on day 1.
Most evenings the train stables in a quiet country station, so you sleep to stillness rather than motion. On this journey the train stops overnight at Boat of Garten and then Dundee.
Days follow an unhurried rhythm: a full Scottish breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea on the scenic runs, then dinner with a cheeseboard, coffee and petits fours. Evenings end with entertainment in the Observation Car, and on this journey Lorna joins guests there on the final night.
A deposit of 25% of the fare secures your cabin, and the balance is due 125 days before departure. Our team confirms the exact amounts in writing when you book.
Child rates exist in two bands based on age at departure: under 5, and 5 to 11. As this is a chef-hosted gourmet journey, please contact us first so we can confirm suitability and cabin arrangements for your family.
Yes. Sole occupancy fares start from around USD 21,792, depending on cabin type. The exact single fare is shown on this page and our team can confirm availability.
On day 1 the train follows the Highland line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl, passing its imposing castle, towards Aviemore and the Cairngorms. On the final morning you cross the famous Forth Railway Bridge into Edinburgh.
Travel to Edinburgh and any hotel nights before or after the journey are not part of the fare. Our travel specialists can help you arrange accommodation in Edinburgh either side of your train dates.
Yes. At two nights it is one of the shortest Royal Scotsman journeys, yet it combines the Highland line, a chef-hosted dinner, a morning at Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms and a gala evening. It is ideal if you want a taste of the train without a week away.
Email travel@palacetours.com, call 786-408-0610, or message us on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/17864080610, where a travel specialist or our AI assistant will reply. The departure list on this page is bookable directly, with the current fare and availability for each cabin type.
The journey departs from Edinburgh Waverley on 23 August 2027 and returns on the morning of 25 August. The exact fare and availability for each cabin type are shown in the departure list on this page.
A Day Aboard
Days follow an unhurried rhythm: a full Scottish breakfast, a two-course lunch and afternoon tea on scenic runs, then a three-course dinner with cheeseboard, coffee and petits fours. Dinners alternate between informal evenings (smart casual) and formal or gala nights, when a dark suit, tuxedo or kilt is customary for gentlemen and a cocktail dress or tartan for ladies. All meals, all drinks - including an extensive whisky selection - excursions and nightly entertainment in the Observation Car are included in the fare. Most evenings the train stables in a quiet country station, so you sleep to stillness rather than motion.
Know Before You Go
Boarding: journeys depart from Edinburgh Waverley station. Check-in is at The Balmoral Hotel beside the station; deposit your luggage with the concierge between 11:00 and 12:15 and it will be transferred to the train for you.
Luggage: cabins are compact - one suitcase and one carry-on per guest is recommended. Under-bed storage measures roughly 71 x 23 cm; larger cases can be stored at The Balmoral for the duration of the journey.
Packing: bring a warm waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes for Highland excursions, comfortable clothing for the train, and formal wear for gala evenings. UK electricity is 220/240V - pack an adaptor.
Wi-Fi: available in the Observation Car, though coverage drops in the remoter stretches of the Highlands.
Mobility & health: excursions involve coach transfers, uneven ground and some walking; optional guided hikes require a reasonable level of fitness. There are no medical facilities on board. If you or a companion need special assistance, contact us before booking and we will advise on the best-suited departures.
Children & pets: children may travel at the Train Manager's discretion (infants under two travel free); the atmosphere is geared to adults, and families are advised to book interconnecting cabins or a Grand Suite. Pets are not permitted, with the exception of assistance dogs.
Dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan and allergy-aware menus are available when requested at the time of booking.
Smoking: not permitted anywhere on board, including electronic cigarettes.
Documents & insurance: overseas visitors need a passport valid for at least six months beyond the journey; check UK visa requirements for your nationality. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. Fares do not include gratuities or insurance.
Media Gallery
Belmond Royal Scotsman: A Taste of Scotland with Lorna McNee
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From $10,896 per person (double occupancy, USD) — live dates and rates are in the Book This Tour section above.
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