Royal Scotsman FAQs

The Belmond Royal Scotsman. It is the luxury sleeper train most travellers mean when they look for a luxury train in Scotland: it has run through the Scottish Highlands since 1985, carries no more than 36 guests, and includes all meals, all drinks, the excursions and the evening entertainment in the fare. Journeys run from two to seven nights, all starting and ending at Edinburgh Waverley, and it is the Scotland train Palace Tours recommends and books.

There are 14 Royal Scotsman itineraries: two-night tastes of the Highlands (including chef-hosted departures with Tom Kitchin and Lorna McNee), three-night West Highland and wilderness journeys, four-night whisky, gardens and classic Highland journeys, five-night west-coast and culinary journeys, and seven-night grand tours reaching Orkney and Skye. Each has its own page on this site with the day-by-day itinerary.

Every journey starts and ends at Edinburgh Waverley station. Check-in is at The Balmoral Hotel beside the station, and boarding is in the early afternoon, so most travellers arrive in Edinburgh the day before.

From two nights (three days) to seven nights (eight days). Shorter journeys such as Taste of the Highlands and the chef-hosted Taste of Scotland departures run two nights; the Grand Tour of Scotland and the two Grand Western Scenic Wonders journeys run seven.

Up to 36 guests, which is why departures sell out well ahead — autumn dates tend to go first.

Twin Cabins with two beds, Double Cabins with a double bed, Single Cabins and the larger Grand Suites. Every cabin has a private bathroom. The cabin types open on each departure are shown on the booking page.

All meals, all drinks — including an extensive whisky selection — the excursions in the itinerary and nightly entertainment in the Observation Car. Travel to and from Edinburgh, hotel nights before or after, travel insurance, spa treatments and gratuities are not included.

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.

Yes, in the Observation Car, though coverage drops in the remoter stretches of the Highlands.

Yes — vegetarian, vegan and allergy-aware menus are available when requested at the time of booking.

Each journey page links to its live booking page on palacetours.com, where you can see every upcoming departure, choose your cabin and confirm online. Or email travel@palacetours.com or call +1 786-408-0610 and a specialist will check availability and hold a cabin for you.