Grand Taste of the Highlands

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Edinburgh to Boat of Garten — Into the Cairngorms

   Depart Edinburgh Waverley in the early afternoon with afternoon tea through Perth, Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl. Beyond Aviemore the train stables at Boat of Garten. Dinner showcases Scotland's larder, followed by entertainment in the Observation Car.

2. Day 2

   Rothiemurchus with Ghillie Basan & Strathisla

   At Rothiemurchus Estate, food anthropologist Ghillie Basan teaches Highland wildlife and survival skills; a barbecue lunch, then clay-pigeon shooting, fishing, a guided hike or a foraging walk. Rejoin at Carrbridge for Inverness and Keith, with an optional visit to Strathisla Distillery. Dinner on the coastal run to Dundee, with jazz in the Observation Car.

3. Day 3

   The Royal Yacht Britannia & the West Highland Line

   Breakfast on the way back to Edinburgh for a guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith and a light lunch or free time. In the afternoon the train heads west along Gare Loch, Loch Lomond, Glen Falloch and across Rannoch Moor to Spean Bridge.

4. Day 4

   Morar Sands & Glenfinnan

   West through Fort William to Arisaig for the Silver Sands of Morar. Afternoon choice: Glenfinnan with a local guide and drinks at The Old Station Restaurant, or a ranger-led hike through Nevis Gorge to the Steall Waterfall (reasonable fitness and sturdy boots required). Dinner on the way to Bridge of Orchy.

5. Day 5

   Mount Stuart & Gala Dinner

   South to Wemyss Bay and the 35-minute ferry to the Isle of Bute. Afternoon tea in the Drawing Room at Mount Stuart and time in the grounds. The gala dinner is served on the way to Kilmarnock.

6. Day 6

   Kilmarnock to Edinburgh — Farewell Breakfast

   A leisurely breakfast on the way east to Edinburgh Waverley, where the journey ends.

Excursions and timings can change at the operator's discretion; the confirmed itinerary is sent before departure.

• Foraging and survival skills with Ghillie Basan at Rothiemurchus
• Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith
• Silver Sands of Morar; Glenfinnan or Steall Waterfall
• Afternoon tea at Mount Stuart and a gala dinner

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 →