Grand Western Scenic Wonders (Westbound)

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Edinburgh to Spean Bridge

   Depart in the early afternoon west through Falkirk to Craigendoran and the West Highland Line, with afternoon tea, Ben Arthur and Loch Lomond. Up Glen Falloch to Spean Bridge for the night.

2. Day 2

   Morar Sands

   West through Fort William past Ben Nevis, Loch Eil, the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Lochailort to Arisaig for a walk on the Morar Sands looking across to Skye. Lunch as the train returns towards Fort William.

3. Day 3

   Isle of Bute — Mount Stuart

   By ferry to the Isle of Bute and a visit to Mount Stuart, a Victorian Gothic house with one of Scotland's finest private collections of family portraits. Formal dinner and overnight on board.

4. Day 4

   Edinburgh to Keith

   From Gourock, breakfast on the way to Edinburgh for a guided tour and light lunch. In the early afternoon the train departs north across the Forth Bridge.

5. Day 5

   Keith to Kyle of Lochalsh — Plockton or Eilean Donan

   West along the Moray Firth to Inverness, then lunch on the Kyle line. Disembark in Plockton for a seal-watching boat trip or a dram at the Plockton Hotel — or visit Eilean Donan Castle. Overnight at Kyle of Lochalsh.

6. Day 6

   Ballindalloch Castle

   Past the Beauly Firth and across the Caledonian Canal north of Loch Ness, then south to Carrbridge for Ballindalloch Castle: a private castle tour, nine holes on its golf course or its single-estate distillery. Overnight at Boat of Garten; after dinner a Highlander tells tales of local heroes.

7. Day 7

   Rothiemurchus & Glamis Castle

   Coach to Rothiemurchus Estate for fishing, clay-pigeon shooting or a guided walk. Lunch from Kingussie through Blair Atholl and Pitlochry to Dunkeld, then Glamis Castle, childhood home of the late Queen Mother. Formal dinner and entertainment.

8. Day 8

   Dundee to Edinburgh

   Breakfast as the train crosses the Tay Bridge into Fife and on to Edinburgh, where the seven-night journey ends.

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

• West Highland Line, Morar and Glenfinnan
• Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute
• Plockton seals or Eilean Donan Castle
• Ballindalloch and Glamis castles

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 →