Scotch Malt Whisky Trail
Four nights with a whisky ambassador from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society: private visits to The Macallan, Tomatin and Tullibardine distilleries, a single-cask tasting on board and a morning at the Society in Edinburgh.
Day by day
- Day 1
Edinburgh to Keith
Meet your whisky ambassador at The Balmoral Hotel for a welcome dram. Depart Edinburgh Waverley across the Forth Bridge; afternoon tea through Fife, then along the coast past Carnoustie, Arbroath and Aberdeen to Keith, in the heart of Speyside. Informal dinner and local musicians.
- Day 2
Keith to Kyle of Lochalsh — The Macallan
Visit The Macallan distillery in Speyside, founded in 1824, for a private tour. Rejoin the train in Inverness for lunch on one of the UK's most scenic lines, past Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains.
- Day 3
Boat of Garten & Carrbridge — Tomatin
A specialist single-cask tasting with your ambassador in the Observation Car, lunch on board, then Tomatin Distillery and a tutored tasting of three of its single malts. Return to the train at Boat of Garten on the Strathspey Railway for an informal dinner.
- Day 4
Rothiemurchus, Dunkeld & Tullibardine
Coach to Rothiemurchus Estate for fishing, clay-pigeon shooting or an estate tour. Lunch south through Blair Atholl and Pitlochry to Dunkeld, then a private VIP tour of Tullibardine Distillery with nosing from the cask. Rejoin in Perth for a formal dinner en route to Dundee.
- Day 5
Dundee to Edinburgh — The Society
Breakfast as the train crosses the Tay Bridge into Fife. At Edinburgh Waverley your ambassador invites you to spend the morning at the Society's headquarters in the New Town.
Excursions and timings can change at the operator's discretion; the confirmed itinerary is sent before departure.
- Private tour of The Macallan distillery
- Single-cask tasting in the Observation Car
- Tomatin and Tullibardine distilleries
- Morning at the Society's Edinburgh headquarters
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.
Other journeys
Scotland's Classic Splendours
Four nights across the Forth Bridge, up the east coast and west on the Kyle line: Plockton's seals or Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Ord Distillery, Rothiemurchus and Glamis Castle.
View itinerary →
Heritage Homes & Gardens
Four nights of private houses and gardens: Pitmuies, Foulis Castle with the Clan Munro, Attadale, the Clan Donald estate on Skye, Ballindalloch Castle and Kilbryde Castle.
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Taste of the Highlands
Two nights up Scotland's east coast and into the Highlands: Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms, a private tour of Culloden Battlefield and an evening at Strathisla Distillery.
View itinerary →Ready to reserve Scotch Malt Whisky Trail?
Check live dates on the booking page, or send us your preferred month and cabin and we will confirm availability and hold a cabin for you.