Royal Scotsman - Taste of the Highlands MAY to OCT

Belmond Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley Station in the early afternoon and travels north to the 'Fair City' of Perth. Enjoy afternoon tea as the train continues on the Highland line through Dunkeld, Pitlochry and Blair Atholl with its imposing castle.

The rolling hills of Perthshire are replaced by more dramatic peaks and valleys as you travel north into the Highlands towards Aviemore, gateway to the Cairngorms National Park with its outstanding natural beauty and wide range of outdoor pursuits.

Your destination this evening is the peaceful Highland village of Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway. An informal dinner is served, followed by entertainment in the Observation Car.

Travel the short distance by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Rothiemurchus Forest is one of the largest and most important remnants of the native Caledonian pine forest which used to cover most of Scotland. Choose from a number of activities including clay pigeon-shooting, fishing or a guided tour of the estate with one of the Park Rangers. Afterwards, enjoy a warm welcome from your hosts as refreshments are served in their hunting lodge and you discover some of the rich history of this family-run estate.

Return to the train in Carrbridge for lunch before disembarking in Inverness to visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last major battle fought on British soil on 16th April 1746. Listen to your local guide as they paint a vivid picture of how this battle changed the way of life in the Highlands forever.

From Nairn on the Moray Firth, travel east towards Keith. Enjoy an early evening visit to Strathisla Distillery, the oldest and one of the most picturesque working distilleries in the Highlands, and home to the malt which is incorporated into one of Scotland's most famous blends, Chivas Regal.

As the track re-joins the coast, enjoy some spectacular panoramas on the way south through Aberdeenshire and Angus. Dinner is formal this evening and afterwards you are invited to enjoy some traditional Scottish music in the Observation Car.

Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and travels south through the former Kingdom of Fife, crossing the Firth of Forth by means of the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge and arriving in Edinburgh Waverley Station where your journey ends.