A Journey through Scotland by Land and Rail

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city and nicknamed the Athens of the North for its grand Georgian architecture. It’s the New Town that earned the city this sobriquet: its elegant neoclassical terraces were inspired by the buildings of Ancient Greece and though it’s called the New Town, this neighbourhood is already nearly 300 years old.

Edinburgh’s Old Town dominates the city from atop a volcanic outcrop and Edinburgh Castle balances perilously on the edge. The Royal Mile runs down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen in Scotland. The Windsor connections can be seen at a hidden location in the district of Leith, where the Queen’s Royal Yacht Britannia is now docked. Explore Edinburgh’s highlights with your expert guide and discover what makes this city perennially popular.

The Royal Yacht Britannia served as the royal yacht of Queen Elizabeth II from 1954 until 1997. It served Her Majesty on innumerable trips around the globe over the course of its career. The yacht was dear to the Queen and she was seen to shed a tear when it was decommissioned. Today, the yacht is docked at Leith, in Edinburgh, and offers a tantalizing insight into some of the former private spaces of the British Royal Family.

Board the Royal Scotsman and settle into your cabin. Travel north, crossing the Firth of Forth via the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea as you pass Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen before arriving in Keith. Head to the observation car for an informal dinner and a chance to chat with other guests.

Leave Keith this morning as the train travels west along the Moray Firth towards Inverness, capital of the Highlands. Lunch is served as the train heads towards Kyle of Lochalsh on what is arguably the most scenic railway route in the UK.

Disembark in picturesque Plockton. Take a boat trip to see wild seals or enjoy a dram and a traditional Highland welcome in the Plockton Hotel. Alternatively, visit Eilean Donan Castle, one of Scotland's most iconic sights, and learn how the castle was painstakingly restored to its former glory.

Spend the night on board in Kyle of Lochalsh. Dinner is formal, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Observation Car.

Have cameras at the ready as you retrace the route north to Inverness, then south to Carrbridge where you'll disembark to explore romantic Ballindalloch Castle on beautiful Speyside. Options at Ballindalloch include a private castle tour, nine holes of golf on the castle's own course or an exclusive look at what is Scotland's only single estate distillery.

The night is spent on board at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway. After an informal dinner, our Highlander regales guests with tales and weaponry displays.

Travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, where fishing, clay pigeon shooting or a tour of the estate can be enjoyed.

Rejoining the train at Kingussie, lunch is served during the journey south to Dunkeld, where you'll disembark for a visit to Glamis Castle, childhood home of the late HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Return to the train in Perth for a formal dinner and entertainment. Overnight stay on board in Dundee.

After breakfast the train heads south to Edinburgh where your journey ends.

Located only a short distance outside of Edinburgh, the Rosslyn Chapel is one of the finest pieces of architecture in Scotland. Founded in 1446 as the Collegiate Church of St. Matthew, the chapel is famous for its remarkable stone carvings depicting Biblical stories and moral messages. In 2003, a new chapter was added to the Rosslyn Chapel’s history with the publishing of The Da Vinci Code, and filming for the 2006 movie took place at the chapel. Explore the chapel’s history, both ancient and modern, with your expert guide and unravel the mysterious of this enigmatic place of worship.

Step inside the home of Lord Bruce, and witness centuries of Scottish history unfold before your eyes. The Bruce family has played a central role in Scottish history and traces its descent over 1,500 years from the Royal houses of Scotland, Ireland and France. Perhaps the family’s most famous ancestor is Robert Bruce, enthroned at Scone as King of Scots in 1306. His victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 secured Scottish independence and his name is still celebrated in Scotland today. Successive generations of the family have served their country as statesmen, diplomats, explorers, theologians, inventors and entrepreneurs. In the seventeenth century the family was granted the Earldoms of Elgin and Kincardine. The collection of artefacts, fine art and archives at Broomhall House reflects the family's incredible exploits around the world. Broomhall was built in 1702 but reconstructed in 1766 by John Adam. In 1796 the house was remodelled in the Greek revival style, by the 7th Earl, whose collection of antiquities was later acquired for the British Museum. Today, you’ll be invited by Lord Bruce as a treasured guest to his home at Broomhall House.

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s premier castles and has an impressive history. Home to a succession of Stuart kings and queens, this historic edifice sits atop a rocky outcrop and rivals Edinburgh Castle in both history and visual impact.

Explore the near 200 year history behind the whiskey of Glengoyne Distillery. Bold, complex flavours from the slowest stills in Scotland, matured in only the finest casks, here you'll be in for a treat.

Glasgow is the beating heart of modern Scotland. The country’s sporting, music and financial capital, Glasgow is a hard-working and thriving city. The city packs in a fair amount of culture too, from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to Glasgow Cathedral and the historic Provand’s Lordship, the oldest house in the city. The creations of Glasgow’s most famous son, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, can be seen all over the city from the Willow Tea Rooms to the Mackintosh House at the Hunterian Museum.