Belmond Royal Scotsman – Western Scenic Wonders

Prices from £5,450 per person - saving up to £700 per couple

All Planet Rail holidays are tailor-made to suit your departure dates and requirements.

For more information or to book now,
please call 01347 82 52 92

Enquire Now

Embark on a luxury 3 night / 4 day holiday departing from Edinburgh on selected dates in 2023 & 2024.

Departure dates: 21st April, 26th May, 30th June, 15th September, 22nd September – public price £,6000 per person – our price is from £5,450 per person (saving £700 per couple).

Book today – limited availability

Single compartments in 2023 – complimentary night with breakfast in an executive room at the Hotel Balmoral (4 star) in Edinburgh.

western-itineraryOn the West Highland Line, one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, the Belmond Royal Scotsman passes glens, lochs and mountains, steeped in the lore of giants such as Rob Roy McGregor and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Off train visits, such as to the spectacular, gothic Mount Stuart House, are included. Think of the finest country house on wheels, add in great food, conversation and sunsets over unforgettable landscapes, and you have a taste of the Royal Scotsman.

Day One:  Edinburgh – Spean Bridge

The Belmond Royal Scotsman departs from Edinburgh early afternoon and heads west through Falkirk, Clydebank and Dumbarton to skirt Glasgow and so reach the northern bank of the Clyde.

Near the mouth of the Clyde estuary lies Craigendoran, the starting point for the majestic West Highland Line. Enjoy afternoon tea as you travel along the edge of Gare Loch. Loch Long comes into sight to your left, and after vanishing for a while, returns with a view of Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) with its distinctive peak.  Passing Arrochar you will get your first view of Loch Lomond.

royal-scotsman-interior-1

The train descends almost to the water’s edge at Ardlui, and then has a hard climb up Glen Falloch, whose many waterfalls provide an impressive display. As you continue north you will pass through Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy. There are spectacular views of Rannoch Moor before arrival in Spean Bridge where the train stables overnight. After a formal dinner (optional), you can enjoy entertainment in the observation car.

Day Two:  Spean Bridge – Bridge of Orchy

Breakfast is served as your journey continues west, passing through Fort William with views of Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain). Travelling by the side of Loch Eil you then travel to Glenfinnan Monument with Ray Owens, an historic storyteller. At the monument Ray will explain the history surrounding the area, followed by afternoon tea at Inverlochy Castle.

Alternatively guests can choose to do the walk to Steall Waterfall with a mountain ranger. This is a moderate grade walk and requires guests to have good sturdy walking boots and waterproof clothing. The Steall Waterfall is the 2nd highest in the UK and is surrounded by some spectacular scenery.

You then head to Lochailort, before turning north along this stunning coastline until reaching Arisaig. Here you can disembark for a romantic walk along the beautiful Morar Sands, a magnificent expanse of gleaming white sand, where you can enjoy excellent views across the Sound of Sleat to the beautiful Isle of Skye with its awe-inspiring Cuillin Mountains.

Rejoining the train, your lunch is served as the train retraces the route towards Fort William. Here you will be guided around the town on an historical tour by a familiar face, giving you the perfect opportunity to admire and absorb the breathtaking local scenery and fascinating highland culture. After your guided tour you will return to the train and enjoy an informal dinner as you head south towards Bridge of Orchy where the train stables overnight.

Day Three:  Bridge of Orchy – Wemyss Bay

Leaving Bridge of Orchy this morning enjoy breakfast en route south towards Glasgow and Gourock. At Wemyss Bay, board the ferry across to the Isle of Bute. The island embraces a variety of landscapes; seashore, moorland, farmland and forest. The natural history, geography, geology and ancient history of the island are revealed at every turn. From St Blane’s Chapel at the south of the island to the abandoned townships in Glen More at the north, it seems that every stone has its tale to tell.

Mount Stuart is Britain’s most spectacular Victorian Gothic house. This was the architectural fantasy of the 3rd Marquess of Bute and his architect Sir Robert Rowand Anderson. Stunning, mysterious interiors reflect the romantic and scholarly Marquess’ passion for art, heraldry, astrology, mythology and religion. At Mount Stuart, there is arguably the finest privately held collection of family portraits in Scotland.

Following your afternoon tea, you will have time to explore this magnificent house, its tranquil Rock Garden, the Wee Garden containing rare plants from the southern hemisphere, the Kitchen Garden and the Victorian Pinetum. The Limetree Avenue leads you to a secluded stretch of coastline and one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. You return to the mainland and rejoin the train in Wemyss Bay where a formal dinner (optional) is served and the train stables for the night.

royal-scotsman-cabin

Day Four: Wemyss Bay – Edinburgh

You depart Wemyss Bay this morning and enjoy breakfast as you travel east towards Edinburgh where your memorable journey comes to an end.

Timetable

Arrive   Depart
Day One Edinburgh – Spean Bridge
Afternoon tea & Dinner
Day Two Spean Bridge – Taynuilt
Walk along Morar Sands
Cruise on Loch Linnihe
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Three Taynuilt – Wemyss Bay
Visit Isle of Bute and Mount Stuart
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Four Wemyss Bay – Edinburgh
Breakfast

The Belmond Royal Scotsman

Originally launched in May 1985, the train, in its current form, dates from May 1990. The owners put together a set of carriages (all rather different), which were rented in and called The Royal Scotsman, launching in the Spring of 1985. The carriage leases ran for five years and it was a success – the train won the Queen’s Award for Export.

royal-scotsman-logo

Owned by Belmond Hotels, Trains & Cruises and operated by The Great Scottish & Western Railway Company, today’s Royal Scotsman set is thus the second to carry its name. The running order of The Royal Scotsman carriages is: Observation Car with verandah viewing platform; Dining Car Number One (Raven); Dining Car Number Two (Victory); State Car number one, two, three, four and five; and a Service Car. The sequence is in running order from the rear so guests can best enjoy the passing countryside.

At one end of the train is perhaps the most distinctive vehicle, the open-ended Observation Car, converted from the Pullman kitchen car, Snipe. Originally built in 1960 by the Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company, it entered service in 1961 as a First Class kitchen car. In 1989, the car was bought from its private owner, Michael Bailiss, and converted it to its current luxury configuration, able to comfortably hold all thirty-six guests at any time.

Adjacent to this is Dining Car Number One, which is still referred to by its former Pullman car name, Raven. Colin Angell, a firm of cabinet makers from Evesham, Worcestershire, won the contract to transform a 1962 second-class Pullman carriage into Raven, with a capacity for twenty guests.

royal-scotsman-1

Next in the formation is Dining Car Number Two, known as Victory and so called since it was built in 1945. Victory was built as a London & North Eastern Railway Director’s Saloon and acquired from Sir Bill McAlpine. The transformation was completed in a number of weeks – from its bright orange curtains and brushed aluminium fittings to wood panelling, inlaid with intricate marquetry, mahogany veneer cupboards and specially made dining chairs and tables – not to mention a state of the art modern kitchen. Eight marquetry panels with intricate designs of thistles, flowing ribbons and butterflies line the walls and an inlaid frieze of several different woods runs on into the corridors. Victory can accommodate up to sixteen guests, ensuring all guests can dine at the same sitting, across the two dining cars.

The five State Sleeping Cars follow. These cars, like the Verandah car, were originally built as Pullman Cars in 1960 by the Metropolitan-Cammell Carriage and Wagon Company. The sleeping cars provide sixteen twin cabins and four single State Cabins, beautifully fitted out in rich marquetry. All cabins have fixed, lower beds, dressing table, full-length wardrobe, individually controlled heating, cooling ceiling fans, opening windows and cabin service call button. Each cabin has its own private facilities with shower, wash-basin and toilet and a constant supply of hot water.