THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
(2-night West)

Day 1 : Friday

The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley station at 14.05 and heads west, skirting Glasgow along the northern bank of the Clyde to Craigendoran, which is the starting point for the majestic West Highland Line. The train then travels north, along the edge of Gare Loch, and passes Arrochar and Tarbet to Dalmally, where we disembark to visit Inverawe Smokehouse. Here we watch the locally caught fish being cured, smoked and sliced. Afterwards the Campbell-Prestons invite us into their home to sample these delicacies over a glass of wine.

We return to the train at the Victorian station of Taynuilt where we stable overnight. Dinner this evening is informal, and afterwards the accordionist, Paddy Shaw entertains us in the Observation Car.

Day 2 : Saturday

We leave Taynuilt early this morning and follow the narrow shelf carved from the hillside between the slopes of Ben Cruachan and the River Awe. We pass through the historic town of Stirling, and the ancient town of Perth, on our way to Blair Atholl where we visit the House of Bruar, Scotland's most prestigious country store. Within its unique environment the House comprises country clothing halls, cloth room, cashmere hall, library, china, glass and gifts.

From Blair Atholl we retrace our route to Perth where we disembark to visit Glamis Castle for a private tour. We rejoin the train for an early formal dinner before disembarking at Gleneagles to experience a traditional Scottish ceilidh. We stable overnight in the historic town of Stirling which is dominated by its magnificent royal castle.

Day 3 : Sunday

We depart Stirling during breakfast this morning and return, via Larbert and Linlithgow, to Edinburgh at 09.25 where our tour ends.

THE HIGHLANDS & LOWLANDS
(2-night East)

Day 1 : Sunday

The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley station at 14.15 and heads north to Carrbridge where we disembark to visit Ballindalloch, one of Scotland's most romantic castles. Set in the magnificent surroundings of the Spey Valley, the house exemplifies the elegant and comfortable country house so beloved of Victorians in the Highlands. We enjoy a private tour before returning to the train at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway for dinner and overnight stabling.

Day 2 : Monday

We disembark after breakfast this morning for Rothiemurchus. The history of this estate is as varied as most of the Highlands of Scotland, and its ownership passed through many clans, before settling in the hands of Patrick Grant of Muckerach, son of the Chief of Grant, in 1580. Its varied landscape comprises low lying fields on the river flood plain, open heather moorland, forestry plantations, and majestic Caledonian Pine Forest, and here we enjoy some clay pigeon shooting and off-road driving before returning to the train for lunch.

We then head east to Elgin where we disembark to visit Johnstons Woollen Mill. We return to the train in Keith for our formal dinner. Afterwards we visit Strathisla, sample some of the products and experience a traditional Scottish ceilidh!

We stable overnight in Keith.

Day 3 : Tuesday

Leaving Keith early this morning we head south through an area of mainly arable and dairy farming, to Aberdeen, the "Granite City". We then follow the coast through Stonehaven and Montrose before reaching Arbroath, famous for its "smokies". We pass Carnoustie which has one of the many good golf courses in this region.

At Dundee we cross the Tay Bridge and continue through the former Kingdom of Fife. We cross the Firth of Forth by means of the Forth Railway Bridge, and arrive at Edinburgh Waverley station at 09.20 where our tour ends.