Belmond: 5D4N Scotch Malt Whisky Tour @ Royal Scotsman

Meet your whisky ambassador in the Balmoral Hotel and enjoy a welcome dram before departure. The Royal Scotsman departs Edinburgh Waverley Station and travels north across the Firth of Forth over the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge.

Afternoon tea is served as you journey through the former Kingdom of Fife. The train continues east along the coast, passing through the local towns of Carnoustie, Arbroath and Aberdeen before arriving in the market town of Keith — the heart of the Speyside whisky region. After dinner, enjoy traditional Scottish entertainment by local musicians.

Relax on board this afternoon as your journey takes you on what is arguably one of the most scenic railway routes in the country. The line passes Loch Luichart and the Torridon mountains, which geologists believe were formed before any life began. Travel onwards through Achnasheen, then commence the climb to Luib summit and Achnashellach Forest before descending to Strathcarron. The train then follows the edge of Loch Carron through Attadale, Stromeferry and Duncraig before skirting the picture-postcard fishing village of Plockton en route to Kyle of Lochalsh, gateway to the mystical Isle of Skye. A formal dinner is served this evening, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Observation Car.

Savour a full Scottish breakfast as the train travels east towards Carrbridge, followed by a specialist single-cask tasting with your whisky ambassador in the Observation Car. Then, head to our luxury dining cars, where a light and refined lunch is served.

Disembark in Aviemore to visit the historic Tomatin Distillery and learn the secrets behind its celebrated Highland single malt. Finish your tour with a tutored tasting of three Tomatin single malts, each revealing why this is considered the ’softer side of the Highlands. Return to the train at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway for an informal dinner. Afterwards, make your way to the Observation Car, where local musicians are waiting to entertain you as you sip a nightcap or two.

After breakfast, travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park and select among a variety of outdoor pursuits such as wild swimming, horse riding or fly fishing.

Return to the train in Kingussie and enjoy a leisurely lunch while the journey takes you south, before disembarking to visit Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford village. Your private VIP tour features nosing straight from the cask and a tutored tasting of three Tullibardine Highland single malts.

Re-join the Royal Scotsman in Perth and prepare for a formal dinner en route to Dundee. Tonight, the infectious beat of the music may inspire you to join in some lively Scottish country dancing on the station platform, a fitting finale to your Whisky Journey.

As your train leaves Dundee in the morning, crossing the Tay Bridge into the former Kingdom of Fife and making its way back to Edinburgh, savour a full Scottish breakfast with your fellow guests.