The Royal Scotsman - Scotch Malt Whisky Trail

Meet your whisky ambassador in the Balmoral Hotel and enjoy a welcome dram before departure Belmond 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 Carnoustie, Arbroath and Aberdeen before arriving in the market town of Keith in the heart of the Speyside whisky region. After an informal dinner, enjoy traditional Scottish entertainment by local musicians.

Departing Keith this morning, the train travels west towards Inverness, capital of the Highlands. Disembark here to visit the striking Macallan Distillery and discover how it makes its famous whisky. Re-join the train in Inverness and take your seat for lunch as you travel on what is arguably one of the most scenic railway routes in the UK. The line passes Loch Luichart and the Torridon Mountains, which geologists believe were formed before any life began. The train then follows the edge of Loch Carron through Attadale and stromeferry before reaching the pretty fishing village of Plockton. This evening a formal dinner is served, followed by coffee and liqueurs in the Observation Car.

This morning, breakfast is served as the train travels east towards Carrbridge. Before lunch join your whisky ambassador in the Observation Car for a specialist single cask tasting. Lunch is served on board. Disembark in Aviemore to visit historic Tomatin Distillery and learn the secrets behind its celebrated Highland single malt. Finish your tour with a tasting of three Tomatin single malts. Return to the train at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway for an informal dinner. Afterwards, re-live a little of Scotland's rich past and its colorful heroes in the company of our highlander.

After breakfast, travel by coach to Rothiemurchus Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Choose from a number of country pursuits including fishing, clay pigeon-shooting and an estate tour. Return to the train in Kingussie and enjoy a leisurely lunch during the journey south through Blair Atholl and Pitlochry to Dunkeld. Disembark to visit Tullibardine Distillery in Blackford village. Your private VIP tour features nosing straight from the cask, a visit to the bonded warehouse and a tutored tasting of three Tullibardine Highland single malts. Re-join the train in Perth and prepare for a formal dinner en route to Dundee. The infectious beat of the music tonight may inspire you to join in some lively Scottish country dancing on the station platform, a fitting finale to your Whisky Journey.

Breakfast is served as the train leaves Dundee and crosses the Tay Bridge into the former Kingdom of Fife. Disembark in Edinburgh Waverley Station where you are invited by your whisky ambassador to spend the morning at the Society's headquarters in Edinburgh's elegant New Town.