The Royal Scotsman, the UK’s only luxury sleeper train, has announced its season of classic journeys, as it also introduced three new itineraries: the Classic Whisky, Country Homes & Gardens, and Classic Golf.
Classic Whisky Journey lasts for four nights. For this, The Royal Scotsman partnered with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, one of the world’s foremost specialists in single cask, single malt whiskies. An ambassador from the society travels with the guests onboard, leading them through several tastings of rare and exclusive malts. The group will visit Glenlivet, Glen Ord (one of the country’s oldest), and Tullibardine distilleries. Other activities include: fly-fishing at Rothiemurchus Estate; boat trip in the village of Plockton to see wild seals; round of golf at a private course in Ballindalloch; and tour of Glamis Castle, the childhood home of the late HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
Country Homes & Gardens Journey is for four nights. British gardening writer Sue Chivers, author of Horticulture Gardeners Guides: Planting for Color, and photographer Patsy Floyd will take guests on private, VIP tours of some of the finest homes and gardens, including the following: Brechin Castle Gardens, Foulis Castle, Attadale, Clan Donald Estate on the Isle of Skye, and Ballindalloch Castle. This is departing on June 7.
Meanwhile, Classic Golf Journey is for four to five nights. Golf enthusiasts can travel throughout the country and play four of Scotland’s most prestigious courses. There is also an optional stay at The Gleneagles Hotel, host of the 2014 Ryder Cup, to begin the journey with a dinner in the resort’s Strathearn Restaurant. Non-golfers may visit historic landmarks such as Dunrobin Castle, Dalmore Distillery, and Johnston’s Cashmere Centre. Courses visited include: The PGA Centenary Course, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Castle Stuart Golf Links, and Cruden Bay Golf Club. This is from September 16 or 17.
The Royal Scotsman can accommodate 36 guests per voyage in Edwardian-style carriages with private en-suite facilities. The 2013 season started on April 21 and ends on October 25, with all trips departing from Edinburgh. Itineraries aboard The Royal Scotsman range from two-night jaunts to leisurely weeklong journeys. Classic itineraries include The Highland Journey for two nights, with visits to Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness; The Western Journey for three nights, with visits to Glen Falloch before heading west to Glenfinnan Monument; The Classic Journey for four nights; The Grand West Highland Journey for five nights, with visits to the Isle of Bute and strolls along the Morar Sands; and The Grand Tour of Great Britain for seven nights, with a tour through Gwydir Castle, Roman baths in Bath and stops in Oxford, Cambridge and York, before returning to Edinburgh.
