Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 33 on 22/06/2007.

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Right on track

Mark Nicholls samples an unforgettable four-night rail journey across Scotland in the style of the Orient-Express

Few journeys compare to that which is offered by the Royal Scotsman. Based on the style of the Orient-Express, this is a train that has a unique combination of comfort and luxury while transporting passengers through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery.

With a selection of journeys from one-to-seven nights, the Royal Scotsman is a ‘rail special’ in every sense of the word: coaches of state cabins, dining cars, a comfortable lounge and an open observation platform at the rear for wonderful views.

With excursions and set down points, the tours take in visits to whisky distilleries, castles, lochs and picturesque harbours, seal trips, a chance to fish for salmon on a Scottish estate, or simply sit and sip Champagne while taking in the passing landscape.

All journeys begin at Edinburgh Waverley station, with passengers led to their waiting train by a piper. The Scottish lament still resounds as the deep burgundy coaches draw out and head north through the suburbs of the capital and across the monumental Forth Rail Bridge into Fife as guests from places as distant as Germany, New Zealand or America, meet one another for the first time.

Afternoon tea is taken as the train winds through the Angus towns of Arbroath and Montrose to Aberdeen, halting at Keith to let guests disembark for a traditional Scottish ceilidh at the Strathisla distillery of Chivas Regal, before rejoining for dinner in a quiet siding where the train ‘stables’ for the night.

The food, cooked freshly.....

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By Mark Nicholls

Section : Scotland by Train

Page number : 64