Luxury Highlands by Train

Your first class rail journey takes you out of the Scottish capital and north via the historic city of Stirling with its spectacular clifftop caste and onwards into Perthshire. Your destination is the popular village of Pitlochry in the heart of the spectacular countryside. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your castle hotel.

Your castle hotel in Pitlochry

Your stay here will be a luxurious, bordering on decadent, castle experience. This 19th century baronial manor has been brought bang up-to-date with no expense spared yet still manages to retain its essential “Scottishness”. With eye-popping views across Loch Faskally, and the village of Pitlochry just a short stroll across the bridge, the location is ideal too.

As you would expect, much attention has been paid to the food. Choose between fine dining or enjoy the wonderful views and more relaxed ambience in the brasserie. Either way, the residents’ lounge, with its wide selection of gin and malt whiskies, is the picture perfect place to end the evening.

Today you will have a full day out on the road with one of our driver guides on a private basis. The day is yours so discuss your interests and preferences with your guide. There are some amazing castles in the local area including stunning Blair Castle just a short distance from Pitlochry while the nearby House of Bruar is a great place to stock up on souvenirs. The Queen’s View is another lovely viewpoint just a short distance away.

Return to Pitlochry station for the train north through the Highlands to Inverness. You will be transferred to your hotel in the city centre on the banks of the River Ness and will have the afternoon at leisure to enjoy all the capital of the Highlands has to offer.

Your accommodation in Inverness

The city’s newest five-star hotel is one whose delights we’ve quickly come to appreciate. Set right on the river, just a few minutes’ stroll to the centre of the city, this Victorian former doctor’s residence has been transformed into a smart and stylish place to stay.

The exterior of the original house has been retained, augmented by acres of sky-high glass leading to the brand-new accommodation wing. You’ll also find a stylish bar and a quite superb in-house restaurant.

Today our local driver guide will take you on a day out to Loch Ness, where you’ll enjoy a one hour cruise (not private) on its mysterious waters. You may also wish to visit the dramatic ruins of Urquhart Castle on the banks of the loch while later in the day opt to visit Culloden battlefield, site of the Jacobite’s last stand, or Clava Cairns, a trio of sacred Bronze Age stones dating back to 2000 BC.

You will be collected by one of our driver guides today and driven north to the historic town of Dornoch. You will have some time to explore its historic cathedral and perhaps view the championship golf course and beach before a tour at the nearby Glenmorangie distillery, home to one of the world’s most celebrated single malts. After this, it is just a short drive to your accommodation, which is owned by the distillery.

Your accommodation in Cadboll

Owned by one of the most celebrated Scottish distilleries, your accommodation in Easter Ross is a sumptuous hidden gem composed of every conceivable comfort. Elegant and full of Scottish character, the house draws you in with the warmth of a Highland welcome.

Dinner is served in the breath-taking dining room amidst superb art and artefacts, around a vast antique table, dripping with the finest-quality settings. Open fires, superb service and, of course a dram or two, make your stay here one never to be forgotten.

One of our local driver guides will collect you from the hotel today and drive you directly to Scotland’s premier whisky producing region, Speyside, and your hotel in the heart of Malt Whisky Country.

Your accommodation in Speyside

Located in the heart of the Malt Whisky Trail and right on the Speyside Way, your accommodation in Speyside is a long-established hotel featuring good dining, a fine in-house pub and one of the world’s leading whisky bars.

With very comfortable rooms, crackling log fires, a focus on the finest local ingredients in the restaurant and friendly attentive service, this is the perfect base from which to explore this legendary part of Scotland.

You have a full day with a specialist whisky guide with time to visit two distilleries as well as the celebrated Speyside Cooperage. You will stop at a local spot for lunch (not included) and also have time to admire the incredible countryside in this part of Scotland.

You will be collected from your hotel this morning by a private driver guide and driven east to your final very special hotel in the town of Oldmeldrum, north of Aberdeen. Your tour could include various castles or stately homes or perhaps detour via some of the spectacular coastline in this part of the world.

Your accommodation in Aberdeenshire

Set around a 13th-century baronial mansion and spectacular golf course, your accommodation near Inverurie presents comfortable, up-to-date accommodation alongside a fine in-house restaurant.

Nestled in classic Aberdeenshire countryside, yet just a short drive from the centre of the bustling city of Aberdeen, Meldrum House centres on attentive, friendly service and a menu created from the very best of seasonal produce from the fertile land surrounding the hotel.

Bedrooms are distinctly modern in style, fixed and fitted to an exacting standard, overseen by the family owners, often seen in and around the property. Each has every feature required to make your stay as comfortable as possible, with impressive en-suites adding a particular sparkle.

You have a day out with another private driver guide today to explore Aberdeenshire’s Castle Country. There are more castles per square mile here than in any other UK county. Options could include dramatic Dunnottar in its spectacular coastal clifftop location or perhaps the summer residence of His Majesty The King at Balmoral Castle. Your guide will ensure that you make the most of your time here.

You will be driven into Aberdeen to catch the train south to Edinburgh. The journey takes you south along some spectacular coastline and across both the Tay and Forth Bridges before you arrive back in the capital.