Belmond Royal Scotsman scenery
Ballindalloch Castle on Belmond Royal Scotsman.
Belmond Royal Scotsman train in Strathcarron station.
Garden on the Heritage Homes & Gardens – Spring journey
Friendly staff of Belmond Royal Scotsman.

Scottish Heritage Homes & Gardens

Europe
5-day Escorted Tour
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Overview

The Highlights

  • Join respected British gardening writer Sue Chivers and photographer Patsy Floyd on this exclusive tour through Scotland’s most spectacular manor houses, castles and beautiful gardens
  • See the Renaissance walled garden at the Brechin Castle Gardens
  • Enjoy your personal tour guides, Mrs. Munro and her son, Hector, Clan Chief, on your tour of Foulis Castle, at Invergordon
  • Explore Attadale Estate’s Water Garden, Japanese Garden, and Sunken Garden
  • Pitmuies Garden near Forfar, with two semi-formal walled gardens, a long border of herbaceous perennials, old-fashioned roses, and many rare plants
  • Just 40 passengers total on board this luxurious train, with exquisite meals, wine and five-star service

The Tour

NEW for 2025! The train will introduce two new Grand Suites (bringing the total of Grand Suites to four) and will no longer have dedicated single cabins. Single travelers will still be able to book a cabin for sole occupancy.

Join respected British gardening writer Sue Chivers and photographer Patsy Floyd on a memorable rail journey around some of Scotland’s finest country homes and gardens. Enjoy personal tours given by members of the family, as well as welcome drinks in their homes and walks through their beautiful gardens.

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With the Belmond Royal Scotsman luxury train as your rolling, five-star hotel, visit Brechin Castle Gardens, Foulis Castle of Clan Munro, Attadale, Rothiemurchus Estate, Pitmuies Garden, among other stops.

IRT Insights: Click here to read about IRT’s most recent experience aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman.

IRT Exclusive: Click here to see our video of Society President Eleanor Hardy’s trip on the Royal Scotsman.

Heritage Homes & Gardens – Spring map

Countries Visited

  • Scotland

Itinerary

Download itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh-Keith

You are welcomed aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman mid-afternoon. The train departs Edinburgh and travels north across the splendid Forth Railway Bridge. Disembark in Montrose to visit Pitmuies Garden — one of the finest private parks in the country. Rejoin the train in Stonehaven and continue up the east coast through Aberdeen and then into Speyside, stopping in Keith for an informal dinner and overnight stabling.

Day 2: Keith-Kyle of Lochalsh

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the train departs Keith and travels west towards Inverness and Invergordon, where you will disembark for a visit to Foulis Castle. This 18th-century castle is built on the site of the seat of the Clan Munro for 700 years and is still occupied by the family. And who better to tell the history of their wonderful home and clan than Mrs. Munro of Foulis and her son, Hector, the Clan Chief. After their welcome, wander around the castle’s grounds and tour Mrs. Munro’s delightful courtyard garden. Alternatively, join Hector in the drawing room for a whisky tasting.

Back on board, lunch will be served and you travel towards Kyle of Lochalsh on what is arguably the most scenic route in Britain — past the Torridon Mountains, Achnashellach forest and Loch Carron. At Plockton, disembark for a visit to Attadale on the west coast. This massive 30,000-acre estate boasts a Water Garden, Japanese Garden, and Sunken Garden among other treasures. You return to the train in Kyle of Lochalsh for overnight stabling. A lavish dinner is followed by entertainment in the Observation Car.

Day 3: Kyle of Lochalsh-Boat of Garten

Disembark after breakfast to drive across to the Isle of Skye and the 20,000- acre Clan Donald estate on the Sleat peninsula. You can also spend time in the award-winning museum and discover the history of the Highlands and Islands through the story of Clan Donald or the MacDonalds, the Lords of the Isles.

Return to the train in Kyle of Lochalsh and enjoy a leisurely lunch as you retrace part of yesterday’s route as far as Dingwall. The train continues south to Carrbridge where you disembark for your visit to Ballindalloch, one of Scotland’s most romantic castles, with wonderful walled gardens. Return to the train at Boat of Garten on the private Strathspey Railway for overnight stabling. Enjoy dinner followed by a nightcap in the Observation Car.

Day 4: Boat of Garten-Dundee

After breakfast, motorcoach to Rothiemurchus Estate, where you can tour the hunting lodge and parkland, or enjoy some of the outdoor activities at this beautiful site beneath the Cairngorm Mountains.

Lunch is served on return to the train in Kingussie. The journey then proceeds south onto Dunblane, where you disembark for a late afternoon visit to your final garden on the itinerary, Kilbryde Castle and Gardens. Return to the train in Dundee for your final night on board and a formal dinner and after-dinner entertainment in the Observation Car before stabling overnight.

Day 5: Dundee-Edinburgh

After breakfast, the train arrives into Edinburgh Waverley Station where your journey ends.

Dates & Prices

2024 Dates

June 3 - 7

  • Please note prices are in British pounds. View approximate exchange rates.
  • Prices are per person.
  • Please note there are a limited number of Single Cabins (without single supplement) on every Belmond Royal Scotsman departure. Contact us for pricing for sole occupancy of a Twin Cabin.
  • Pricing varies based on availability and date. Prices are subject to change daily. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure.

2025 Dates

June 2 - 6

  • Beginning in 2025, there will no longer be Single Cabins available. Single travelers will still be able to book a cabin for sole occupancy. Contact us for pricing for sole occupancy.
  • Please note prices are in British pounds. View approximate exchange rates.
  • Prices are per person.
  • Pricing varies based on availability and date. Prices are subject to change daily. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure.

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Note: All prices are per person and include all table d’hĂ´te meals, all alcoholic and other beverages, all sightseeing excursions as shown in the itinerary and accommodation on board based on two people sharing a twin compartment or one person in a single.