The Belmond Royal Scotsman was in Waverley at lunchtime before heading for the Highlands on the Scotch Malt Whisky Trail.
The guests were off for four nights aboard the luxury train with all meals prepared by Head Chef Mark Tamburrini and served in one of the two dining cars. Mark prepares Kyle of Lochalsh langoustines in a fine tomato consommé, fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef with Madeira sauce and hot chocolate melting pudding with homemade heather honey ice cream.
The trip includes private tours of the Glen Ord, Glenlivet and Tullibardine distilleries and traditional entertainment along the route. This tour is run in collaboration with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society and the price of the trip – £5,500 – includes the annual fee to the society.
The @belmond Royal Scotsman left from Edinburgh Waverley at lunchtime bound for the Highlands pic.twitter.com/5f60QMX4a7
— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) April 11, 2019
Today the train is heading north to Aberdeen and then Keith where it will spend the night with Scottish entertainment from local musicians. Each evening the train pulls in to a station platform to ensure a restful night’s sleep for all passengers.
The Observation Car will be in great use on the way across the Forth and when the train heads for the west coast and Plockton tomorrow. The train is billed as a kind of spa destination for wellness all of its own due to the fabulous Scottish scenery that it passes through.
There are 15 twin cabins, 3 double cabins and 4 single cabins on the train along with a Haybarn Spa car and a shop offering traditional Scottish crafts, tartans and jewellery.
Pipe Major Iain Grant was waiting for the guests who came down from The Balmoral to join the train with a medley of suitable tunes.
The train was launched in May 1985 and was upgraded and then acquired by Orient-Express (now Belmond) in 1997.
All photos Martin P McAdam
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