London, Edinburgh & the Belmond Royal Scotsman Train Through the Scottish Highlands

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
London, Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Perthshire (Gleneagles)

On this private tour, experience the best of London and Edinburgh, spend time at a luxury resort in the Scottish countryside, and enjoy a luxury train journey through the beautiful Scottish Highlands aboard the Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train.

Begin in London, one of the world's greatest cities. Discover the best of London—heritage architecture, fascinating museums, important historic attractions, exclusive boutiques, traditional pubs and incredible food markets—during private touring customized to your interests. Tour famous landmarks such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Covent Garden, the London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. Perhaps explore other incredible museums around the city such as the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, Churchill War Rooms, Sir John Soane's Museum, the Tate Modern or the Tate Britain. Also visit hidden squares, renowned British shops, atmospheric tea rooms and other highlights. One day, opt to take an excursion outside London. Among the many destinations are Windsor Castle, Bath, Stonehenge, Oxford, Highclere Castle (the filming location for the Downton Abbey TV series), Greenwich, Kew Gardens or the Harry Potter Studios.

Upon request, Artisans of Leisure will also arrange reservations for dining and afternoon tea, book tickets to performances, and provide recommendations for the best shopping in London. Accommodation is at one of London's best luxury hotels.

Next, transfer by train to Edinburgh, the stunning capital of Scotland, with a stay in a sophisticated city hotel. During flexible touring with your private guide, tour the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See iconic Edinburgh Castle and walk along the Royal Mile, the road leading from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Explore historic buildings, as well as the narrow closes (alleys) and stairways that connect different levels of the city. Visit shops specializing in wool tweed and other distinctive Scottish products. Depending on your interests, you might like to tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch; visit the Royal Botanic Garden or National Gallery; tour the unusual architecture of the Scottish Parliament Building and other contemporary design highlights in the city; or hike up an extinct volcano for panoramic views of Edinburgh and the nearby Firth of Forth tidal bay. In August, Artisans of Leisure can assist with tickets to the Edinburgh Tattoo or performances at the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe.

Next, board the Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train, for a luxurious journey through the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. Enjoy the romance of restored vintage train carriages, relax with meals based on Scottish ingredients in the dining cars and perhaps book treatments in the train spa. Sit in the observation car as you travel through the Scottish Highlands, a rugged landscape of moors, mountains, lochs and glens. During train-based excursions and touring, visit Strathisla Distillery to learn about Speyside malt whisky and meet a local food expert amid the wild Scottish beauty of the Rothiemurchus Estate and Cairngorms National Park. In the evenings, enjoy live music and ceilidhs (traditional folk music and dance parties) aboard your train.

Return to Edinburgh and continue to Gleneagles, a luxury resort on 850 acres in the rolling hills of the idyllic Perthshire countryside. One day, enjoy a private excursion to nearby St. Andrews, a charming seaside university town and the birthplace of golf; a private excursion to Glasgow to tour cultural highlights such as renowned art collections and Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture; or flexible private touring of nearby castles, distilleries, or historic homes and gardens. During leisure time, enjoy the resort's extensive activities, including options such as countryside walks, golf, fishing, horseback riding, biking, 4WD tours, shooting, gundog training, falconry and afternoon tea. Additional facilities include a spa, a kids club and exclusive Scottish boutiques.

Artisans of Leisure can customize any of our Scotland and England tours to incorporate Royal Scotsman train journeys.