Over the Easter weekend I was fortunate to travel on the Royal Scotsman train.
"check-in" is at the Balmoral Hotel adjacent to Waverley Station in Edinburgh. The train departed at 1345 and you could check in between 11am and 1230.
Upon arrival your bags are taken from you. The next time you see them is in your cabin on the train. You are then offered champagne, tea/coffee/juice/water and biscuits.
At 1320 the group walk to Waverley Station. On our tour there were 33 people. It can accommodate 40. The train was waiting at platform 2 and a small crowd had gathered to look and admire the train.
A piper was waiting and we were ceremoniously piped along the platform to the train where our coats were taken and more champagne offered. The guests gathered in the observation car which was at the front of the train.
Our train was top and tailed by 2 Belmond liveried class 66 locos. Leading was the observation car (with an open balcony at one end - next to the loco). There then followed two restaurant cars (also containing the kitchen), a carriage containing two spa cabins and 2 double rooms, 4 carriages with guest accommodation (twin ensuite rooms) and then 2 MKIII service cars which contain the staff accommodation. One of the MKIII coaches also contains a generator for when the locos were shut down each evening.
Departure was punctual and we headed north to Dalmeny before reversing and heading to Winchburgh junction and joining the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line. Another reverse at cowlairs and we headed to Dalmuir and the West Highland line.
Afternoon tea was served at 1530 and this was the only cold meal we had whilst on board.
The train arrived at Spean Bridge just before 9pm - as we were finishing dinner which was served at 1930.
All food, drink and excursions were included in the price.
An hour of entertainment was provided in the observation car - a local couple playing traditional Scottish folk music.
On Saturday morning there was an option for an early start to walk to the Commando memorial at 7am. Only 3 guests chose to do this.
The train departed at 0830 and headed to Fort William before reversing and then dropping the guests at Arisaig for a short coach ride to Morar sands.
Whilst we were there the train continued to Mallaig and then picked everyone up at Arisaig later.
Lunch was served on the way back to Fort William and then the group divided for the only time.
One excursion was a coach to Glenfinnan monument for a guided tour. The other was to Neptune's staircase 6 at Banavie followed by a walk at Spean Bridge. The Glenfinnan group had afternoon tea at Inverlochy Castle.
The group reconvened and dinner was served as the train left Fort William heading to bridge of orchy. On this leg the rear loco was detached for the first time and the observation car was now at the rear - allowing guests to have uninterrupted views of the line they had just been on.
It was an early departure from Bridge of orchy at 0730 and the train headed to Glasgow and then onto Wemyss Bay. A CalMac Ferry over to the Isle of Bute and a coach to Mount Stuart for a guided tour. Afternoon tea was available at Mount Stuart.
During the day, the second loco had been running light from Fort William and was attached at Wemyss Bay to haul us to Kilmarnock where we spent the third night. After a "formal" meal we had a Ceilidh on Kilmarnock platform at 11pm!
On the final morning - Monday - we left Kilmarnock just before 6am and returned to Edinburgh via Shotts and the Edinburgh suburban line.
The 33 guests were on the train - mainly British however there were four Americans, six Norwegians, 2 Dutch and 2 French people onboard.
All in all a fantastic but very expensive weekend
"check-in" is at the Balmoral Hotel adjacent to Waverley Station in Edinburgh. The train departed at 1345 and you could check in between 11am and 1230.
Upon arrival your bags are taken from you. The next time you see them is in your cabin on the train. You are then offered champagne, tea/coffee/juice/water and biscuits.
At 1320 the group walk to Waverley Station. On our tour there were 33 people. It can accommodate 40. The train was waiting at platform 2 and a small crowd had gathered to look and admire the train.
A piper was waiting and we were ceremoniously piped along the platform to the train where our coats were taken and more champagne offered. The guests gathered in the observation car which was at the front of the train.
Our train was top and tailed by 2 Belmond liveried class 66 locos. Leading was the observation car (with an open balcony at one end - next to the loco). There then followed two restaurant cars (also containing the kitchen), a carriage containing two spa cabins and 2 double rooms, 4 carriages with guest accommodation (twin ensuite rooms) and then 2 MKIII service cars which contain the staff accommodation. One of the MKIII coaches also contains a generator for when the locos were shut down each evening.
Departure was punctual and we headed north to Dalmeny before reversing and heading to Winchburgh junction and joining the main Edinburgh to Glasgow line. Another reverse at cowlairs and we headed to Dalmuir and the West Highland line.
Afternoon tea was served at 1530 and this was the only cold meal we had whilst on board.
The train arrived at Spean Bridge just before 9pm - as we were finishing dinner which was served at 1930.
All food, drink and excursions were included in the price.
An hour of entertainment was provided in the observation car - a local couple playing traditional Scottish folk music.
On Saturday morning there was an option for an early start to walk to the Commando memorial at 7am. Only 3 guests chose to do this.
The train departed at 0830 and headed to Fort William before reversing and then dropping the guests at Arisaig for a short coach ride to Morar sands.
Whilst we were there the train continued to Mallaig and then picked everyone up at Arisaig later.
Lunch was served on the way back to Fort William and then the group divided for the only time.
One excursion was a coach to Glenfinnan monument for a guided tour. The other was to Neptune's staircase 6 at Banavie followed by a walk at Spean Bridge. The Glenfinnan group had afternoon tea at Inverlochy Castle.
The group reconvened and dinner was served as the train left Fort William heading to bridge of orchy. On this leg the rear loco was detached for the first time and the observation car was now at the rear - allowing guests to have uninterrupted views of the line they had just been on.
It was an early departure from Bridge of orchy at 0730 and the train headed to Glasgow and then onto Wemyss Bay. A CalMac Ferry over to the Isle of Bute and a coach to Mount Stuart for a guided tour. Afternoon tea was available at Mount Stuart.
During the day, the second loco had been running light from Fort William and was attached at Wemyss Bay to haul us to Kilmarnock where we spent the third night. After a "formal" meal we had a Ceilidh on Kilmarnock platform at 11pm!
On the final morning - Monday - we left Kilmarnock just before 6am and returned to Edinburgh via Shotts and the Edinburgh suburban line.
The 33 guests were on the train - mainly British however there were four Americans, six Norwegians, 2 Dutch and 2 French people onboard.
All in all a fantastic but very expensive weekend
