The Royal Caledonian

There is no need for security queues or travelling from the airport to a city during this tour. Instead, you’ll board the Caledonian Sleeper Train at either London Euston, Birmingham International or Crewe Railway station, get settled into your cosy, well-equipped cabin, and travel to Scotland.

Please note: On the return journey, passengers will be unable to disembark at Birmingham International or Crewe Railway station, and will need to transfer from London Euston. 

After a relaxing night aboard the train, you’ll arrive at Inverness in the morning. Enjoy a light continental breakfast in your cabin before you disembark and meet your tour manager at the station.

From here, you’ll head to the small market town of Nairn, an ancient fishing port and seaside resort known for its unspoilt beaches and wealth of wildlife. Keep an eye on the water, and you might just catch a glimpse of the seals, whales, and dolphins that dwell beneath the surface.

The tour will then continue to Inverness, a city on Scotland’s northeast coast and the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands near Loch Ness. You’ll be guided around the old town, with its 19th-century cathedral, charming indoor Victorian Market, and hilltop castle, overlooking the Ness River.

Your final excursion of the day will be to the Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle of the Jacobite Rising. During your visit here, you’ll learn about this moving location in the interactive visitor centre, with artefacts and informative displays.

In the late afternoon, you'll check into your hotel, where you can unwind until dinner 

Enjoy breakfast this morning before venturing on a morning drive to the famous Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family since 1852.

You’ll get to enter the castle to see the ballroom (the largest room in the castle), view the exhibitions and wander the gardens. The castle’s ballroom is the only area open to the public and where many members of the Royal Family have been pictured hosting events. Near the castle is Crathie Kirk, a small parish church in the village of Crathie. Best known for being the regular place of worship of the Royal Family, this church was built in 1895 and looks over the Dee River.

The tour will then continue to the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park. You can stroll around the speciality shops and seek out one of the delightful cafés for lunch (on your own account). This evening, you’ll have time for dinner and to relax.

After breakfast, you’ll head to Aviemore for another rail journey. You’ll join your tour manager and fellow guests to board the Strathspey Railway, a splendid reminder of the golden days of steam.

This scenic run takes you through unspoilt Highland scenery, passing great sweeps of the Spey River, moorland, and ancient forest. You’ll then return to Aviemore, where you’ll explore this famous resort town backed by the Cairngorm Mountain Range and have lunch (on your own account). The next stop is the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre, home to around 150 reindeer, which you can see up close with their handlers.

After this excursion, you’ll drive through twisting mountain roads to the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre, where you can take in spectacular views of the surrounding region. Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.

Tuck into breakfast before travelling to the famed and mysterious Loch Ness.

You’ll then board a two-hour cruise across the legendary waters, learning about the loch’s intriguing history and observing the historic Urquhart Castle and wildlife on the banks. You can even keep an eye out for the Loch Ness monster with the vessel’s onboard sonar.

Back on land, you’ll pay a visit to the Glen Ord Distillery – the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle. You’ll then tour the distillery, learning about the art of whisky-making and the Singleton’s signature ‘Slow Craft’ process before tasting three unique Singleton expressions. You’ll then return to the hotel for dinner.

This morning, the train will arrive back at London Euston Station, concluding your Scottish Highlands escape.