The Royal Caledonian

Price

from £1579 /pp

was £1928
Rail travel included
Dates Available

June 2026 - October 2027
Duration

7 days
Depart From

1 station
Excursions & Visits

14 included
Meals

9 included
Ways to pay

Want to spread the cost? Choose our Easy Payment Plan and pay from £162.53 per month.

The Royal Caledonian

Take to the tracks on a remarkable Highland rail journey, discover Scotland's royal heritage sites, and delight in a selection of exquisite natural vistas.

This pleasant taster of the Highlands showcases the United Kingdom’s imperial heritage in the form of visits to Balmoral Castle, Crathie Kirk church, and the Victorian village of Ballater. Train travel is embraced as a hassle-free mode of transport from the beginning, with an overnight journey on the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston, Birmingham International or Crewe Train Station and a ride on the heritage Strathspey Railway through the countryside.

Further nods to the past are seen in outings to a whisky distillery and the Culloden Battlefield. The hearts of the territory’s prominent towns are also explored, with guided tours across Nairn, Inverness, Aviemore and Edinburgh. Opportunities to immerse yourself in the wilderness encompass a stop-off to view Cairngorm Mountain, a chance to learn about the local reindeer herds, and a cruise across the legendary waters of Loch Ness.

People enjoying sunny day and lying in the grass outside of the Glenmuick Church in the town centre of Ballater. Balmoral bar in the background.

Stroll around the beautiful Victorian village of Ballater, located near Cairngorms National Park

Grieg Street Bridge and Free North Church, Inverness

Visit Inverness, a cultural capital, and the moving Culloden Battlefield

Edinburgh skyline at sunset from Calton Hill, with the Dugald Stewart Monument in the foreground

Make the most of a guided Edinburgh tour, ticking off the city’s historical highlights

Calm waters of Loch Ness reflecting the surrounding hills under a clear blue sky, with a sign welcoming visitors to Fort Augustus on the shore

Cruise across the mysterious waters of Loch Ness and call at the local whisky distillery

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 Train Station, get settled into your cosy, well-equipped cabin, and travel to Scotland.

After a relaxing night aboard the train, you’ll arrive at Inverness in the morning.* A light breakfast can be enjoyed 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 out for seals, whales, and dolphins.

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 hill-top castle, overlooking the Ness River.

Your final excursion of the day will be to the Culloden Battlefield – the site of the last battle of 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 the Ben Wyvis 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.

You’ll have breakfast, check out of the hotel and be driven to Edinburgh, Scotland’s cosmopolitan capital and the ‘World City of Literature’.

The first visit of the day will be to the Royal Yacht Brittania. This former yacht of the Royal family served from 1954 until 1997. Continue to Edinburgh city centre for a guided city tour. This excursion will cover the atmospheric, cobbled streets, lined with famous sights and landmarks. Roam along the Royal Mile and Princes Street, and pass by the Castle, St Giles Cathedral, the National Museum, and the Sir Walter Scott Monument.

In the evening, you'll have dinner at the renowned Scotsman Hotel, before taking the Caledonian Sleeper Train back to London.

A view of Edinburgh Castle perched high on a rocky hill in the background, with a decorative fountain in the foreground below, surrounded by greenery

High angle shot of Loch Ness And Urquhart Castle

View of Cairngorms National Park, with a small body of water in the centre and a cloudy, but blue sky

Battle Of Culloden gravestone at Culloden Moor

Caledonian Sleeper Nov 2022 Photography Lucy Nott (10) Copy

Journey on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London, Birmingham or Crewe to the heart of the Scottish Highlands

Explore the small market town of Nairn, with its unspoilt beaches

Experience the Royal Family’s Scottish holiday home, Balmoral Castle and Crathie Kirk, their regular place of worship

Travel on the heritage Strathspey Railway to the resort town of Aviemore, a reminder of the golden days of steam

Stop off at the Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre to take in the surrounding views

Six nights’ accommodation at the three-star Duke of Gordon Hotel, Kingussie (4 nights), and aboard the Caledonian Sleeper Train (2)
Five breakfasts and five dinners
A tour of Nairn
A tour of Inverness
A visit to the Battlefield of Culloden
A tour of Balmoral Castle
View Crathie Kirk
A tour of Ballater
A journey on the steam-hauled Strathspey Railway
A visit to the Highland resort of Aviemore
A visit to Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre
A visit to Cairngorm Mountain Visitor Centre
A cruise across Loch Ness
A visit and tasting at the renowned Glen Ord Distillery
A tour of Edinburgh
Tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia
Farewell dinner at the renowned Royal Scotsman Hotel
Return travel on the Caledonian Sleeper Train from London Euston to Inverness
Transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Dates & Prices

Want to spread the cost? Choose our Easy Payment Plan.

Departure point	Departure date		Price (per person)	Availability
Euston Railway Station	June 2026 - October 2027		from £1422.00 pp	9 dates available
Euston Railway Station	19 Apr 2026 Sunday 7 days 26 Apr 2026 Sunday
Euston Railway Station	05 May 2026 Tuesday 7 days 12 May 2026 Tuesday
Euston Railway Station	26 Jun 2026 Friday 7 days 03 Jul 2026 Friday	Late Escape	from £1436.00 was £1689.00
Euston Railway Station	22 Sep 2026 Tuesday 7 days 29 Sep 2026 Tuesday	Late Escape	from £1436.00 was £1689.00
Euston Railway Station	04 Oct 2026 Sunday 7 days 11 Oct 2026 Sunday	Late Escape	from £1422.00 was £1579.00
Euston Railway Station	19 Apr 2027 Monday 7 days 26 Apr 2027 Monday		from £1512.00 was £1679.00
Euston Railway Station	05 May 2027 Wednesday 7 days 12 May 2027 Wednesday		from £1566.00 was £1739.00
Euston Railway Station	06 Jun 2027 Sunday 7 days 13 Jun 2027 Sunday		from £1638.00 was £1819.00
Euston Railway Station	13 Jul 2027 Tuesday 7 days 20 Jul 2027 Tuesday		from £1638.00 was £1819.00
Euston Railway Station	08 Sep 2027 Wednesday 7 days 15 Sep 2027 Wednesday		from £1629.00 was £1809.00
Euston Railway Station	06 Oct 2027 Wednesday 7 days 13 Oct 2027 Wednesday		from £1494.00 was £1659.00

Duke of Gordon Hotel Inverness Based in the heart of the magnificent Cairngorms National Park, this historic hotel promises easy access to the Highlands’ most impressive landscapes and a serene atmosphere perfect for unwinding in between excursion.

Accommodation on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper Train is based on the Classic Room type, which includes twin bunk beds in a cozy and compact cabin, an in-room wash basin, Wi-Fi, charging points, temperature control, and dimmable lights.

Please speak to a consultant for upgrading to the Club Cabin. The Caledonian Sleeper service to Inverness departs from London Euston Station and stops enroute to Inverness at Crewe, Preston, Stirling and Dunblane stations.

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting.

For this tour specifically, it is important to note:

Overnight cabin space is limited on the Royal Caledonian train and there is a ladder to access bunk beds
There is a need to step on and off coaches / trains on several days
Walking can involve uneven terrain and there is a steep slope of approx 100 yards to walk up at the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd Centre

If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you would like any further information on the suitability of this tour, please call us for a chat prior to booking.

The Balmoral Castle and Estate is a Royal residence and can be closed without prior notice. In 2025, Balmoral was closed in the months of August and September, and this may also be the case in 2026. A suitable replacement will be included as an alternative.

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Call us on 0303 330 0925

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