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Royal Deeside and Glamis Castle

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5 days From £1,195 £1,095 per person
3.8 stars(44 reviews)
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Discover Scottish heritage aboard the Royal Deeside Steam train and explore culture-rich cities

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Save up to £200pp on British Isles 2025 holidays when you book by 31st October 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: ATS25

About the tour

We visit three of Scotland's most charismatic cities, experiencing the local culture of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. Visit Glamis Castle and journey along the banks of the River Dee aboard the Royal Deeside Railway.

This five-day holiday is scattered with unique excursions. Meet iconic Highland coos, savour the craft of gin at the Lost Loch Spirits Distillery and discover Dundee on a guided tour. Join us and experience Scotland's history, culture, and stunning landscapes.

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Unforgettable experiences

Enjoying an exclusive guided tour of Glamis Castle
Enjoying an exclusive guided tour of Glamis Castle
Explore this 14th-century fortress renowned for its architecture and expansive grounds and sit down to an afternoon tea in the regal setting.
Journeying on the Royal Deeside Steam Train
Journeying on the Royal Deeside Steam Train
Travel through the Scottish countryside on the Royal Deeside Steam Train with its vintage carriages and pretty views.
Touring a Highland Cow farm
Touring a Highland Cow farm
Meet and learn about iconic Highland cows from experts, enjoying a traditional lunch afterwards.
Visiting Lost Loch Distillery
Visiting Lost Loch Distillery
Experience a gin tasting and tour at this artisanal distillery which creates spirits as unique as its surroundings.
Exploring Dundee
Exploring Dundee
Wander the streets of Dundee on a guided walking tour, including a visit to the RRS Discovery.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Edinburgh

Meet the Tour Manager at your hotel in Edinburgh today. After checking in this afternoon, you're at leisure to start exploring Scotland's capital before our first group dinner together this evening.

The heart of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Old Town's Royal Mile and the New Town's award-winning Georgian architecture continuing the contrast between traditional and contemporary. As you wander the streets, it's easy to see why Edinburgh came to be regarded as the 'Athens of the North'.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - A first-class rail journey to Aberdeen

A first-class rail journey to Aberdeen awaits us today. Boarding the train, we enjoy stunning views of the Scottish countryside from our seats, soaking up ever-changing panoramas as we pass leafy countryside, rugged cliffs and coastal towns.

Arriving in Aberdeen, enjoy some free time before we join our coach to the city's Old Town. The area is characterised by its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture which include iconic landmarks like the 12th-century St. Machar's Cathedral and the Castlegate, adorned with the Mercat Cross. With more time at leisure, wander through the historic buildings, traditional pubs, and cultural atmosphere that preserve the city's past so well.

Our coach then takes us to our hotel on the banks of the River Dee. Once we've checked in, there is some time to relax in our new surroundings before dinner this evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - The Royal Deeside Steam train, Highland coos, and Lost Loch Distillery

This morning we head to the heart of Royal Deeside aboard the Royal Deeside Railway. On a heritage rail journey along the banks of the River Dee, we sit back in restored vintage carriages on a fairly short but scenic jaunt. Disembarking the train in Banchory, a fantastic visit to a Highland coo farm is next. Here, we meet a herd of pedigree Highland cattle, tour the working farm with its local farmer, and enjoy lunch in the rural setting.

After our time with the iconic Scottish cows, our coach takes us to the artisanal Lost Loch Spirits Distillery. Built on the banks of the now drained Loch Auchlossan or 'Lost Loch', the distillery draws inspiration from its captivating landscape and historical heritage to produce renowned gins. During a tour and tasting, we discover the stories, flavours, and branding that make it successful.

On the drive to our next hotel in Dundee, the coach stops outside Balmoral Castle giving us a chance to take a photo outside the royal estate's famous gates. We check into the hotel in time for dinner this evening and enjoy our first night in the coastal city of Dundee.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Discovering Dundee and Glamis Castle

This morning we begin with a guided walking tour of Dundee. Nestled on the eastern coast, the city has some striking architecture - including the V&A Dundee museum - as well as beautiful parks and amazing views of the River Tay.

Our tour finishes at The Dundee RRS Discovery where you can explore at leisure. Stepping aboard the iconic ship, you're transported back to the heroic era of Antarctic exploration and get a glimpse into the life and challenges faced by Captain Scott and his crew. After plenty of time to discover the informative exhibits, interactive displays, and views of the waterfront, we board our coach bound for a holiday highlight - Glamis Castle.

This historic fortress is steeped in history and folklore. It's witnessed centuries of noble events and was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. After our very own Scottish Piper, 'pipes' us inside, we enjoy an exclusive guided tour. With access to rooms the public isn't allowed in, we're taken into the 16th-century chambers, where we enjoy a 'wee dram' before continuing our tour. Afterwards, we go back to the chambers for refreshments and a talk with our guide about this amazing castle. Tonight we have our final evening meal together as a group.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Homeward bound

Our five days in Scotland have been memorable. We have explored some of the region's most beautiful towns and cities. We enjoyed a journey on the Royal Deeside Steam train along with a taste of Lost Loch at its gin distillery. A guided tour of Dundee allowed us to admire its architecture before experiencing Glamis Castle with its beautiful architecture and gardens.

After breakfast this morning, we head back to Edinburgh by rail where it's time to say goodbye. Make your way home or, if you're not ready to leave just yet, you could continue exploring Scotland on your own.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen

Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen

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Apex City Quay & Spa, Dundee

Apex City Quay & Spa, Dundee

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Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Edinburgh

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Clansman Hotel, Loch Ness

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Trains

Royal Deeside Railway
The Aberdonian Steam Train

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UK rail connections

Reviews

3.8 stars3.8 / 5 · 44 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (16)
  2. 4 stars
    (11)
  3. 3 stars
    (10)
  4. 2 stars
    (4)
  5. 1 star
    (3)

Doreen Guest

5 stars

Submitted 16/Sep

The tour was very well organised and ran very smoothly, helped by an extremely good friendly guide who engaged fully with all the group. The visits were very good particularly Glamis Castle and also the Highland cow farm and the gin distillery. The only disappointment was the failure of Tornado although we were aware of that before embarking on the tour which nevertheless was still very good.

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Jennifer Mcdonald

4 stars

Submitted 4/Aug

Steam train trip cancelled. Lsdt hotel was not value for money or up to standard expected.

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Marilyn

4 stars

Submitted 2/Aug

Excellent tour except for hotel in Dundee.

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Brian Harrison

3 stars

Submitted 29/Jul

The experience with the Tornado steam train, which was the principle reason for the trip, was not provided and resulted in much disappointment. Initially we were told the problem was with the train, and then to0ld they could not get the coaches for the train. They had a good 6 months to get the coaches!!! Very poor organization. The guide and hotels were OK but some significant modifications need to be made to the itinerary. On the first day we could not find the guide and were sent to the wrong place for dinner by the hotel staff. It turned out that GR had not given the guide our correct telephone and email address so she could not contact us before the trip. The app was a waste of time and of no use to us. It did not provide the contact details for the guide, to find out where the dinner was the first night, and time for the dinner. Certainly not worth the cost of the airfare to Scotland. Brian Harrison. . . .

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M Richards

5 stars

Submitted 29/Jul

A great short break through beautiful countryside. The MacDonald Norwood Hotel is out of this world, everything a hotel should be. First Class travel on the trains made a big difference. Good local guide around Dundee and a most interesting talk and viewing of the Highland Coos. For a short get-away, this is ideal.

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Jegajothy Rainbow

3 stars

Submitted 28/Jul

Tornado steam train wasn’t commissioned.

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