An overnight rail journey through the landscapes of the legendary Scottish Highlands on the Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, is getting even more baronial.

Two new Grand Suites will debut on the train in 2024 that mirror the atmosphere of a luxury Scottish country house and capture the magic of Highland culture and lifestyle.

When you’re not with fellow guests dining in one of the two wood-paneled dining cars and enjoying live evening entertainment, or off board excursions including wild swimming, foraging, water rafting, whisky tastings, and epic castle visits, you can be ensconced in your rolling luxury hotel suite with an ever-changing view during daytime travel.

The Grand Suites overflow with elegant references to Scottish culture and landscapes and honor the country’s timeless craftsmanship.

Dark wooden paneling with intricate marquetry form the backdrop for the Grand Suites, with the bed against an embossed headboard and a separate lounge area including a dining table made of Scottish Larch. Reflecting the surrounding Highlands, the hand-crafted wall covering, upholstery, and furniture have a color palette of green, grey, beige, and blue hues, and local materials such as stone and wood will adorn the ensuite bathrooms. Decorative patterns will echo Edwardian flair through Pictish stone motifs and Celtic symbolism.

The statement armchair in the day lounge area is a tribute to the Orkney Chair – an iconic piece of furniture originating in the namesake Scottish archipelago over a century ago. Traditionally handmade with driftwood gathered from the shoreline and with no set design instructions, no chair is the same. For the Grand Suites, the Scottish design staple has been reinterpreted in a fresh, contemporary light, and upholstered with the finest textiles from iconic Scottish brand, Araminta Campbell.

The custom tartan design crafted by Araminta Campbell just for the Royal Scotsman covers both the armchair and sofa and includes references to the train. Three sets of double lines evoke rail tracks and depict the train’s three most legendary journeys - Scotland's Classic Splendours, Western Scenic Wonders and Taste of the Highlands - while its main check block will be made up of 37 threads, representing every year the train has been touring the Highlands.

The bespoke tweeds and tartans created for Royal Scotsman are all woven in rural mills in Scotland and reflect the country’s beauty as well as the history of the train.

Grand Suite guests enjoy not just the wonders of a private train suite that feels like a room in your own Highland castle, suite guests also get added amenities including private transfers and a spa treatment in the train’s dedicated spa carriage, the only one of its kind in Europe.

The Dior Spa Royal Scotsman combines two iconic Houses for a one-of-a-kind luxury well-being escape inspired by Scotland.

In homage to Christian Dior’s love for Scotland – where he hosted his first fashion show in 1955 – Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, has begun a long-term partnership with the French House Dior Beauty.

The new Dior Spa Royal Scotsman is housed in one of the train’s plush carriages with two lacquered treatment rooms, restyled with Dior’s iconic burgundy toile de Jouy motif.

Image: Pierre Mouton for Parfums Christian Dior

The new bespoke spa menu features three tailor-made treatments devised by the French luxury House’s wellness experts to address the specific needs of train travel and can be enjoyed before or after an outdoor excursion. They include:

The D-Travel body massage, a deep, slow massage that eliminates toxins, releases tensions, and relieves pain;
The D-Elements full body treatment, inspired by the Scottish seasons and beginning with the application of semi-precious hot stones on the back to create a sense of warmth, followed by massage strokes that simulate a cooling breeze. Bain Dior body mist and hot oshibori, recreating the country’s drifting mists, end the treatment on a calming note; and
The D-Highlands treatment for the face, inspired by Kobido facial massage techniques enhanced with the Dior Prestige skincare products, resulting in a rejuvenating facial that sculpts the face’s features and improves the skin’s appearance.

Now imagine this wondrous luxury surrounded by the rugged and history-laden Scottish countryside on 2 to 7-night journeys roundtrip from Edinburgh through the heart of the Highlands. It’s hard to imagine a more memorable or evocative way to experience the best of Scotland.

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Images courtesy of Belmond.