Royal Deeside Explorer 2026

Duration

8 Days

Departure Dates

21st April 2026, 30th June 2026

Prices from

£1,579 Per person

Discover the diversity of Scotland on this fantastic tour in Aberdeen and Dundee. From royal life at stunning castles to iconic waterfronts, from wildlife cruises to heritage transport, this nostalgic tour has something for everyone. Explore the rich history and beauty of two wonderful coastal Scottish cities perfectly combined with a couple of wee drams!

Overview
Itinerary
Further Information
Departure Dates
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Aberdeen ©iStock

8 days from £1,579

DEPARTS

Tuesday 21 April 2026

Tuesday 30 June 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family
Sample a wee dram at the Glen Garioch Distillery
Discover the ‘Granite City’ of Aberdeen on a guided tour
Enjoy dolphin spotting on a harbour cruise
Meet Highland cattle on a working farm visit
Visit Crathes Castle, a classic Scottish tower house with glorious gardens
Enjoy railway nostalgia at the Royal Deeside Railway
Visit Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, Britain’s first military airfield
Journey on the Caledonian Railway
Stroll around Dundee’s redeveloped waterfront including the V&A Museum of Design
Explore Glamis Castle, the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
Indulge in a gin tasting in the picturesque village of Glamis

Also included in your Tour Fare:

7 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Journey from your home station to Aberdeen and, on arrival, we will make our way to the Station Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

This morning, we travel by private coach to Balmoral, the Scottish home of the Royal Family. Here, we discover the castle's fascinating history, famous residents and visitors, exploring the largest room in the castle, the Ballroom, plus the exhibitions, grounds, and gardens. Following our visit, we transfer to the Glen Garioch Distillery, one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland, for a tour and a wee dram of one of Scotland's most exclusive whiskies.

B, D

DAY 3

After breakfast today, we enjoy a guided tour of the 'Granite City' of Aberdeen where we will visit the highlights of the city including the historic Old Town, the castellated Citadel at The Castlegate, and the striking gothic Marischal College. Following our tour, we enjoy free time to explore the city's many attractions including Provost Skene's House, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, and the famous shopping 'Granite Mile'. This afternoon, we enjoy a 1-hour harbour and dolphin cruise with a fascinating talk on the history of the port before sailing into Aberdeen Bay to spot dolphins and wildlife.

B, D

DAY 4

This morning, we travel by private coach to the Lochton of Leys Farmhouse, the home of Aberdeenshire Highland Beef, where we meet the herd of pedigree Highland cattle up close and learn about the history of this native breed on an exclusive 1-hour guided tour followed by tea/coffee served with shortbread. We then continue to nearby Crathes Castle where turrets, gargoyles, and the ancient Horn of Leys are just a few of the fascinating features we discover at this classic Scottish tower house. Following our visit, we make our way to the Royal Deeside Railway, which is unique in having served all British Monarchs, from Queen Victoria to King Charles III. We board our train for a two-mile journey before returning to our hotel in time for our evening meal.

B, LR, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we enjoy magnificent views as we travel to Montrose to visit the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, the first operational military airfield in Great Britain, dedicated to aviation history dating back over 100 years. Following our visit, we continue to the Caledonian Railway for a return journey along the four-mile branch line between the town of Brechin to the countryside stop of Bridge of Dun. After our fascinating day of heritage, we continue our journey to Dundee and arrive at our hotel for the next three nights, the Malmaison Hotel.

B, D

DAY 6

Today, we enjoy a day at leisure in Dundee and we can visit the impressive V&A museum, discover maritime history at Discovery Point, explore the McManus Art Gallery & Museum, make use of the Dundee hop-on/hop-off bus, or stroll the waterfront before reconvening for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 7

After breakfast, this morning, we journey by private coach to Glamis Castle and enjoy a guided tour to learn the rich history of the castle, the legendary setting of Shakespeare's Macbeth, the childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and the birthplace of Princess Margaret. Following our tour, we spend some time in the quaint village of Glamis and visit the characterful Gin Bothy where we enjoy a talk and gin tasting in one of their cosy and rustic tasting rooms before returning to our hotel in the afternoon for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 8

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Dundee and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTELS

Station Hotel, Aberdeen

Ideally located opposite the railway station and in the heart of the Granite City, the historic Station Hotel offers a brasserie restaurant serving exquisite dishes in modern and contemporary surroundings plus a relaxing bar. The comfortable bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

Malmaison Hotel, Dundee

Located in the heart of Dundee and on the banks of the River Tay, the Malmaison offers a remarkable backdrop housed in a historic building and boasting many original features. The Malmaison Bar & Grill serves delightful dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and the modern bar is the perfect place to relax. The stylish bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with a power shower and complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Kings Cross	£1,909	£1,769
Greater London	£1,925	£1,775
South of England	£1,979	£1,799
East Anglia	£1,975	£1,799
South West	£2,109	£1,885
Heart of England	£1,975	£1,799
Midlands	£1,965	£1,785
Yorkshire	£1,875	£1,749
North East	£1,815	£1,719
North West	£1,905	£1,755
South Wales	£2,039	£1,839
North Wales	£1,955	£1,789
Scotland	£1,725	£1,669
Join & Leave at Hotels	£1,599
Single Traveller Supplement	£400
Deposit	£160

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

£10 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

£10 tour discount for National Trust Members

June Departure Supplement £60

7 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
21st April 2026	£1,579 Per person	Book Now	Callback
30th June 2026	£1,639 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Station Hotel, Aberdeen

Malmaison, Dundee

Balmoral Castle

Glen Garioch Distillery

Aberdeenshire Highland Beef

Crathes Castle

Royal Deeside Railway

Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre

Balmoral Castle ©Shutterstock

Marischal College ©Shutterstock

Highland Cow ©Shutterstock

Crathes Castle ©NT Scotland

Great Hall, Crathes Castle ©NT Scotland

Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre ©Dreamstime

McManus Art Gallery & Museum ©Shutterstock

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Royal Deeside Explorer 2026

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What our customers say

Sounds like the holiday for you?

Why Book with Railtrail

Unique Experiences

Financial Protection

Loyalty Rewards

Award Winning Team