March 2023 – Today, Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, Scotland announces the launch of two new Grand Suites  set to join the rake in May 2024. Mirroring the look and feel of a luxury country house, the Grand Suites elevate the onboard experience by providing the ultimate setting for a cinematic Scottish escapade. The new suites will take the train’s accommodation categories to four: Grand Suites, Double, Twin and Single cabins.

SUBLIME BY DESIGN: A REFLECTION OF SCOTLAND’S EPHEMERAL LANDSCAPE

The spacious Grand Suites brim with elegant references to Scottish culture and its outstanding natural beauty. Interiors take inspiration from the destination through the hues of green, grey, beige and blue used for the handcrafted wall-covering, upholstery and furniture, which reflect the tones of the surrounding landscape. Local materials like stone and wood are abundantly used in the lavish ensuite bathrooms, while decorative patterns echo Edwardian flair, Pictish stones motifs and Celtic symbolism, all artfully designed by Tristan Auer.

Enveloping dark wooden wall panelling embellished with intricate marquetry form the backdrop for a double bed with embossed bedhead, dressing table with stool, Scottish larch dining table, and places to relax on a sumptuous sofa and armchair. Guests of the Grand Suites will also benefit from private transfers and a rejuvenating treatment in the train’s moving spa - the only one of its kind  in Europe.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON CENTURY-OLD CRAFTSMANSHIP

Taking pride in Belmond’s role as a custodian of timeless craftsmanship, the beautiful armchair located 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 interpreted in a new, more contemporary light, and upholstered with the finest textiles from iconic Scottish brand,  Araminta Campbell to match the unique elegance of the Royal Scotsman. 

The bespoke design of tartan covering the armchair and sofa is imbued with references to the train. The three sets of tram lines (double lines) 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 is made up of 37 threads representing every year the train has been touring the Highlands. Araminta Birse-Stewart, Founder and Creative Director of Araminta Campbell comments: ‘It was a pleasure to work with Royal Scotsman, a brand that - very much like Araminta Campbell - is committed to keeping Scottish ancient crafts and traditions alive for generations to come. The bespoke tweeds and tartans that we created for Royal Scotsman are all woven in rural mills in Scotland and reflect the country’s untouched beauty as well as the astonishing history of the train. Every detail is painstakingly curated to inspire travellers to embrace the magic of the Highlands’.

AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE OF SCOTLAND IN MOTION

The Royal Scotsman offers an all-encompassing experience of the Highlands with its two-to seven-night selection of themed journeys, all leaving and returning to Edinburgh Waverley station. Guests are invited to embrace the sophisticated camaraderie spirit, as they enjoy on board dining with their fellow travellers in the two wood panelled dining cars, and live entertainment throughout the stay. An array of off board activities - including wild swimming, foraging, water rafting, whisky tastings, castle visits - elevate the offering, allowing for an authentic immersion in one of the world’s most coveted destinations.

A two-night Highland Journey in a Grand Suite starts from £6,000 per person on an all-inclusive basis. The price includes private transfers to/from hotel or airport, as well as one spa treatment per person.