British railways often get a bad rap, with charges of expensive tickets, unreliable service and shoddy rolling stock often levelled at our trains. Luckily, the Royal Scotsman and Dior have worked together on a new wellness collaboration to dispel this insidious notion – although we can’t claim it’s cheap.

For the small ticket price of £20,000 per single or £28,000 for a couple, would-be railgoers can now board the famous Edwardian train and enjoy a three-night wellness retreat which will take them from coast to coast through the heart of the Highlands. Belmond, which runs the Royal Scotsman, has worked with storied French luxury brand Dior to devise an in-depth and relaxing experience which includes breathwork, wild swimming, pilates and more, all overseen by two of Dior’s in-house wellness professionals, pilates guru Bryony Deery and nutritionist Rose Ferguson.

The trip boasts quite the itinerary. Beginning at Edinburgh Waverley, the train heads through the Scottish capital’s granite grandeur before crossing the Forth Bridge through rolling Fife, at which point Deery and Ferguson host an afternoon tea inspired by wellness. After heading up the east coast past Arbroath, Montrose and Aberdeen to Keith in Moray, guests will then be treated to a dinner magicked up by Ferguson and chef Mark Tamburrini.

Inside the Dior spa on the Royal Scotsman

A second day sees a breathwork session precede the train’s journey through central northern Scotland to Plockton, where guests will disembark and choose between a seal trip, a wild swim or a hike, or a pilates class led by Deery or a nutrition class with Ferguson. The train continues through the Highlands on the third day, passing the Torridons before reaching the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Cairngorms, where a foraged lunch and forest meditation await passengers.

Experience mindful walking, wild swimming, hiking, forest bathing, meditation, pilates with Bryony Deery, and other wellness excursions in the Scottish Highlands.

The trip is a step further in the direction of wellness for Belmond, which opened a spa carriage on the Royal Scotsman in 2023. Wellness is increasingly an essential part of travel accommodation for many high-net-worth British and international travellers, and with their new Dior-endorsed tour, the travel company can now offer these travellers a package as good as any luxury hotel’s – plus a journey across the UK’s most beautiful landscape, with nary an Irn-Bru in sight.