As if cruising through the Scottish landscape aboard a vintage-style train wasn’t already appealing enough, Belmond has announced the launch of two new Royal Scotsman Grand Suites.
Set to be introduced from May 2024, the suites will offer a new standard of luxury with ensuite bathrooms, a double bedroom and a separate living area. Interiors have been imagined by revered designer Tristan Auer, who has taken inspiration from the aesthetics of a classic country house.
In homage to the stunning country that the Royal Scotsman travels through, Auer has taken care to reference both the Scottish landscape and its culture in his suite design. Mirroring the dramatic vistas that will be enjoyed via panoramic windows, the Grand Suites will be decked in a natural color palette of grays, green, beige and blue, with dark wood paneling adding a touch of vintage glamour.
Furnishings will be carefully selected too. In the private lounge area, a statement armchair has been crafted by hand in tribute to the classic Orkney Chair, a heritage piece of furniture dating back over 100 years. The Royal Scotsman’s version is a refresh on the classic, with bespoke upholstering by Scottish brand, Aramanta Campbell.
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The same tartan upholstering will also cover the accompanying sofa and will depict three of the Royal Scotsman’s most iconic journeys, with its main check block made up of 37 threads – one for every year the train has toured the Scottish Highlands.
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Accommodation in one of the new Royal Scotsman Grand Suites also comes with elevated onboard experiences, including in-suite dining and access to the dedicated spa carriage (the only one of its kind in Europe), as well as private transfers to and from the train.
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“[Last year was] a stellar year for train travel with Royal Scotsman outperforming its pre-pandemic results and setting new standards for luxury journeys on rails. This year is all about elevating the onboard experience and we expect the new accommodation to generate a lot of excitement amongst our clients,” said Gary Franklin, vice president of trains & cruises at Belmond.
The two Grand Suites are already available to book for next year, with itineraries including the two-night Taste of the Highlands tour, a four-night whisky-focused trip and two seven-day Western Scenic Wonders journeys. As well as lavish onboard experiences, guests can also enjoy a series of off-board excursions such as whisky tastings, wild swimming and landmark visits.
Royal Scotsman Grand Suites from $6,345 per person, belmond.com
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