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“More coffee?” A waiter hovers at my elbow, ready to whisk my empty cup away.
It’s tempting, but my Arbroath smokies (locally smoked haddock) are coming. I have already done justice to a big bowl of oatmeal laced with the chef’s secret ingredient. What is it? I ask. The same waiter bends towards me, “Highland whisky liqueur,” he whispers back with a grin.
This would not be remarkable – just another top hotel brekkie, really – except we are travelling on an Orient Express train, the Royal Scotsman, rattling past one of the best breakfast views on earth.
Beside us lies Loch Carron with the white houses of the tiny village of Plockton (setting for the TV series Hamish Macbeth) just blotching into the distance. Metres away the water is silky in the early morning light. Feathers of mist still cling to the nearest pine-covered hilltops. This is the land of Scotland’s bard – Robbie Burns' country.
Robert Burns was born in the far south of Scotland, yet his ghost seems to stride the highlands. As the Royal Scotsman clicketty-clacks over the countryside he knew so well, it's hard not to hum Auld Lang Syne. Determined that 'old acquaintance should not be forgotten' Scottish Tourism has designated this year, 2009, the 250th anniversary of his birth, Homecoming Scotland.
Even boarding the train had been exciting. After meeting in the First Class Lounge at Edinburgh’s Waverley station we were led to the platform by our host, an urbane ex-army officer, on-hand specifically to be our guide and group companion.
On the red carpet stood a busby-topped bagpiper, clad in full tartan, his cheeks bursting. Scotland’s unique soundtrack filled the cavernous station as he piped us aboard.
That’s just the beginning of this story. Castles, lochs, distilleries, a knees-up ceilidh, and more food and wine (and whisky!) than you could shake a bagpipe at.
A trip on the Royal Scotsman is a perfect blend of past and present as you and your select group of fellow-passengers clicketty-clack along the rails.
Five-star amenities, attentive staff. That’s what wins people. Royal treatment, all the way.
©Sally Hammond 2009
Story runs to around 1000 words, but can be adapted to length required. Factfile updated when story is commissioned.
Pictures available.
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