ON TRACK FOR LUXURY

Angus Blackburn gets snap happy on the Royal Scotsman

The Belmond Royal Scotsman is our answer to the Orient Express: a once-in-a-lifetime slice of wonderfully ostenatious decadence. With Michelin-starred-quality food, amazing scenery and romantically old-fashioned interiors, it’s a luxury experience that attracts high-rollers from around the world. The vast majority of visitors for the excursions – which last for between two and seven nights and cost upwards of £3,000 – are from overseas, with a large number from the USA, Australia and Europe, although domestic passenger numbers have also been increasing rapidly of late.

Lacquer-polished wooden panels and warm tonal furnishings would have you believe you’re in a moving country manor, albeit on a more compact scale. As a German couple on board said ‘our cabin is wonderful – a little narrow for two but if you are not loving one another yet, you will definitely fall in love as the bed is more princess than queen size.’

To fulfil his luxury brief, Glasgow-born head chef Mark Tamburrini has served lobsters and caviar at the request of guests, while the train is also home to Europe’s first spa car, offering relaxing massages, facials and beauty treatments. This is the first time that a photographer has been allowed to document behind-the-scenes on this exclusive experience, but I found that the Royal Scotsman more than lives up to expectations.