Travelling in luxury to Edinburgh

For a shared early Christmas present to each other, earlier in the summer we booked ourselves tickets on an exclusive rail trip to the Edinburgh Christmas markets. We'd chosen this trip from a specialist website who offers other similar day trips and even short breaks by rail, many of which are hauled by steam, and we were very much looking forward to the experience. So, despite the early start for a Saturday, by 8:45 we were eagerly waiting on the platform, scanning the horizon down the track for the tell-tale plume of smoke signifying the approach of our train.

At about the time our train was due, a speck appeared far down the line; but as there was no smoke, we concluded it was just a regular service. But as it came closer it became clear it was a spruced-up diesel engine from the 70s and it was indeed pulling our train. Our disappointment soon passed though as we stepped on board our Pullman dining carriage, where we were greeted by immaculately dressed staff who sat us down at a sumptuous breakfast table and served us a glass each of bucks fizz as our journey commenced.

Over the next hour or so, we were treated to a hearty breakfast of cereals, smoked salmon, full English, croissants and toast and marmalade, washed down with plenty of coffee. Suitably stuffed, we relaxed in oversized comfy seats as the train sped northwards. As we crossed the border into Scotland, more coffee and a selection of pastries and biscuits kept us topped up into Waverley station.



We spent the afternoon with the crowds along Princes Street, watching the big wheel and then the skating in Waverley Gardens and enjoyed a gluhwein in the German markets. There were thousands of people in town, so after a while we left the markets behind and walked up George Street and back to the station in plenty of time for our return journey.


The train home was just as special, with a fabulous four course meal washed down with champagne and wine, rounding off a wonderful day.