For a celebration to remember, why not hire The Royal Scotsman for exclusive use? We spoke to one lady who recommends it.

From close friends to business colleagues, impress your nearest and dearest with a trip to remember on The Royal Scotsman. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or entertaining clients, hiring the train for exclusive use for up to 36 guests provides a memorable venue to ensure your event is a one-of-a-kind occasion that your guests will be talking about for years to come.

"We wanted a unique experience for our guests," says Mrs Roz Evans Flagg, who hired the train with her husband for her 40th birthday celebrations. "We love Scotland, with its beautiful scenery, and we'd taken a weekend trip on The Royal Scotsman before, which we thoroughly enjoyed. Train travel is a real pleasure for us and the ability to gather together a small number of friends made the party very personal."

The group met in the First Class Lounge at Edinburgh Waverley station, where the party began in fine style as a piper escorted them on board. "I don't think our guests had anticipated the level of luxury on the train until they boarded to find polished wood panels, quality toiletries and a maid service," says Mrs Evans Flagg.

"Having their own en-suite facilities made the journey extremely comfortable and gave them a peaceful room into which they could retire if the activities in the lounge were too much for them! "We had an interesting mix of guests, ranging from 10 to 64 in age, and they felt completely involved in all the activities. Without exception, they rated the weekend as one of the best they had ever had, with wonderful staff for whom nothing was too much trouble."

Travelling in late April, the party were blessed with superb weather. "One of the most pleasurable experiences was being able to stand on the outside deck at the back of the train, sipping a glass of dry white wine and surveying the beautiful Scottish countryside, hearing the familiar chugging of the train and busy chatter from our friends within the lounge," recalls Mrs Evans Flagg. "There was something tremendously intimate about knowing all the guests on board the train, from the dining car to the lounge, bumping into familiar faces in the corridors and seeing our closest friends and family enjoying an entirely different kind of party."

Mrs Evans Flagg and her husband particularly appreciated being able to plan an entirely personalised itinerary, based on what they thought their guests would like to do. They included excursions to Ballindalloch Castle, an afternoon of clay pigeon shooting and a visit to a distillery, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all. Back on the train, the fun continued, with the group being wined and dined in fine style. "The standard of food – which in our opinion deserves a Michelin star – was extremely high. We asked the chef to organise a birthday cake and, as it was just us on the train, we were able to book a magician for the final evening. He was incredibly entertaining, managing somehow or other to produce a genuine bottle of champagne from a balloon!" 

Back in Edinburgh, the trip came to the perfect end with one last personal touch. "We'd requested party bags to give to our guests as they departed, which included a Scottish cashmere scarf, teddy bear and shortbread, with a small 'thank you for coming' note enclosed," says Mrs Evans Flagg. "Those went down particularly well, even causing a couple of our guests to shed a tear! All in all, it was an experience of a lifetime and one about which we
frequently reminisce."