I nevitably, given that we are on the grandly upholstered Belmond Royal Scotsman, a sister train to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the conversation soon turns to who the murderer might be. With fellow passengers including an American tycoon or two, a doctor at St Bart’s Hospital, one of the writers of Family Guy and a cricketing legend, there will be no shortage of characterful suspects should some Hamish McPoirot ask us to assemble in the observation carriage for a big reveal at the journey’s end. Although from diverse professional worlds, our fellow travellers all have one thing in common: they’re foodies and oenophiles.
(The former England batsman, for instance, set up a company that organises gastronomic trips abroad, accompanied by star chefs.) We have come together to embark on a epicurean adventure in the Highlands, which involves drinking rare malt whiskies as well as fine wines, and being served dishes prepared by a Michelin-starred chef using local ingredients, from hand-dived scallops and fresh samphire to Aberdeen Angus beef..