Grand Tour of Great Britain

Spend the morning at Rothiemurchus, with various options including clay pigeon shooting and wildlife walks.

Rejoin the train and head north to Inverness, soon arriving Culloden Battlefield, where the last battle on mainland British soil took place in 1746, for a visit.

This afternoon, whisky connoisseurs can visit Strathisla Distillery, home of one of Scotland’s most famous malts, Chivas Regal, for a tasting and tour. Dinner on board and overnight stabling in Dundee.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board as the train rolls into England, past the fringes of Lake District National Park, with its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife. Afternoon walking tour of the beautiful walled city of Chester, ending with a drinks reception at the magnificent Chester Cathedral.

Rejoin the train and cross another border, this time into the Land of the Red Dragon: Wales. While dinner is served, the train wends its way through Welsh valleys to Llanrwst, where you disembark for a visit of Gwydir Castle, a fine example of a Tudor courtyard house, built around 1500.

Visit the walled town of Caernarfon, with its picturesque castle. Here your steam train awaits to transport you up into Snowdonia National Park, with its outstanding mountain scenery. The Welsh Highland Railway, hauled by one of the world’s most powerful narrow-gauge steam locomotives, climbs from sea level up to 650 feet on the lower slopes of Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales.

Travel to the Isle of Anglesey for a private tour of Plas Cadnant Estate, one of North Wales’ best-kept secrets.

Return to the mainland and re-join the train in time for dinner.

Breakfast is served as the train heads south to the spa city of Bath. This UNESCO World Heritage site has some of the most magnificent Georgian buildings anywhere in the UK. Take a guided tour around the Roman Baths, built around Britain’s only hot spring. Free time to wander around the city and indulge in some of the stylish shops.

Rejoin the train for a light lunch, with time to relax before disembarking in Oxford for dinner at one of the UK’s finest country house hotels, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. This gorgeous manor house is also home to one of the UK’s best restaurants, under the watchful eye of chef/ patron, the renowned Raymond Blanc. Return to the train for after-dinner drinks.

Morning exploration of Cambridge, home to the historic Corpus Christi college, including the Parker library, with its medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. Enjoy a leisurely punt on the River Cam. Overnight stabling in Scarborough.

Breakfast is served en route to the Roman walled city of York, where you have a guided tour or free time to explore. Take in the splendor of York Minster, the largest Gothic Cathedral in Northern Europe.

Re-join the train as we travel up through Northumberland into Alnmouth, where we disembark for a private viewing of Alnwick Castle followed by an exclusive farewell dinner. Alnwick Castle was first built over 900 years ago, to keep the Scots out of England. Thankfully today’s proprietors are more welcoming! Rejoin the train for your final night on board.

After breakfast, return to Edinburgh mid-morning.