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 visit Tomatin Distillery to learn about all the stages of whisky production. Whisky production has been central to the way of life in this remote Highland area since the 15th century.

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. Disembark in the popular seaside resort of Llandudno to visit Gwydir Castle in the beautiful Vale of Conwy, in the foothills of Snowdonia. This is regarded as one of the finest Tudor houses in Wales, and is famous for its peacocks and many ghosts.

Rejoin the train for dinner.

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.

After morning coffee on board, disembark in Beddgelert to continue your journey by coach 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 Bangor for cocktails and dinner. Your evening journey takes you back into England, where you’ll stable in Gloucester overnight.

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, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a Belmond hotel. 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 Cambridge tradition as you take a punt on the River Cam.

The train departs Cambridge in early evening. 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.