Glorious and Grand - A Private Garden Tour

The adventure begins as you board Royal Scotsman at Edinburgh Waverley Station, ready for departure in the early afternoon. Travel towards Alnmouth on the east coast for your first stop: a visit to Alnwick Castle. Known to many as a Harry Potter movie location, the majestic estate is home to fascinating and flourishing gardens transformed by the Duchess of Northumberland. Wondrous features include the Grand Cascade, Bamboo Labyrinth and Treehouse. Enjoy canapés and drinks in the castle before stepping out on a tour with the head gardener.

Back on board, enjoy a delicious informal dinner as you journey south to your destination for tonight, Scarborough, a pretty seaside resort on the North Yorkshire coast.

Unwind this morning with a leisurely breakfast on board as Royal Scotsman travels along the Settle to Carlisle Railway. Look out as we cross the iconic arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct, the perfect time to head to the observation veranda!

An early lunch is served before you disembark in Hexham to visit nearby Chipchase Castle and Gardens. Explore the grounds and architecture of this imposing Jacobean Mansion, and revel in splendid views across the River Tyne.

Dinner this evening is informal, followed by live music in the Observation Car.

Today’s adventure takes you Derwentwater, a spectacular expanse of water nestled in the heart of the Lake District. Spend the morning exploring the charms of this cherished location - an inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’..

Lunch is served at the home of Lord and Lady Inglewood, followed by a private tour of their historic estate, Hutton-in-the-Forest.

Return to the train to indulge in an informal dinner as we travel northwards to stable for the night.

Continue north this morning, back over the Scottish border to Dumfries & Galloway.

Disembark the train to tour the Garden of Cosmic Speculation, based at the home of the late Charles Jencks, a landscape architect and postmodern theorist.

After lunch on board disembark in Sanquhar to see Drumlanrig Castle, the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry.

Return to the train for your final dinner, a formal affair and indulgent delight! Then make your way to the Observation Car for a farewell nightcap.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast as the train makes its way back to Edinburgh.