Royal Scotsman - Manorial estates and gardens

Departure in the early afternoon. The train heads north and crosses the magnificent Forth Railway Bridge, disembarking at Montrose to visit Pitmules Gardens near Forfar, one of Scotland's finest private gardens. You will have time to explore the gardens and take a stroll before enjoying a drink with your hosts, the Ogilvies, in their exquisite drawing room. At Montrose you return to the train and enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the observation car, followed by dinner as the train travels up the east coast through Aberdeen and into Speyside, Scotland's whiskey region, before arriving in the market town of Keith for an overnight stay.

Over a leisurely breakfast, the train travels to Inverness and on to Invergordon, where you disembark to visit the 18th century Foulis Castle, the seat of the Clan Munro. Mrs. Munro of Foulis and her son Hector, the head of the clan, will welcome you and then you can explore the grounds and the courtyard garden. Alternatively, you can join Hector in the drawing room for a whiskey tasting. Return to the train for lunch as you travel towards the Kyle of Loachalsh, passing the Torridon Mountains, Achnashellach Forest and Loch Carron. Disembark at Plockton to visit Attadale on the west coast. This magnificent estate is home to a water garden, a Japanese garden and a sunken garden, among other things. Spend the night in Kyle of Lochalsh, where an informal dinner is served, followed by coffee and liqueur in the Observation Car.

After breakfast, travel to the mystical Isle of Skye and the 2000-acre Clan Donald estate.At Kyle of Lochalsh, return to the train and enjoy a leisurely lunch as you travel part of yesterday's route to Dingwall.This evening, disembark to visit Ballindalloch Castle, one of Scotland's most romantic castles with its beautiful walled gardens. At Boat of Garten, re-board the train and travel on the private Strathespey Railway.

A coach will take you to Rothiemurchus Estate where you can visit the parkland or enjoy some of the many outdoor activities on this stunningly beautiful site at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains.Lunch will be served on the return journey to the train at Kingussie. The journey then continues south to Dunblane, where you disembark in the late afternoon and visit the last garden of the journey, Kilbryde Castle and Gardens. Return to the train in Dundee for dinner and a final night on board.

After the last tasty breakfast, the train arrives in Edinburgh at around 10:00 am.