Relax in your elegant surroundings and gaze out the picture window, watching the passing scenery unfold and contemplating the gastronomic journey ahead. Within minutes, one of our liveried Stewards will carefully pour you a sparkling Mimosa cocktail as you study celebrated Head Chef Matthew Green’s sumptuous menu.
Ahead lies a journey back to the Golden Days of rail travel, a time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers. Our Executive Head Chef and his team will be hard at work in the kitchen carriage preparing a sumptuous three-course brunch and six-course dinner, accompanied by our Sommelier’s choice of wine. Each course boasts the finest seasonal ingredients from the British Isles, classic and innovative dishes are crafted in our recently refurbished kitchen carriage.
At York station we join Flying Scotsman steam locomotive, an iconic and legendary symbol of British engineering and rail travel. The engine has a distinctive green livery and has been featured in numerous films, television shows and documentaries. It has also travelled extensively across the UK and overseas, attracting fans and enthusiasts wherever it goes. The opportunity to ride behind Flying Scotsman to Edinburgh is a rare and unforgettable experience not to be missed.
Steaming towards Edinburgh a delicious three-course brunch is served as the glorious British countryside passes by. On arrival, spend your day at leisure, discover the history of the city, visit the abundance of shops and café’s or simply find a nice spot to rest and admire the views. Whatever you choose to do, spend it at your own leisurely pace.
After an incredible day we rejoin the Northern Belle for a Champagne reception, before tucking into a sumptuous six-course dinner during the leisurely journey home.
(The return journey will be hauled by one of our vintage diesel engines.)
FLYING SCOTSMAN
Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster, the first locomotive of the newly formed London and North Eastern Railway (LNER). It went into service on 24 February 1923 with number 1472. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley as part of the A1 class—the most powerful locomotives used by the LNER at that time.
By 1924, when it was selected to appear at the British Empire Exhibition in London, the loco had been renumbered 4472—and given the name 'Flying Scotsman' after the daily 10.00 London to Edinburgh rail service which started in 1862.
The British Empire Exhibition made Flying Scotsman famous, and it went on to feature in many more publicity events for the LNER. In 1928, it was given a new type of tender with a corridor, which meant that a new crew could take over without stopping the train. This allowed it to haul the first ever non-stop London to Edinburgh service on 1 May that year, reducing the journey time to eight hours.
In 1934, Scotsman was clocked at 100mph on a special test run—officially the first locomotive in the UK to reach that speed. The test run proved to the LNER's directors that steam power could provide high speeds, negating a plan for the company to use diesel power on its high-speed services.
In 2023, Flying Scotsman celebrates its centenary year. The National Railway Museum in York has crafted an extensive programme of events to celebrate this momentous milestone, including a special run of mainline tours and visits to heritage railways, the opening of a fully-immersive Flying Scotsman VR experience at the museum, and the release of a new children’s book, ‘Flying Scotsman and the Best Birthday Ever’, written by renowned author Michael Morpurgo. More details can be found at www.railwaymuseum.org.uk.
EDINBURGH
Few cities anywhere in the world can match Edinburgh, with its imposing castle perched high on the hill overlooking the wonderful Georgian architecture below. Stroll up Castle Hill, following in the footsteps of kings and queens, soldiers and even the odd pirate or two. Then visit one of the many museums, browse through the countless shops, or just stroll round the historical sights. And pay homage to Greyfriars Bobby, the faithful Skye Terrier who sat beside the grave of his master John Gray for the last 14 years of his life. Many touch the statue of Bobby’s statue believing that it will bring them luck.
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