Pre Tour - September 26th - Arrive into Edinburgh International Airport and spend the day at our airport accommodation getting rested up before the tour starts the following morning. Overnight near Edinburgh Airport.

Day 1 - September 27th - This morning we meet at our Edinburgh International accommodation and then make our way into the Borders near Melrose. Our scenic journey will take us first to Peebles, made a Royal Burgh in 1152 by King David I of Scotland, Peebles has for many years been a market town cherished by locals and visitors alike, valued for its picturesque and unspoilt character. Nestled amongst the rolling Border hills in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the gorgeous Borders town of Peebles straddles the glorious River Tweed - world renowned for its salmon fishing. We then make our way to Mellerstain House where we will have lunch before a tour of one of Scotland's grandest Georgian houses designed and built by William and Robert Adam. It continues to be the residence of the Earl and Countess of Haddington. The interior decoration is opulent in a way that only the Georgians knew how to do. The rooms retain their period colour schemes, with ornate ceilings, marble busts, lots of original furniture and a large collection of paintings by Van Dyck, Ramsay, Gainsborough and many more. We then get settled into our home for the next week before a Welcoming Dinner. Overnight near Melrose. (B,L,D)

Day 2 - September 28th - We will have a relaxing day today just staying in the local vicinity. We start with a visit to Thirlestane Castle, home to the Maitland Family, one of the most able and famous in Scotland. The history of Thirlestane dates back to at least the 13th century, when a large Border fort was built on the site to defend the approach to Edinburgh from the south. The central part of the present Castle was completed in 1590, remodelled in the 1670s, and then again in the 1840s. Then we make our way back toward Peebles at Innerleithen for Afternoon Tea at Traquair House before a tour of the house. Dating back to 1107, Traquair was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings and Queens of Scotland and later a refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror. The Stuarts of Traquair were strong supporters of Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite Cause without with unwaivering loyalty. Today Catherine Maxwell Stuart, 21st Lady of Traquair lives here with her family. While here we will have Afternoon Tea. We then return home for a light supper. Dinner and Overnight near Melrose. (B,L,D)

Day 3 - September 29th - This morning we head to the coast to visit Paxton House, one of the finest examples of Neo-Palladian architecture in Scotland, was completed in 1763 for Patrick Home of Wedderburn, a member of one of the most important families in the Scottish Borders, with the primary aim of impressing a Prussian lady he aspired to marry. This was sadly not to happen and Patrick never lived in the house. Our tour of Paxton House, led by one of our trained guides, will follow the story of how the house was built and later bought by Patrick’s cousin Ninian Home in 1773. Ninian has his own rags to riches story from a disinherited father through travels in America and the Caribbean to his fortune made in sugar and nutmeg fuelled by the slave trade. After a seaside lunch at St. Abbs we make our way to St. Abbs Head National Nature Reserve. The village of St Abbs has a thriving fishing harbour, providing a home for six lobster boats who bring in daily catches of lobster and local edible crabs known as Poos! Then we visit the reserve with its breathtaking coastal headland with dramatic cliffs, famed for its seabird colonies We will get close-up views of the feathered residents at this ‘seabird city’ from spectacular cliff-top vantage points and be awed by the dramatic cliffs overlooking crystal-clear waters. Dinner on your own back at home this evening. Overnight near Melrose. (B,L)

Day 4 - September 30th - This morning we make our way to Sir Walter Scott's Home, Abbotsford. We will explore this historic house and discover a treasure trove of intriguing objects and unusual artefacts which inspired Scott’s greatest poems and novels. We will learn about Scott’s life and achievements in the exhibition and wander through the beautiful formal gardens and tranquil woodlands that wind along the River Tweed. We will have lunch here in the tearoom before making our way to Jacksons at Jedburgh where we will meet Jacksons, a hardworking, farming family welcoming you onto their Scottish Borders farm. Fenwick and Jasmine are parents to six children, ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers, who are all eager to lend a helping hand on the family farm. The farm is nestled in the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We will visit the Highland Cows on a self guided walking safari which is a great way to get up close to these majestic creatures and observe them from the safety of the purpose made walk way. We will also explore the rest of the farm while we are here so that we can also meet the goats, chickens, sheep and pigs. Then we make our way back home before dinner. Overnight near Melrose. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - October 1st - Today we will take in the Border Abbeys including Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh. Melrose, probably Scotland's most well know ruin. King Robert the Bruce's heart is buried in the abbey courtyard. This was the first monastery of the Cistercian order established in Scotland. The Cistercians were drawn to this fertile spot beside the River Tweed because of its intimate associations with the holy men St Aidan and St Cuthbert, whose monastery lay downriver at Old Melrose. Next is Dryburgh Abbey, which enjoys a mystical setting on the River Tweed. The graceful ruins of Dryburgh Abbey nestle in wooded seclusion gives you an immediate understanding of why the contemplative life of a medieval monk was attractive. Sir Walter Scott is interned here. We are then off to Jedburgh where we will have lunch before we visit Jedburgh Abbey. The abbey was established as a priory of Augustinian Canons around 1138. They came here from St Quentin Abbey, near Beauvais, France. Augustinians were priests who lived a secluded and contemplative life, but who went forth from their cloister to minister to the people. Jedburgh eventually possessed about 20 parish churches. And then back home where the Scottish Dream Tours Team will prepare our famous afternoon tea for an early dinner. Dinner and Overnight near Melrose. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - October 2nd - This morning we will take in some of the lovely villages of the Borders with a first stop in the market town of Kelso nestling in the heart of the Scottish Borders amidst the stunning surrounding countryside. Kelso is first clearly mentioned in 1128, when King David I gave the church at Calchou to French monks from Tiron. The town of Roxburgh was just across the river from his great castle, The Royal Burgh of Roxburgh and Kelso Abbey, it became one of the largest and most important towns in Scotland. The Reformation in 1559 brought an end to the abbey, but Kelso survived. Apart from the abbey ruins, the oldest building in Kelso is Turret House, built about 1678. We will then lunch in the lovely village of Hawick, frequent winner of national floral awards and the largest of the Border towns and famous for fine quality knitwear. Hawick history can be traced back to the 12th century, when King David I granted land to a Norman family, the Lovels. Today Hawick is part of the TextileTrail and the major centre for the industry in the Scottish Borders. The town therefore has many shops with a large selection of knitwear and cashmere. After a wee wander and lunch, we visit the Borders Distillery at Hawick. The Borders Distillery building is an award-winning conversion of the former Edwardian electrical works, and it is proud to be the first Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837. During our whisky distillery Tour, you will be guided through the production areas, learning the whisky making process as you go along. You will find out how we use local barley to distil Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Kerr’s Gin, and Puffing Billy Steam Vodka. Of course, we will finish with a dram in the distillery bar. We will stop in Selkirk on the way home. Dinner and Overnight near Melrose. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - October 3rd - As we are at the half way point of the tour, the entire day will be at your leisure and will be spent in and around our lovely home enjoying the house and grounds of this Magnificent B-listed Edwardian Arts & Crafts house nestled amidst spectacular landscaped grounds, with stunning original features including solid oak panelling, stained-glass windows and open fires. Beautiful traditional features blend effortlessly with contemporary touches creating a country property of elegance and character. Superbly designed with large parties in mind, the study with snooker table, large reception hall, and an extra seating area on the first floor provides ample space for everyone to spread out. With patio doors to the garden from both the dining room and kitchen, the outdoors is never far away, and with open fires in the reception hall, study and lounge there is ample space for everyone to grab a seat in front of the crackling flames. The nearby village is within walking distance and has an abundance of shops, pubs and restaurants. Overnight near Melrose. (B)

Day 8 - October 4th - Unfortunately our stay in the Scottish Borders is at its end and with an early start we make our way toward Yorkshire and our new home. We will make a few stops along the way to our first major stop of Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle. We will have afternoon tea in the tearoom and then have a tour of the museum which was created over 100 years ago by an extraordinary couple, John and Joséphine Bowes. Together they built up the greatest private collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England and constructed a magnificent building to house them in. The collection contains thousands of objects including furniture, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and many other items covering an extensive range of European styles and periods. Following our tour we continue on to our new home on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We will get settled into the house and then gather for a buffet supper. After supper you may want to take a wander through the lovely North Yorkshire town we are staying in. Pateley Bridge lies at the mouth of Nidderdale, designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town's long, narrow main street has everything you might need and more from cosy tea shops, banks, a post office and a great range of independently-run shops. It is a lovely wee place in the Dales. Dinner and Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - October 5th - After a long day yesterday we will stay fairly close to home today. This morning we visit Harewood House which sits at the heart of Yorkshire and is one of the treasure houses of England. Harewood House was built in the 18th century and has art collections to rival the finest in the land in the setting of Yorkshire’s most beautiful landscape. The house is furnished by master cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale, with interiors by the much celebrated Robert Adam, all the in the setting of 'Capability' Brown's finest landscape. We will have afternoon tea at Harewood House before making our way to Knaresborough. The exact origins of this market town of ancient walkways, cobbled alleys and secret passageways are shrouded in mystery and yet, Knaresborough has carved out a real character for itself with a Tudor prophetess, once royal castle, magnificent viaduct and breathtaking countryside views. Standing proudly above the River Nidd, this pretty little town has a lot to offer visitors from near or far. A pleasant place to spend an afternoon on the delightful promenade with a coastal feel despite being more than 60 miles from the sea making a great place to enjoy an ice-cream or indulge in the tradition English pastime of ‘simply mucking about in boats’. Dinner on your own this evening. Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L)

Day 10 - October 6th - This morning we take in some of my favourite James Herriot countryside. There are four dales -Arkengarthdale, Swaledale, Wensleydale, and Coverdale that lay closest claim to Herriot connections and we will spend the next two days exploring them. The road ascending out of Askrigg traverses a widespread, gently sloping green valley with swelling hills dotted with farms and woods, typical of Wensleydale which is tamer than the dales on either side. This pastoral area has, since the 16th century, been an area of dairy farms. Askrigg was the “set” for Darrowby in the TV series. The road running through the village is lined with 18th and 19th century stone houses. The village also claims the “Drover’s Arms”, a favourite haunt of Tristan Farnon. We will take in Swaledale Road with moors on either side, one of the most beautiful of all the Dales’ drives. Waterfalls tumble down hillsides to feed the Swale River, one of the fastest flowing in England. We will make a stop in Hawes for Lunch and a Tour at the Wensleydale Cheese Factory. A visit to Wensleydale is not complete without a visit to the Cheese Tasting Room! As we make our way back to toward home we take in the view from Gunnerside looking down into Swaledale. It was a favourite of Herriot’s. Here is where the real glory of the dale is seen. Stone walls, farms and hay barns dot the landscape. We then make our way to Richmond Town sitting high on a hilltop above the Swale River and was Herriot’s best-loved town in the Dales. He said, “Richmond appeals to me as just about the most romantic and charming town in the country”. Pub Dinner Outing and Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L,D)

Day 11 - October 7th - This morning we make our way to Thirsk which is the Darrowby of Herriot's novels. Upon arriving into Thirsk we first stop at Skeldale House at 23 Kirkgate, the actual residence and surgery in James Herriot's Darrowby which now houses The World of James Herriot Museum. The museum encompasses the very essence of the world renowned vet James Herriot. It offers visitors an unforgettable interactive experience of the life and times of a man, who became a national celebrity after the airing of the BBC drama "All Creatures Great and Small". After lunch we make our way north and through the top of the Yorkshire Dales National Park taking in the Dales’ sites most associated with Herriot TV Series in dramatic Arkengarthdale, the most northerly Pennine Dale, whose watersplash is shown in the opening credits of the TV show. The narrow bridge in the same scene frames Langthwaite, a tiny village of gray stone, weathered with the years. We then make our way to Reeth on the slopes of Calver Hill at the head of Arkengarthdale and Swaledale. Reeth’s shops, pubs, and houses portrayed various locations in filming. A house overlooking the village green became Skeldale House in the first movie. After some time to look around we then make our way back toward home before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L,D)

Day 12 - October 8th - You will have some time this morning to explore the lovely village we are staying in before we make our way to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway Station to board the First Class Compartment of a newly restored Steam Train that will take us through the lovely surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales National Park while enjoying Afternoon Tea! With its plush chestnut-leaf moquette, white antimacassars and a small table, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best views in Yorkshire from your own private compartment! After returning to the station we will explore more of the Yorkshire Dales National Park with a stop in Burnsall, one of the most beautiful villages in Wharfedale, Burnsall lies on a bend of the River Wharfe surrounded by a spectacular circle of fells. The village was originally an Anglo-Viking settlement and the parish church still contains rare Viking and Anglo-Saxon carved stones. We will also visit Malham, one of the most spectacular and most popular villages in the Dales. With dramatic limestone scenery just a stone's throw from the village centre, Malham has few equals anywhere in the UK. A gentle stroll of about half an hour from the village will bring you to Malham Cove. The Cove is a massive natural limestone crescent-shaped cliff visible for miles. A stiff climb up the steps beside it brings you to a remarkable area of limestone pavement that has featured in many movies, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. You can find some dinner on your own in Pateley Bridge this evening. Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L)

Day 13 - October 9th - Today we make our way into into York, a walled city founded by the Ancient Romans. Its huge 13th-Century Gothic Cathedral, York Minster with its medieval stained glass and two functioning bell towers. We will have a tour of the Minster before stopping for Afternoon Tea. We then visit York's Chocolate Story with a tour of the factory. We will learn how a simple cocoa bean is transformed into the finest chocolate and also discover the history of some of York’s most iconic chocolate brands. Then it’s time to master the Secrets of the Chocolatier, as we create hand-made chocolates before seeing how their very own experts do it. Watch the Chocolatiers as they showcase the art of chocolate-making and sample the fruits of their labour, fresh hand-made chocolates. You may then want to take in the City Walls that form a walkway on both sides of the River Ouse. The Monk Bar Gate houses an exhibition tracing the life of 15th-Century Plantagenet King Richard III. You will be able to find some dinner in York and then we make our way back home. Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L)

Day 14 - October 10th - This morning we make our way into the North Moors National Park with our first stop being Mount Grace Priory. This ruin of a 14th-century Carthusian Priory is England's most important, best preserved and most accessible of the medieval Carthusian Houses. It is amazing to visit individual monks cells which reflect the isolation of living as hermits and only coming together in the chapel only for the nocturnal liturgical hours, Sundays and feast-days. We then take one of my most favourite drives through Osmotherly and Hawnby and on to the lovely village of Helmsley. After exploring the village we will have Afternoon Tea in Helmsley before we visit the spectacular ruins of Rievaulx Abbey. Hidden in the deep River Rye Valley, the beautiful and tranquil abbey ruins reflect nearly one thousand years of spiritual, commercial and Romantic history. Rievaulx was one of the first Cistercian abbeys to be founded in England in around 1130, and after the dissolution, became the centre of commercial activity for many years. The abbey then entered its Romantic period when its picturesque ruins became a beacon for poets, painters, and scholars. We then return home for Dinner and Overnight Yorkshire. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - October 11th - This morning we start our journey south toward Manchester with a few stops along the way including village of Harrogate, the definitive boutique spa town in the heart of Yorkshire and what Agatha Christie's claimed to be her favourite spa town! Expect exquisite gardens, beautiful parks, handsome tree-lined boulevards and a chance to lose yourself in the vibrant charm and elegance of this North Yorkshire destination. After thoroughly exploring this delightful town we will stop at our favourite place in Harrogate for Afternoon Tea. Then we are off to Skipton to visit Skipton Castle. At the top of Skipton's main street stand the massive twin towers of the 900 year old Skipton Castle, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England! We will explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle, which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War. You can explore the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and Privy and climb from the depths of the Dungeon to the top storey of the Watch Tower! We then make our way to just outside of Manchester Airport. Farewell Dinner and Overnight near Manchester. (B,L,D)

Day 16 - October 12th - This morning we are back to Manchester International Airport for the flight home.

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