Ep 23. Episode 23

Antiques Road Trip is a British television program where two antiques experts travel around the UK in a vintage car, on a mission to uncover hidden gems and collectibles from antique shops, markets, and private sellers. The show's fifth season, episode 23 sees the two experts, presenter Margie Cooper and antique dealer James Braxton, venture into the rugged landscape of Scotland, on a hunt for valuable antiques and historical artefacts.

The episode kicks off with Margie and James setting off from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, in their classic MG Midget car, and heading to the picturesque village of Fettercairn. Here, they visit an antique shop run by dealer Paul Davidson. Margie is on the lookout for ceramics, while James is hoping to find some quirky items that will catch the eye of serious collectors.

After browsing through the shop's extensive collections, James unearths a bizarre, life-sized model of a man, apparently used in a high-end fashion store to display Diesel clothing. Margie, meanwhile, discovers a cache of Scottish pottery, including a beautifully crafted porcelain jug with hand-painted landscape scenes. Both items are worth a considerable amount, and the experts are keen to add them to their collection.

Next, they make their way to the nearby town of St. Andrews, famous for its medieval architecture and golf courses. Here, they head to the St. Andrews Antiques Centre, a vast emporium housing hundreds of antique dealers. Margie is immediately drawn to a collection of vintage postcards depicting seaside resorts from the 1920s, while James sets his sights on a rare Georgian tea caddy, made from exotic woods and inlaid with intricate geometrical patterns.

After freshening up with a traditional Scottish breakfast, the duo heads to the Caledonian Railway Station in Brechin, Angus, a grand Victorian building that houses a remarkable collection of railway memorabilia, including steam engines, carriages, and signal boxes. Margie expresses enthusiasm for the beautifully restored interiors of the carriages and platforms, while James marvels at the complex engineering of the steam engines.

Their next stop is the market town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire, where they visit the Huntly Auction Mart, one of the country's largest weekly auctions. Margie and James look for bargains among the vast array of lots on offer, from 18th-century furniture to vintage jewellery. Margie is smitten with a delicate, hand-painted Chinese vase, while James is intrigued by a mysterious, ancient-looking sword of unknown origin.

The final stop of the day is at a stately home in rural Aberdeenshire, where Margie and James meet Charles Grant-Suttie, a member of the local gentry and an avid collector of antiques. The experts have been given permission to peruse his private collections, which include rare books, 18th-century furniture, and ornate fossils. Margie is impressed by an exquisite diamond-encrusted brooch, while James sets his sights on an imposing bust of Julius Caesar, crafted from pristine marble. As the day draws to a close, they bid farewell to their gracious host and head back to Blairgowrie, eagerly anticipating the next day's adventures.

Antiques Road Trip season 5 episode 23 is a thrilling and insightful journey through some of Scotland's most picturesque and historic locations, showcasing the incredible range and depth of antiques and collectibles that are waiting to be discovered. Margie Cooper and James Braxton are friendly, knowledgeable experts who are passionate about their work, making for a highly enjoyable viewing experience that is sure to appeal to antiques lovers and history buffs alike.