Scotland

Itinerary

Staying at The Links Hotel, Montrose (or similar) and an Inverness / Aberdeenshire Hotel our six-day tour will visit a variety of gardens, including:

Glamis Castle, wander at leisure through the Italian Garden, the Walled Garden and their extensive grounds. Our visit includes a guided tour of the Castle.

Pitmuies Garden, noted for its Long Borders of herbaceous perennials, Roses, Delphiniums and loch-side walk.

Carig Dhubh, near Pitlochry, which despite being a garden on sand and rock, grows amazing Meconopsis, climbing roses, shrubs, giant Cardiocrinum and a variety of herbaceous plants. The cakes are excellent too.

Explorer’s Garden, Pitlochry. This unique garden celebrates the fascinating lives of many Scottish “plant-hunters” including Archibald Menzies, George Forrest, David Douglas and Robert Fortune. An included guided tour will highlight their astounding lives and explain why the gardens look as they do today.

As an alternative some people may choose to visit the Pitlochry Distillery.

The Tower, Tay Bridge. A garden of many parts including a rockery, stream & waterfall, perennial borders, a vegetable garden, and hidden corners all set with spectacular views over the Tay Bridge.

Wormistoune House, described as a horticultural jewel with formal hedges, intimate garden-rooms, an elaborate thistle-shaped parterre and wildflower meadow. An absolute gem.

Cambo Gardens, a walled garden containing naturalised perennial planting, woodland borders, roses, tulips and a potager with fruit trees, fruit bushes and vegetables.

Crathes Castle, famous Walled Garden overflowing with herbaceous delights, ancient Yew hedges, rare specimen trees, and with six waymarked-trails the opportunity to see Red Squirrel, Roe Deer, Woodpeckers, Buzzards and Heron. Entry to the Castle included.

Dunrobin Castle. Designed by Sir Charles Barry, this 189 room French style chateaux with Versailles inspired gardens are considered the jewel of the Northern Highlands. An army of gardeners were originally required to tend the two walled gardens growing fruit, vegetables, and flowers for cutting plus a “back up” of nursery gardens and greenhouses. Extensive parkland with walks and coastal views across the Moray Firth to the distant Cairngorm mountains completed the grand estate. Today, much has reverted to woodland, the surviving east walled garden with its three parterres each surrounding a pool and fountain provides the perfect layout to view from the Castle. The gardens also make a fitting foreground to the panoramic view.

Many of the gardens provide delicious refreshments and the owners are often available to outline a brief history of their garden and answer questions.