Gardens of Scotland

Specialtours explores the gardens of Southern Scotland.

This itinerary starts in Edinburgh, with excursions to gardens near the capital, continuing to stay at a country house hotel in the scenic Scottish Borders and, for small parties, on the Dumfries House estate. From the classic walled gardens of ancestral estates, originally for fruit and vegetables, to contemporary sculpture gardens and ‘land art’, we will be shown around by knowledgeable and enthusiastic owners and head gardeners.

THE ITINERARY
Day 1
EDINBURGH
AM
Arrive Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport and transfer by private coach to a five star hotel in Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town
PM
Lunch at leisure
Guided walking tour
Welcome drinks and introductory lecture on ‘The Gardens of Southern Scotland’
Dinner at the hotel
Day 2
EDINBURGH
AM
Day 3
EDINBURGH
AM
Leave for an orientation drive of the city, including the Old Town and Castle
Visit the Royal Botanic Garden
Continue to a private home for lunch and a tour of the garden
PM
Return to the hotel for time at leisure
PM
Private evening tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, moored at Leith
Dinner at a restaurant in the Old Town
Day 3
FIFE/PERTHSHIRE
AM
Drive North over the new Forth Road Bridge
Visit the vast walled garden of a privately-owned castle, known for Montana clematis
Continue to visit a beautiful woodland garden, followed by lunch with the owners
PM
Return to the hotel
Dinner at the Scotch Whisky Society
Day 4
EAST LOTHIAN
AM
Drive to East Lothian
Visit one of Scotland’s most exciting contemporary garden projects
Followed by a stunning private walled garden, water garden and woodland
PM
Lunch at Greywalls overlooking Muirfield championship golf course, followed by a walk through the Gertrude Jekyll garden rooms
Return to Edinburgh
Dinner independently
Day 5
THE BORDERS
AM
Visit the award-winning sculpture garden Jupiter Artland
Continue to The Borders
Lunch privately in the Queen’s House Garden Room at Floors Castle
PM
Tour the walled garden, explore the grounds and visit the Castle
Check into a luxurious country house hotel
Dinner in the dining room
Day 6
THE BORDERS
AM
Drive along the River Tweed, to visit an impeccably maintained private garden with large Victorian glasshouses containing an Italianate Grotto
Visit a beautiful informal private garden, followed by lunch with owners
PM
Continue to the Botanic Garden at Dawyck for a guided visit
Return to the hotel
Drinks with a piper performance and dinner at the hotel
Day 7
THE BORDERS
AM
Visit the gardens of one of Scotland’s great Georgian houses, still in private hands
Continue to a romantic private garden with a superb rose collection
Lunch with the owners
PM
Leave for Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott
Guided tour of the house and walk through the walled garden
Return to the hotel for dinner
Day 8
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
AM
Drive West to Dumfries and Galloway
By special arrangement visit a garden which is rarely opened to the public
Lunch nearby
PM
Continue to a land art project by the landscape architect Charles Jencks
Stay in the guestrooms of Dumfries House Lodge, on the estate
Dinner at the lodge or Woodlands restaurant
Day 9
AYRSHIRE
AM
Tour of Dumfries House Estate including the recently restored walled garden
Leave for a private home with an Arcadian woodland garden
Lunch at a country inn
PM
Return to the lodge for time at leisure
Private evening visit to Dumfries House, followed by dinner in the Library, by special arrangement
Day 10
GLASGOW
AM
Leave for Glasgow Airport for return flights

  • SPECIALTOURS’ CONTACTS ARE THE BEST. THEIR HOTEL CHOICES ARE PERFECT….. RESTAURANTS ARE DIFFERENT AND INTERESTING, LOCAL AND DELICIOUS. NO DETAIL IS LEFT TO CHANCE AND GLITCHES DISAPPEAR BEFORE THE TRAVELLERS EVEN NOTICE. IN THE NICEST WAY, THEY RUN A TIGHT SHIP.

     Pam Niner Organizer of Private Tours Board Member, The Visiting Committee of the Garden Club of America

FULLY PROTECTED

SPECIALIST EXPERTISE

AWARD-WINNING SERVICE