Gardens of South West Scotland

Date: Thursday 5th - Sunday 8th August, 2010

Cost: €545 per person sharing

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH GARDEN MAGAZINE

Itinerary:

We repeat this tour that was new to our programme in 2009 visiting a part of Scotland that is sometimes ignored but praised by all for its scenery and gardens.

Thursday, August 5th
Meet Frances in Dublin at 08.00 am at The Gresham Hotel in O’Connell Street where we board our private coach. With a short stop en route, we travel to Belfast and embark on Stena Line Ferry for our short journey to Stranraer. On arrival, we visit our first garden, Castle Kennedy, this picturesque ruin is situated on a peninsula and, thanks to the Gulf Stream has a unique micro climate. It is surrounded by a richly planted walled garden which in turn is encircled by formal gardens. We are based at the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer. Dinner as a group each evening.
www.northwestcastle.co.uk

Friday, August 6th
This morning, we visit the private garden of Tessa & Bill Knott - Glenwhan– a magical 12 acre garden with breathtaking views over Luce Bay. Vast collections of trees, shrubs and herbaceous arranged around a series of lakes and bog gardens.
A contrast in the afternoon, when we visit Culzean Castle – a gothic Robert Adam house in a splendid cliff top location – 40 acres of gardens which feature an orangery, pagoda, fountains and walled garden.

Saturday, August 7th
We start today with a visit to Cally House. This specialist nursery has not only stock beds and trial grounds but magnificent borders showcasing over 4000 varieties of plants. We then visit Threave Gardens, a National Trust of Scotland garden which is used as a school of horticulture. Our final visit of the day is to Broughton House. The artist, E.A. Hornet, created this 1.5 acre garden in the early 20th century and fused old world cottage charm with fantasy Japanese elements. Free time in Kirkcudbright to explore this delightful, coastal fishing village, known as ‘The Artist’s Town”.

Sunday, August 8th
After a leisurely breakfast we check out of the hotel and travel to the renowned Logan Botanic Gardens, probably the most exotic garden in Scotland. Caressed by the Gulf Stream, it specialises in southern hemisphere plants, with majestic tree ferns adding scale and structure to the luxuriantly planted walled garden with its magnificent herbaceous borders. Our ferry departs from Stranraer at 14.50 so we expect to arrive back in Dublin at approximately 8pm.

Frances MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide, escorts this tour; she will be available at all times to help and advise you.

Further details from: Frances MacDonald (tours@thebaygarden.com)

Cost includes ferry, all private coach transfers, garden entrance fees and bed, breakfast, and dinners in hotel.

COST: €545.00 per person sharing

Single Supplement: €60.00

Deposit: €200.00 – Payable to Bay Garden Tours.

Itinerary subject to change