Gardens Tours in Scotland

Scotland has a different geological structure from England. North of the Southern Upland Fault, Scotland was once part of a separate tectonic plate to England. Scotland's climate is also different: the growing season is approximately a month shorter with West Scotland wetter than England and East Scotland drier than all but the east of England. Scotland also has separate design tradition. This is more evident in architecture than in garden design but the presence of Scots baronial buildings and local constructions materials and techniques gives Scots gardens a distinctive character and, in good weather, a brilliant clarity of form and colour which sets them apart from other UK gardens.

Scotland's Gardens Scheme facilitates the opening of mostly private gardens, normally inaccessible, to the public as a means of raising money for a selection of charities. The annual handbook "Gardens of Scotland", provides information on the 400 or so gardens that open for the Scheme.

Many garden tour companies operate in Britain with the main groups of operators being based in the UK and the USA. The UK operators tend to be lower priced but do not organize travel to Britain and are likely to use larger vehicles. Independent travelers can visit many gardens, but by no means all, using public transport. Car hire is also easy. One of the difficulties for the independent traveler is that many gardens are open only on a few days per week and only in the afternoon. This makes it difficult to visit as many gardens in a day as might appear possible from their geographical proximity.

Escorted Garden Tours in Scotland

3
nights

Galloway - Arts & Gardens of Galloway

This tour includes visits to two artists gardens - Ian Hamilton Finlay's garden at Little Sparta and Edward Atkinson Hornel's garden at Broughton House. Other visits include Drumlanrig Castle, Threave, Glenwhan and Logan Botanic Garden.

 

 

3
nights

Gardens of the Far North, 16th June, 28th July and 8th September 2012

Visit enchanting castles and gardens in this unspoilt part of the world: Castle of Mey, Dunrobin Castle, Inverewe and Cawdor Castle of Macbeth fame (pictured left - copyright Cawdor Castle).

 

 

ADDERLEY TRAVEL +44 (0) 1953 606 706

Small group garden tours

Adderley Travel Limited specialise in quality, small-group (max. 12 people) garden tours throughout Britain, especially for overseas visitors to the United Kingdom.

"...I would recommend this to anyone who didn't want a big travel tour experience, loves food, wants to see the English county through lanes and paddocks, doesn't mind a laugh, and wants to be looked after..." Rosemary, Gloucester NSW 2010

Email us at info@adderleytravel.com or visit www.adderleytravel.com to see our tours.

 

Autumn Glory, 17th-21st September 2012

Subtropical Scotland: Dumfries & Galloway
This south westerly corner of Scotland is off the beaten track but, with a mild oceanic climate, is enriched by some of the loveliest gardens in the country as well as internationally renowned specialist plant nurseries. September is a great time to visit these gardens that grow a wide range of subtropical species and late summer perennials. In addition to the region’s favourable growing conditions, Dumfries & Galloway has seen a succession of imaginative and inspired gardeners, some of whom you will meet on this special tour. David Gilchrist is well known to many of you as a first rate tour leader, attentive to every detail and with wonderful plant knowledge. Native of Scotland, David is your ideal host. You will stay at The Balcary Bay Country House Hotel that takes its name from the beautiful bay on which it stands, commanding views overlooking the Solway. This is a tranquil base with excellent food and service with its own beach on which to walk each morning.