Scotland’s Finest Castles and Gardens – this tour is now FULLY BOOKED. If you would like to join a waiting list for this tour please email us on tours@sisley.co.uk
Sunday 10th – Sunday 17th September 2023 (7 nights)
This spectacular tour explores the very best castles and gardens in Scotland, as well as following some of its most scenic driving routes through the Scottish borders and highlands. Expect majestic castles, beautiful planting schemes, private gardens, the vibrancy of Edinburgh and the luxury of one of Scotland’s most acclaimed new hotels.
- Scottish highland scenery and a visit to Inverewe Garden on the wild and beautiful north-west coast.
- Central Edinburgh stay with panoramic tour of Edinburgh and visit to Edinburgh Castle.
- Floors Castle and gently rolling border country scenery.
- Four private gardens showcasing some of Scotland’s finest contemporary gardens.
- A tour and private dinner at Jupiter Artland to see the Charles Jencks sculpture.
- A visit to Cawdor Castle with its Macbeth associations.
- Scenic train journey between Inverness and Edinburgh.
Photo credits: Images courtesy of VisitScotland, Floors Castle, Jupiter Artland and Greywalls.
We meet at the Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport Hotel in the late morning. From here we board our coach for the journey to Inverness. It is a drive of around 4 hours so all you have to do is enjoy the Scottish scenery and relax. We will make a lunch stop at the House of Bruar. Later, we check into the 5-star Ness Walk Hotel, Inverness. We have dinner in the hotel (included).
Monday 11th September
Today we visit two inspired private highland gardens. The first, Logie House and Steading is an extensive estate originating from the 17th century, with a vast array of herbaceous plants. We meet the owner before strolling down to the steading with its eclectic shops and art gallery.
In the afternoon we visit a private garden located in a magnificent highland glen, at 1200 feet above sea level. It is a glorious garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, rhododendrons, trees and spectacular views down the Findhorn River. We meet the owners for lunch (included) and a walk through the gardens before returning to Inverness, where your evening is at leisure.
Tuesday 12th September
We have a beautiful drive across the highlands to the west coast today, to see two of Scotland’s most intriguing gardens. We visit Inverewe Garden, a lush garden full of unusual and wonderful plants which thrive thanks to the warmth of the Gulf Stream. We have lunch at Inverewe (independent).
Durnamuck Garden is our next stop. This is a private, coastal, plantsman’s garden on Little Loch Broom with stunning views. We meet the owners to hear how they developed this unique space.
We return to our hotel where dinner is included.
Wednesday 13th September
This morning we visit a castle famed for its connections with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Cawdor Castle, which dates from the late 14th century, was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. Today, three immaculate gardens surround the castle. We have a guided tour of the castle and time to explore the gardens before enjoying drinks in the garden and lunch (included).
In the afternoon we return to Inverness for time to relax or enjoy a stroll along the river into town. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the vibrant restaurants in Inverness.
Thursday 14th September
After checking out of our hotel, we make our way to Inverness station to catch the train back to Edinburgh – a most scenic journey. In the afternoon, we visit Jupiter Artland. This private collection of sculptures is situated in 100-acre parkland surrounding a Jacobean manor house. The 35 site-specific works include pieces by Andy Goldsworthy, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Charles Jencks.
We will enjoy an early supper here (included), then check into the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel, located on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Friday 15th September
Today we take a scenic drive south of Edinburgh through the beautiful Scottish Borders to Floors Castle, the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe and Scotland’s largest inhabited castle. Here we meet the head gardener for a private guided tour of the walled gardens, followed by free time to visit the castle and have lunch (independent).
Our second stop today is to a private estate, which has one of the best contemporary walled gardens in the UK. This stunning one-acre walled garden will be at its peak in early September with bold colours and innovative design. Dinner is included at the hotel in Edinburgh.
Saturday 16th September
This morning we make a visit to a most attractive private, contemporary garden planted around a farmstead, rescued from dereliction. We meet the owner of this splendid garden that displays excellent structure, imaginative use of objects and eye-catching planting.
We continue onto Greywalls, a luxury hotel that overlooks Muirfield Golf Course. This attractive Edwardian house was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901, and the 6-acre formal gardens are attributed to Gertrude Jekyll. After lunch in the garden room (included), we will enjoy a guided tour of the gardens with the head gardener. We return to Edinburgh mid-afternoon where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Sunday 17th September
Our final day starts with a visit to the majestic Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh. We’ll then enjoy our final lunch together (included) at Edinburg Castle in the private Gatehouse Suite before waving goodbye for your onward journeys.
NOTE: Our tour starts and ends in Edinburgh. We can assist with travel planning. This tour can be combined with our Yorkshire & Lake District tour to create a fascinating 2 weeks exploring the north of the UK.
Please read our Tour Joining and Departure Arrangements information sheet here. To download a printable version of this itinerary, click here.
Our Hotels
Our hotels are 4 and 5-star and selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access.
Ness Walk, Inverness (4 nights)
Ness Walk is a luxury hotel in Inverness with stunning five-star accommodation and sumptuous dining in the Torrish Restaurant. In a central, yet tranquil location on the banks of the River Ness, the interiors reflect the seasonal landscape with a flow of soft colours and textiles..
This comfortable and well appointed hotel is designed to blend into the surrounding medieval architecture with its own 16th century-style façade. The hotel is situated in the very heart of the ‘Old Town’ and offers all modern facilities within, including indoor pool.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £4,700 (GBP) | £750 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 7 nights’ accommodation at 4 and 5-star hotels with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).
- Train travel between Inverness and Edinburgh.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- Gift information pack with detailed information about the gardens we will be visiting.
- Services of your Sisley tour director throughout
PRICES EXCLUDE:
- Airfares.
- Passport and/or visa fees if applicable.
- Meals not included in the tour, drinks, laundry, and telephone calls.
TOUR PAYMENT: A 10% non-refundable deposit is requested at the time of booking to secure your place on the tour. Your tour balance payment is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION:You can get an idea of the cost of the tour in your local currency by using a currency converter. Conversion rates are based on institutional or inter-bank daily rates. Retail conversion rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.
You can book and pay for your tour in three ways:
With your own travel agent: You can book a Sisley Garden Tour in your local currency through your own travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details in your booking form and we will take care of the rest.
With our travel partner in the USA: After 20 happy years of partnership, Worldwide Traveler has retired as our US travel partner. We are currently seeking to appoint a new representative to work with in the US. Please contact us for details.
With Sisley Garden Tours: All clients are welcome to book a tour directly with us. We can accept payment in GBP£ by bank transfer or by credit/ debit card.
Book nowFull details of our booking Terms & Conditions can be found at here. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section for further information.
We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries.
