Scotland’s Finest Castles and Gardens
This tour is now FULLY BOOKED. If you would like to join the wait list, please register here.
Sunday 1st – Sunday 8th September 2024 (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 and the vibrancy of Edinburgh..
- Scottish highland scenery and a visit to Inverewe Garden on the wild and beautiful north-west coast.
- Four private gardens showcasing some of Scotland’s finest contemporary gardens.
- Central Edinburgh stay with panoramic tour of Edinburgh and visit to Edinburgh Castle.
- Visit to Abbotsford, the former home of the 19th century novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott.
- A tour of Jupiter Artland with its Charles Jencks land form and collection of exceptional sculpture.
- A tour and private dinner at Cawdor Castle with its Macbeth associations.
- Scenic train journey between Inverness and Edinburgh.
- The magnificent gardens at Drummond Castle.
Photo credits: Images courtesy of VisitScotland; Durnamuck copyright Gardens Illustrated; Drummond Castle; Abbotsford.
We meet at the Doubletree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport Hotel in the late morning. From here we board our coach for our 4-hour, scenic journey to Inverness. We will make a stop for lunch (independent) at the House of Bruar with its excellent shops and restaurants.
Later, we check in to the 5-star Ness Walk Hotel, Inverness. We have dinner in the hotel (included).
Monday 2nd September
Today our first visit is to Logie House and Steading – an extensive estate originating from the 17th century with a vast array of herbaceous plants. We have free time in the Steading with its café for lunch (independent), eclectic shops and art gallery before meeting the owner for a tour of the gardens.
In the afternoon we continue to the majestic 14th century Cawdor Castle which was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor and is famed for its connections with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. We have a guided tour of the castle and time to explore the gardens before enjoying a private dinner in the castle restaurant (included).
Tuesday 3rd September
We have a very beautiful drive today, westwards across the Highlands to 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).
We continue to Durnamuck Garden, 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 and visit a second nearby private garden that they manage.
Afterwards, we return to Inverness for dinner (included) in the hotel.
Wednesday 4th September
We begin with a private garden located in a magnificent Highland glen. We have a tour of the gardens with the owner followed by lunch (included). This glorious garden is full of shrubs, herbaceous plants, specimen trees, sculptures and spectacular views down the Findhorn River.
In the afternoon we visit one of Scotland’s most exclusive castles to see its magnificent walled garden. Afternoon Tea in the garden house is included. We return to the hotel where your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Thursday 5th September
After checking out of our hotel, we make our way to Inverness station to take the scenic train journey to Perth. There is time for lunch (independent) on the train. The coach will meet us in Perth and take us to the impressive Drummond Castle gardens. We will enjoy a tour of these majestic gardens, originally laid out in 1630. This formal garden is said to be one of the finest in Europe and the largest of its type in Scotland.
In the late afternoon we check in to the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotell located on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Dinner is in the hotel (included).
Friday 6th September
Today we begin with a scenic drive through the beautiful Scottish Borders to Abbotsford, the former home of the 19th century novelist and poet, Sir Walter Scott. We have a tour of the house and garden then drive into the borders town of Melrose for lunch (independent).
In the afternoon, we see beautifully designed and planted private, contemporary garden developed around a farmstead which was rescued from dereliction. We meet the owner of this splendid garden that displays excellent structure, imaginative use of objects and eye-catching planting. Dinner is at a restaurant in Edinburgh (included).
Saturday 7th September
We begin our day with a tour of Jupiter Artland. This private collection of sculptures and land forms is situated in a 100-acre parkland surrounding a Jacobean manor house. The 35 site-specific works include pieces by Andy Goldsworthy, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Charles Jencks. Lunch is included at Jupiter Artland.
Our second stop of the day is at a private estate which has one of the best contemporary walled gardens. This stunning one-acre garden will be at its peak in early September with bold colours and innovative design. We return to Edinburgh in the afternoon and your evening is at leisure (dinner independent).
Sunday 8th September
After check out, we walk up The Royal Mile to the majestic Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city. We make a visit to the Castle, then have drinks on the terrace of our private dining room with views over the city and castle. Afternoon Tea (included) is served in the Gatehouse Suite of Edinburgh Castle. We return to the hotel to wave goodbye for your onward journeys.
NOTE: Our tour starts and ends in Edinburgh. We can assist with travel planning.
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 5-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 an indoor pool. The hotel is conveniently located for local restaurants, museums, shops and Edinburgh Castle.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £5,100 (GBP) | £750 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 7 nights’ accommodation at 4 and 5-star hotels with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 5 dinners.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- Train travel between Inverness and Perth on day five of the tour.
- An information pack with detailed booklet about the gardens we will be visiting.
- Services of your Sisley tour director throughout.
- All tour gratuities (driver, tour director and hotels).
PRICES EXCLUDE:
- Airfares.
- Travel to and from Edinburgh at the start and end of the tour.
- 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 balance payment is due 120 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.
To book your place(s) please complete our online booking form at www.sisley.co.uk/booking-form/ or click the BOOK NOW button below. As soon as we receive your booking form, we will confirm availability on the tour of your choice and arrange collection of your deposit which secures your booking.
BOOK NOWHOW TO PAY
There are three ways to pay for your tour and you will be asked on the booking form which you prefer:
With our travel partner in North America: You can book your tour in USD$ or CAD$ by credit card or check with our partners at DHTour – a London and UK specialist travel agent who can assist with all aspects of your trip. Find out more about DHTour here.
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.
With your own travel agent: We are happy to work with your preferred travel agent. Just provide us with their contact details on the booking form and we will take care of the rest.
BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Full details of our booking terms & conditions can be found at www.sisley.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website for further information www.sisley.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/
We very much look forward to welcoming you, but please email tours@sisley.co.uk if you have any queries.
