Scotland’s Finest Castles and Gardens
Thursday 3rd – Thursday 10th September 2026 (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 garden design.
- Central Edinburgh stay with walking tour of the Royal Mile 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 lunch at Cawdor Castle with its Macbeth associations.
- The magnificent gardens at Drummond Castle.
Photo credits: Edinburgh skyline ©VisitScotland; Jupiter Artland ©Allan Pollock courtesy of Jupiter Artland; Abbotsford ©The Abbotsford Trust; Cawdor Castle ©VisitScotland/Kenny Lam all other images ©Sisley Garden Tours.
We meet at the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel located on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh at 9.30am.
We walk up The Royal Mile together to the majestic Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city. Enjoy a tour of the castle with your tour director before some free time for private exploration. We then meet for drinks on the terrace of our private gatehouse dining room with views over the city and castle. Afternoon Tea (included) is served in the Gatehouse Suite.
Following our visit to the castle, you will enjoy some free time to explore Edinburgh before returning to the hotel for check in and dinner (included).
Friday 4th September
We begin our day with a tour of Jupiter Artland. This incredible 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.
In the afternoon, we see a 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.
We return to the hotel where your evening and dinner is at leisure with opportunity to explore the many wonderful bars and restaurants on our doorstep (independent).
Saturday 5th September
This morning we enjoy 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 this fascinating house and garden then drive into the borders town of Melrose with time for lunch (independent).
Our second stop of the day is at a private estate which has one of the best contemporary walled gardens in the UK. 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 for dinner in a renowned local restaurant (included).
Sunday 6th September
After checking out of our hotel, we journey north, and head to the impressive Drummond Castle gardens. We will enjoy an introductory talk about 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.
After our visit to Drummond, we stop for a light lunch (included) before continuing our journey north. Later, we check in to the 5-star Ness Walk Hotel, Inverness. Dinner is in the hotel (included).
Monday 7th September
After a leisurely start, we explore 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 lunch in the castle restaurant (included).
In the afternoon, we visit Old Allangrange Farm to see their two delightful gardens and sample their award-winning beers created in the micro-brewery on site.
We return to the hotel where your evening and dinner is at leisure (independent) with the opportunity to explore Inverness and its many restaurants.
Tuesday 8th 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 time for 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 9th September
Today, our morning visit is to a private garden, located in a magnificent Highland glen. We have a tour of the gardens with the owners on arrival followed by lunch (included). This glorious garden is full of shrubs, herbaceous plants, specimen trees, sculptures and spectacular views down the Findhorn River.
Afterwards, we visit Clava Cairns, a well-preserved and ancient burial site.
In the afternoon we visit one of Scotland’s most exclusive castles to see its stunning walled garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith. A late Afternoon Tea in the Steading is included.
Thursday 10th September
After check out we commence our journey back to Edinburgh. En route we make a stop at The House of Bruar with its excellent shops and restaurants. There is time for lunch (independent).
We then visit a private garden for our final afternoon visit before returning to Edinburgh where we will drop off at the Radisson Blu Hotel in the late afternoon where our tour ends.
Note: Some garden visits await final confirmation at the time of publication. Our tour starts and ends in Edinburgh. We can provide advice on 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 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.
The Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh (3 nights)
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.
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.
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 10% 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 via secure online payment link.
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.
TRAVEL INSURANCE AND BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
It is mandatory for all overseas visitors to the UK to have travel insurance before joining our tours. 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.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £5,990 (GBP) | £1,270 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE:
- 7 nights’ accommodation at 4 and 5-star hotels with en-suite facilities.
- Breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
- All garden visits including tours with garden owners and head gardeners.
- Deluxe coach travel with professional driver.
- 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.
