Scotland’s Finest Castles and Gardens
Sunday 24th – Saturday 30th June 2018 (6 nights)
- Two-night stay at the world renowned 5-star Gleneagles resort
- Central Edinburgh stay and panoramic tour of Edinburgh
- Stunning scenic drives through the Scottish Borders, the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond
- Seven exclusive private visits: Portmore, Carolside, Stobshiel House, Greywalls, Jupiter Artland, Broadwoodside and Drummond Castle
- Private lunches at Greywalls, Carolside, Jupiter Artland and Glamis Castle
- Private tour of Hill House, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece
- Visits to the fairytale Castles of Glamis & Floors
Our tour starts in the early afternoon at our base for the first four nights of the tour, the 4-star Radisson Blu Hotel, on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile in the heart of the city. From here we’ll take a panoramic coach tour of Edinburgh. There will be time at the end of the tour to visit Edinburgh Castle (independent). Dinner at the hotel (included).
Monday 25th June
Today we take a scenic drive south of Edinburgh into 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.
In the afternoon we visit Carolside, a beautiful private garden featuring delicate herbaceous borders and a national collection of pre-1900 Gallica roses. The romantic garden surrounds the 18th century mansion which nestles in a bend of the River Leader. Lunch with the owners at Carolside is included.
After lunch we visit Stobshiel House, a beautiful private garden made up of two contrasting parts: a formal walled garden; and a wilder, less formal garden to the south.
We return to Edinburgh where the evening is at leisure – an opportunity to explore the many cafes and restaurants on our hotel’s doorstep.
Tuesday 26th June
We begin the day with a private visit to Jupiter Artland, situated a short distance from Edinburgh. This private collection of sculptures is situated in a 100 acre parkland surrounding a Jacobean manor house. The thirty four works include pieces by Andy Goldsworth, Ian Hamilton Finlay and Charles Jencks. We will have lunch here (included).
In the afternoon we make a visit to the privately owned Portmore Gardens near Peebles. Created by the current owners over the last 20 years, these extensive formal gardens feature a large walled garden, Victorian glass-house with shell-grotto, water garden and woodland walks. We’ll enjoy afternoon tea at Portmore House (included).
Your evening is at leisure in Edinburgh.
Wednesday 27th June
This morning we make a private visit to Broadwoodside – one of Scotland’s finest contemporary gardens 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 proceed onto Greywalls for lunch (included). This impressive Edwardian house was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1901. The 6 acre formal gardens are attributed to Gertrude Jekyll and are today beautifully maintained. Now a luxury hotel, Greywalls overlooks Muirfield Golf Course with stunning views over the Firth of Forth.
We return to Edinburgh mid-afternoon with the rest of the day at leisure to explore the Scottish capital. Your evening is at leisure.
Thursday 28th June
We check out of our hotel and make a visit to Hill House, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh masterpiece on a grand scale. Here we will enjoy a private guided tour of the house, followed by free time to explore the delightful gardens that have been restored in line with the early designs and reflect the palette of Mackintosh colours.
We continue into The Trossachs National Park – Scotland’s first National Park – for lunch overlooking Loch Lomond (included). In the afternoon we enjoy a scenic drive with rocky peaks, sprawling glens and placid water along the banks of Loch Lomond and Loch Earn.
We check-in to our luxury 5-star hotel, Gleneagles surrounded by stunning grounds and two championship golf courses. There is also a fabulous spa to enjoy. Dinner in the hotel (included).
Friday 29th June
Our first visit of the day is to Drummond Castle. We’ll enjoy a private garden tour of these impressive 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.
Glamis Castle is our next destination, home to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and beloved childhood home of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Here we’ll enjoy lunch (included) a castle tour, and a delightful talk from the Head Gardener.
We return to Gleneagles for our final night dinner (included).
Saturday 30th June
We leave Gleneagles mid-morning and return to Edinburgh, making drop-offs at Edinburgh Airport and in Edinburgh city centre. We can advise on departure planning.
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Our Hotels
Our hotels are 4-star and 5-star and are selected for their high standards of comfort and service. All rooms are en-suite and offer free wi-fi access.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh is designed to blend into the surrounding medieval architectural with its own 16th-century style façade. This hotel is situated in the very heart of the city is within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle, National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh’s famous shopping thoroughfare, Princes Street. The Radisson Blu offers all modern facilities within, including bar, lounge, fitness centre and indoor pool.
Gleneagles is a 5-star luxury resort set within its own estate in Perthshire, offering the highest levels of comfort and style. When Gleneagles opened in 1924 it was described as ‘a Riviera in the Highlands’ – today it remains dedicated to excellence, just as it was in its earliest days. Some of the many facilities available to guests include the luxury spa with three pools, tennis courts, pitch & putt and falconry.
| Tour cost per person (sharing twin or double room) | Single Supplement (for single occupancy of a double room) |
| £2,750 (GBP) | £600 (GBP) |
PRICES INCLUDE: Accommodation at 4-star and 5-star hotels with en-suite facilities based on twin/double room share; buffet breakfast daily; lunch and/or dinner daily; admissions to castles and gardens; deluxe coach travel with professional driver; guided tours and speakers as described in an information pack provided at the start of the tour; services of your Sisley tour director throughout.
PRICES EXCLUDE: Airfares; passport and/or visa fees; beverages; laundry; telephone calls; lunches and dinners (except where included in the itinerary); gratuities; souvenirs and items of a personal nature. Transfers to and from Edinburgh at the beginning and end of the tour.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION: You can get an idea of the cost of the tour in your local currency by using our currency converter below. Conversion rates are based on institutional or inter-bank daily rates. Retail conversation rates include fees and will generally differ from these rates.
Free currency converter provided by Foreign Exchange Resource.
We are delighted you’ve decided to join a Sisley Garden Tour. There are several ways to book:
- You can book directly through Sisley Garden Tours
- You can book through our appointed agents in Canada or USA – details below
- You can ask your local travel agent to contact us and book on your behalf
- We can also offer Bespoke Tours for small groups (minimum 10). Please contact us with your requirements.
We very much look forward to welcoming you.
Meet Fran and Colette, Sisley Garden Tours, England.
