Glorious Gardens of the North

A FIVE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 19 JUNE 2023

Despite its northerly latitude, the Highlands of Scotland, warmed by the effects of the Gulf Stream and cultivated by some of the country’s most skilled and passionate horticulturalists, is home to a surprising diversity of gardens. In the company of local expert Paddy Scott, we will visit a number of private gardens, some of which are rarely open to the public, and enjoy guided tours with the owners and gardeners themselves.

the itinerary

Dundonnell Garden

1

Please make your own way to Bunchrew House Hotel (4*) near Inverness, where we stay for the duration of the holiday. The hotel is located on the banks of the Beauly Firth, ten minutes by taxi from Inverness train station and about 30 minutes from the airport. Speak to a member of the Kirker team if you would like assistance with flights or rail travel to Inverness.

2

On our first day in the north of Scotland we will visit two private gardens close to Inverness. The first is Glenkyllachy Lodge, in a remote highland glen at an altitude of 1150ft, where a glorious haven of shrubs, herbaceous plants and rhododendrons surround two ponds with a backdrop of a hillside covered with juniper and birch. We then visit a remarkable hillside garden on the banks of the Moray Firth. Despite an apparently inhospitable setting, we will find a truly memorable garden – terraces and paths traverse the steep slope, with trees, shrubs and clever plantings of perennials and annuals along with grasses and bamboo as well as a charming small pond and cascade.

3

Today we visit two magnificent castle gardens. Dunbeath Castle, situated in a stunning coastal position in Caithness, has two outstanding walled gardens, one re-designed by Xa Tollemache in 1998, with herbaceous borders and a selection of beautiful garden ‘rooms’. In the afternoon we will visit Dunrobin Castle, home of The Earl and Countess of Sutherland, whose extensive gardens are situated between the sea and the imposing Castle above. Sir Charles Barry, influenced by Versailles, created large terraces leading to a level garden that extends to the sea wall.

4

This morning we shall visit Novar, the glorious country house of Mr and Mrs Ronald Munro Ferguson, which is surrounded by well-planted borders and a magnificent water garden, both re-planted recently by garden designer Michael Innes. We shall then travel to the House of Aigas, where we have lunch with Sir John and Lady Lister Kaye, whose Victorian country house is set in a wonderful position in the River Beauly glen. In the afternoon we visit Old Allangrange, a garden surrounding a charming 17th century lime-washed house that has been created by the owners to encourage wildlife, particularly bees.

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TOUR LEADER

PADDY SCOTT

A Scotsman educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Dublin, Paddy spent twenty years working for the Distillers Company, and has since served eight years as Chief Executive of Scotland’s Gardens, a charity dedicated to raising funds for charity by opening private gardens to the public. Since then as one of the founders of Discover Scottish Gardens, a business dedicated to marketing Scottish gardens to the world, he has maintained an in-depth knowledge of Scottish gardens and close contacts with many garden owners.

DAY 5

Overlooking the glorious Gruinard Bay on the west coast, House of Gruinard features a riverbank garden, heavily planted with herbaceous plants and shrubs sheltered by New Zealand shrubs such as Olearias. A burn-side garden has masses of candelabra primulas in spring. We will continue to the Dundonnell Hotel for lunch, followed by a guided tour at Dundonnell House, a truly magical garden set in some of Scotland’s most beautiful west coast scenery. Finally, we call at the remarkable private coastal garden of Dundonnell’s head gardener, with a rich mix of rare and interesting plants, shrubs and trees.

The tour concludes after breakfast this morning.

DAY 6

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

19 June £2,696 £550

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Five nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Five dinners • Four lunches • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader, Paddy Scott, and a tour escort