Castles & Gardens of Scotland

CASTLES & GARDENS OF SCOTLAND

 

1 – 5 July 2019

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £475

 

Explore the majestic lowlands and lochs of Southwest Ayrshire on this new tour, our journey takes in Mulls, lochs, castles and forests as we take in stunning sights and scenery typical of the area, as well as ‘Brig O’Doon’ at the Robert Burns Museum.

 

Highlights

 

Portpatrick   |   Mull of Galloway   |   Logan Botanic Gardens   |   Castle Kennedy Gardens   |   Firth of Clyde   |   Robert Burns Birthplace Museum   |   Culzean Castle   |   Galloway Forest Park   |   Red Deer Range   |   Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre   |   Threave Garden & Estate

 

Day One

We depart from your home with our exclusive door to door pick-up service and join your tour coach to travel north to Scotland with refreshment stops enroute.  Arriving at your hotel late afternoon you'll have time to relax before dinner.

 

Day Two

We start the day with sightseeing in Portpatrick, a pretty picture-postcard harbour on the Mull of Galloway with superb views over the Solway Firth to Ireland and the Isle of Man.  After a short stop we head to Logan Botanic Gardens, here you can explore an exotic paradise and haven for a range of shrubs and trees, a surprisingly abundant array of southern hemisphere plants as well as its famous tender collection in the Walled Garden.  The day concludes with an afternoon visit to the delightful Castle Kennedy Gardens, beautifully landscaped over 75 acres, you can wander through terrace and avenues or around the two acre Round Pond.

 

Day Three

This morning our tour begins with a scenic sightseeing drive hugging Loch Ryan’s eastern shore, then up the Firth of Clyde coast before cutting in land to Robert Burns birthplace museum.  Get to know more about Scotland’s favourite son and his unique writing, as the museum showcases his life and works through exhibits and Burns Cottage, there is plenty to see.  For the afternoon a real treat awaits at Culzean Castle, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, gardens, beaches, formal gardens and a stunning cliff top setting for the castle itself are sure to impress even before you set foot inside where you will find a magnificent oval staircase and a fine collection of paintings.

 

Day Four

Today we journey inland to Galloway Forest Park and our first stop, the Red Deer Range where we have chance to look for some of the 60 animals known to live here.  We then continue onto Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre, overlooking the loch of the same name, the perfect spot for refreshment.  This afternoon is set aside to explore Threave Garden & Estate, at the heart of which stands the impressive Baronial Style house, designed in 1871.  The garden itself is divided into smaller sections such as the rose garden, walled garden & rockery, which combined with the overall estate, makes for a magnificent landscape.  Depending on time and weather we may be able to make a stop in the artist’s village of Kirkcudbright on the return journey to our hotel.

 

Day Five

This morning we bid farewell after a truly memorable holiday and begin our homeward journey with refreshment stops enroute.

 

Price Includes:

·          Luxury coach travel

·          Home pick up

·          4 nights’ accommodation, dinner & breakfast

·          Porterage

·          Admission Logan Botanic Gardens

·          Admission Castle Kennedy Gardens

·          Roberts Burns Birthplace Museum

·          Admission Culzean Castle & Country Park

·          Admission Threave Garden & Estate.

 

NORTH WEST CASTLE HOTEL, Stranraer

A fine country house hotel located near the shores of Loch Ryan and just a 10 minute walk to the centre of Stranraer.  Once the home of the Scottish explorer Sir John Ross, it makes an excellent base for exploring the beautiful local area.  It has 72 spacious bedrooms equipped with TV, hairdryer and free WiFi and are traditionally furnished offering a homely feel.  The elegant ‘Regency’ dining room offers views towards the loch and the hotel also offers an indoor pool, sauna, gym & jacuzzi as well as its own indoor curling rink.

 

NORTH WEST CASTLE HOTEL, Stranraer

A fine country house hotel located near the shores of Loch Ryan and just a 10 minute walk to the centre of Stranraer.  Once the home of the Scottish explorer Sir John Ross, it makes an excellent base for exploring the beautiful local area.  It has 72 spacious bedrooms equipped with TV, hairdryer and free WiFi and are traditionally furnished offering a homely feel.  The elegant ‘Regency’ dining room offers views towards the loch and the hotel also offers an indoor pool, sauna, gym & jacuzzi as well as its own indoor curling rink.

 

 

INCLUDED:

Door to door pick-up

4 nights' accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage

Admission Logan Botanic Gardens

Admission Castle Kennedy Gardens

Roberts Burns Birthplace Museum

Admission Culzean Castle & Country Park

Admission Threave Garden & Estate

 

Rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis and are limited. If no single supplement applies this is limited to single room allocation and therefore additional cost may apply.  Prices displayed are per person unless otherwise stated. If door to door pick up is included there may be additional charges for out of area. Itineraries and hotel inclusions may be subject to change.