THE TEXAS GARDENERS ARE COMING AGAIN IN 2007!
Your mcleanscotland Staff on this trip will be;
Paul McLean and Colin Birkbeck - the gruesome
two-some (long lost cousins these two, Colin being
the black sheep) who you will be sure to enjoy a
good laugh with, they are both experts at what they
do and any questions you have, we are pretty sure
they can answer. Except gardens! For your
enjoyment we also have onboard Dale Groom,
Texas Extension
Horticulturist, who has travelled with us before in
2005. Between these three you are guaranteed a
fantastic trip! Your first overnight stop after a
long flight, should be rewarding and comfortable.
The Atholl Palace Hotel is all this and more. If you
have the energy after the long journey, walk the
gardens, take a dip in the pool, wander down to the
spa, or relax and enjoy the views.
SEE THE
TOUR ITINERARY
HERE
SEE
THE PHOTOS OF THE 2007 TOUR
HERE
The Texas gardeners tour in
2005
was a huge success thanks to those who made it here
from Texas!
We are more than happy to make this tour available
again to any group who wish to take this, or
any similar gardens tour, please e mail us with your
group numbers and wish list, we will do the rest!
take
a look at this garden site:
www.gardeningscotland.com
Here
are just TWO of the many comments we received after
the tour:
"we would like to thank mcleanscotland
again for the wonderful
job you did on the Scotland trip. It was very evident
that you worked very hard to ensure everyone had a
wonderful time. The tour was awesome and far exceeded
our expectations. Thank you for the invitation and
we are so grateful we took advantage of such a wonderful
experience. Not only was it a great trip, but we met
so many new and
wonderful friends."
Second is a letter
click here
left: group having a "fish supper"
(fish & chips) in Tobermory. centre: Colin and Paul
host a few drinks in the bar of Atholl Palace hotel.
right: welcome to my home! er ... actually a
castle in Scotland, why not take a tour of our
Scottish home and see for yourself!
Gardens & Glens of Scotland
luxury
coach tour - June 2005
A big Scottish welcome to the Texas Gardeners!
A mix of the very best Scotland has to offer - gardens, stunning scenery, mountains, glens, lochs, castles and palaces. We will show you the nooks and crannies other companies pass by, giving you the vacation of a lifetime.
Scottish Gardens galore and beautiful Scottish scenery each day There will be local trips to the pub, for those who wish and we can show you where to eat to take in the local customs. See the Real Scotland!
Arrival - GLASGOW tour guide and coach will meet you at the airport, we will take a City tour by coach with our guide, showing you some of this, Scotland's largest city. We then check into The Glynhill Hotel located 7 miles south of Glasgow City Centre and 1 mile from the airport, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Dinner will be served tonight in our hotel, a welcome to Scotland special! The hotel offers a range of restaurants and bars and a luxurious leisure club. You can relax here after a long day travelling, why not take a dip in the pool, or try the steam room or sauna?
Day 2 day trip to Culzean Castle and Gardens. Culzean is a garden lover's paradise. Set in some 560 acres of beautiful Ayrshire countryside there is much to see. Wooded glades, hidden pathways and cliff-top views all offer their unique experiences while the more formal gardens, such as the sunken Fountain Court Garden and theimpressive Walled Garden, are a must. Time permitting we will visit as many Rabbie (Robert) Burns sites as possible to end the day. Return to The Glynhill Hotel, once again for dinner.
Day 3 There are two choices available today - we can take an optional boat trip for an hour (weather permitting) on Loch Lomond or later in the day stop in Kilmartin Glen to see 5,000 year old history - standing stones and ancient hill fort. The group can decide on tour which option they want. We start the day by heading north via Loch Lomond. We will have a courtesy stop in Inveraray, Crarae Gardens on the banks of Loch Fyne, on the west coast of Scotland. Immerse yourself in Britain's finest example of an exotic Himalayan-style woodland. This tranquil site, with dramatic gorge, burn, waterfalls and cliffs is rich in azaleas, rhododendrons, eucalyptus and magnolias. Red squirrels may also be seen. We head to our hotel in Oban, Gateway to the Isles. The 4 star privately owned Dungallan Hotel overlooks the Isles of Kerrera and Mull. The hotel lies in 5 acres of lawns, cliffs and trees, yet only half a mile from the town centre. Dinner is included here at the hotel. For those of you who wish to go into Oban this is a gentle 10 minute walk.
Day 4 a whole day trip to the Island of Mull today, we stop at Torosay Castle. Sitting in 12 acres of ornamental gardens, Torosay Castle is a Victorian mansion built in 1858 by the Scottish architect David Bryce. It is very much a family home, with the upper floors still lived in. The grounds include a series of magnificent Italian statues, sculpted fountains, water garden, Japanese garden, rockery, stone lions, a domed folly and elaborate square towers on the edge of the terrace which house a very comprehensive display of the geological history of Mull, complete with photographs, time charts and models. Well worth a visit. We will then visit Duart Castle, home of the Chiefs of Clan Maclean, a wonderful experience for any visitor. Time permitting we will take a drive up to Tobermory for a coffee and stretch of the legs before catching the evening ferry to Oban where evening dinner will again be in your hotel.
Day 5 we head east today through the Brander Pass, Loch Awe and turn into Rannoch Moor, a wild and desolate landscape which leads us into haunting Glencoe, where we will stop to feel the atmosphere! Beautiful mountains and scenery. Then we drive along the length of Loch Ness to Inverness with stops en route arriving at Cawdor Castle. Cross over the wooden blue bridge and you will find yourself in Cawdor's vast expanse of woodland. Walk a short distance and you can get a reasonable view of the rear of the castle. Continue and you can go on one of the signposted nature trails. In colourful contrast to the stony backdrop of the castle, the walled garden provides a wealth of photographic opportunities. Flower beds of reds, oranges, purples and whites vie for attention with the tunnel of roses and Copper beeches. Just before we check into our hotel we will walk the battlefield at Culloden moor. Our hotel is in Inverness City Centre. Overnight with dinner included.
Day 6 a day trip to Ullapool and Inverewe Gardens. This colourful sub-tropical garden owned by the National Trust for Scotland is located further north than Moscow, but thanks to the North Atlantic Drift, all kinds of exotic plants grow here in 50 acres of land. Highly recommended. The gardens have a Visitor centre with restaurant and shop. Our return will take us through the beautiful scenery of Strathcarron, Easter Ross, and Dornoch, the Black Isle and back to Inverness to our hotel for dinner. PLEASE NOTE: for any on tour who would rather stay locally today please advise us the night before.
Day 7 this morning we head south with brief stops at Carbridge and Speybridge before heading south through the mountain glens passing Corgarff Castle. We then take a short stop at either Ballater or Crathie before moving on through the Cairngorms and into Braemar where we will make a courtesy stop. We continue south through Glenshee and onto Perth, paying a visit to the National Scottish Garden with Scottish heathers. We stay overnight in the Victorian town of Pitlochry at the Atholl Palace Hotel. The facilities include pool, jacuzzi, plunge pool, steam room, sauna, gymn, hairdresser, pitch'n'putt course, putting green, tennis courts, relaxing garden areas with a conservatory overooking the Black Spout Woods. Dinner at the hotel tonight.
Day 8 we head west from Pitlochry to Aberfeldy, this is where the original recruitment was carried out for the Black Watch Regiment. We head to Fortingall via Weem Castle (photograph opportunity weather permitting) to see the Fortingall Yew tree that is said to be the oldest living thing in Europe! Then we head along Loch Tay to Killin and the Falls of Dochart where we make a stop for refreshments and photosl Continuing along the banks of beautiful Loch Earn through St Fillans to Crieff where we take a distillery tour of the Famous Grouse whisky. Then we go through Glenalmond to the Sma Glen with a stop at Dunkeld (if time), a wee village set on the banks of the River Tay and once the religious capital of Scotland (in the time of MacBeth). Arrive at our hotel in Pitochry where dinner is included.
Day 9 we head south to Falkland for a stop where you might choose to see the Palace. We then head East to St. Andrews and the St. Andrew's Botanic Garden. This hidden gem covers 18 acres and has a great collection of plants, trees and shrubs. The garden has all year interest and there is a pond and rockery, as well as greenhouses. The Water Garden comprises a series of falls, pool and ponds starting in the rock garden. The sound of water splashing on the rocks adds a sensual dimension to this area as well as providing a range of habitats. Mixtures of ornamental and bulbous plants vie with species of Salvia, Geranium, Sidalcea, Paeonia, Aster, Delphinium, and Gillenia, to name but a few. For those who would rather take a wander round St Andrews - why not visit the abbey, castle or the famous golf course? We continue on to Edinburgh where you stay overnight. Evening dinner is not included although we can recommend many places for you.
Day 10 a whole day free for you to see the sights of our Capital City. We will offer a guided City tour this morning by coach, showing you the old and new towns, the Royal Mile and Palace of Holyrood, the castle and museums. This will give you ideas for where to visit later on. This evening why not join a ghost tour? (optional). They often end up at the local pub for a wee dram. Overnight again in our Capital Edinburgh, dinner is not included. We can make suggestions for you.
Day 11 Visit this morning to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - set on a hillside overlooking the City. It is a world famous garden important for it's great selection of plants and renowned collection of rhododendrons from the Himalayas. Other important collections including orchids and alpines. A superb rock garden with over 2 acres, streams, herbaceous borders, Pringle Chinese collection, water ravine, woodland garden and much more. The Glasshouses include Britain's largest Palm House where there are tropical and temperate houses. We then head out of Edinburgh for a visit to Rosslyn Chapel on our way to Glasgow where we spend our last night. Dinner tonight is included - a farewell to Scotland dinner. For those with an early start next day please ensure you inform your guide or driver of your flight times, we will be transferring twice to Glasgow airport.
Day 12 it's homeward bound today, we hope you have enjoyed your Garden and Glen's of Scotland Tour! We would be delighted to welcome you back soon.
Cost: all accommodation in hotels min 3 star many 4 star, all rooms with private facilities en suite, fully guided tour with luxury motor coach, all meals as stated, entrance to all gardens and castles as itinerary, ferry crossing to Mull, tour staff from Mclean Scotland always on call, porterage (one large case), full tour notes and maps each day all included.
only 1125 pounds per person ex flights single supplement 200 pounds
Costs based on two adults sharing twin/double room. Single supplements apply.
For further details please contact info@mcleanscotland.co.uk
All hotels subject to availability and booking numbers. We reserve the right to change or amend hotels if required.
mclean scotland Scottish Gardens galore and
beautiful Scottish scenery each day
