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Your Detailed Itinerary Castles and Gardensof southern Scotland
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Day 1From Prestwick take the coast road, the A719, A77 by way of Culzean Castle southwards through Girvan, then continuing south to discover some of the fine gardens around the ‘hammerhead’ of the Rinns of Galloway, including Logan Botanic Garden. Contrasting with the grand themes and vistas of Castle Kennedy Gardens, smaller-scale planting schemes such as Ardwell Gardens and Glenwhan Gardens offer plenty for the enthusiast. They are also reminders of the gentle climate and mild airs enjoyed by the area, especially appreciated by a range of southern hemisphere plants to be seen in gardens here, as well as rhododendrons and azaleas. After exploring some of the gardens here, go east on the A75 for the Newton Stewart area.
Day 2Divert from the A75 for Kirkcudbright, with the distinctive outline of MacLellan’s Castle on the town skyline. This 16th-century work is transitional, showing the changing priorities of the time – from defensive needs to comfort and prestige. Kirkcudbright has a fascinating artistic heritage thanks to its connections to the artists’ group known as ‘The Glasgow Boys’, notably EA Hornel. Visit his former home, Broughton House, which also features a garden with some Japanese elements. From Kirkcudbright, go north-east for Castle Douglas and Threave Castle, on an island in the river. (Ring the bell and the boatman will take you across.) Also within easy reach is Threave Garden. Continue east for Dalbeattie, then take the coastal loop to Dumfries.
Day 3Continue east via Dumfries, taking the coastal B725 to visit Caerlaverock Castle. This is a moated medieval fortress of a unique triangular design. Continue the coastal route to Gretna, taking the A7/B6357/B6399 for Hermitage Castle in its lonely setting in the hills. Then continue north for Hawick and Jedburgh, with Monteviot House Gardens nearby. These attractive riverside gardens have a terrace, rose garden, herbaceous garden, pinetum and water garden.
Day 4Head for Kelso to visit Floors Castle, then take A698 east for Coldstream and The Hirsel Estate. The parkland gardens here are noted for their rhododendrons in spring. Turn north by A6112 for Manderston, a magnificent Edwardian residence near the town of Duns. Then go west on the A6105. A short diversion to the south means you can enjoy (for
free!) magnificent views of the rolling Borders countryside from the restored ramparts of Hume Castle. Minor roads here also lead on to Mellerstain, another large countryhouse set in imposing grounds.
Day 5Continue to go west, with a possible diversion north along the A68 for Thirlestane Castle. The magnificent castle here has a history going back to the 13th century, with extensive re-modelling and extensions taking place over the centuries. Alternatively, head for Melrose with nearby Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott’s mansion and Priorwood Garden, specialising in flowers for drying, within Melrose itself, next to the Abbey. From the Melrose area, follow the valley of the River Tweed westwards by the A72. Kailzie Gardens lies on the south side of the river, between Innerleithen and Peebles, close to Traquair House. On a commanding riverside site just west of Peebles, Neidpath Castle is an imposing 14th-century L-plan
towerhouse. View from the outside only. Take the B712 south east for Dawyck Botanic Garden. From Dawyck, there is a choice of crosscountry routes westwards for Prestwick, including the A72/A73 via Biggar, then the A70 via Muirkirk and Cumnock.
The information contained in this publication is as supplied to VisitScotland and to the best of VisitScotland’s knowledge is correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Journey times and frequency are accurate at the time of going to print but may be subject to change. April 2015.
VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our natural environment and built heritage, upon which tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.
Cover: Caerlaverock Castle, near Dumfries © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Additional photography: National Trust for Scotland
Castles and Gardens
of southern Scotland
Castles and Gardens
of southern Scotland
1
LOGAN BOTANIC GARDEN – An outstation of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens and especially noted for its collections of Australasian tree-ferns, cabbage palms and other tender species.
7
MANDERSTON – Sometimes described as the ‘swansong’ of the countryhouse this late (Edwardian) design exhibits great opulence including its unique silver staircase. Extensive formal and woodland gardens.
2
CASTLE KENNEDY GARDENS – The grand gardens here were laid out by the 2nd Earl of Stair. He was a military commander and used troops to build the mounds, avenues and terraces which are a feature of the design.
4
THREAVE GARDEN – The conservation agency the National Trust for Scotland run a gardening school here, which ensures the plantings are always evolving and changing. Spring daffodils are a famous feature.
5
HERMITAGE CASTLE – 14th-century Hermitage Castle is not only in an atmospheric setting, but is associated with a 50-mile ride which Mary Queen of Scots undertook there from Jedburgh, to see her lover.
L i tt l e
M
i n ch
Th e M
i nch
M o ra y Fi r t h
Fi r t h o f Fo r t h
LochShin
LochNess
LochEricht
Loch Tay
LochAwe
Loch Earn
Loch LomondLoch Lomond
LochShiel
A712
A96
A96
A701
A702
A167A746
A702
A713
A816
A816
A848
A68A844
A702
A697
A688
A868
A947A940
A84
A811
A7
A7
A72
A596
A857
A71
A595
A815
A98
A77
A90
A920
A714
A710
A926
A9
A97
A75
A77
A701
A701
A711
A69
A855
A755
A867
A716
A941
A7
A82
A822
A837
A696
A957
A592
A95
A839
A941
A77
A77
A858
A944
A78 A737
A78
A83
A83 A82
A6
A933
A1087
A875
A814
A90
A821
A689
A93
A939
A686
A6088
A198
A831
A1
A920
A75
A75 A75
A75
A850
A830
A846
A709
A841
A99
A66
A835
A965
A83
A6112
A866
A930
A847
A948
A698
A751
A76
A76
A76
A81
A917
A69
A97
A917
A708
A68
A68
A760
A1
A980
A916
A923
A70
A9
A9
A721
A1068
A92
A975
A91
A859
A986
A919
A966
A981
A967
A960
A15
A1
A1
A6105
A937
A70
A85
A706
A886
A913
A836
A90
A90
A689
A827
A888
A86
A990
A865
A938
A880
A698
A94
A95
A95
A591
A838
A894
A823
A819
A939
A6089
A762
A712
A85
A863
A928
A964
A849
A941
A719
A747
A861
A85 A85
A9
A934
A882
A924
A961
A828A884
A832
A950
A698
A822
A944
A889
A826
A817
A952
A832
A833
A699
A949
A703
A923
A920
A82
A87
A87
A87
A890
A890
A839
A836
A851
A836
A887
A99
A835
A689
A897A894
A846
A896
M74
A194(M)
M9
M74
M8
A1(M)
M77
A74(M)
M80
M8
M6
M8
M90
M9
M6
M8
E N G L A N D
N O R T H E R NI R E L A N D
SPEY VALLEY
StromnessKirkwall
John o’ GroatsGills Bay
Scrabster
ThursoMelvichBettyhill
Tongue
Durness
ScourieAltnaharra
Lochinver
Wick
Dunbeath
Helmsdale
BroraGolspie
Dornoch
Tain
Lairg
Ullapool
Gairloch
Torridon
Stornoway
Arnol
Port of Ness
Callanish
Tarbert
Leverburgh
Otternish
Dingwall Nairn Elgin
CromartyBanff Fraserburgh
Peterhead
Turriff
HuntlyGrantown-
on-Spey
AviemoreBoat of Garten
KingussieRalia
Muir of Ord
CullenMacduff
GardenstownForres
Dufftown
Craigellachie
AchnasheenStrathpeffer
Portree
Elgol
Uig
Dunvegan
SconserLochcarron
Kyle ofLochalsh
Broadford
Carbost
Armadale
Mallaig
GlenelgShiel BridgeKylerhea
Lochmaddy
Lochboisdale
Isle of Eriskay
Castlebay
Drumnadrochit UrquhartCastle
Fort Augustus
Invergarry
Spean Bridge
NewtonmoreBraemar
Glenshee
BallaterCrathie
Aboyne
Edzell
AlfordInverurie
Ellon
Banchory
Stonehaven
Kirriemuir
Glamis
Arbroath
Montrose
Crieff
Carnoustie
BrechinPitlochry
Blairgowrie
Aberfeldy
Killin
Dunkeld
Scone
KinlochRannoch
BlairAtholl
Bruar
Fort William
Oban
Corran
Strontian GlencoeBallachulish
LochalineFishnish
Craignure
Acharacle
Kilchoan
Tobermory
Fionnphort
Feolin Port Askaig
Bowmore
Port Ellen
Crinan
Lochgilphead
Tarbert
Tayinloan
Carradale
Dunoon
RothesayLargs
Irvine
DumbartonBalloch
Drymen
Dunblane
Helensburgh
Wemyss Bay
Crianlarich
Tyndrum
Tarbet
Inveraray
Lochearnhead
Callander
AberfoyleArdgartan
GourockGreenock
ColintraiveRhubodach
PortavadieKennacraig
Claonaig
Lochranza
Brodick
Campbeltown
Ardrossan
Troon
Prestwick
Kilmarnock
Millport
Ayr
Maybole
LanarkPeebles
Penicuik
Biggar
Abington
Newton Stewart
Girvan
Stranraer
Whithorn
WigtownPortpatrick
Port Logan
Cairnryan CastleDouglasGatehouse
of Fleet
Kirkcudbright
Dalbeattie
NewAbbey
Langholm
Gretna
LockerbieDumfries
Thornhill
GretnaGreen
Carlisle
Moffat
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Haddington
Galashiels
St Andrews
North BerwickDunbar
Cupar
GlenrothesKinross
Dunfermline
LinlithgowFalkirk
Selkirk
JedburghHawick
Hawick
Poolewe
Tomintoul
Daviot
Spittal ofGlenshee
Arisaig
Kirkcaldy
Eyemouth
CrailAnstruther
SanquharWanlockhead
Melrose
KelsoColdstream
Burwick
St Margaret’s Hope
Aultbea
Mellon Udrigle
Buckie
KeithFochabers
Lossiemouth
Carrbridge
Kincraig
Hamilton
Coatbridge
Motherwell
Paisley
Larne
Alva
Bo'nessRosyth
Auchterarder
Burntisland
RoslinNewtongrangeDalkeithOld Craighall
Leven
Mauchline
NorthKessock
Drimnin
Laga
Ballycastle
Beauly
GLASGOW
ABERDEEN
INVERNESS
DUNDEEPERTH
NEWCASTLEUPON TYNE
EDINBURGH
BELFAST
STIRLING
Cairngorms
National Park
Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park
Cairngorms
National Park
Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park
LEWIS
HARRIS
BARRA
Canna
Rum
Eigg
Muck
Coll
Tiree
Colonsay
Iona
GighaBute
Seil
Lismore
Ardnamurchan
Luing
RAASAY
NORTHUIST
SOUTHUIST
MULL
JURA
ISLAY
ARRAN
Mull OfGalloway
SKYE
SCALPAY
BERNERAY
ORKNEY
SANDAY
STRONSAYEday
ROUSAY
HOYSOUTH RONALDSAY
BENBECULA
TraquairHouse
HermitageCastle
ThreaveGarden
DawyckBotanicGarden Floors Castle
ManderstonMellerstain
Logan Botanic Garden
CastleKennedyGardens
Broughton Houseand Garden1
2 4
8
5
7
6910
3
0 10 20 30 405 Miles
0 25 5012.5 Kilometers
© MFAtech [email protected]+44 (0) 207 871 1332Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011
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13-CASTLES_GARDENS_SOUTH_S_MAP_FINAL.pdf 1 3/17/2015 10:47:53 AM
Spend time in the South of Scotland and you will soon be struck by the choice of gardens to visit, especially in Galloway, where the mildness from the Gulf Stream encourages adventurous gardening. Meanwhile, the old days of Border warfare and conflict are reflected by a legacy of castles and fortresses. Some of these, in turn, developed into the stately homes and mansions which delight today’s visitors.
Castles and Gardensof southern Scotland
6
FLOORS CASTLE – Home of the Duke of Roxburghe, this large and sumptuous house holds extensive collections of art, tapestries and porcelain.
9
TRAQUAIR HOUSE – Sometimes described as the oldest inhabited house in Scotland, 12th-century Traquair has been visited by 27 Scottish monarchs. There is also an onsite brewery.
10
DAWYCK BOTANIC GARDEN – Large-scale plantings in one of Britain’s finest woodland gardens – superb arboretum with 300 year old trees, including some of Britain’s tallest. Winding walks, excellent autumn colours and also spring rhododendron displays.
8
MELLERSTAIN – A Georgian mansion with art collection and period furniture. Extensively landscaped grounds and terraced gardens offer an open vista to a parkland lake.
BROUGHTON HOUSE AND GARDEN This garden contains many features designed by the artist EA Hornel, whose home and studio was here. The influence of his visits to Japan can be seen in plants and design.
3