Gardens of the Far North

Activity Level:

Summary

A journey to the far north of Scotland brings many rewards, not least the sense of freedom and open space to be found in the thrilling seascapes of the coasts or the vast, empty expanse of mountain and moorland that separates east from west. Rewards also come in the shape of some enchanting castles and gardens, which we have threaded together to bring out the best of this remote and unspoilt region.

Top of the bill is Inverewe, a truly wonderful garden, which involves a journey to the wild beauty of the west coast through some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere in the world. The Castle of Mey sits high on a cliff, overlooking the turbulent waters of the Pentland Firth, and it is here that Queen Elizabeth, the late Queen Mother, had one of her favourite retreats, and where she created a homely garden which reflected her great love of flowers. We also visit the gardens of Cawdor Castle, immortalized by William Shakespeare in Macbeth, Dunrobin Castle, the château-style ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland, Dunbeath Castle, perched on a promontory, and the privately-owned garden of Langwell. Finally we visit the House of Aigas, where we also enjoy lunch using estate produce, and the nursery at Abriachan, an opportunity to purchase a potted souvenir of your holiday.

Our hotel: we are based at the Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel (or similar), centrally located on the banks of the River Ness. All rooms are en-suite with tv, hairdryer and tea/coffee-making facilities. The hotel’s facilities include a gymnasium, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.