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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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A957

A592

A95

A839

A941

A77

A77

A858

A944

A78 A737

A78

A83

A83 A82

A6

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A1087

A875

A814

A90

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A689

A93

A939

A686

A6088

A198

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A920

A75

A75 A75

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A850

A830

A846

A709

A841

A99

A66

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A965

A83

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A866

A930

A847

A948

A698

A751

A76

A76

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A68

A68

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A980

A916

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A70

A9

A9

A721

A1068

A92

A975

A91

A859

A986

A919

A966

A981

A967

A960

A15

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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

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A6089

A762

A712

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A941

A719

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A861

A85 A85

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A882

A924

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A828A884

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A950

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A920

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A87

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A99

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A896

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A74(M)

M80

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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

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SANDAY

STRONSAYEday

ROUSAY

HOYSOUTH RONALDSAY

BENBECULA

TraquairHouse

HermitageCastle

ThreaveGarden

DawyckBotanicGarden Floors Castle

ManderstonMellerstain

Logan Botanic Garden

CastleKennedyGardens

Broughton Houseand Garden1

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6910

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0 10 20 30 405 Miles

0 25 5012.5 Kilometers

© MFAtech Mapswww.digital-map.orginfo@digital-map.org+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