Gardens Tour of South-West Scotland
Another tour of Scottish gardens has been arranged for May 1952. This tour will give those interested in gardening the opportunity of seeing some of the notable gardens in southwest Scotland.
The unqualified success of the 1951 tour was due in great part to the cooperation of the owners of the many gardens visited, whose hospitality we enjoyed, but in some measure also to the atmosphere of good companionship and friendships quickly made through a common interest in horticulture. The Gardens Committee of the National Trust for Scotland is once again indebted to garden owners who have most generously agreed to welcome the party.
The gardens to be visited on the 1952 tour are briefly described in the following pages. Places of historical interest under the Ministry of Works and the National Trust for Scotland have been included in the itinerary, but some will only be seen in passing and, should time not permit, others may be omitted, since this is primarily a tour of gardens. The illustrations are of National Trust Properties.
Every endeavor has been made to make the tour full of interest and to secure the comfort of the party, which will be accompanied by couriers and expert gardeners. The Scottish Motor Traction Company has arranged for 25-seater luxury coaches and first-class hotel accommodation has been reserved.
Accommodation in the coaches is strictly limited. Applications should therefore be made with the least possible delay and cannot be accepted later than 21st April 1952. Communications should be addressed to L. A. Lauener, Organizing Secretary, Scottish Gardens Tour, c/o Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.
The cost of the tour is 25 guineas (75 dollars including bank charges), inclusive of travel, accommodation, meal and gratuities, as well as of admission to gardens and places of interest. Any surplus will be donated to the funds of the Gardens Committee of the National Trust.
The Committee reserves the right to cancel provisional bookings, to modify the itinerary, and, as the number of single rooms in hotels is limited, will accept bookings for the tour only on the understanding that sometimes it may be necessary for double rooms to be shared.
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY
First Day - Monday, 26th May: Leave Edinburgh 9 a.m. via Stirling and Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, Buchlyvie, Drymen, Ross Priory, Gartochan (George H. Christie, Esq.): 11 a. m.-12 noon. Lunch at Helensburgh 1:00-2:00 via Gareloch. Glenarn, Rhu (A. C. Gibson Esq.): 2:15-3:45 p.m. via Dumbarton, Dumbarton Castle, Erskine Ferry, Port Glasgow, Greenock, Gourock, Wemyss Bay, Largs, Skelmorlie Aisle, Ardrossan, Troon. Prestwick, Ayr, Dunure and the Electric Brae, Turnberry. Turnberry Hotel - Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Second Day - Tuesday, 27th May: Leave Turnberry 9 a. m. Northcote (William Uric Esq.): 9:15 a. m.-10 a.m. via Maybole, Alloway, Burns Cottage and Monument, Auchincruive (West of Scotland College of Agriculture): 10:40-12:00, Culzean Castle Lunch 1-2 p.m. Grounds 2-4:15 p. m. Tea 4:15-4:45 p. m. Grounds and House 4:45-5:45 p. m., Grossraguel Abbey and Souter Johnnie's Cottage Arrive Turnberry Hotel 6:45 p.m. - Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Third Day - Wednesday, 28th May: Leave Turnberry 9 a. m.. Bargany (Col. Dalrymple-Hamilton): 9:30-11 a. m., Lochryan (Major J. A. A. Wallace): 11:45-12:30 p. m., Lunch at Portpatrick Hotel 1-2 p. m., Logan (R. O. Hambro Esq.): 2:30-6 p. m. Dinner at Portpatrick Hotel
Fourth Day - Thursday, 29th May: Crosswalk (Col. D. R. Carrick-Buchanan): 10:45-12:15 p.m., Lunch at Portpatrick Hotel 1-2 p. m., Lochinch (Earl of Stair): 2:30-6 p. m., Dinner at Portpatrick Hotel
Fifth Day - Friday, 30th May: Leave Portpatrick 9 a. m., Glenluce Abbey-via Port William, Whithorn Priory, Galloway House, Garlieston (E. A. Strutt Esq.), 10:30-12:30, Gulderhy, Garlieston (Major A. Walvasley) Lunch at Galloway Arms, Newton Stewart 1-2 p. m. via Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkoudbright, McLellan's Castle, Dundrennan Abbey, Dalbeattie, Dumfries, Crichton Royal (Board of Management): 4:30-6:30 p. m. Dumfries - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast.
Sixth Day - Saturday, 31st May: Leave Dumfries 9 a. m. via St. Mary's Loch, Traquair 11:15-12 noon-via Innerleithen, Peebles. Lunch at Peebles Hydropathic Hotel 12:45-1:45 p. m., Stobo Castle (Countess of Dysart): 2:15-3:15 p. m., Dawyck, Stobo (Col. A. N. Balfour): 3:30-5:15 p.m. via Peebles, Edinburgh. Arrive Edinburgh 6:30 p. m.
END OF TOUR