WED 06 MAY 2026 – EDINBURGH

Arrive Edinburgh Airport and meet your guide. Our first garden visit is Kevock Garden, the private garden of Stella and David Rankin – a wonderful hillside garden. We follow this with an orientation bus tour of Edinburgh. Overnight Edinburgh. Evening at leisure. (L)

THUR 07 MAY 2026 – A DAY AT DUMFRIES HOUSE & LUCKIE HARG’S GARDEN

Visit Dumfries House, part of the King's Foundation. Your visit will include a guided tour of the house and the 5-acre Queen Elizabeth Walled Garden. After lunch at Dumfries House, you visit Luckie Harg's, a rock and spring herbaceous garden of around an acre of alpines, Himalayan and New Zealand plants, shrubs and small trees. Return to Edinburgh. Welcome dinner. (BLD)

FRI 08 MAY 2026 – EDINBURGH 

After breakfast we visit the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh– discover the Living Collection and a history dating from the 17th century. Afternoon free to explore historical Edinburgh. Overnight Edinburgh. Evening at leisure. (B) 

SAT 09 MAY 2026 – FORMAL GRANDEUR & PLANTSMAN’S DELIGHT

Our morning begins with Drummond Castle Gardens, one of Europe's and Scotland's most important and impressive formal gardens, dating back to the 17th century. Free time in Perth before visiting Branklyn Garden, the masterpiece garden of John and Dorothy Renten, and a plantsman’s delight. Overnight Aberdeen. Dinner at hotel. (BD)

SUN 10 MAY 2026 – GARDENS AND COWS 

After breakfast we begin with a visit to Crathes Castle and Gardens, influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. Then we will have a chance to be up close and personal with “heilen coos” at the Highland Cattle Farm. Last visit of the day is Pitmedden Garden, a re-created Scottish renaissance garden planted with over 10,000 annual bedding plants. Return to Aberdeen. Evening at leisure. (BL)

MON 11 MAY 2026 – SHEEPDOGS, A CASTLE & A PRIVATE GARDEN

After breakfast visit Aberdeenshire Sheepdogs. Meet the dogs and watch a demonstration of them at work, learning firsthand what it's like to work with these highly intelligent dogs, showing off their party tricks! Then we head to Gordon Castle and Walled Garden, one of the oldest and largest kitchen gardens in Britain. Lunch at Gordon Castle. We continue to Glenkyllachy, the private garden of the Mackenzie’s. It is a beautiful garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, trees and rhododendrons. Overnight Inverness. Evening at leisure. (BL)

TUES 12 MAY 2026 – NORTHERN GARDENS 

Our visit this morning takes us across Scotland to the famous historic Inverewe Garden. This northerly garden was created out of barren rock in 1862 and is now filled with exotic plants from around the world. Continue to Dundonell House, featuring a historic walled garden of camellias, magnolias, spring bulbs, rhododendrons, and a laburnum walk. Return to Inverness. Evening at leisure. (B)

WED 13 MAY 2026 – SALMON, SPLENDOR & SPIRITS 

Visit Falls of Shin - Salmon Jumping, known for being the one of the best places in the UK to spot salmon in their natural habitat. Then travel north to Dunrobin Castle Gardens, blending French formal gardens with native Scottish flora. End the day with a visit to Scotland's first and only 'Brewstillery', Uile-bheist Brewery and Distillery. Return to Inverness. Remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

THU 14 MAY 2026 – LOCH NESS

Today our first stop is Abriachan Nurseries, The Garden on Loch Ness. Five minutes down the road we have a tourist stop at Drumnadrochit – “Nessie” headquarters. Enjoy a Loch Ness cruise. Continue to Oban and overnight. Dinner at hotel. (BD)

FRI 15 MAY 2026 – ISLE OF MULL

Today cross by ferry to the Isle of Mull. Visit Lip na Cloiche Gardens, a small densely-planted garden with stunning views of Loch Tuath and the Isle of Ulva. There will be time to explore the colourful fishing village of Tobermory, known for its brightly painted buildings. Return by ferry to Oban. Dinner at hotel. (BD)

SAT 16 MAY 2026 – WOODLAND WONDERS: AN CALA & CRARAE GARDENS

Visit An Cala, established in 1930. This is a lovely garden with streams, waterfall, ponds, many herbaceous plants as well as azaleas, rhododendrons and cherry trees in spring. Lunch in Inveraray. Our last garden stop is Crarae Gardens, a tranquil woodland garden with Himalayan plants and tumbling waterfalls, rocky gorges, wooden bridges and groves of maple, birch and evergreens. Overnight Edinburgh. Farewell dinner (BD)

SUN 17 MAY 2026 – DEPARTURE

Transfer from hotel to Edinburgh airport. Or extend your stay in historical Edinburgh and Scotland. (B)

Linda Dietrick is a retired professor of German Studies, a past editor of The Prairie Garden, and a trained Master Gardener. Although she grew up in the Philadelphia area as the daughter of a landscape designer, she has lived and gardened in Winnipeg since 1988. In recent years, she and her husband Harold have enjoyed three of Sara Williams’ excellent garden tours. Linda is delighted to have the opportunity to help continue what Sara started.