A SCOTTISH GARDEN TOUR: A BOTANICAL AFFAIR IN BLOOM

Early last year, we were approached by the American Friends of the Botanics Foundation to curate and deliver a very bespoke private garden tour. The plan was for a small group of passionate garden enthusiasts to enjoy a week-long tour of Scotland’s most beautiful and rarely accessible houses and gardens.

Within a few weeks twenty two members had signed up and made generous donations to support RBGE’s (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh) ambitious digitisation project. This aims to preserve and share its global plant collection with researchers and conservationists from around the world. Guests would not only enjoy extraordinary access to historic estates, royal grounds, and curated botanical experiences, but also contribute to a massively worthwhile cause.

Loyd & Townsend Rose were honoured to be involved in the project which combined hospitality, heritage, and horticulture. We arranged privileged access to rarely seen gardens and private homes, complemented by luxurious accommodation, fine dining and entertainment.

Follow this inaugural journey as we weave across Scotland from the Scottish Borders up to Balmoral in the Highlands.

The tour opened at Portmore Estate where the owners welcomed guests into their Victorian Walled Garden. A Glasshouse filled with fuchsias and pelargoniums at the centre, surrounded by herbaceous borders showing the best of early summer.

Nearby at Penicuik Estate, the group strolled through 18th-century parkland featuring wide views, tree-lined walks, and architectural highlights. The designed landscape reflects its creator Sir John Clerk’s vision of order and a rational harmony between people and nature. A champagne reception and al fresco dinner for the group and selected guests from the RBGE was served under canvas overlooking the High Pond, with local blooms adorning the tables. The dinner opened with a welcome speech to the AFBF by Lord Menzies and a chance to hear more about the work of the RBGE from Simon Milne, Regius Keeper of RBGE.

“…well done, a great deal of thought and planning went into it that was obvious. I must say from all the positive remarks, you appear to have guaged the entertainment perfectly…”

The following day guests were treated to behind-the-scenes access at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Delving into the world-renowned Herbarium and rare books and archives in the research library before heading into the city for an exclusive art tour at Dovecot Studios – home to some of Britain’s most ambitious contemporary tapestry work with a special visit to see The Scottish Colourists: Radical Perspective exhibition with director Celia Joicey leading the tour.

“This was more than a garden tour. It was a celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and place – one rooted in meaning and grace.”

With accommodation at Gilmerton House, a fabulous Georgian mansion designed by Robert Adam, the group was treated to meticulous service and attention to detail. This historic estate is set within 100 acres of lawns, gardens, woodlands and walks, providing time to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the East Lothian countryside before travelling throughout the Borders.

The first stop was at the delightful Carolside House & Gardens, a private home renowned for its collection of historic roses which houses the National Collection of Gallica Roses. Sitting within a sheltered valley the gardens have evolved over the years forming ‘rooms’ full of colourful blooms, each path treating our guests to a delightful bouquet of fragrances.

Guests enjoyed the most delicious lunch in the House hosted by the owners, Anthony and Rose Foyle and the lunch was so much enjoyed that guests were hard to move on for their next visit.

At Mertoun Estate, guests were welcomed by the Duke of Sutherland’s family into the formal parkland, walled garden and arboretum with sweeping lawns and views over the River Tweed. Afternoon tea was hosted by the owners themselves, sharing insights into long-term stewardship and the personal connection behind the private gardens.

“I hadn’t seen any of the gardens before, so the element of surprise made the impact all the greater. Carolside was the one I would move into tomorrow…”

At Broadwoodside, originally a modest farm-steading, guests encountered gardens on a different scale. Here the recently created contemporary, courtyard gardens are shaped by the architecture, and the owner’s clear vision for straight lines and symmetry. This suggests a nod to Italianate formal gardens although the Scottish climate has proven slightly more challenging for the planting. The garden, filled with quirky objects and the whimsical stone carvings by sculptor Ian Hamilton Finlay, delighted the group.

Next stop was Whitburgh House where the owner, Elizabeth Salvesen, welcomed our guests to lunch followed by a personal tour of her contemporary art collection before moving outdoors to enjoy the walled garden. A stylish one-acre garden with clipped foliage layered with grasses, perennials and annuals, fruit and vegetables. Exploring deeper into the surrounding policies, fine sculptures stand proud in the grounds overlooking the ponds.

As we head north, Scone Palace brought a more formal, historical element to the tour. Welcomed by Viscount Mansfield to the site of ancient Scottish coronations, the estate has long held national significance. Coffee and shortbread in the Old Kitchen offered a taste of traditional Scottish hospitality, before the group ventured into the gardens to explore the star-shaped maze and the historic Pinetum with trees dating back more than a century.

The final days of the tour were spent in the Cairngorms, based at Candacraig – a former sporting lodge and family home to Billy Connolly, set within a Highland estate. The atmosphere here was quieter and guests had time to explore the grounds, enjoy the setting, and take part in relaxed evening gatherings by the fire.

“…You had picked just the right combination of comfort in our places to stay with an achievably ambitious programme of visits – many of them down to your own connections which gave us insights and introductions we would not otherwise have had. You managed us as a group with skill and tact – and the occasional shove!”    

Access to royal estates is always a rare and much-valued part of any itinerary and this certainly did not disappoint. At Balmoral, His Majesty King Charles III’s Head of Gardens, Kirsty Wilson led the group through areas not usually open to the public. Guests saw ongoing ecological work and learned about planting approaches aimed at long-term environmental resilience.

Lunch followed at Inchnabobart, the King’s remote lodge in Glenmuick high up on the moors overlooking Balmoral. Later in the day, the group visited the gardens at Birkhall, the private residence of the King and Queen when they are in Scotland. Designed with organic principles and shaped by years of personal involvement, they offered a clear example of ecological gardening on a domestic scale.

A private art tour (and tea) at The Fife Arms, where art curated by Hauser & Wirth adorns the walls rounded off the day, before guests sat down to enjoy a formal dinner and ceilidh, with Highland dancing and traditional music.

It’s easy to romanticise a week like this — the gardens, the stories, the long tables under canvas — however behind the scenes, the LTR concierge team made sure the week ran smoothly and seamlessly.

“Can I just say, what a fantastic trip you all put together. Really. I keep sharing all the fun details of the gardens, the homes, the herbarium, the hunting lodge, the blue poppies and the gigantic euphorbia with friends and families. Each is more envious than the next. Oh, and the surprise and delight of how we all got along so well. Congratulations to each of you.”

Travelling south to the Borders, the group’s first stop was at the delightful Carolside House & Gardens, a private Georgian home reknowened for its collection of historic roses and houses the National Collection of Gallica Roses. Sitting within a sheltered valley the gardens have evolved over the years forming ‘rooms’ full of colourful blooms, each path treating our guests to a delicious bouquet of fragrances.

On Mertoun Estate, guests were welcomed by the family into formal parkland included mature trees and borders with sweeping lawns and views over the River Tweed. Lunch here was hosted by the owners themselves, sharing insights into long-term stewardship and the personal connection behind private gardens.

At Broadwoodside, originally a modest farm-steading, guests encountered a different scale. Here the recently created contemporary, courtyard gardens are shaped by the architecture, and the owners clear vision for straight lines and symmetry – the owners suggest a nod to Italianate formal gardens although the Scottish climate has proven slightly more challenging for the planting. The garden, filled with quirky objects and the whimsical stone carvings of sculptor Ian Hamilton Finlay, delighted the group.

At Whitburgh House, the owner Elizabeth Salvesen welcomed our guests with a personal tour of her contemporary art collection before moving outdoors to enjoy the walled garden. A stylish one-acre garden with clipped foliage layered with grasses, perennials and annuals, fruit and vegetables. Further into the surrounding policies, fine sculptures are found to nestle in the grounds overlooking the ponds.

As we head north, Scone Palace brought a more formal, historical element to the tour. The site of ancient Scottish coronations, the estate has long held national significance. Coffee and shortbread in the Old Kitchen offered a nod to traditional Scottish hospitality, before the group ventured into the gardens to explore the star-shaped maze and the historic Pinetum with trees dating back more than a century.

[Suggested image: Candacraig]

The final days of the tour were spent in the Cairngorms, based at Candacraig – a former sporting lodge set within a Highland estate. The atmosphere here was quieter and private. Guests had time to explore the grounds, enjoy the setting, and take part in relaxed evening gatherings by the fire.

Day trips included a visit to Craigievar Castle – a distinctive pink fairytale tower house surrounded by parkland –whilst a guided tasting at Royal Lochnagar Distillery, offered something a little stronger.

[Suggested image: Balmoral]

Access to the royal estates was a rare and much-valued part of the itinerary. At Balmoral, His Majesty King Charles III’s Head of Gardens led a tour through areas not usually open to the public. Guests saw ongoing ecological work and learned about planting approaches aimed at long-term environmental resilience.

Lunch followed at Inchnabobbart – the King’s remote lodge in Glen Muick – where the setting was both simple and striking. Later in the day, the group visited the gardens at Birkhall. Designed with organic principles and shaped by years of personal involvement, they offered a clear example of ecological gardening on a domestic scale.

A private art tour (and tea) at The Fife Arms, where art curated by Hauser & Wirth adorns the walls rounded off the day, before guests sat down to enjoy a formal dinner and ceilidh, with Highland dancing and traditional music.

It’s easy to romanticise a week like this — the gardens, the stories, the long tables under canvas — however behind the scenes, the LTR concierge team made sure the week ran smoothly. From personalised transfers and packed umbrellas to floral arrangements, xxxxxxxx  and xxxxxxxxxxx, the journey was seamless.

This tour began with an idea: to bring people together through gardens. The generosity of our guests will fund the digitisation of RBGE’s historic botanical collection – a project that opens these archives not just to scientists and scholars, but to anyone, anywhere, with curiosity and a Wi-Fi connection. It’s a significant step and one that connects Scotland’s scientific heritage with the global future of plant research.

By the end of the week, it was clear: the impact of this journey will continue long after the garden gates have closed behind us.