Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [name] => United Kingdom
            [category] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Country
                )

            [parent] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Europe
                )

        )

    [1] => Array
        (
            [name] => Scotland
            [category] => Array
                (
                    [name] => Location
                )

            [parent] => Array
                (
                    [name] => United Kingdom
                )

        )

)
Dunrobin castle, Scotland © Dave Clayton
Balmoral Castle, Scotland © Cassie via Unsplash
Cawdor Castle, Scotland ©A. Karnholz via shutterstock.com
Aberdeen, Haddo House, engraving from 'The Illustrated London News', 1857.
Crathes Castle, Scotland © Alinute Silzeviciute

Gardens in the Highlands - Horticulture and garden design in northern Scotland

Tour highlights

  • Wonderful and various gardens with a backdrop of some of the loveliest and most dramatic scenery in Britain.
  • Famous gardens and little-known treasures in the northern counties of Scotland, from Aberdeenshire to Caithness and Wester Ross.
  • Walled gardens a speciality – providing protection against the Scottish wind for a vast range of both edible and ornamental plants.
  • Stay in good hotels on the outskirts of Aberdeen and Inverness.

Practicalities

Two sharing: US$5,620. Single occupancy: US$7,010.

Travel by private coach; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts, 1 lunch and 6 dinners with wine, water, coffee; all admissions and donations for gardens and houses; all tips; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager. 

Transport to Aberdeen and from Inverness is not included in the price of the tour. Both are easily reached by flights and trains from all parts of Britain, including the Caledonian Sleeper. There is plenty to do in Inverness on Day 9 before it departs.

Both hotels are boutique properties in quiet suburbs, and both have excellent service, comfortable rooms and their own restaurants. The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa, Aberdeen: 3 miles from the railway station, well planted private grounds, lovely traditional styling. Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness: 20 minutes on foot from the centre, in a historic building on the banks of the River Ness and with extensive gardens. 

There is quite a lot of walking on this tour, and a good level of fitness is essential. Some of the gardens are large and on sloping ground, and there is often an additional walk from coach park to garden. Unless you enjoy unimpaired mobility, cope with everyday walking and stair-climbing without difficulty, this tour is not for you. Some days involve a lot of driving – average distance by coach per day: 80 miles.

Between 10 and 22 participants.

Before booking, please refer to Travel.State.Gov to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting. As a British company we follow the advice of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Art in the Netherlands, 16–22 June 2026

At home at Weston Park, 17–22 June 2026

Gastronomic Devon and Cornwall, 6–12 July 2026


Testimonials

Colin Crosbie is extremely knowledgeable but I was most impressed by how generous he was with his time and willingness to continue the discussion after a visit.

Superb choice and variety of gardens, featuring interesting planting and design, varied locations.

Colin Crosbie was outstanding. His knowledge, experience and passion made a winning combination.

The entire experience was delightful. Colin Crosbie was extremely knowledgeable, passionate, and friendly. The gardens, the weather, and transportation were superb.

Sign up to our e-newsletter

e-newsletter recipients are the first to hear about our future plans and our tours as they come on sale. By signing up you agree to our Privacy policy.

Please select your preferred Title from the drop-down menu.
Please enter your surname.
Please enter a valid e-mail address.
Please enter your primary country of residence from the drop-down menu.
(*)
Invalid Input

My Wishlist

Wishlist

Click the heart icon on any event to save it to your wishlist.

Browse our tours.