Gardens of The Scottish Borders Gardeners World Exclusive
Gardens of The Scottish Borders Gardeners World Exclusive
5 Days Starting in Peebles, Scotland and ending in Haddington, Scotland
Visiting: Peebles, Floors Castle, Edinburgh, Haddington
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 40
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Gardens & Nature Tours, History, Special Guest Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an exclusive journey through the enchanting Gardens of the Scottish Borders, guided by the esteemed plantsman, David Hurrion. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the glorious Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh and Dawyck, the beautiful walled gardens at Amisfield and Monteviot, and the intricate trails of Kailzie Gardens. Discover Carolside's historical collection of ancient roses and immerse yourself in the rich botanical heritage of Scotland. Your stay at the luxurious four-star Hydro Hotel in Peebles ensures comfort with its modern amenities, including a spa and golf course. Enjoy a welcome reception, a three-course dinner with wine, and guided tours, all while surrounded by the breathtaking Scottish countryside. This tour promises an unforgettable experience for garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Location: Peebles
Accommodation Name: Hydro Hotel, Peebles
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive independently at the Hydro Hotel, Peebles from 15.00. Evening welcome drink and talk from David Hurrion followed by a group dinner.
Day 2 Dawyck Botanic Garden And Kailzie Gardens
Location: Peebles
Accommodation Name: Hydro Hotel, Peebles
Meals Included: Dinner
We start our touring today with a visit to Dawyck Botanic Garden, a 65-acre garden offering woodland walks past some of Britain's oldest and tallest trees, and a stunning collection of shrubs and seasonal displays. Free time for lunch (not included) before heading to the attractive, privately-owned walled gardens at Kailzie, home to the oldest larch tree in Scotland, planted in 1725. An extensive network of trails and pathways lead past colourful rhododendrons and the blue petaled meconopsis, sometimes known as the Himalayan blue poppy.
Day 3 Floors Castle And Monteviot Gardens
Location: Floors Castle
Accommodation Name: Hydro Hotel, Peebles
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we head an hour east to Floors Castle, the largest inhabited castle in Scotland, to see its beautiful gardens and grounds that include a superb Victorian Kitchen Garden, spectacular walled garden, formal French style Millennium Garden and Star Plantation. Time for lunch (own expense), before heading to Monteviot Gardens which surround the early eighteenth-century lodge built by the 1st Marquis of Lothian. Highlights include the herb garden with its box hedge layout and lavender border, an impressive variety of roses in a sheltered Victorian walled area, and a peaceful Japanese Water Garden, all with a backdrop of the winding River Teviot and the hills beyond.
Day 4 Carolside Gardens And Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Hydro Hotel, Peebles
Meals Included: Dinner
First today we coach to the private 200-year-old gardens at Carolside, Earlston, set in the grounds of an 18th century mansion, with its historical collection of ancient roses. In his book, “Scotland for Gardeners” Kenneth Cox describes it as one of Scotland’s finest gardens. Later we travel into Edinburgh to the Royal Botanic Garden which has been the major centre for rhododendron research since the late 19th century, and is home to some the world's rarest and most threatened plants. The gardens feature a Chinese hillside, glasshouses, biodiversity garden, and Rock Garden with views of Edinburgh's spectacular skyline.
Day 5 Amisfield Walled Garden And Humbie Dean Garden
Location: Haddington
Our final day starts with a visit to the large 18th century garden of Amisfield which is completely enclosed by 16-foot-high stone walls. The garden has been transformed over the last 15 years with herbaceous borders, fruit trees, wildflower meadow and vegetable plots. In the afternoon we visit the final attraction of our tour, the ornamental and wooded garden at Humbie Dean which includes interesting planting across two acres, all on different levels.
What's Included
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Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the four-star Hydro Hotel, Peebles
Enjoy four nights' accommodation with dinner, bed, and breakfast at the four-star Hydro Hotel, Peebles, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
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Welcome reception
Participate in a welcome reception upon arrival.
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First night three-course dinner with wine
Savor a three-course dinner with wine on the first night.
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Three further dinners in the hotel restaurant
Enjoy three additional dinners in the hotel restaurant.
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All talks, guided tours and admissions as per the itinerary
Benefit from all talks, guided tours, and admissions as outlined in the itinerary.
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Coach touring as per the itinerary
Experience coach touring according to the itinerary.
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Tour manager and garden expert David Hurrion throughout
Be accompanied by tour manager and garden expert David Hurrion throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Transport to the hotel is not included
Transport to the hotel is not provided.
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Double for sole use supplement
A supplement of £456 applies for double room occupancy for sole use.
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Extra nights on bed and breakfast basis
Extra nights on a bed and breakfast basis are not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those specified in the itinerary are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes coach touring as per the itinerary, providing comfortable and convenient transportation to various garden locations. However, transport to the hotel is not included, and participants are expected to arrive independently at the Hydro Hotel, Peebles.
Accommodation
Situated in beautiful Scottish Borders countryside with lovely views, the four-star Hydro Hotel in Peebles offers a restaurant, lounge, cocktail bar, spa, fitness centre with pool, and golf course. Enjoy very comfortable bedrooms with modern amenities including ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities.
MORE INFO
Your Guide - David Hurrion
David started gardening as a young child and has been growing plants for more than 40 years. He has worked in gardens and nurseries, growing on a range of different soils and in different types of microclimate. His extensive knowledge and practical experience of plants, crops and growing techniques is founded on a thorough botanical and scientific training, complemented by an in depth understanding of garden design, wildlife, geology and climatology. He also trained as a teacher and has taught a huge diversity of subjects from botany, soil science and plant identification, to propagation, garden design and crop production, and from City & Guilds through to Degree level. He is also a popular speaker with local gardening groups.As a journalist, David has spent more than 20 years writing for and editing the nation’s crop of garden magazines, currently as Associate Editor for BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. He has also written for a number of websites and appeared both as a regular contributor and an expert commentator on TV and radio. David is a popular figure in the horticultural world, well liked and respected for his knowledge by nurserymen, professional gardeners, journalists and the gardening public. He has designed, built and planted show gardens and display stands at most of the major garden shows in the UK, including the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show, and is now a Designate Judge for the Royal Horticultural Society.He has also travelled to every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, to discover plants and gardens, both independently and on more than 50 trips accompanying groups of gardenersPlease note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day.
For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation.
The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 6pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be guiding the tour?
The tour will be guided by David Hurrion, an accomplished plantsman with extensive knowledge and practical experience in gardening.
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What is included in the accommodation?
The accommodation is at the four-star Hydro Hotel in Peebles, which includes a restaurant, lounge, cocktail bar, spa, fitness centre with pool, and golf course. The rooms are comfortable with modern amenities such as ensuite bathrooms, hairdryers, and tea and coffee making facilities.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at the Hydro Hotel, a welcome reception, a first night three-course dinner with wine, and three further dinners in the hotel restaurant.
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What kind of gardens will we visit during the tour?
The tour includes visits to a variety of gardens such as the Dawyck Botanic Garden, Kailzie Gardens, Floors Castle gardens, Monteviot Gardens, Carolside Gardens, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Amisfield Walled Garden, and Humbie Dean Garden.
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Is transportation to the hotel included in the tour package?
No, transport to the hotel is not included in the tour package.
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What time does the welcome reception and dinner start on the first day?
The welcome reception and first evening dinner/talk will commence at about 6pm.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
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Monday - Friday
Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.