SRGC GALLOWAY GARDENS WEEKEND
8th - 10th June 2007





Hosted by our Dumfries and Galloway Group, the SRGC has organised a wonderful early summer weekend visiting gardens and nurseries in the south west of Scotland, which locals refer to as 'Scotland's Garden' country.

This is a perfect chance for club members to see some of the best gardens in the county, hosted and guided by group members who know these gardens well. Many of these gardens are listed amongst the finest in the UK. They are home to many very special plants which 'revel in the warm ocean air'.



Castle Kennedy Gardens



Broughton House and gardens

"The balmy breezes of the Gulf Stream travelling from the Gulf of Mexico to wash over the regions 200 miles of coastline."


GARDENS



Logan Gardens



Dunskey Gardens,

Palm trees in Scotland! Gardens styles range from tropical or formal to walled gardens, castle gardens and seaside gardens. Just ponder the names, Logan Botanic Garden, Threave Garden, Castle Kennedy, Drumlanrig, Glenwhan, Cally Gardens. Magical names evoking Scotland's own history as well as garden legends beckon us all.


Drumlanrig Castle


Cally Gardens


Threave gardens


Glenwhan Gardens


NURSERIES
As well as the great gardens there are superb nurseries in which you can browse and select rare and unusual plants.
Buckland Plants, Elizabeth MacGregor's Nursery, Cairnsmore, Gownbrae and many more. Bring your cheque book.

"You are bound leave (the weekend) buzzing with ideas and inspired by expert advice."

"Dumfries & Galloway possesses some of the loveliest gardens in Scotland, both large and small, along with a wide range of specialist nurseries which, together provide a mecca for the garden lover.
The region is blessed by a mild oceanic climate, a product of the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. We also have mostly free-draining and lime-free soils and are generally less exposed to strong winds and hard frosts than areas further north. This combination is not only ideal for growing rhododendrons and azaleas, which are the pride of many gardens within the region, but also a diverse range of other plants from many different parts of the world."

[The quotes here from The Dumfries and Galloway Gardens & Nurseries Association leaflet and web site]


HOTEL
We will be staying at the Cally Palace Hotel in Gatehouse of Fleet at the special rate of £190 pp for dinner bed and breakfast for 2 nights, premium rooms [two people sharing]


Cally Palace Hotel


Gatehouse of Fleet



TOURIST INFORMATION
Dumfries and Galloway tourist office produces an excellent booklet,
"Dumfries and Galloway Gardens and Nurseries in Bloom"
which gives a comprehensive oversight of the region's treasures.
Visit their web site
www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/gardens

Local Group Convenor Brian Davidson is finalising his selection of the gardens which we will visit. Several of the following will be among them. You can visit others as you want on your journey there and back.



SRGC INFORMATION & BOOKING

Contact :-
Brian Davidson
'Carngrove',
Boreland Wood,
Gatehouse of Fleet,
Castle Douglas
DG7 2EH

email
bddavidson@hotmail.co.uk


LOCATION AND DISTANCES
Dumfries is just across the Solway Firth from Carlisle and within 2 hours driving from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Perth, Dundee, Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester are within 3hours while even Aberdeen, Aviemore, Birmingham, Llandudno are about 4 hours drive.
It is easily reached via the M74 & M6.
Larne is only 3 hours away by Ferry.


Visit the Gardens & Nurseries of Dumfries and Galloway with the SRGC from the luxurious Cally Palace Hotel and indulge in a magical weekend of gardening.

These are the members of Dumfries and Galloway Gardens and Nurseries Association.

Links to all these can be found on www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/gardens
Barwinnock Herbs,
Bellhouse Plants
Blackstone Garden Plants
Bridge End Nurseries
Buckland Plants
Cairnsmore Nursery
Cally Gardens and Nursery
Craigieburn Garden
Craiglochan Gardens
Dunskey Walled Garden
Elizabeth MacGregor's Nursery
Elmlea Plants
Glenwhan Gardens
Gowanbrae Nursery
Logan Botanic Garden
Mill Plant Nursery
Riverside Trees
The Tropic House
Woodfall Gardens



Further details from :-
Brian Davidson, 'Carngrove', Boreland Wood, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2EH

Or e-mail to
bddavidson@hotmail.co.uk

Thank you to the Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board and individual gardens and nurseries for the pictures used to illustrate this piece

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