Day 1 - Travel to Ayrshire and the hotel which is the base for this short break.
Day 2 - Glenwhan Gardens and Logan Botanical Garden "Scotland's
Most Exotic Garden"
Depart after breakfast for the visit to Glenwhan Gardens;
described as, "one of the best newly created gardens in recent times".
This 12 acre garden was only begun in 1980, forged out of bare moorland it’s
now an area of outstanding natural beauty, with lovely views across Luce Bay
to the Mull of Galloway. Centred around two ornamental lakes, seats and walkways
abound. From here continue on to Logan Botanical Gardens, which are at the
south-western tip of Scotland, and unrivalled as the country's most exotic
garden. A remarkable collection of bizarre and beautiful plants flourish outside,
making this Garden a plantsman's paradise. Wonder at the groves of eucalyptus
and at the Gunnera Bog in the Woodland Garden. Enjoy the brilliant blooms of
southern hemisphere plants in the Walled Garden, a showcase for tender plants,
it provides a blaze of colour all year round. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day
3 - Isle of Arran & Brodick Castle
A full days excursion to the Isle of
Arran, starting with a visit to Brodick Castle, which was the home of the Duke
and Duchess of Montrose until 1957. Imagine what it must have been like to live
in this fantastic location, surrounded by fine paintings, antique furniture and
precious objects, all of which you can still see today. It also has beautiful
gardens and a country park which stretch from the shore to the highest peak on
Arran and are well worth a visit at any time of year. The rest of the day is
taken up with visits to Arran Aromatics and the Island Cheese Company.
Please note Ferry crossing is based on a maximum 12 metre coach.
Day 4 - Culzean
Castle
The morning has been left free for you to explore and enjoy the lovely
seaside town of Ayr with its harbour and shops, there's plenty to see and do.
This afternoon we have arranged for you to visit Culzean Castle: like a storybook
castle, this fantastic example of Robert Adam's genius stands dramatically
on a cliff with superb views across the sea to the mountains of the Island
of Arran. Between 1777 and 1792 Adam converted an old fortified towercastle
for the 10th Earl of Cassillis, creating at Culzean (pronounced "Cullane")
probably the finest Georgian castle in Scotland. Its Circular Saloon and Oval
Staircase are acknowledged as Adam's final masterpiece.
Day 5 - Depart after breakfast for the return journey home.