GARDENING CLUB HOLIDAY

On 22 June 2021 members of the Burnholme Gardening Club set off on a holiday to Dumfries and Galloway.  They stayed for  3 nights at the beautiful Cally Palace Hotel in Gatehouse of Fleet.  On the journeys there and back and during the following days, visits were made to several beautiful houses and gardens.  The slideshow of pictures are just a small selection of pictures taken during the trip.

They start with Threave Gardens and Estate,  Castle Douglas.  This estate includes the Scottish Garden dedicated to the training of horticulturists, home of the School of Heritage Gardening since 1960.  The garden is divided into a series of smaller gardens to showcase different styles and planting schemes.  At the centre stands Threave House in the Scottish Baronial style.

After a great dinner, a good night's sleep, and early breakfast the journey was made to the stunning 18th Century Dumfries House, part of the Prince's Foundation with its unrivalled collection of Chippendale furniture  Unfortunately photography was not allowed in the house but the following link will give you full details of the wonderful refurbishment. https://www.dumfries-house.org.uk/.  The second set of pictures are of a small part of the estate    and walled garden.

For the last full day a visit was planned to the Logan Botanic Garden with great photographic opportunities.  This garden is an outpost of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and is a specialised part of Edinburgh's Living Collection.

On the journey home a stop was made in the harbour town of Kirkcudbright to visit Broughton House and Garden (but unfortunately the house was closed).  Broughton House is an 18th-century town house which was the home of Scots impressionist artist E. A. Hornel between 1901 and 1933.  Hornel remodelled the house and created the Japanese-influenced garden.  Before leaving Kirkcudbright the Elizabeth McGregor Nursery and Garden was visited.  This nursery is famous for the range of perennial cultivars including the violas and anemones for which Elizabeth is famous.  Many plants were purchased.

The last group of pictures are of the whole party enjoying their last dinner in the beautiful dining room.  A great time was had by all as can be seen by the very happy faces.  The opportunity was taken to thank John, the coach driver, for all his care, consideration and very safe driving and his ever present smile.  Great thanks were also expressed to Jean Taylor for her faultless organisation of the trip in the face of  many difficulties (including a year's postponement) caused by COVID.