Warmed by the North Atlantic Gulf Stream, Scotland's temperate climate nurtures a rich variety of indiginous alpine, wetland and woodland plant habitats.

Over the last three hundred years unique and valuable collections of plants from the four corners of the globe have been established in gardens in Scotland, often amongst spectacular scenery.

Gavin Dallmeyer offers guided garden tours based in the Highlands and North of Scotland, but in effect covering the whole country. An experienced gardener and garden designer he has lived and worked in the Highlands for many years, and is based at Craigiewood on the Black Isle near Inverness (see Craigiewood in About Scotland).

He has a deep interest in all aspects of this beautiful part of Scotland, from its geological origins in pre-history to its present day human and natural ecology. He is passionate about gardens and eager to share this passion with you.

This is a wonderful opportunity to visit some exceptional Scottish gardens, both public and private, in the good company of a knowledgeable plantsman.

Right; Dunrobin castle gardens

Some gardens are at their peak during certain months. Naturally the best way your tour can be arranged depends on the time of year, opening times, the size of your party and the length of time you have. Gavin can advise on all these matters, and he is keen that tour arrangments are flexible and tailor-made to your wishes.

Right; Arduaine gardens

Within this flexibility Gavin offers two basic categories of guided tour:
Day Tours
and
Extended Garden Tours.

Day Tours

For parties of six or less you can stay with Gavin and his wife Minty at their home Craigiewood, or in the Inverness area. He can suggest accommodation, arrange and make bookings for you. If you already have your accommodation arranged, even if it is elsewhere in Scotland, Gavin can join you and proceed from there.

Extended Tours

Suitable for groups of up to thirty members these tours can start and end anywhere in Scotland. A great variety of gardens can be visited. Again the keyword is flexibilty so a whole day could be spent in one garden, or you could combine shorter visits with excursions to castles, scenic viewpoints, whisky distilleries or even shopping. Whatever the itinerary, getting from one garden to another always means passing through some of the most romantic and inspiring scenery in Europe.

Right; Arduaine gardens