Gardens of Perthshire
30 May – 1 June 2025​
Friday 30 May 2025
Flights under own arrangement (not arranged by Brightwater Holidays).
On arrival in Edinburgh at 13.40hrs, on flight DY1354, please collect your luggage and make your way to the Arrivals Hall to meet Julia Corden.
Julia will be holding a Brightwater Holidays sign for easy identification.
We will join our coach and transfer to Branklyn Gardens, a haven of peace and colour.Begun in 1922, on a south-facing slope with acid soil, the garden represents a wonderful collection of small rhododendrons, maples, magnolias and woodland plants.
Paths wind along the contours of the land bringing the visitor nose to nose with all kinds of distinguished plants, all beautifully grown.
From here, we continue to our hotel, 3-star McKays Hotel,138 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5AG (Tel: 0044 (0)1796 473888).
All rooms have free Wi-Fi, smart television and tea/coffee making facilities.
The hotel’s restaurant and lively Scottish bar are very popular with both locals and tourists.Dinner will be served in the evening.Saturday
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Saturday 31 May 2025
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Today we will enjoy two private gardens, specially selected by Julia Corden.
Dinner will be served at our hotel this evening.
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​Sunday 1 June 2025
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After breakfast we check out of the hotel – please ensure any extras are paid prior to departure and you have your luggage.
This morning we enjoy a visit to Cluny House Gardens, near Aberfeldy.
Wandering through this wonderful wild woodland garden we will discover rare and exotic plants from around the world.
The gardens feature trees and shrubs from America, New Zealand, Japan, China and Tibet, creating the unique atmosphere of a Himalayan woodland paradise.
We'll also see Britian's widest conifer - a giant Wellingtonia, 11 metres in girth and over 130 years old.​
Please note the garden is set on a hillside so please ensure you wear strong shoes.​
We continue to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, one of the finest botanic gardens in the world.A pleasure for all who visit, the Garden offers fantastic views of the capital's skyline, featuring Edinburgh Castle, and is located just a mile from the city centre.Visitors can discover its fascinating history, which dates back 300 years, learn about its plantings and walk around 70 acres of beautiful landscape.
​The world-famous Rock Garden is a particular highlight.
James McNab built the first rock garden at Inverleith in 1871 which comprised of numerous small, straight-sided compartments, each planted and distinctly labelled.In 1914 a new Rock Garden was completed using conglomerate rock from the Callander area in Perthshire, and red sandstone from Dumfries.
​Today there is approximately 5,000 species planted at any one time in the Rock Garden.Visitors can also enjoy the serenity of the Chinese Hillside or stroll amongst the awe-inspiring Giant Redwood trees in the Woodland Garden.
Please note the Glasshouses are currently closed as part of ongoing restoration work.
​Lunch facilities are available here (not included).​
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Later we transfer to Edinburgh Airport in time for your return flight, DY1357, departing at 21.10hrs. Again, flights under own arrangement (not arranged by Brightwater Holidays).
We hope you have an enjoyable holiday
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​​Letter:
19 May 2025
Good Afternoon
Please find enclosed your joining instructions for your forthcoming holiday – Gardens of Perthshire.
The name of your Brightwater Holidays tour manager is Julia Corden. ​
Julia is a Horticultural Consultant and Botanical/Garden tour manager.She is a NARGS member and has spoken to a number of NARGS chapters.She is a past President of The Scottish Rock Garden Club and her particular passion is the Blue Poppy of the Himalayas.
Julia will meet you in the Arrivals Hall at Edinburgh Airport, upon your arrival on flight DY1354, on Friday 30 May.
She will be holding a Brightwater Holidays sign for easy identification and will be on hand throughout to ensure you get the most out of your tour.
If you have any issues or delays on the day that you meet Julia, please call our emergency number on 0044 (0)7968 283173.​​
Our coach will be provided by Parks of Hamilton.
There will be a Brightwater Holidays poster in the front window and you are asked not to smoke on the coach at any time. ​
On the first day, we recommend you purchase food on the flight, or before boarding, as there will not be time for a lunch stop before visiting Branklyn Gardens.
Please remember to apply for your ETA, before you arrive in the UK, if you have not done so already (further information can be found in the enclosed background information).
Kind regards
Julie Liddle
Admin Manager