A garden lover can plan a trip visiting as many as 20 gardens across the whole region, some of which are hardly known outside their area.. The visitor can tour Southern Scotland staying at Cosses Country House to visit Blairquhan, Bargany, and Castle Kennedy, stay with associate member Kirnaughtry House (or one of the McMillan Hotels) and visit Logan Botanical Gardens and Glenwhan. They can then spend a night at Chipperkyle (discuss garden design with Catriona) and visit Broughton House and Threave Gardens. Next they could stay at Skirling House or Cormiston Farm and visit Dawyk before moving on to the Whitehouse and visiting Priorwood, Harmony and Floors Castle Gardens.

Itinerary for staying in Dumfies and Galloway

Day 1

To Castle Douglas where spot of shopping might include a visit to the McGill Duncan Gallery or a tour of the Sulwath Brewery before lunch at Designs. An opportunity to purchase some of the renowned local lamb or beef from any of the four butchers should not be missed. After lunch a walk araound Threave Gardens and/or Threave Castle.

To the art town of Kirkcudbright to the Whitehouse Gallery, Broughton House, The Toolboth and a walk around the Harbour. Shopping might include the Showroom Dress Shop and Katherine King Jewellers. After a stroll around the Georgian streets an evening meal at The Selkirk Arms or take your own bottle of wine for some delicious fish and chips at the Harbour Square.

Day 2

To Drumlanrig Castle. If a full day can be allowed, spend time in the castle itself followed by a picnic lunch in the grounds with a cycle hire in the afternoon. A stop for dinner at the Trigony Hotel would complete the day. An alternative cultural day would split the day between visits to Dumfries House near Cumnock and to Drumlanrig.

Day 3

To New Abbey to spend the morning visiting the Corn Mill and Shambelie House Museum of Costume. After lunch at the Tea Room a gentle amble around the romantic ruins of Sweetheart Abbey. The afternoon drive would include the coastal route to the birdlife reserves of both Mersehead and Caerlaverock taking in a short visit to Caerlaverock Castle on the way. Back to Chipperkyle for a quiet rest before an evening out for a bar meal and drink at the Laurie Arms in Haugh of Urr.

Day 4

Heading west to the Machars the morning can be enjoyed searching out books at the Wigtown Booktown. A visit to Scotland's Southernmost Whisky distillerty at Bladnoch could be next on the list after a lunch in the local pub. The return drive might take one back via a stop off to purchase seafood presents at the Galloway Smokehouse or the Marbery Smokehouse. From Gatehouse of Fllet a beautiful evening drive through the hills would take you to the Catsrand in New Galloway forsome thatre or cinema before a meal after at Carlo's in Castle Douglas.