Recent Blog posts
by Susan Hudson
Our visit to Scotland’s South Eastern Highlands from 8-13 June was another memorable NTAB tour. A carefully balanced programme of gardens, historic houses, castles and spectacular scenery ensured that every day brought new discoveries.
The beautifully preserved village of Culross, with its cobbled streets, palace and gardens, felt like stepping back in time and provided the perfect introduction. Throughout the week we explored a remarkable collection of castles, palaces and historic houses, each with its own story to tell. From the beautifully restored Kellie Castle and the royal associations of Falkland Palace to the grandeur of Scone, Glamis and Blair Castles, Scotland’s history unfolded before us in fascinating and often unexpected ways.
The gardens were equally memorable. Branklyn Gardens, renowned worldwide for a collection of rare plants, was a particular delight, especially as we were fortunate enough to see the Himalayan Blue Poppy in flower. Whether planned or simply good fortune, André certainly deserved the credit!
Perhaps the best was saved until last for many, Queen’s View near Pitlochry certainly lived up to its reputation as one of Scotland’s finest panoramas. Looking across Loch Tummel towards Schiehallion—the “Fairy Mountain”—with the distant mountains of Glencoe visible on the horizon, it was easy to understand why it remains one of the country’s most photographed landscapes.
And would a visit to Scotland really be complete without a distillery? At Glenturret we learned about the history, heritage and craftsmanship behind one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries. We also met, at least in spirit, Towser the Mouser, the legendary tortoiseshell cat credited with catching almost 29,000 mice during her 24 years of service. Naturally, the visit concluded with a generous “wee dram”.
We benefited from passionate and knowledgeable guides whose enthusiasm helped bring the gardens, houses and castles vividly to life. The many welcoming cafés also deserve a mention, tempting us daily with homemade soups, freshly baked scones and an irresistible selection of cakes.
Finally, our sincere thanks go to André and Johan for the meticulous planning that made the week run so smoothly, and to those committee members who supported them behind the scenes. Thanks to your dedication, we enjoyed a week that combined discovery, companionship and no shortage of memorable moments.
Past EventsTravel Tips
