Crawick Multiverse and the Gardens of Drumlanrig

Wednesday 11 May - 9:15am to 6:00pm
The two places to be visited are Crawick Multiverse and the gardens of Drumlanrig, both in Dumfriesshire and both on land owned by the Duke of Buccleuch.

Stephanie writes: Crawick Multiverse is a former open cast coal mine which has been designed by Charles Jencks (husband of Maggie of Maggie's Centres) to link the themes of space, astronomy and cosmology. He has taken 55 acres and turned them into a walkable representation of the Universe. The site has a high walk and a lower, more gentle one. We will have a guide or guides but I have also asked for a 4x4 vehicle to be available for anyone who finds walking difficult. The gardens of Drumlanrig Castle and Country Estate comprise a long terrace walk, grand parterres, rock garden, Victorian glasshouse, rhododendron collection and woodland garden. Our guide will be the head gardener. Note that the castle will not be open although we will have lunch in the castle tea room. The plan for the day is as follows: 0915 Leave PC World Car Park in Stirling on a Dochertys Midland Coach 1045 arrive Crawick and have coffee and scones before the tour 1115-1300 tour of Crawick with guide/s 1300 leave Crawick and head for Drumlanrig (about 15 minutes distant) 1330-1430 soup, sandwiches and tea/coffee in castle tea room 1430 tour of garden with head gardener 1630 coach leaves Drumlanrig 1800 arrive PC World The cost of the day will be £34 per head which includes coach travel, admission to both Crawick and Drumlanrig with guides, coffees and lunch. Please note that good weather is even more important that ever for this visit and this is why I'm leaving it until May. Crawick has no shelter: we'll have our coffee under an awning and make use of loos. A 4x4 vehicle will be available at Crawick but there is no equivalent facility at Drumlanrig. The cost of £34 is based on a minimum number of 30 people sharing the coach so I do hope that this trip will attract 30 members or members and friends. Can you please let me know as soon as possible if you want to come along on 11 May and I will then let you know about paying for the day. Please also let me know if you think you might need the 4x4 at Crawick. Stephanie Tytler stephanietytler1@yahoo.co.uk