Stephanie writes: The first garden visit of 2017 will take place on Tuesday 4 April. The gardens to be visited are Portrack near Dumfries and the walled garden and arboretum of Dumfries House which is near Cumnock in Ayrshire.
Portrack Garden is divided into 5 areas each exploring the structure of the universe. The garden is open to the public on only one day each year, this year on 30 April when huge crowds of people will visit. We are very lucky to have one of our SURSA members, Christine MacDougall, who is a family friend of Charles Jencks's head gardener, Alastair Clark. Thanks to Christine, Alastair has very kindly agreed to let us visit on a separate day so we won't have to compete with hordes of others. We hope that Alastair will be there himself but he can't promise. There are toilets on site but please note that there is no cafe. I will be asked to sign a disclaimer to state that I accept that Portrack will not be liable in the event of any accident while we are there so please make sure to wear sensible footwear and take care. Members might like to bring a flask of coffee or some other refreshment as I haven't been able to find a suitable cafe for us to stop on the way to Portrack and it's a long time from breakfast to lunch at 1245.
Lunch will consist of soup, sandwiches, coffee and tea in the dining room of Friars Carse Hotel, 2 miles from Portrack.
I have spoken with the Head Gardener of Dumfries House, Brian Corr, who hopes to take us around himself. We were there yesterday and were very impressed by the lovely hellebores. Brian said that April isn't the best month for colour but unfortunately I'll be away in May when the azaleas etc will be at their best. There is plenty to see: a beautiful new Chinese bridge and lots of mini pagodas and little houses and water features.
The timetable for the day is as follows:
0900 The Dochertys coach will depart PC World Car Park in Stirling
1100 arrive at Portrack Garden of Cosmic Speculation
1230 coach will leave Portrack
1245 arrive at Friars Carse Hotel, Auldgirth for sandwich lunch
1400 depart hotel
1500 arrive Dumfries House for tour of gardens
1700 depart
1830 arrive PC World Car Park
I've tried to keep the costs for this day as low as possible but I'm sorry to say that the total cost will be £37 per head. This includes return coach travel, entrance costs to Portrack (this money will go to Maggie's Centres) and to Dumfries House gardens, and lunch at Friars Carse Hotel.
If you wish to come along can you please let me know as soon as possible by e-mailing me at the address below.
It's important that I have the numbers so that I can book the coach. Please don't wait until the SURSA coffee morning on 1 March. Once I have the numbers I can confirm that the day will go ahead and I will then e-mail you to let you know how to pay.
Stephanie Tytler stephanietytler1@yahoo.co.uk