Edinburgh in Bloom
June 21 - 27, 2027
Join us as we travel in first class style to visit some of the best gardens in and around majestic Edinburgh!
From our Charlotte Square home base in the vibrant capital of Scotland, we’ll tour grand castles, Royal estates, a tranquil private garden normally inaccessible to the public, and one of the richest plant collections on Earth. You’ll be inspired by Scotland’s breathtaking scenery as we take in the clear air and profuse flowers that characterizes summer in this spectacular region.
This unique and perfectly paced tour, designed from over a decade of travel in Scotland, offers exclusive experiences only possible with Huron Tours, a wonderful introduction to like-minded garden travelers, and every detail pre-arranged so you can just relax and enjoy. You will appreciate the personalized attention and services of our knowledgeable guides that come from our many years of highly regarded garden-focused travel.
Please read on, and consider joining us on this very special garden getaway in 2027.
Monday, June 21
Edinburgh Arrival, The Palace of Holyroodhouse private after-hours tour and dinner*
Welcome to Scotland! Arrive in Edinburgh and meet your tour managers and Huron Tours’ owners John and Katie Kosta and official Blue Badge Guide Valery who will be with you for the entirety of your tour. Rest easy with your HTT arranged private Edinburgh airport transfer to your perfectly-located Five-Star hotel, The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel.
With its prime position overlooking elegant Charlotte Square at the end of famed George Street, our hotel is perfectly located for shopping, strolling or sight-seeing. This historic property has been reinvented in mid-century modern style in seven converted Georgian town houses. The deeply comfortable bedrooms offer all the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel. Daily breakfast, a popular ‘Twilight Tea’ and botanical themed cocktails are all served in ‘The Garden’, the conservatory restaurant. The Charlotte Square was awarded ‘Hotel of the Year’ at 2018's Scottish Hotel Awards so you know you’re staying in exactly the right place!
Our welcome evening celebration is an event fit for royalty! The Palace of Holyrood House is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II. Holyrood has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century, and is a setting for state occasions and official entertainment. Tonight, the palace will host Huron with a very special private, after-hours tour including private time in the gift shop while sipping a glass of champagne and the main event - a private dinner just for us (visit subject to Royal Family’s schedule). What a welcome!
*Subject to the Royal family visiting schedule.
(Meals on flight, dinner included)
Tuesday, June 22
Panoramic Tour of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Botanical Garden private tour
Summer blossoms
After enjoying the Charlotte Square hotel’s quintessential Scottish breakfast, we’ll explore the cultural, historical, and architectural heritage of the atmospheric capital of Scotland on a private panoramic city tour led by our expert guide. ‘Auld Reekie’ (Edinburgh’s nickname) is a unique mixture of centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys alongside elegant Georgian townhouses on open squares.We’ll see all the highlights from a local’s perspective.
We'll finish our tour back at our hotel in New Town where you'll have time for lunch at one of the many and diverse pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Next, a must-do for any garden enthusiast, we'll spend the remainder of the afternoon at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, affectionately known as “The Botanics.” Our private guides will share insights into this 350-year-old institution, one of the world's leading botanic gardens and home to one of the largest and richest plant collections on Earth. This 70 acre garden is a landscape of tranquil beauty and after our tour you’ll be free to wander the many outdoor plant collections. Be sure to leave time to view the art on display at Inverleith House, the 18th century mansion on the grounds.
Your final tour documents will include a restaurant recommendation list compiled from our past travelers' dining experiences which will give you a good place to start for making your dinner plans tonight.
(Breakfast included)
Wednesday, June 23
Royal day out at Dumfries House, Lunch included
The list of gardens and stately homes on Huron Tours’ bucket list is always growing, but one Royal Estate has long been on our wish list: Dumfries House. A place where history, nature and elegance come together, Dumfries House faced an uncertain future when it was put up for sale 20 years ago. The cost of the building's upkeep was becoming unaffordable and there were fears it would become a ruin without intervention. That was when it came to the attention of King Charles, who at the time was the Prince of Wales. The Scottish estate was purchased in 2007 and completely transformed by his vision. It is now home to his educational charity, The King's Foundation.
Dumfries House is truly one of Britain's most beautiful stately homes. Set in 2,000 acres, this stunning estate and 18th-century house contains almost all of its original Thomas Chippendale furniture still in pristine condition after 250 years of private ownership.
The estate’s 5 acre walled garden was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2014 and is a beautiful garden featuring a mix of terraces, greenhouses and topiary. There is also a parterre and fountain, with herbaceous borders framing the front of the house.
We begin our visit today with a private tour where we learn about the history of the house as we discover key rooms and features. After our tour, we’ll make our way to the library, a hidden gem not open to the public. Lined with books and richly furnished, it is an incredibly welcoming space and the perfect setting for a memorable 3-course lunch together. Another Huron special event!
After lunch, we’ll have a private tour of the gardens led by Thomas Malone, the Assistant Head Gardener. A perfectly royal day out!
(Breakfast, lunch included)
Thursday, June 24
Carolside House & Gardens with lunch, free time in town of Peebles
Although roses are the star of the show at Carolside, they aren't the only bright star (Peonies, Iris, Catmint, and Speedwell are among a few that are putting on a show for us)
This morning after breakfast we'll head out to the "Scottish Borders" for a very special visit, just for Huron Tours. In 2026 during our visit to Carolside House & Gardens we just couldn't get over how wonderful a garden this was. Within five minutes of meeting Rose Foyle, the appropriately named proprietress of Carolside, our groups' interest and enthusiasm was primed! This is, without a doubt, one of Scotland's finest gardens. It has been said that Carolside is “a garden one can only dream of” and in the height of summer it has a rare beauty. The ancient roses are profuse, delicate and exquisite, and their scent, and the strong perfume of the sweet peas and honeysuckle, fill the air before you enter the walled garden. And once within the confines of the garden, it is one surprise after the next.
In addition to being lovely to look at and smell, Carolside has an important historical collection of roses and houses a National Collection of pre-1900 Gallica Roses. Form and function!
Rose will take us around her creation on a private tour, providing some insight into the design, planning and future of this absolute gem. We'll then enjoy a wonderful private lunch in the formal dining room of the Georgian house, built in 1740. If we are lucky, Rose's husband, Anthony, will join us.
We’ll then spend the remainder of the afternoon in the pretty market town of Peebles. A Royal Burgh town in the Scottish Borders, Peebles sits directly on the scenic River Tweed and is famous for its beautiful setting, independent shopping, and rich history.
We return to Edinburgh this evening and you are free for your own explorations.
Friday, June 25
Private visit to Drummond Castle
Huron Tours' founders Jan and John Kosta at Drummond Castle sometime in the 1990s
This morning after breakfast we head out to one our most cherished visits of the year, to experience the lavish elegance of Drummond Castle. Around 1490 John, the 1st Lord Drummond, began building a castle on a rocky hill south of Crieff. We’ll enter the castle forecourt and pass through the iron-barred gateway to the inner courtyard, and on to the top of the terrace. The view from this point is one of the most glorious vistas in all of Britain. It is simply breathtaking!
Rightly considered one of the finest surviving examples of the formal late Renaissance style in Europe, the gardens here were laid out around the 1630s. The terraced gardens of Drummond spill down and fan out in a state of regal order, as meticulously sculpted shrubs and trees vie for attention with precisely groomed, fabulously flowering planting beds. If you ever wondered what it is like to garden with the Scottish upper crust, Drummond Castle is your answer.
Today is another “just for Huron” exclusive as we have been granted the extraordinary privilege of touring the normally publicly inaccessible castle. After our tour, we’ll have lunch together in the family dining room. We will end our afternoon with a private tour of these extraordinary gardens given by Audrey, a knowledgeable gardener and Drummond family liaison.
Once back in Edinburgh you are free for dinner. Be sure to ask John and Katie about their favorite special occasion restaurant. Reservations are essential, but we can tell you how to book.
(Breakfast and lunch included)
Saturday, June 26
Free Day in Edinburgh, dinner aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia
Huron Tours' Katie and John Kosta welcoming you aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia in 2025
After all of the excitement of the past few days you will want a free day to relax or to explore Edinburgh. You can delve into the narrow alleys of medieval Old Town with wonderful shopping and vast dining opportunities or perhaps pay a visit to St. Giles’ Cathedral or the National Museum of Scotland. There is so much to see and do right outside your door and inside as well...fancy a spa day at our hotel?
Tonight is a once-in-a-lifetime event aboard one of the most luxurious venues in the world: A private evening aboard The Royal Yacht Britannia! A Royal residence for over 40 years, the royal yacht sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits with the Royal Family where they entertained Kings and Queens, Prime Ministers and Presidents. Berthed in Edinburgh’s historic port of Leith, our evening begins with a behind-the-ropes private tour for an insight into the history and legacy of Her Majesty’s former Yacht ending in the Drawing Room where we’ll gather for a glass or two of chilled champagne and a selection of irresistible canapés. We’ll then be invited into the State Dining Room, where world leaders and celebrities from Frank Sinatra and Ursula Andress to several U.S. Presidents were entertained. From gleaming silver cutlery and personalized menus bearing Britannia’s crest, our dinner this evening will be a stunning affair. A truly unforgettable event and just one of the special perks of travel with Huron Tours!
(Breakfast and dinner included.)
Sunday, June 27
Departures
All good things come to an end, but Huron Tours’ garden loving travelers leave with new friendships, wonderful memories to last a lifetime and endless garden inspiration to carry home with them! Our private taxi service will pick you up in the hotel lobby for your return flights.
(Breakfast included)
A $1,000 per person deposit will hold your space. Please use the link above or below to access our online shopping cart. If you'd like to reserve over the phone, we'd be happy to talk to you and can be reached at either (504) 267-2057 or (800) 734-1192.
