Blair Castle & Estate
Dalry, Ayrshire KA24 4ERSiobhan Nanson, Head of Business Development and Events
Directions: Exit the A737 at the Highfield roundabout. Take the first exit towards Stewarton on the B707. Follow this road for 0.8 mile and then turn right onto Blair Road. Turn left to enter the estate at the north gates. We will be operating a one-way system on the day for visitors.
Underwood Lodge
Craigie, Kilmarnock, South Ayrshire KA1 5NGMarilyn Badman
Directions: Southbound on the A77, pass Hansel Village and take the next left signposted Underwood/Ladykirk. Northbound on the A77 take the exit to Symington, then first right, to join the southbound carriageway. Take the Underwood/Ladykirk turning. At the stone bridge, turn left and Underwood Lodge is the first house on the left.
Burnhouse
Cemetery Road, Galston KA4 8LLKevin and Marjorie Quinn
Directions: At the roundabout near Tesco take the B7037 into Galston. Go over the bridge and straight ahead at the traffic lights. After 100 metres turn left following the sign to Sorn (B7037). At the outskirts of the village turn sharp right into Cemetery Road and Burnhouse is immediately on the left.
Barnweil Garden
Craigie, near Kilmarnock KA1 5NEMrs Lorna Alexander
Directions: From the south take the A719 off the A77 at Sandyford roundabout continue on the A719 for 2.5 miles before turning left onto the B730. Take the first left signposted Barnweil Monument, and the garden is on the right. From the north on the A77 take the left at the B730 Tarbolton (past Hayes). Go two miles on the right, signposted Barnweil Monument and the garden is on the right.
River Garden, The Restoration of Auchincruive
The Bothy Office, Auchincruive KA6 5AEAndrew, head gardener
Directions: River Garden is located two minutes by car from the main Whitletts roundabout at the junction of the A77/B743. At the roundabout, take the B743 turn signposted Mossblown. At the bend in the road turn right into the Nellie’s Gate entrance at bus stop KA65.
Barrmill Community Garden
Barrmill Park and Gardens KA15 1HWThe Barrmill Conservation Group
Directions: From Stewarton take the A735 to Dunlop, go left down Main Street B706 to Burnhouse, over at crossroads to Barrmill B706. From Lugton south on the A736, take the right at Burnhouse, B706 to Barrmill. From Glasgow on the M8 take J28a signposted Irvine, on Beith bypass take the left at B706 to Barrmill.
Dalhowan Farm
Crosshill, Maybole KA19 7RNFiona and Robbie Baird
Directions: Follow the A77 south from Ayr to Maybole, take the B7023 towards the village of Crosshill, continue to the end of the village. Parking is available in the field at the end of the village, with a short walk along the road to enter the garden.
Dougarie
Isle of Arran KA27 8EBMrs S C Gibbs
Directions: Five miles from Blackwaterfoot. Regular ferry sailing from Ardrossan and Claonaig (Argyll). Information from Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, T: 01475 650100. Parking is free.
Whitewin House
Golf Course Road, Girvan KA26 9HWLinda Finnie and Graeme Finnie
Directions: Approaching Girvan from the north on the A77, the turning to Golf Course Road is on the right-hand-side of the road before the town centre following signs for the Golf Course. From the south on the A77 come through Girvan, turn left at the lights, then first left and follow signs for the Golf Course. Entrance to the property will be signposted.
Whitewin House
Golf Course Road, Girvan KA26 9HWLinda Finnie and Graeme Finnie
Directions: Approaching Girvan from the north on the A77, the turning to Golf Course Road is on the right-hand-side of the road before the town centre following signs for the Golf Course. From the south on the A77 come through Girvan, turn left at the lights, then first left and follow signs for the Golf Course. Entrance to the property will be signposted.
Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae, Girvan KA26 0NZMr Paul Szkiler
Champion Trees: Abies cilicica, Cercidiphyllum japonicum and Picea likiangensis
Directions: From the north take the A77 south. Pass through Ballantrae, crossing the River Stinchar as you leave. Take the first turning on the right, 100 yards beyond the river (not signposted). From the south take the A77 north, turn left 100 yards before the bridge over Stinchar at Ballantrae. The Castle gates are one mile along this road.
The Carriage House
Blair Estate, Dalry KA24 4ERMr and Mrs Luke Borwick
Directions: A737 from Beith. At the roundabout before Dalry take the first left signposted Stewarton. Then go straight on, signposted Bike Route Irvine. Keep going for approximately two miles and keep the estate wall on the right until you come to South Lodge (white building). Turn right down the drive for Blair Estate - The Carriage House is on the right. Public transport to Dalry. Follow SatNav KA24 4ER and enter Blair Estate through the South Lodge.
Kirkmuir Cottage
Stewarton KA3 3DZMr and Mrs Brian Macpherson
Directions: From the M77 take the B778 to Stewarton. At the traffic lights, turn left and continue to the mini-roundabout. Turn right towards the B778 Kilwinning. Continue for 100 yards under the railway bridge, take an immediate left at the war memorial and continue along Kilwinning, head until you reach the countryside. Kirkmuir is the first farm road on the right hand side. The cottage and garden is on the left at the end of the farm road. Please follow these directions not SatNav.
Burnside
Littlemill Road, Drongan KA6 7ENSue Simpson and George Watt
Directions: From the A77 Ayr bypass take the A70 Cumnock for 5¼ miles, at Coalhall, turn onto the B730 Drongan (south) for 2½ miles. Burnside entrance is immediately adjacent to a black/white parapeted bridge. Ordnance survey grid ref: NS455162.
Auldbyres Farm Garden
Coylton KA6 6HGMarshall and Sue Veitch
Directions: In Coylton take the road signposted B742, past Coylton Arms Pub in Low Coylton, Auldbyres is signposted on the left after ½ mile.
The Pines
Southwood Road, Troon KA10 7ELCheryll and Alasdair Cameron
Directions: From the A77 at Dutch House Roundabout, follow the A78 and then the A79, then immediately right to Troon on the B749. Southwood Road is first left and The Pines is the last property. Stagecoach X14 passes the property.
Dougarie
Isle of Arran KA27 8EBMrs S C Gibbs
Directions: Five miles from Blackwaterfoot. Regular ferry sailing from Ardrossan and Claonaig (Argyll). Information from Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, T: 01475 650100. Parking is free.
1 Burnton Road
Dalrymple KA6 6DYDavid and Margaret Blatchford
Directions: From the north take the A77 Ayr to Stranraer. At the Bankton roundabout, turn left onto the A713 and follow the road past the hospital to the junction with B742, turn right into the village and park in the White Horse car park at the T junction. The garden is on the corner of Burnton and Barbieston Roads. From the south take the A77 towards Ayr, turn right onto the B7034. Follow into the village, at Kirkton Inn junction turn left onto Barbieston Road. Bus 52 from Ayr. The 52 leaves Ayr bus Station at 20 minutes to the hour and will drop you at the White Horse.
Whitewin House
Golf Course Road, Girvan KA26 9HWLinda Finnie and Graeme Finnie
Directions: Approaching Girvan from the north on the A77, the turning to Golf Course Road is on the right-hand-side of the road before the town centre following signs for the Golf Course. From the south on the A77 come through Girvan, turn left at the lights, then first left and follow signs for the Golf Course. Entrance to the property will be signposted.