Members Weekend 2024

MEMBERS’ DAY 2024 The Dumfries and Galloway group will be hosting our annual members’ day and have arranged a superb weekend of garden visits and talks for members from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12. Dumfries & Galloway has both superb landscapes and a wealth of public and private gardens which can be visited en route to and from the members' weekend - the local groups is putting together a list of recommendations, which will be sent to early in 2024.

Places are limited so early booking is recommended. The full residential weekend is £265.00 per person (2 sharing) ie £530 for two, a full residential weekend is £310.00 (single occupancy), and a non-residential day visit for the Saturday is £125.00 including dinner (without dinner is £80).

To book please ring us on 01483 447540. Or book online here. Book by 8th April 2024.

THE PROGRAMME : 

FRIDAY, MAY 10  

10am: members can visit gardens across the region – both private and public. The local group will be putting together a list of recommendations, which will be sent out to you later in the year. Members will need to have their membership card with them. Dumfries and Galloway also have many excellent nurseries and their details will also be available.  

3pm: arrive at the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer, DG9 8EH

3pm: the Plant Exchange begins. Several local nurseries have also been invited to come along with a selection of their plants to sell.  

7.30pm: two-course dinner followed by a talk from Richard Baines, the curator of Logan Botanic Garden – one of the regional gardens of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh – on his recent trips to Vietnam. 

SATURDAY, MAY 11

9am: welcome and introductions in the Edinburgh room at the hotel 

9.15am: talk by Martin Gardner, research associate at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the former coordinator (1991-2021) on the International Conifer Conservation Programme 

10am: talk by Gavin McNaughton, nurseryman and former National Collection Holder, on Meconopsis and autumn gentians 

10.45am: refreshments 

11.15: talk TBC 

12.30pm: travel by minibus to Logan Botanic Garden located 14 miles south of Stranraer in the Rhins of Galloway 

1pm: buffet lunch in a marquee on the lawn 

2pm: tour of Logan with Richard Baines 

4pm: walk to the gardens of Logan House Garden (next door), a woodland walk, bright and colourful in spring 

5.15-6pm: return to hotel in minibuses (each departing when full) 

7 for 7.30pm: conference dinner, followed by a talk by Colin Crosbie, horticultural consultant, former curator of RHS Garden Wisley, and head gardener to the Queen Mother at Royal Lodge 

 SUNDAY, MAY 12 

Members will be able to visit more of the best gardens and nurseries in Dumfries and Galloway on their way home. 

Cancellation policy

Cancellation prior to 28 March 2024 – full refunds are possible

Cancellation from 29 March – no refund for hotel costs, but we may be able to refund garden visit costs.