We have an exciting visit coming up to Dumfries House Gardens & Estate, which will be taking place on Saturday 12th September 2026 at 10:15am. We have been provided with a private tour from Assistant Head Gardener, Thomas Malone, who will be sharing the story of Dumfries House, its Gardens and the wider estate, whilst allowing us to explore one of Scotland's most significant contemporary horticultural and heritage restoration projects.
Meeting Information
Dumfries House, Cumnock, East Ayrshire, KA18 2NJ (just off the A70) - 10:15am onwards
Further information for the meeting point and directions will be provided nearer to the visit date. Please note, car parking is currently charged at £5 per day on the site.
Thomas has been kind enough to write an extract for us, providing a little background on Dumfries House Gardens and the wider estate:
"We are delighted to welcome members of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture to Dumfries House Gardens and Estate for what promises to be an enjoyable and informative visit. The day will provide an opportunity to explore the historic gardens and horticultural features of the estate, including the Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden, which was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2014. Attendees will also gain an insight into the management, restoration and ongoing development of the wider 2,000-acre estate.
The gardens at Dumfries House have undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from an overgrown and largely neglected landscape into an extensive and diverse horticultural destination. Developed as part of the wider restoration of the estate, the gardens combine traditional design principles with contemporary horticultural practice. Today they encompass a rich variety of features including the Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden, Japanese Garden, woodland planting, formal gardens, water features, a 10-acre arboretum, extensive avenues and specimen tree collections, as well as a range of live-build educational projects.
At the heart of the gardens lies the five-acre Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden. The garden incorporates formal parterres, topiary, rose collections, glasshouses and an education garden, reflecting the important role horticulture plays within the estate’s educational and community programmes. The gardens serve not only as a place of beauty and enjoyment but also as a valuable resource for learning, skills development and environmental stewardship.
The restoration and development of the gardens have been closely associated with His Majesty King Charles III, whose vision for Dumfries House was to create a living example of heritage-led regeneration that brings together horticulture, traditional crafts, education and sustainability. The estate was saved for the nation in 2007 through an appeal led by Charles, then Prince of Wales, and today serves as the headquarters of The King's Foundation. The Foundation continues to oversee the stewardship and development of Dumfries House and its surrounding estate, ensuring that its historic, environmental and educational significance continues to grow."
This is a fantastic opportunity to receive a very personal experience at Dumfries House and it would be wonderful to have you join us on the day. We do have a limited number of spaces available for this event, therefore, if you are wishing to attend, please respond to this email as soon as possible to secure your space.
The closing date for expressing interest to attend will be Sunday 6th September 2026 at 5pm.
If you have any questions regarding the visit and to confirm your place, please do not hesitate to get in touch on [email protected]
