NTS Glasgow Members' Centre
Coach Outings Programme
For the summer and autumn 2011 five day tours have been arranged starting in May and continuing to October. In addition a five day touring holiday based in Didsbury, Manchester will take place in September. These trips are not normally open to non-members but friends of members may accompany them when space was available on payment of a supplement to the normal members' charge (£2 for day trips and £10 for the weekend).
- 1. Arduaine Gardens
Thursday 19 May 2011, Depart 9:00 am, Return 7.00 pm (approx)
Cost £28The cost includes morning coffee/tea and lunch.
Arduanie is beautifully situated on the west coast of Argyll with wonderful views. It is well worth a return visit at anytime, but especially in May, when we hope that the azaleas and rhododendrons will be at their best. It is a compact garden with some inclines, but the main parts are fairly level.
After a stop for tea/coffee (included) we will drive to Arduaine, which we should reach about 1pm. We have arranged a soup and sandwich lunch at the adjascent Loch Melfort Hotel (also included), and members will then be free to visit the garden at their own pace. We will then go on to spend some time in Oban, which has plenty of shops and cafes (afternoon tea is not included). We will return direct to Glasgow with perhaps one brief stop.
- 2. Naworth Castle and Lanercost Priory
Thursday 16 June 2011, Depart 8.45 am, Return 6.45 pm (approx)
Cost £29The cost includes morning coffee/tea.
Once again we are returning into Cumbria, though not very far this year! Naworth and Lanercost are close to Brampton, a few miles from the Border.
After a brief stop off the Motorway, we will proceed to Naworth for morning coffee (included) at about 10.30 am. Naworth, which is the home of Mr and Mrs Peter Howard, dates from 14th century. It was reconstructed in the mid-19th century but retaining many of the original features including the Great Hall.
There will be a choice of tours, one going up to the top of the castle (quite steep) and the other concentrating on the lower parts.We shall then drive the short distance to Lanercost Priory to arrive in time for lunch in their cafe (not included). The Priory dates from about 1166 and has suffered much damage both from raids from over the Border and also at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The nave of the church is however well preserved and now serves as a Parish Church, where we will have a guided tour.
If time permits you could also visit the monastic ruins, which are in the care of English Heritage, but we have not included the entrance fee for this. We will have a further stop on the return journey, to be confirmed later.
Thursday 21 July 2011, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.30 pm (approx)
Cost £32The cost includes morning coffee/tea.
Numbers for this excursion are restricted to 33.
Today, we are visiting two very different properties in Lothians and Borders.
Jupiter Artland is part of the Bonnington Estate, at Wilkieston, near Edinburgh. In recent years the owners have commissioned sculptures from various well known artist including Charles Jencks, Antony Gormley and Ian Hamilton Finlay, and these are sited in an area of woodland. We will go direct to Jupiter Artland for tea/coffee (included) before viewing the art works, which we hope you will find enjoyable and stimulating, with some surprises. Please note that while the site is fairly level with a firm path, care must be taken in some parts.
We will then continue to Floors Castle, the home of the Duke of Roxburgh, near Kelso. Many members may have previously visited the Castle, or have seen photographs of it. It was originally a Georgian house by William Adam, but the present "fairytale" exterior results from reconstruction by W. H. Playfair in 1834/47. Some sumptuous remodelling of the interior took place in the 1920's at the direction of Duchess May, a New York heiress and wife of the 8th Duke. There is obviously a lot to see, and we shall spend as long as we can at Floors. Lunch and tea can be purchases in the restaurant. We will return direct to Glasgow.
- 4. Burntisland and Hill of Tarvit
Saturday 13 August 2011, Depart 8.45 am, Return 7.00 pm (approx)
Cost £29The cost includes morning coffee/tea and lunch.
We hope that this will prove an enjoyable day in two contrasting parts of Fife. After a stop for morning coffee/tea (included) at the Woodside Hotel, Aberdour, we will drive the short distance to Burntisland, which may be unfamiliar to most of our members. The meaning of the name is uncertain, but in the 19th century, the town was a busy port for ferries going across the Forth to Granton, and later became a holiday resort for the better off from Edinburgh.
At the suggestion of a member, we will visit the Museum of Communucations, which is staffed by volunteers and has a fascinating collection of items which you may or may not remember!
We will then visit the historic Parish Church - probably finished about 1596 and one of the very first post-Reformation churches in Scotland, still in use today. In 1601 King James VI (not yet King of England) called a meeting in the church to discuss a translation of the Bible, and as you will all be aware, only 10 years later the Authorised Version in English was published. After a tour, a buffet lunch will be served by church members (included).
In the afternoon we will drive to the Hill of Tarvit, the N.T.S. property near Cupar. The estate was purchased by a Dundee jute magnate, F. B. Sharp, who commissioned Robert Lorimer to reconstruct the house in 1905/7. (Those who visited Monzie last year will recall a connection with the Crichtons who also had estates in Fife and also commissioned Lorimer to rebuild Monzie after the fire in 1908). Hill of Tarvit has some fine interiors, a collection of French furniture and a delightful garden. There is a tea-room where afternoon tea can be obtained, but this is not included. We will return direct to Glasgow.
- 5. House of Dun
Thursday 6 October 2011, Depart 9.00 am, Return 6.45 pm (approx)
Cost £29The cost includes lunch and afternoon tea.
We hope for a good day for our autumn excursion to a N.T.S. property set in attractive Angus countryside above Montrose Basin.
Our first stop will be at Baxter's, Blackford for tea/coffee (not included) and other opportunities to spend money! We will then proceed to House of Dun where we will have lunch (included) consisting of soup, filled rolls and a sweet. (We will probably have to split the party, depending on numbers). House of Dun was built by William Adam in 1730. Among many interesting features, the plasterwork in the public rooms is exceptional.
On the return journey we will stop for afternoon tea (included) at the Landmark Hotel on the western side of Dundee.
- Five Day Touring Holiday to Cheshire
Friday 9th to Tuesday 13th September 2011
Cost £255 (sharing a double or twin room) or £305 for a single room.Accommodation for four nights with dinner, bed and breakfast will be at the Britannia Hotel, Didsbury, Manchester.
We plan to visit Tatton Park, Dunham Massey, Little Moreton Hall, Lyme Park and Holker Park (Lancashire). We are also arranging a tour of Manchester in the coach, escorted by a Blue Badge guide, and stopping at various points of interest.
The price includes entrance to Holker Hall (not National Trust), the driver's gratuity, and some incidentals. Insurance is also included in the price this year. Not included are lunches, coffees, etc. and unforseen expenses which may arise on the Manchester city tour.
We have obtained a large number of single rooms. As demand for these is always high and can exceed our allocation it is recommended that you book early if you want a single room. If you wish to bring a friend who is not a member of the Centre there will be a supplement of £10 payable by the non-member. Applications will be dealt with in order of receipt. Thess should be submitted by 26th March using the booking form accompanied by a deposit of £50 per person. The deposit will be non-refundable.