Abbotsford garden in the Scottish Borders was a delight. The three "garden rooms", enclosed by local stone walls and the surrounding landscaped estate remain a reflection of Walter Scott's Georgian era vision. The first, laid to lawn with bold yew hedging and roses, then the sunken Morris garden with strongly coloured avenues of blooms, then the kitchen garden to feed visitors from around the world, culminating with a novel, for the time, heated pavillion, today a welcome spot to shelter from the inevitable Border country short bursts of rain, even a cheese sandwich and fresh apricot!

The estate offered woodland walks and riverside ambles, and a plentiful supply of elderflower for obligatory home made cordial and cake.

If you are in the area a visit is well worth the effort.

Thanks to all who made the day so memorable.