Hardy Plant Society

National Weekend - Friday 8th to Sunday 10th June 2012 - Dunblane, Scotland

A great chance to see HPS Scottish Gardens, hear talks and meet other hardy planters.

Hosted by the Scottish and Northern Borders Group

Link to Application Form

Location
Doubletree Hilton Hotel, Perth Road, Dunblane, FK15 0HG (map) which is situated in the town of Dunblane just a few miles north of the historic city of Stirling.

Accommodation
The hotel was extensively refurbished in 2009 and is a comfortable four star hotel in a very commanding position. All the bedrooms are pleasant with TV and coffee/tea making facilities. The lounge and bar areas are attractive and the hotel has a swimming pool and fitness area which is open to guests. We will be dining in the Strathallan Room with a set menu and have breakfast in the main restaurant. Further information can be obtained from the hotel website www.doubletree.hilton.co.uk. The hotel can offer Sunday night or other additional nights at special rates depending on availability.

We have obtained the following rates but you must book directly with the hotel to obtain them using the code which will be provided when we accept your application:
Double or twin room (request which you want) for DBB	£80pppn
Extra nights for DBB (depending on availability)	£60pp
(There is a surcharge of £25 pn for single occupancy)
Please do not make a booking at the hotel until your application has been accepted or you will have to pay a much higher rate.

Garden Visits
After breakfast on Saturday and Sunday members will travel in coaches to visit three gardens on both days. One of the gardens will be one of Scotland’s foremost National Trust gardens. Wheelchair access will not be possible in most of the gardens.
Other gardens will include :

• A castle garden which includes a partly walled garden, pond and some interesting trees. More recently many new trees, rhododendrons and perennials have been added.
• A garden surrounding a 300 year old house with meandering paths which lead to beds of interesting and unusual plants including a collection of Mylnefield lilies developed by Christopher North.
• Two private gardens developed in different ways by their present owners from fields, one flat and the other sloping.
• A large garden of over two acres with ponds which has been developed by the present owners over the last twenty years.

Lectures (after dinner)
On Friday evening John Mattingley who along with his wife owns and looks after a woodland garden will give an illustrated talk about his garden. This is a well known garden which is open to the public and is famous for its Asiatic primulas. If you are staying after the Sunday it is worth visiting this garden.
In contrast on Saturday, Billy Carruthers who is the proprietor of Binny Plants, one of Scotland’s largest nurseries, will speak about some of the plants he sells. He is famous for peonies and boasts of having over 200 different varieties.

Registration
This will take place on Friday afternoon from 2.00pm until 5.00pm. It would be greatly appreciated if everyone could register during this period. (If you are going to be late would you please let us know beforehand at my home or on the Friday at the hotel 01786 822551.)
On Friday and Saturday from 4.30pm until 6.30pm some nurseries will have stalls under cover at the rear of the hotel where coffee and tea will be served. A storage room for plants will be available over the weekend. There will also be some art and craft stalls.

Travel
By car: Leave the M9 at the first roundabout after passing Stirling (you won’t miss the castle on your right!) and take the third exit signposted Dunblane. Keep on this road through two roundabouts passing the centre of the town on your left and head up the Perth Road until you see the entrance to the hotel on your right in about 200 metres. There should be adequate parking at the hotel. If you drive past the front of the hotel and round the back to the large car park at the rear the Conference entrance will take you straight into our registration desk. For satnav users the post code of the hotel is FK15 0HG.
By train: There is a railway station about half a mile from the hotel. Taxis can be booked on 01786 473808 (Frasers Cabs). If you are having difficulty try the hotel on 01786 822551.
By air: Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are about an hour away by car. Car hire is available at both airports. To use public transport will involve one taking a shuttle bus into the city centres to access trains or long distance buses.

How to Apply
Complete the Application Form for a maximum of two persons and enclose a cheque payable to HPS National Weekend 2012 plus a stamped addressed envelope (preferably 21 x 11 cm - DL size). We will send you the information to allow you to book the hotel at our reduced rates. The cost excluding accommodation is £77 per person. This includes entry to all gardens (except the National Trust garden), lunches, coffees/teas and coaches. National Trust members (Scotland and England) and RHS members will, of course, get free entry to the NT garden so please bring your membership card with you. Lunches will be provided in various venues where there will be toilets. All applicants must be paid up members of the Hardy Plant Society. The application form requires your HPS membership number which is the 6-digit number (beginning with 8) which you will find after your name on all post from the HPS.

Please return forms to Alistair Johnston, Tighnault, Boltachan, Aberfeldy, PH15 2LA

Refund Policy
Once you have been booked in a refund will only be made if another member takes up your place.

Queries
If you have any queries please get in touch with Alistair or Elizabeth Johnston on 01887 820322 or email tighnault@gmail.com