5-day Tour

As the Embroiderers` Guild celebrates its centenary this year, The National Trust for Scotland has taken the opportunity to create a special itinerary for groups, giving them the chance to view a wide selection of needlework treasures – from vast Flemish tapestries to miniature embroidery samplers. Visits can be booked as separate days out or a complete 5-day in-depth tour.

Day 1

• Your tour starts off near the capital city with a morning visit to Newhailes, where the house has one of the Trust`s major textile collections.
• Then it`s back to Edinburgh`s New Town for an afternoon visit to The Georgian House, which has rare appliqué bed hangings (c1790) and fascinating needlework pictures.

Day 2

• Travel west to Helensburgh for a private morning tour of The Hill House, a truly classic visit for Charles Rennie Mackintosh enthusiasts with embroideries by his wife, Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh. The NTS has specially commissioned a collection of samplers, bookmarks and pincushions which are on sale in the shop.
• Stop off at the Weaver`s Cottage on the way back to Glasgow to see the excellent textile collection and working 200-year-old loom.
• Complete the day with a visit to Pollok House, which has hosted the Embroiderers` Guild exhibition.

Day 3

• This day starts with a journey north for a morning tour of the splendid Falkland Palace in Fife. Stroll along the special Tapestry Gallery and visit the Chapel Royal, both hung with beautiful 17th-century Flemish tapestries.
• Nearby Kellie Castle is next on your tour, with a fine collection of embroideries designed by Sir Robert Lorimer.
• The day ends with a visit to the House of Dun, near Montrose, to see the exceptional embroideries created by Lady Augusta, daughter of King William IV.

Day 4

• Your first day in Aberdeenshire begins with a private morning visit to Castle Fraser, which has an outstanding suite of bed, curtains and upholstery dating from the 1790s.
• The next stop is the magnificent Crathes Castle where you can enjoy lunch before examining fine examples of needlework, tapestries and an imported crewelwork panel.
• At nearby Drum Castle, original needlework covers from the late 18th century are on display.

Day 5

• Morning visit to Haddo House for a guided tour of this elegant Georgian-style mansion with sumptuous Victorian interiors.
• Enjoy lunch and home baking in the period tearoom before travelling on to Leith Hall, which has an exceptional collection of Berlin wool work.
• Inspired Embroidery is just one of a series of new itinerary suggestions for 2006. Others are Literature and Film; Buildings that tell a Story; and Fruit Tree Gardens.