Welcome. I am your host and tour company owner, Ernest. I am a native Highlander and look forward to guiding you through our unique landscapes and beautiful gardens.
I qualified as a Landscape Architect in 1995 from the University of Greenwich. I established the landscape design company Geo Designs and have designed gardens throughout the UK for the last 30 years. We have received numerous accolades and awards for our gardens and exhibitions from the RHS at the Chelsea Flower Show and “Best in Show” at Urban Gardens at Olympia. The company is recognised as one of the most respected design led practices in Scotland.
Spending my early years in Dingwall I developed a love of the great outdoors, climbing the hills and fishing for trout in the lochs, my passion for landscape and nature blossomed at an early age. I have served as a soldier in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, travelled the world with a backpack and worked with Trailfinders arranging worldwide overland travel expeditions. Following on from my formal landscape architecture training the call to the Highlands was too strong and I came home. I have enjoyed some supporting artist work as one of my pastimes and the keen eyed amongst you will be able to spot me on both The Crown and as a Clan Chief on Outlander.
My aim is to promote our Highland gardens to a greater audience whilst exploring the cultural heritage and significance of how these unique spaces have developed within the greater landscape and their relevance for both gardeners and gardens in the future.
Our mountains, glens, rivers and lochs have been formed over the ages to produce a landscape that is instantly recognised globally as “The Highlands of Scotland”. The majesty of our mountains, the green of our glens and the silence of our forests. Less known are the havens within the wilderness that have been formed to create some of the most unique gardens to be found in the country. Generations of gardeners have battled with the elements to produce delightful pockets of paradise offering gardens of prospect and refuge. I would like to take you with me to show you these shining jewels.
Our custom-tailored tours have been created to appeal to garden lovers, as well as explorers of new places and experiences. From grand formal gardens to private plantsman gardens, you can be assured of a warm welcome and a relaxed and informal horticultural experience. For further insights I have arranged for you to meet with some of the head gardeners and owners of private gardens to discover the history, evolution, and care of the gardens.
We blend our tours with visits to scenic mountain vistas, castles and lochs, whisky distilleries, sites of battles, pre-historic cairns and perhaps time to pick up a gift or two on the way. Experience the very best of our Highland hospitality, be inspired and take a wee bit of that magical essence home with you. You may only be with us for a short time, but we hope that the memories last a lifetime. Listening to my tales of legend and folklore is entirely optional!