Graham,
I use Gitzo 1325 legs and 2380 head. The legs are somewhat heavier than the 1227 and 1228, but even more stable. They save weight by having no center column, though you can add one if you need it. The legs are tall enough to use a straight scope without a center column, even if you are tall, though you have to crouch if the scope is pointed up into a tree.
The 2380 is a fluid video head, comparable in weight and stability to the Manfrotto 501. Pans smoothly and does not move when you let go if the tension is correctly adjusted. It has a built-in sliding plate, but it does not extend far enough to completely balance my scope with camera attached, so I still have to use a Manfrotto 357/Bogen 3273 sliding plate in addition. One other flaw is the small lever which locks the handle into the head. If the head is tilted completely back, such as when you are carrying the scope, the lever can bump against the legs and get flipped, allowing the handle to fall out of the head. A problem that can be solved with glue, duct tape, or a welding torch.
You didn't say what you will be using the tripod for. This is a good rig for digiscoping or SLR telephoto photography, but would be complete overkill for simply viewing birds with the scope.
Glen