Scotland Gardens

Arduaine Garden
Argyll and Bute
On the A816 at Arduaine
Tel. 01852 200 366
20-acre garden with spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, Tibetan poppies, Himalayan lilies and other temperate zone plants; woodland garden, ponds; parking.

Ardwell House Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Ardwell
Tel. 01776 860 227
Member of Scotland’s Garden Scheme—gardens open for charity; walled garden; woodland walks; hawthorne avenue; house in grounds built in early 1700s; picnic area; parking.

Balmacara Estate and Lochalsh Woodland Garden
Highlands
Three miles (5km) east of Kyle of Lochalsh
On the A87
Tel. 0 1599 566 325
National Trust for Scotland property; crofting estate of over 5000 acres with outstanding views; garden has sheltered walks beside the shores of Loch Alsh; pine, oak and beech trees, rhododendrons, bamboo, ferns, fuchsias and hydrangeas;l hiking trails; visitor centre with detailed information on touch screen display; picnic area; parking in square and Lochalsh house and throughout the estate.

Benmore Botanic Garden
Argyll and Bute
Benmore, Dunoon, off the A815
Argyll & Bute
Tel. 0 1369 706 261
Formal and informal gardens first started in 1800s; ponds; hillside; bridges; over 400 species and subspecies of rhododendrons; conifers; redwoods; viewpoints; magnolias; Bhutanese and Chilean glades; forest trail; coffee shop; exhibition; shop; plant sales; parking.

Bolfracks Garden
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
On the A827, 2 miles (3km) west of Aberfeldy
Tel. 01887 820 207
Four acres with views over the River Tay; walled garden with trees, shrubs, and perennials; burn garden with rhododendrons, azaleas and more; lots of bulbs.

Botanic Gardens Glasgow
Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
730 Great Wester Rd, Glasgow
Tel. 00141 334 2422
Conservatory; orchids; arid area; palm house; tropical plant uses demonstrated; tropical fern house; temperte plants; tropical pond; national plant collections; wooded walkways; arboretum; herb garden; herbaceous borders; rhododendrons in spring
Web: Botanic Gardens Glasgow

Branklyn Garden
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
116 Dundee Rd, Perth
Tel. 01738 625 535
National Trust for Scotland property; two acre garden with rare plants, outstanding collection of rhododendrons, alpines, herbaceous and peat-gardens plants. These include the blue Himalayan poppy; national collection of Mylnefield lilies; of special interest to botanists and gardeners; shop, coffee in shop; parking 400 metres from entrance.

Brechin Castle Gardens
Angus and Dundee
Dalhousie Estate, Brechin, Angus
Tel. 01356 624566
Open: second week July-end first week Aug, by guided tour at 2 and 3.15pm.
Historic Houses Assn member. 40 acres of parkland, 13 acre walled garden, kitchen garden, rhododendrons, azaleas
Website: Brechin Castle Gardens Centre

Broughton House and Garden
Dumfries and Galloway
12 High St, Kirkcudbright
Tel. 01557 330437
National Trust for Scotland property; house of Scottish artist E A Hornel; two acre garden has a Japanese influence.

Castle Kennedy Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Three miles (5km) east of Stranraer
On the A75
Tel. 01776 702 024
75 acres of gardens provide vistas, sweeping lawns and tree-lined avenues; rhododendrons, azaleas, walled garden, lily pond, water features and conifers; parking; small tea-room
Web: Castle Kennedy Gardens

Cluny House Garden
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
Cluny House, Aberfeldy, PH15 2JT
Tel. 0 1887 820 795
2.4ha Himalayan/North American woodland garden; overlooks Strathtay valley; dates from 1950; woodland plants; rhododendrons, acers, rowans; birches; giant Himalayan lilies; blue poppies; exotic arisaemas; skunk cabbages; candelabra primulas; extensive collection of Asiatic primulas; Wellingtonia with the widest girth (11m) of conifer in the UK; spring bulbs; red squirrels; parking
Web: Cluny House Garden

Clyde View
Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
Renfrew, off King’s Inch Rd, Glasgow
Tel. NA
Seven acre park with fountains, paths, cycleways, children's play areas, tennis court, picnic areas, artwork, green space, riverside walkway; designed to encourage natural wildlife and flora and fauna; sculptures.

Colonsay House
Hebrides
On the island of Colonsay, Inner Hebrides, governed by Argyll. Subtropical gardens.

Colzium House and Walled Garden
Stirlingshire
Off the A803, .5 mile (.8km) east of Kilsyth, Falkirk
Tel. 01236 823 281
Walled garden with collection of conifers, rare shrubs and trees; woodland walks and heritage museum on site.

Craigieburn Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Craigieburn House, two miles from Moffat on A708
Tel 0 1683 221 250
Five acre garden and nursery; traditional country garden; classic and casual areas; mixed perennial borders; blue poppies, primulas, giant lilies; rose garden; bog garden; waterfall walk; autumn garden; parking.

Crarae Garden
Argyll and Bute
Crarae, Inveraray
Tel. 0 1546 886 614
Informal Himalayan style woodland with a gorge, burn, waterfalls, and cliffs; exotic plants and shrubs include blue poppies; rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and magnolias in spring; national collection of southern beech; begun in 1912 by Lady Campbell.

Crathes Castle Gardens
Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray)
Three miles (5km) east of Banchory
15 miles west of Aberdeen, on the A93
Tel. 0 1330 844 525
National Trust for Scotland property; tower house begun in 1553; turrets, gargoyles, superb painted ceilings, vaulted kitchen chambers and prison hole; 3.75 acres of eight walled gardens of beautiful shape, colour and design that include herbaceous borders and many unusual plants; Visitor Centre with exhibits and displays; grounds, nature trails.

Cruickshank Botanic Garden
Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray)
St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen
On the A90
Tel. 01224 272 704
Large collection of shrubs, herbaceous and alpine plants and trees, rock garden, water gardens.

Dawyck Botanic Garden
Borders
Stobo, Borders, on the B712
8 miles south-east of Pebbles
Tel. 01721 760 254
A garden of the Royal Botanic Garden; historic arboretum; conservatory; flowering trees; shrubs; specimen trees; herbaceous plants; light refreshments; visitor centre; parking; winner of 5 star award.

Dirnanean Estate Garden
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, PH10 7PD
Tel. 0 1250 881 400
Historic Houses Association member; working highland estate; 15 hectare garden; hill scenery; walks through lawn and shrubbery; old trees; rhododendrons; restored walled garden with herbaceous border and rockery; apple orchard; pond; vegetable garden; conservatory; peacocks; red, fallow and roe deer; red squirrels; view of Allt Dir-nan-Ean, a burn flowing from high in the Dirnanean hills southwards through a deep wooded gorge; groups by prior booking; self catering houses.

Dochfour Gardens
Highlands
Six miles (10km) south of Inverness
On the A82
Tel. 01463 861 218
Victorian terraced garden with views over Loch Dochfour; specimen trees, topiary, rhododendrons, daffodils, water garden.

Drummond Castle Gardens
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
On the A85 at Muthill, near Crief
Tel. 01764 681 257
Scotland’s most important formal gardens; in the Italian parterre style approached by a beech-lined drive; castle is not open to the public.

Dunninald House and Gardens
Angus and Dundee
Two miles south of Montrose
Between A92 and the sea
Tel. 0 1674 672 030
Historic Houses Association member; owned by Stansfeld family; third house on the site; designed by James Gillispie Graham in Gothic Revival style; completed 1824; 18th century gardens; wild garden; beech avenue; walled garden; specimin trees and shrubs; woodland flowers; 18th century greenhouse; parking
Web: Dunninald

Dunskey Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Dunskey, Port Patrick, Stranraer
Tel. 01776 810 211
18th century walled garden with pond and sculptures; glasshouses; tropical plants; snowdrops; maze; plant sales; tea-room; shop; parking
Web: Dunskey Gardens

Duthie Park and Winter Gardens
Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray)
On Polmuir Rd, Aberdeen
On the A90
Tel. 01224 585 310
45 acres of parkland with gardens and glasshouses.

Finlaystone Estate, House and Gardens
Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
On A8 Greenock Rd, Langbank, Renfrewshire
2.5 miles (4km) west of the end of M8 (junction 31), a few miles west of Glasgow airport
Tel. 0 1475 540 505 (country estate); 0 1475 540 530 (house office)
140 acres of woodlands with walks and wildlife including deer, fox, squirrel, and wintering birds on mud flats; 10 acres of gardens with walled garden, lawns, herbaceous borders, hedges; special events; play area; tea-room; shop; visitor center; Clan MacMillan centre; picnic and barbeque areas; parking
Web: Finlaystone Country Estate
Web: Finlaystone House

Galloway House Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Garlieston, Newton Stewart
Minor estate road, signposted from Galieston crossroads
Tel. 0 1988 600 680
721 acre estate on shores of Solway Firth; coastal spring garden on shores of Solway Firth; once part of Galloway house estate; walks in the grounds; woodland and walled gardens; snowdrops (more than 20 varieties); daffodils; bluebells; collection of rhododendron and azaleas; beech trees; Douglas fir; oak; parking
Web: Galloway House Gardens

Geilston Garden
Argyll and Bute
Cardross
Tel. 0 844 493 2219
Historic Scotland property; late 17th century garden with a fruit and vegetable area, walled garden, wooded glen, waterfall, and burn; walled garden has giant Wellingtonia tree and azaleas; bluebells and wood anemones bloom in spring.

Glenwhan Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Glenwhan House, Dunragit, near Stranraer
Tel. 01581 400222
12 acre hillside garden; wildflower walk; tea-room; parking
Web: Glenwhan Gardens

Greenbank Garden
Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley
Flenders Rd, Clarkston, Greater Glasgow
Off the A77/A726
Tel. 0 0141 616 5126
National Trust for Scotland property; 2.5 acre walled garden built in grounds of Georgian house; 30 areas with 3600 named plants; ornamental plants, annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees; of particular interest to owners of small gardens with guided walk and practical demonstrations; picnic area, parking; shop, tea-room.

Harmony Garden
The Borders
St Mary’s Rd, Melrose
On the A72
Tel. 01721 722 502
National Trust for Scotland property; walled garden with lawns, herbaceous and mixed borders, vegetable and fruit areas and spring bulbs. 19th century house on the grounds not open to the public except by hire; pay and display 200 metres.

Hirsel Gardens and Country Park
The Borders
West of Coldstream, off the A697
Tel. 01890 882 834
Spring flowers and rhododendrons; displays of estate life in Homestead Museum on the grounds.

Inveresk Lodge Garden
Edinburgh and the Lothians
24 Inveresk Village, Musselburgh, Lothian
Tel. 0131 665 1855
National Trust for Scotland property; terraced walled garden in historic village of Inveresk; awarded Garden of Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society; herbaceous borders, shrubs and old roses, exotic tree ferns, scented plants; woodland walk with ancient trees and pond; restored Edwardian conservatory and aviary; lodge not open to public; picnic area; parking.

Inverewe Gardens
Highlands
On the A832 near Poolewe, Ross-shire
On shores of Loch Ewe
Tel. 0 1445 781 200
National Trust for Scotland property; guided garden walks mid May to early Sep, Mon through Fri at 1:30pm; exotic plants include Himalayan rhododendrons, Tasmanian eucalyptus and South African, New Zealand and Chilean plants and much more; picnic area, parking; self-service restaurant; shop
For photos and more details see our article Inverewe Garden

Kailzie Gardens
Borders
Kailzie, Peebles (2.5 miles from town centre); EH45 9HT
Tel. 0 1721 720007
Wild garden has snowdrops (part of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival), daffodils, bluebells; osprey viewing; woodland walks; wild garden; walled garden of 1811 has old fashioned roses, laburnum walk; azaleas and rhododendron; greenhouses; herbaceous border; wild birds; shop, restaurant, tea-room, children’s area, picnic area
For photos and more information see our article Kailzie Gardens
Web: Kailzie Gardens

Logan Botanic Garden
Dumfries and Galloway
On minor road off the A716, 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Ardwell; 14 miles south Stranraer
Tel. 01776 860 231
Exotic southern hemisphere garden; fish pond; folly; castellated keeper’s house; bathhouse; woodland garden; Discovery Centre tells about the garden; salad bar; shop; parking.

Logan House Gardens
Dumfries and Galloway
Port Logan, by Stranraer, near Ardwell village
Tel. 01483 225 436
1701 three storey Queen Anne House; rare exotic tropical plants and shrubs; hybrid rhododendrons; lawns; woodland; parking.

Malleny Garden
Edinburgh and the Lothians
Off the A70 at Balerno
3 miles (5km) south of Edinburgh
Tel. 0131 449 2283
National Trust for Scotland property; three-acre walled garden with collection of old-fashioned roses and herbaceous borders; National Bonsai Collection for Scotland; 400-yea-old clipped yew trees, woodland walk.

Megginch Castle Gardens
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
Eight miles (13km) east of Perth
On the A90
Tel. 01821 642 222
1000-year-old yew trees, walled kitchen garden, parterre, topiary, dovecote; 15th century castle (not open to the public) in the grounds.

Meikleour Hedge
Perthshire (Perth and Kinross)
On the A984/A93 near Meikleour and south of Rattray
A living hedge planted in 1746 and is the tallest hedge in the world at 100 ft (30m) high; spans 586 yards (539m); located right on the highway, so drive slowly by for best viewing
For photos and more information see our article Meikleour Hedge

Mertoun House Gardens
The Borders
Off the A68/A699 at St. Boswell’s
Tel. 01835 823 236
26 acres of grounds with walled garden and dovecote.

Mount Stuart Gardens and Grounds
Argyll and Bute
Isle of Bute
Tel. 01700 503877
Children’s adventure play area; picnic area; tea-room; shop
For photos and more on the gardens go to Mt Stuart Gardens and grounds

Pitmedden Garden
Grampian (Aberdeenshire and Moray)
On the A920, 1 mile (1.6km) west of Pitmedden
Tel. 01651 842 352
Formal garden with elaborate floral designs, first created in the 17th century; formal garden is best visited in July and August when 30-40,000 annuals are in bloom; herb and wildlife gardens; woodland walk and nature trail where rare breeds of livestock or endangered species can be viewed. Museum of Farming Life on the 100-acre estate has implements, artifacts and domestic utensils.

Pitmuies Garden
Angus and Dundee
House of Pitmuies, Forfar, Angus, .5 mile west of Friockheim
Tel. 01241 828245
Historic Houses Assn member. Two semi-formal walled gardens, borders, delphiniums, old fashioned roses, spring bulbs, dovecot.
Website: Pitmuies Garden

Priorwood Garden and Dried Flower Shop
The Borders
Melrose, off the A6091 next to the Abbey Tel. 01896 822 493
National Trust for Scotland property; orchard includes historic apple trees; most of the plants grown are suitable for drying; flower arrangements for sale in shop; courses on flower arrangement offered; picnic area, pay and display parking; near Harmony Garden.

Royal Botanic Garden
Edinburgh and the Lothians
Edinburgh, off the A902
One mile (1.6km) north of the city centre
Tel. 0131 552 7171
70 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens; glasshouses range from tropical to desert; orchids; rhododendrons; Scottish heath garden; rock garden; arboretum; herbaceous borders; woodland garden; Queen Mother's Memorial Garden; special events; cafe; restaurant
Web: Royal Botanic Garden

Teviot Water Gardens
The Borders
On the B6400/A698, south of Kelso
Tel. 01835 830 380
River garden with herbaceous shrubs, rose garden, unusual conifers; water garden of islands linked by bridges.

Threave Garden
Dumfries and Galloway
One mile west of Castle Douglas
Off the A75
Tel. 01556 502 575
National Trust for Scotland property; 64 acres include 200 varieties of daffodils; herbaceous beds, heather garden, rock garden, rose garden, conifers; trees, walled garden. Scottish baronial house in grounds; Countryside Centre with exhibition; estate trails and bird hides; picnic area, shop, restaurant.

Younger Botanic Gardens
Argyll and Bute
Benmore, 7 miles (11km) north of Dunoon, Argyll
On the A815
Tel. 01369 706 261
An outstation of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden; magnificent collection of rhododendrons, avenue of tall redwoods, trails, and hillside woodlands with scenic overlooks.