You are here:

Gardens

Add colour and beauty to your holiday by exploring the great gardens of Scotland.

Scottish gardens are renowned for their lushness and their fantastic variety of planting. It was in the Victorian era that intrepid plant hunters visited unexplored regions of the world, such as China, Japan and the Himalayas, and brought back seeds, cuttings and specimens of plants which were previously unknown in Britain. These adventurous and daring men are remembered through the many plant species which bear their names: Forrest, Douglas, Fortune, Menzies, Wilson etc.

Wealthy patrons were desperate to be the first to grow the new species in their private gardens, often around castles and mansions. Today many of these spectacular gardens are open to visitors who come to admire and enjoy, not just the plants themselves, but also the skill in creating and caring for these beautiful gardens.

On the west coast, the Gulf Stream brings warm, moist currents of air which maintains a largely frost-free climate. This has enabled the growth of exotic plant species - even palm trees - and rhododendrons and azaleas which particularly thrive in these conditions. However, shelter belts of trees have had to be grown to protect from strong winds. In the east, the cooler climate favours hardier plants and more native species.

Scotland’s Garden Scheme is a registered charity, originally created in 1931, and organises the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout the country to visitors. The gardens that open for the SGS include some of Scotland’s finest and are mostly privately owned and so are normally inaccessible to visitors at other times. Ask your bed and breakfast host for details of local gardens that may be open on selected days, usually during the spring and summer.
Enjoy your visit!
Please check opening times with each individual garden.

HIGHLANDS

Lochaber, Wester Ross and the Isle of Skye

Balmacara Estate near Kyle of Lochalsh - a National Trust for Scotland estate. Lots of walks through ancient woodland and wild countryside. Abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. www.nts.org.uk

Lochalsh Woodland Gardens at Balmacara. Rhododendron, fuchsias, hydrangeas and ferns. Open all year 9am to sunset. Admission charge. www.nts.org.uk

Attadale Gardens, Strathcarron, Wester-Ross, on A890 road between Strathcarron and South Strome. Privately owned garden and house, near the shores of Loch Carron, cradled by mountains. A style that allows the garden to blend seamlessly from the planned planted areas into the wilderness that surrounds it.
Open 10am - 5.30pm April - October (closed Sundays). Admission charge. www.attadalegardens.com
Armadale Castle Gardens - Isle of Skye. 40 acre woodland garden set around the ruins of Armadale Castle. Museum and gift shop. www.clandonald.com

North-West Highlands and Wester Ross

The Hydroponicum - Achiltibuie. See plants growing without soil. Guided tour and Lily Pond café. Open daily April to September, plus weekdays in October. www.thehydroponicum.com
Leckmelm Shrubbery and Arboretum - Little Leckmelm, Lochbroom, near Ullapool . A woodland garden, planted in 1870 and restored in 1984. Open April to September.Daily 10am to 6pm.

Inverewe Garden - Famous National Trust for Scotland Garden between Ullapool and Gairloch. Spectacular garden with fabulous rhododendrons and azaleas in May plus tree ferns, Himalayan poppies, herbaceous borders, eucalyptus, gunnera, primulas, walled garden and rockeries. Year round colour and interest. Open daily all year. Admission charge. Free guided garden walks weekdays May to September. Café and shop (open March - October). www.nts.org.uk

North-East Highlands

Dunrobin Castle, Golspie. Formal parterre gardens laid out in 1850 below the castle. The gardens are open all year round and entry is free of charge when the castle is closed. www.dunrobincastle.co.uk

Inverness, Loch Ness and Nairn

Abriachan Nursery and Gardens - A82 Loch Ness side. Open: February - November 9am - 7pm or dusk if earlier. Admission: Nursery free, gardens small donation for charity.

Inverness Floral Hall - Bught Lane, Inverness. Mixed floral displays including cactus house. Open: daily 10am - 4pm (winter) / 5pm (summer). Small admission charge. www.invernessfloralhall.com
Cawdor Castle Gardens and grounds, near Nairn. Mixture of formal gardens and parkland, including maze. Open daily: 1 May to 3 October from 10.00 am - 5.30 pm. Admission charge. www.cawdorcastle.com

Speyside and the Cairngorms National Park

Jack Drake's Inshriach Gardens and Nursery

Jack Drake's Inshriach Gardens and Nursery - near Aviemore. Nursery garden with unusual alpine plants for sale. Watch the birds and red squirrels feeding while you enjoy cream cakes in the tearoom. Open 1st March to 31st October, 10am - 5.00pm, other times by appointment. www.drakesalpines.com

ABERDEENSHIRE & GRAMPIAN

The Biblical Garden, King Street, Elgin (around the corner from the entrance to the Cathedral). The only garden of its type in Scotland. Open daily May to September, between 10.00 am and 7.30pm. Free admission.

Balmoral Castle (gardens and grounds). Scottish Home to the Royal Family. Wander through the large kitchen garden, enjoy the views from the fountain area and admire the impressive rose garden. Riverside paths by the Dee. Short Ranger led walks. Open daily 10am to 5pm from 1 April to 31 July. www.balmoralcastle.com

Crathes Castle near Banchory. Castle with spectacular gardens featuring herbaceous borders in garden "rooms" and unusual topiary. Garden and grounds open all year daily. www.nts.org.uk

Pitmedden Gardens near Ellon - The heart of the property is the formal walled garden originally laid out in 1675 by Sir Alexander Seton. In the 1950s, the Trust set about re-creating the gardens following designs dating from the 17th century. Today, Pitmedden features over 5 miles of box hedging arranged in intricate patterns to form six parterres. Grounds open daily all year. www.nts.org.uk
Kildrummy Castle near Alford, Aberdeenshire. A gem set in the small glen beside Kildrummy Castle. Rare arctic and rock plants. Licensed for marriages. Open April to October. Admission charge. www.kildrummy-castle-gardens.co.uk
Drum Castle near Banchory. (National Trust for Scotland). The original 13th century keep has an adjoining Jacobean mansion house and additions made by Victorian lairds. There are woodland trails and a garden of historic roses in the grounds. Grounds open daily all year. www.nts.org.uk

ANGUS & DUNDEE

Pitmuies Gardens, House Of Pitmuies, Guthrie, Forfar, Angus. Two walled gardens adjoining an 18th century house, sheltering long mixed flower borders, superb delphiniums and old fashioned roses. Spacious lawns, woodland, river and lochside walks. Open 1st April - 31st October daily 10am - 5pm. Admission charge. www.pitmuies.com
University of Dundee Botanic Gardens, Dundee. 21 acres of tree, shrubs and plants collected world-wide. Tropical temperate plant houses with fruits, flowers and giant Victoria water lily. Coffee shop, plant and gift sales. Disabled facilities. Open March - October (daily 10am - 4.30pm); November - February (daily 10am - 3.30pm). Admission charge. www.dundeebotanicgardens.co.uk
Glamis Castle Gardens, near Forfar. A mile of daffodils in Springtime. Superb displays of rhododendrons and azaleas in summer. Colourful autumn trees. Nature Trail and Pinetum providing a haven for wildlife. Open daily from mid March - December. Admission charge. www.glamis-castle.co.uk
Camperdown Country Park. Dundee's largest public park consists of 395 acres of beautiful parkland containing many rare trees, 18 hole golf course, horse riding, tennis and award-winning adventure playground. Open all year and free.
Clatto Country Park, Dundee. Parkland surrounding 24 acres of water. Facilities include visitors centre, play area, picnic areas, woodland walks. During the summer months a variety of water sports are available. Park & woodland open at all times.
Broughty Ferry Esplanade Rock Gardens, Dundee. Delightful rock garden containing plants and flowers from all over the world. Water feature including a tadpole friendly pond. Woodland walk and fine trees. Open all year and free.

PERTHSHIRE

The Perthshire Gardens Collection - 11 gardens which can all be visited using an excellent value 14 day pass.

Bell's Cherrybank Gardens, Perth
Bolfracks Garden, by Aberfeldy
Branklyn Garden, Perth
Cluny House Gardens, by Aberfeldy
Drummond Castle Gardens, by Crieff
Hercules Garden at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl
Kinross House Gardens, Kinross
Scone Palace Gardens, by Perth
Scottish Plant Hunters' Garden, Pitlochry
Glendoick Gardens, by Perth. Garden and nursery with rhododendrons and azaleas. www.glendoick.com

Drummond Castle Gardens, Muthill, Crieff. One of the finest formal gardens in Europe, first laid out in the early 17th century. Gardens open at Easter, then from May to October 1pm - 6pm. Admission charge. Note: the castle itself is not open to the public. www.drummondcastlegardens.co.uk
The Hermitage Garden, by Dunkeld (National Trust for Scotland). Once part of one of the most important 18th century picturesque landscapes in Scotland, an attractive woodland walk leads though spectacularly large Douglas firs to the amazing folly, Ossian's Hall overlooking the Black Linn waterfall. A famous Douglas fir is one of the tallest trees in Britain. Open daily all year. Free admission. www.nts.org.uk
Megginch Castle Gardens, Errol, near Perth. A 15th century castle, altered by Robert Adam in 1790, with a 19th century garden. Ancient yews, topiary, an astrological garden, a fountain parterre, a courtyard with a dovecote and a walled garden with a long herbaceous border. Open daily April to October 2pm to 5.30pm. Admission charge.

ARGYLL, THE ISLES, LOCH LOMOND & STIRLING

Arduaine Gardens (National Trust for Scotland). Lush coastal gardens by Kilmelford. Open all year, 9.30am-Sunset. www.nts.org.uk
Ardanaiseig Garden - Vegetable garden and large herbaceous border. Woodland walks with flowering trees and shrubs. Located at Ardanaiseig Hotel, Kilchrenan by Taynuilt.
Ardkinglass Woodland Garden - Spectacular display of rhododendrons and one of Britain's finest collections of trees. At Cairndow overlooking Loch Fyne. Open: Daylight hours all year round. www.gardens-of-argyll.co.uk

Crarae Garden, near Inveraray, Argyll (National trust for Scotland). Eleven miles south of Inveraray on the A83 road to Lochgilphead. Rare trees and exotic shrubs from around the world thrive in the mild climate and the magnificent setting of the Highland glen, making Crarae unique among gardens. 400 rhododendrons and azaleas. Gardens open all year round (summer: 9am - 6pm / winter: dawn to dusk). www.nts.org.uk

Torosay Castle and Gardens, Craignure, Isle of Mull. Twelve acres of splendid gardens with dramatic views. The Castle is open from daily from 1st April to 31st October, 10.30am - 5pm. The gardens are open all year from 9am until sunset. Tearoom, craft/souvenir shop. Miniature railway. torosay.com
Ardchattan Priory Garden - 13th Century ruins with wonderful gardens on the north shore of Loch Etive, not far from Oban. Open April - October. gardens-of-argyll.co.uk

For more information on the Glorious Gardens of Argyll visit gardens-of-argyll.co.uk

THE KINGDOM OF FIFE

Aberdour Castle 5 miles east of the Forth Bridges. The 13th century fortified residence of Aberdour has a delightful walled garden and terraces with beehive-shaped doocot. Admission charge. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk.
Falkland Palace & Garden, near Cupar. (National Trust for Scotland). The magnificent Royal Palace was the country residence of Stuart monarchs. Surrounded by fine gardens and has the oldest Royal Tennis Court in Britain still in use. Plant sales & gift shop. www.nts.org.uk

Kirklands House and Garden, Saline, Fife. A 2-acre garden, woodland walk through 20 acres of naturally regenerating Scottish Native Woodland, which has been designated a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation), and a small nursery - all plants are grown on site. Open April to September, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2:30pm to 5:00pm. www.kirklandshouseandgarden.co.uk

St Andrews Botanic Garden - Canongate, St Andrews. Internationally recognised Botanical Garden covering 7 hectares. An extensive range of rare and beautiful plants displayed under glass and outside. Open all year. Admission charge. www.st-andrews-botanic.org
Cambo Gardens - Kingsbarns, by St Andrews. Romantic 'Secret Garden' around Cambo burn. All seasons plantsman's paradise. Woodland walks to the shore. Open all year 10am-5pm. Admission charge. www.camboestate.com

EDINBURGH AND THE LOTHIANS

Malleny Garden, (National Trust for Scotland). Balerno, 8 miles south east of Edinburgh. Much appreciated for its atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Renowned for its flamboyant plantings of old-fashioned roses (for which Malleny holds a prestigious NCCPG award) and colourful herbaceous perennials. This 3-acre walled garden is dominated by four magnificent clipped yew trees dating from the 17th century. You can also enjoy the vegetable and herb garden, the Victorian greenhouse, and the surrounding area of woodland which adds to the aura of shelter and seclusion. Open daily all year. www.nts.org.uk

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - 1 mile from Princes Street. Over 28 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds. World-famous Rock Garden; 11 unique glasshouses including Britain's tallest Palm House; Tranquil Chinese Hillside complete with wild water ravine. Open daily (excluding 25 December & 1 January) from 10am, closing: 4pm November - February, 6pm March, 7pm April - September and 6pm October. Admission to the Garden is free. Admission charge for entry to the glasshouses. Shop and Café. www.rbge.org.uk

GLASGOW & CLYDE VALLEY

Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace, Great Western Road and Queen Margaret Road, Glasgow west end. Park and botanic garden. Famous for its great conservatory: the Kibble Palace of 1873. Open all year daily, 7am - dusk. Free admission.

AYRSHIRE & ARRAN

Brodick Castle and Gardens - Isle of Arran. (National Trust for Scotland). Renowned gardens with masses of spring rhododendron, guided walks and plant sales. Gardens open all year 9am-sunset. The castle is open on certain days from 1 April to 31 October. Admission charge. www.nts.org.uk
Culzean Castle & Country Park near Maybole. (National Trust for Scotland). The Fountain Court, walled garden and Victorian vinery will offer inspiration to gardeners. Woodland walks give you the chance to view Scotland's wild flowers. Gardens and Park open daily all year. www.nts.org.uk

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Logan Botanic Garden - Port Logan (14 miles south of Stranraer). A fabulous array of bizarre and beautiful plants, including many sub-tropical species, that flourish under the influence of the Gulf Stream in 'Scotland's most exotic garden'. Open March - October. 10am-6pm (5pm in March & October). Admission charge. www.rbge.org.uk

Threave Garden Estate and Threave House, Castle Douglas (National Trust for Scotland). The National Trust for Scotland's School of Practical Gardening takes post-graduate students and trains them in estate gardening. The gardens offer wonderful displays of daffodils, azaleas, herbaceous perennials and a walled garden still producing the vegetables, fruit and flowers it was designed to do. Threave Estate is a wildlife refuge with walks, hides and nature trails. Estate and Garden open all year. Threave House offers a fascinating insight into life in the 1930s in a country house built in the 19th century in the Scottish baronial style. House open April - October. Admission charge. www.nts.org.uk

Drumlanrig Castle Gardens & Country Park near Thornhill. Extensive formal landscaped gardens on an impressive scale. Large parterres, woodland gardens, rare conifers, specimen trees. Victorian greenhouse, vegetable garden and plant centre. Castle open 26 March - 31 August, daily 11am - 4pm. Gardens & Country Estate open 26 March - 25 October, daily 10am - 5pm. www.drumlanrig.com
Castle Kennedy Gardens at Castle Kennedy. 5 miles east of Stranraer. 75 acres set between 2 large lochs and 2 castles. Walled garden, 2-acre lily pond, a pinetum, landscaped terraces and avenues. Rhododendrons, azaleas, embothriums, herbaceous borders. Tea room, plant shop and gifts. Open from Easter - end September. www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk
Glenwhan Garden, Dunragit near Stranraer. Open daily 10am - 5.30pm from March to October. Licensed Tearoom. www.glenwhangardens.co.uk
Cally Gardens near Gatehouse of Fleet. Walled garden with over 4,000 perennials. Nursery. Open Easter to end September (closed Mondays and weekday mornings). www.callygardens.co.uk

THE BORDERS

Teviot Water Gardens, between Jedburgh and Kelso. Terraced gardens featuring still and moving water. Open all year daily 10am-5pm. www.teviotwatergardens.co.uk
Dawych Botanic Gardens, Stobo. Beautiful collection of trees and shrubs in extensive landscaped grounds. Part of Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. Guided walks throughout the season. Open daily February to November. www.rbge.org.uk

Kailzie Gardens near Peebles. Stunning collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Walled garden, Laburnum Walk, Rose Garden and Wild Garden. Open daily all year. www.kailziegardens.com