A two-acre ornamental and wooded garden on a variety of levels, sandwiched between two burns at 600 feet, planted for interest throughout the season. A limited palette of plants with hosta, hellebores, perennial geraniums, primula, meconopsis, martagon lilies, clematis, spring bulbs, ground cover, herbaceous and shrub planting, bluebell meadow, mature and recent azalea and rhododendron planting. The lower sections of the garden are only accessible by a series of steps.

Situated in the Glassel Park Estate, the planting of this long garden reflects East Lothian habitats including heather moorland, grassland and woodland as well as areas of related plant types such as rockery, roses, ferns and paeonies. Together they form a pattern of gardens within a garden. A large water lily pond houses newts and a second pond within a rockery is fed by a waterfall. A cold conservatory contains cacti and insectivorous plants. Vertical structure is provided by a large number of specimen small trees such as cornus, maples, magnolias, contorted robinia, Chinese rowan and honey locust. Animal and bird carvings in wood reflect the local fauna.

The garden at Stobshiel House is effectively split into four main parts viz., the walled garden, the shrubbery, the pond and lawns and the woodland areas. Each area is laid out and planted to provide the visitor with all year round interest from swathes of aconites, snowdrops, narcissi in spring to a vast array of perennials, roses, clematis and annuals throughout summer and autumn. The extensive collection of shrubs and mature trees offer a fantastic backdrop during all seasons.

Kirkton Manor House has a delightful, three-acre, informal country garden set in the beautiful Manor Valley. It enjoys spectacular open views and calling curlews from its riverside position. Bluebells flank the impressive entrance leading to a new shrub border. Stone steps continue through to terraced slopes filled with bulbs, roses and hellebores providing height, interest and fragrance. Grass paths meander along the burn where snowdrops, blue and white camassia, meconopsis, and ligularia thrive in this sunny meadow environment. Later, in June, sisyrinchiums, irises, orchids and many flowering shrubs and roses are abundant. The natural woodland includes many interesting trees.

A constantly evolving artist’s garden that never stands still, with lots of surprises including a shell house built in 2014, rose parterres, a rill and fountains. At its heart are the plants filling every border, spilling over arches and lining paths, which are the inspiration for Ann’s paintings. The season starts with the snowdrop collection of over 70 cultivars, moves on through hellebores, tulips, irises and roses. One of the garden's features is a mirror steel diamond sculpture to commemorate the Frasers' diamond wedding anniversary and 60 years in this garden. 

In 2014 this garden was a 3½ acre field with a small wood and lots of rushes. Under the hands of a gardening fanatic and her willing husband, you will see a maturing garden with raised herbaceous borders, young orchards, a developing shrubbery, a rose garden, a bog garden and a variety of species trees. This is a garden for real plant enthusiasts and to enjoy it to the full, good footwear is recommended, particularly if it has been raining.

Behind the imposing exterior of a handsome Victorian house in St Andrews lies a true hidden gem of a garden, Edenhill. This is a mature garden designed and planted some years ago with the help of Michael Innes and lovingly nurtured and developed by the owner, John Angus. The garden is enclosed by handsome old walls clothed in clematis and honeysuckle and there are several mature trees, including a monkey puzzle. Beneath some rather special species rhododendrons there are carpets of colourful anemones, rare trilliums some beautiful peonies. The sculptor, James Parker, has created some eye-catching sculptures for Edenhill and the most recent addition to this fascinating garden is a rill, the sound of which adds to the tranquillity of this very special garden.

This is a long, sloping and terraced garden at over 800 feet in the Braes of Angus, developed to be a garden for all seasons. Half is dominated by bulbs, rhododendrons, azaleas, primulas, meconopsis and clematis. The other half is mainly later summer bulbs, herbaceous plants and roses. There is also a rockery/scree.

Like all good gardens, it has evolved over time. The garden is centred on a 250 foot lochan, a small waterfall and lily pond. The first trees and rhododendrons were planted in the 60s, with major additions in the 90s. A variety of cut leaf and flowering trees were added after the storms of 2011/12. As a result, the garden now has a wide range of specimen trees, camellias, hoheria, eucryphia, stewartia to name a few in addition to the azaleas and rhododendrons. January flowering is followed by spring flowers and bluebells and then into the autumn by spectacular colours. I am delighted to welcome visitors at any time, please let me know when you would like to visit.

This two-acre, organic, working walled garden is being lovingly restored back to full production with the development of the ‘no dig’ method to grow many heritage and new varieties of vegetables with impressive results. The maturing herbaceous borders have the space to encourage drifts of colour and interest throughout the seasons. An opportunity to follow the garden throughout the growing season from late spring to autumn harvest, and to discuss and learn about the benefits of ‘no dig’. Paul and Teri will also open their own private Therapy Garden which is a beautiful contemplative space with serene water features, statuary, stonework and unusual plants.

Discover two gardens, one at the farm and an upper garden further up the hill. The former is approximately one and a half acres and developed over the last 40 years. Its principal features include dwarf rhododendron, azaleas (evergreen and deciduous), large drifts of various primula and meconopsis and bluebells, and mixed herbaceous perennials/shrubs; there is also quite a serious kitchen garden. The second garden has been developed over the last 30 years out of a birch and sessile oak wood and is a traditional west coast glen garden intersected by two pretty burns with waterfalls. The garden has been extended over the last few years and now covers nearly ten acres with extensive new paths, and a suspension bridge over the ravine. Whilst the plants are important, many say that it is the topography with its differing vistas which make this garden such a peaceful and special place.

This is a cottage garden with perennial and fruit tree borders, along with raised beds for vegetables. Extensive use is made of pots and tubs planted with spring bulbs, herbaceous plants, annuals as well as shrubs and vegetables making them more accessible. The owners are well known for showing prize winning vegetables and flowers at flower shows in Stirlingshire. Visit in May and you can see the start of this process and then come back to the second open day in July to see the results of the TLC this garden has had.

The 18th century castle is perched on a cliff high above the Firth of Clyde. The Fountain Garden lies in front of the castle with terraces and herbaceous borders. The large walled garden contains a wide collection of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers plus an extensive vinery and peach house. The 560 acre Country Park offers beaches and rock pools, parklands, woodland walks and the new Adventure Cove.

Gorthleck is an unusual 20-acre woodland garden built in an unlikely place, on and around an exposed rocky ridge which offers long views of the surrounding countryside in the ‘borrowed landscape’ tradition of Japanese gardens. The layout of the garden works with the natural features of the landscape with numerous paths, hedges and shelter belts creating clearly defined areas where a large collection of trees and shrubs are thriving. The garden includes over 400 different varieties of rhododendrons, half of which are species, and a large variety of bamboos. It is a large garden so allow sufficient time to see it properly.

With wonderful views over Dundee, open farmland and the Tay across to Fife, Gray Cottage sits on the edge of Liff village. Built in 1886 for the Land Steward of Gray Estate, its half-acre, mature garden has a wide variety of shrubs and trees and is particularly colourful in May/June when rhododendrons, azaleas and pieris are at their best. The peaceful garden is one to explore with a number of corners and hidden areas which are linked and connected by hedge tunnels and natural 'windows'. One fascinating feature is a very large rhododendron with its interior branches fully exposed to give an almost mystical quality. Red squirrels, pheasants, woodpeckers, jays and the occasional fox are all regular visitors to Gray Cottage Garden where James McIntosh Patrick painted 'The Elm Tree, Perthshire'.

A quirky coastal garden hidden behind a walled plot. Scatterings of California poppies, bluebells and a varied mix of annuals and perennials with a small clear pond. Different themes blend in the garden, all overseen by a majestic dragon sculpture perched on a tree.

This established garden has year-round interest. A restoration project with quirky features, characters and surprises! Comprising lots of different areas, the garden is carpeted in spring with snowdrops, daffodils, camassia and then bluebells. Following on there are over 140 varieties of hosta, plus heuchera, hellebores, roses, clematis, and lilies.There are formal herbaceous borders within two walled gardens, hedges, woodland, shaded planting, glass house, fruit trees, rhododendrons and azaleas. And pots of all description in every available corner.

Kilbryde Castle gardens cover some 12 acres and are situated above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. The gardens are split into three parts: informal, woodland and wild. Natural planting (azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias) is found in the woodland garden. There are glorious snowdrops, spring bulbs, and autumn colour provided by clematis and acers.

The uniquely-curving walls are just one of many delightful surprises in store as you wander around Brechin Castle's renowned walled garden. Find charm and splendour in the wide gravelled walks, secluded smaller paths and hidden corners, whilst you take in the stunning blend of ancient and modern plantings. May sees the rhododendrons and azaleas hit the peak of their flowering to wonderful effect throughout the month, with complementary underplanting and a framework of beautiful trees to further heighten your experience. This is a lovely garden to visit at any time of year, but it is really something to behold in the spring.

Kirklands, built in 1832, has been the Hart family home for 46 years. Over the years we have created a garden. The walled garden was reinstated from a paddock including terracing and raised beds. In 2023 we introduced two bee hives. Unfortunately, our box hedges in the walled garden and elsewhere are being removed due to box blight, but it gives us the opportunity to make some changes! The woodland garden starts in February with snowdrops then bluebells, hellebores, trilliums, fritillaries, rhododendrons, meconopsis and candelabra primulas. The rockery displays dwarf rhododendrons and azaleas. The herbaceous borders reach their peak in the summer. Down by the Saline Burn, the bog garden is home to a giant Gunnera manicata. Over the red or blue bridge there are 20 acres of naturally regenerating woodland with a pathway by the stream. To keep the grandchildren occupied, Peter built a tree house, climbing frame and rope swing, though we hope they will take an interest in gardening too!

An earlier opening date than usual highlights the late spring woodland garden, that surrounds the more formal borders and lawns next to the 19th-century house. The woodland features azaleas, species and hybrid rhododendrons as well as acers and magnolias with primulas, meconopsis, smilacina and a wide variety of hostas, ferns and other foliage focused plants especially lining Oscar's ditch. Another woodland feature is the Golden Glade where golden leaved trees, shrubs and under-planting should be at its most potent. The golden philadelphus should be in full flower and the arching sprays of white-stemmed golden bramble (rubus) are particularly graceful. Herbaceous and rose borders nearer the house will have an early summer display of perennial geraniums, alliums, astrantia and many others whilst the species and old roses will be flowering. During June and July visitors can still see the wide selection of David Austin and other roses while herbaceous borders will be at their peak. During September and October you can see the autumn leaf colours of Parrotia, Liquidambar and American oaks with displays of sedums, dahlias and anemones.

Topiary gardens designed by Sir Robert Lorimer in the 1890s. The grounds also include a rose garden, croquet lawn, vegetable garden, orchard, park and wooded area.

Corsock House garden includes an amazing variety of designed landscape, from a strictly formal walled garden, through richly planted woodlands full of different vistas, artfully designed water features and surprises to extensive lawns showing off the Bryce baronial mansion. This is an Arcadian garden with pools and temples, described by Ken Cox as ‘perhaps my favourite of Scotland’s many woodland gardens’. 

Camellias, magnolias and bulbs in spring, rhododendrons and laburnum walk in this ancient walled garden. Exciting planting in new borders gives all year colour, centred around one of the oldest yew trees in Scotland. A new water sculpture, midsummer roses, recently restored unique Victorian glass house, riverside walk, arboretum - all in the valley below the peaks of An Teallach.
Champion Trees: Yew and Holly

An evolving three-acre garden. The house is surrounded by a series of mixed borders designed with different vibrant colour combinations for effect in all seasons. Spectacular mix of roses, herbaceous perennials and annuals planted through the wide borders are a highlight in mid to late summer. A new ‘no dig’ 160-foot border in shades of white, blue, purple and pale yellow was created in 2019/2020. The most recent addition to the garden is another ‘no dig’ border in shades of peach, burgundy, yellow, chocolate and acid yellow. Come and see! April and May for late spring bulbs and flowers; June and July for roses and high summer colour; August for late summer colour.The plant stall includes a lovely selection from the garden. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments and picnic in the garden. A season ticket for all these dates, and by arrangement, is £20 plus p&p and admits the ticket holder plus guest. It comes with a limited edition of the Willowhill Garden Guide: 35 pages of beautiful photographs with descriptions of key garden features and plantings. A season ticket with booklet is a perfect gift for garden lovers for a birthday or at Christmas and do treat yourself too! Season tickets are available online at tinyurl.com/4srm6rux or by post (cheque for £23 payable to Scotland’s Garden Scheme) from S. Lorimore, Willowhill, Forgan, Newport-on-Tay, Fife DD6 8RA.

These gardens are opening with fond memories of Frances Shepherd; she had planned to include her garden at Windyridge, 10 Glamis Drive.

We are a small, independent nursery growing and selling a wide range of happy, healthy plants propagated from our nursery gardens. At just under two acres, these gardens were started in 2015 to show visitors and customers what can be grown in our conditions here on a north-west-facing hill at 850 feet above sea level. Explore our herb garden, scented garden, wildlife garden, prairie-style garden, winter garden and all the other inspirational smaller borders. Our new woodland garden opened in Spring 2023. Many of the plants seen in the gardens are available to buy in the nursery.

This one-and-a-half-acre garden extends to the high water mark with westerly views across a wildflower meadow to the Urr Estuary, Rough Island and beyond. The house is flanked by raised beds, and overlooks a cottage-style garden; peripheral plantings of mixed shrubs and perennials are interspersed with spring bulbs and summer annuals for all-year-round interest. There is a greenhouse with a range of succulents and tender plants. To the rear of the property is a new walled garden stocked with top and soft fruit, perennial vegetables (sea kale, asparagus and globe artichokes), a range of annual vegetables and flower borders. A further greenhouse is used for tomatoes and cucumbers, and has peaches growing against the back wall. A plantswoman’s garden with a range of interesting and unusual plants.