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Total of 30 openings.
Humbie Dean

Humbie Dean

Humbie EH36 5PW
Frank Kirwan
Wednesday 20 March, Wednesday 17 April, Wednesday 15 May, Wednesday 12 June, Wednesday 17 July, Wednesday 14 August & Wednesday 2 October, 10:30am - 4pm (2024)
c
frank.kirwan@gmail.com
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.

Directions: Enter Humbie from the A68, pass the school and the village hall on the left then immediately turn right just before the Humbie Hub. Take the second left and Humbie Dean is on the left between two small bridges. Limited parking.  Find using what3words: shorthand.frog.limbs

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Mamie Martin Fund 60%
A Blackbird Sings

A Blackbird Sings

20 Kings Park, Longniddry EH32 0QL
Graham and Maxine Pettigrew
Saturday 13 April, Saturday 18 May, Saturday 13 July & Saturday 17 August, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
46
T:01875 853003
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.

Directions: By car: enter Dean Road from A198, right at Kings Avenue, right at Kings Park. By bus (124): Old Dean Road stop, down Old Dean Road, right at Kings Avenue, right at Kings Park.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Leuchie 30% & Scottish Wildlife Trust Ltd 30%
Stobshiel House

Stobshiel House

Humbie EH36 5PD
Mr Maxwell and Lady Sarah Ward
Wednesdays only from 1 - 29 May 9.30am - 3pm (2024)
67
T:01875 833646 stobshiel@gmail.com
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.

Directions: On the B6368 Haddington/Humbie road; sign to Stobshiel one mile. Find using what3words: jumbo.hides.blogs

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Fostering Compassion, SCIO 60%
Kirkton Manor House

Kirkton Manor House

Peebles EH45 9JH
Mrs Rosemary Thorburn
Wednesday only from 1 - 29 May, 1pm - 4pm (2024)
7
T:01721 740220 rpthorburn@icloud.com
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.

Directions: Turn off the A72 west of Neidpath Castle, signposted to Kirkton Manor. After crossing the River Tweed, enter a garden gate which is a mile downhill, opposite a Beware Horses sign.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Shepherd House

Shepherd House

Inveresk, Musselburgh EH21 7TH
Sir Charles and Lady Fraser
Tuesday & Thursday 2 - 30 May 2pm - 4pm (2024)
467
T:0131 665 2570 ann.shepherdhouse@gmail.com
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. 

Directions: The garden is near Musselburgh. From the A1 take the A6094 exit signposted Wallyford and Dalkeith and follow signs to Inveresk.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Trees For Life 60%
Oakmore

Oakmore

Blairhoyle, Port of Menteith, Stirling FK8 3LF
Rachel Nunn
Sunday 5 May & Sunday 14 July, 11am - 5pm (2024)
1c69
T:07872 068080
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.

Directions: Blairhoyle is on the Thornhill to Port of Monteith road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Radical Weavers 60%
Edenhill

Edenhill

Kennedy Gardens, St Andrews KY16 9DJ
Mr John Angus
Thursday 9 May, Thursday 16 May & Thursday 23 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
4
T:07710369747 1edenhill@gmail.com
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.

Directions: Kennedy Gardens is situated off Hepburn Gardens in residential St Andrews, only 5 minutes walk from St Andrews bus station (through Kinburn Park). The street sits above the University Science campus.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Sightsavers 60%
Inchmill Cottage

Inchmill Cottage

Glenprosen, near Kirriemuir DD8 4SA
Iain Nelson
Thursday 9 May, Thursday 30 May, Thursday 13 June, Thursday 4 July, Thursday 15 August & Thursday 5 September, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
T:01575 540452
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.

Directions: Please DO NOT use SatNav. From Kirriemuir take the B955 (signposted The Glens) to Dykehead (about five miles). From there follow the Prosen sign for about five miles. Inchmill is the white-fronted cottage beside the phone box in the village. There is car parking beside the church (50 yards away) and by the village hall opposite.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Archie Foundation 60%
Knock Newhouse

Knock Newhouse

Lochgair PA31 8RZ
Mrs Hew Service
Saturday/Sunday, 11/12 May & Sunday 2 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c467
T:01546 886628 corranmorhouse@aol.com
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.

Directions: On the A83. The house is not visible from the road. From Lochgilphead, a ½ mile south of Lochgair Hotel and on the left-hand side of the road, and from Inveraray on the right-hand side of the road a ½ mile after the Lochgair Hotel; the drive opening is marked and enters the woods. Bus Route - Inveraray to Lochgilphead

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The Lochgair Association (SCIO): Village Hall Fund 30% & Cancer Research UK 30%
Balhary Walled Garden

Balhary Walled Garden

Balhary, Alyth, Blairgowrie PH11 8LT
Teri and Paul Hodge-Neale
Saturday 11 May, Saturday 8 June, Saturday 13 July, Saturday 10 August & Saturday 14 September, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
6
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.

Directions: Situated between Alyth and Meigle on the B954 opposite the sign to Jordanstone.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Perennial 60%
Braevallich Farm

Braevallich Farm

by Dalmally PA33 1BU
Mr Philip Bowden-Smith
Sunday 12 May & Sunday 2 June, 12:30pm - 5:30pm (2024)
2c7
T:01866 844246 philip@brae.co.uk
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.

Directions: South-east of Loch Awe on the B840, 15 miles from Cladich, seven miles from Ford.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Mary's Meals 60%
Strachur Flower & Woodland Gardens

Strachur Flower & Woodland Gardens

Strachur PA27 8BX
Sir Charles and Lady Maclean
Sunday 12 May & Sunday 19 May, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
c467
The flower garden is sheltered by magnificent beeches, limes, ancient yews and Japanese maples. There are herbaceous borders, a burnside rhododendron and azalea walk, rockery, tulips and spring bulbs. Enjoy the old woodland of Strachur Park, laid out in 1782, and the wildlife rich lochan.

Directions: Turn off the A815 at Strachur House Farm entrance. Park in farm square. Bus Dunoon - Inveraray. From Edinburgh/Glasgow take the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: British Red Cross 60%
18 Buchany

18 Buchany

Doune FK16 6HG
John and Sarah Burrows
Sunday 12 May & Sunday 21 July, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c59
wackwack1@btinternet.com
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.

Directions: As there is no parking available at the garden, visitors must go to Moray Estate Office FK16 6HG which is situated on the A84, 1.5 miles west of Doune through Buchany towards Callander. Turn into the Estate Office grounds where visitors can take the shuttle bus to the garden.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: British Heart Foundation 60%
Longwood

Longwood

Humbie EH36 5PN
Linda Flockhart and Sandra Gentle
Wednesday 15 May, 10:30am - 4pm (2024)
67
An extensive, long-established country garden at 800 feet, undergoing renewal. There are ducks and hens, stream and ponds as well as areas of wild garden and borders including roses, vegetables, lawns and woodlands. Stunning views over the Forth.

Directions: From the B6368 (Humbie to Haddington road) about one mile east of Humbie take the direction south to Blegbie Farm (signposted). Follow the road for circa two miles, passing Humbie Mains Farm as you go. You will find Blegbie Farm at a hard right-hand bend. The drive for Longwood will be straight in front of you, right beside Blegbie. Go straight up the drive and park at the bottom of the cottages. Do not turn right or left.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%
Angus Plant Sale

Angus Plant Sale

House of Pitmuies, Guthrie, by Forfar DD8 2SN
SGS Angus & Dundee Organisers
Saturday 18 May, 10am - 1pm (2024)
0c67
A change of venue for our ever popular annual plant sale. By kind permission of Ruaraidh and Jeanette Ogilvie we are moving to Pitmuies (see separate garden entry for description). Coffee and cakes will be available. There will be a good selection of plants sourced from private gardens and some local nurseries. Please bring boxes and trays if you can. Donations of plants in advance or on the day will be welcome.

Directions: From Forfar take the A932 east for seven miles and gardens are signposted on the right. From Brechin take the A933 south to Friockheim and turn right onto the A932. The gardens are signposted on the left after 1½ miles.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Tinnisburn Plants

Tinnisburn Plants

Upper Millsteads, Canonbie DG14 0RY
Helen Knowles
Saturday/Sunday 18/19 May, 10am - 4pm. Meconopsis will be on display. (2024)
a7
T:07544 373815 helen@tinnisburn.co.uk
Developed over the last 36 years, this one-acre plantsman's garden is home to an eclectic mix of truly hardy perennials, trees and shrubs. Planted for year-round colour and interest and to provide habitats for wildlife, there is something new to see each month. There is a woodland garden, rockery, bog garden, herbaceous borders and much more. Meconopsis grow well here and more are being planted out every year. In addition to the garden, there is a small orchard, wildlife ponds and mown paths through the wildflower meadows and, if you're lucky, you may spot red squirrels.
National Plant Collection: Scilla (Chionodoxa)

Directions: Take the B6357 north from Canonbie. At Harelaw turn left onto the B6318 and after 1 mile turn right onto our track. It is 1.5 miles long and is untarmacked but suitable for all vehicles. Just drive slowly and carefully.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Fauna & Flora International 30% & Macmillan Cancer Support 30%
The Garden with the Dragon

The Garden with the Dragon

2, Upper Wellheads, Limekilns KY11 3JQ
Mr and Mrs Duncan Philp
Saturday 18 May, 1pm - 4pm (2024)
045
T:01383 872047 df.philp@btinternet.com
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.

Directions: Take the A985 from Rosyth or Kincardine and follow directions for Limekilns and Charlestown. The No.6 bus from Dunfermline bus station on the hour.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The Five Sisters Zoo Rescue and Conservation SCIO 60%
Logan Botanic Garden

Logan Botanic Garden

Port Logan, by Stranraer DG9 9ND
A Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Sunday 19 May, 10am - 5pm (2024)
3c45ea
T:01776 860231 logan@rbge.org.uk
Logan Botanic Garden lies at the south-western tip of Scotland, unrivalled as ‘Scotland’s Most Exotic Garden’. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, a remarkable collection of southern hemisphere plants flourish, making this a plantsman’s paradise. Logan enjoys an almost subtropical climate where the garden's avenues and borders feature a spectacular and colourful array of half-hardy perennials. The garden is warmed by the Gulf Stream which enables plants from Australia, New Zealand, South and Central America and Southern Africa to thrive. Voted ‘Best Garden in the UK’ 2021, Logan promises a delightful day out for all.
National Plant Collection: Gunnera, Leptospermum, Griselinia, Clianthus and Sutherlandia
Champion Trees: Polylepis and Eucalyptus

Directions: Ten miles south of Stranraer on the A716 then 2½ miles from Ardwell Village. 

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Board Of Trustees Of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 60%
Woodfall Gardens

Woodfall Gardens

Glasserton DG8 8LY
Ross and Liz Muir
Sunday 19 May, 10:30am - 4:30pm (2024)
67
woodfallgardens@btinternet.com
This lovely, three-acre, 18th-century triple walled garden has been thoughtfully restored to provide year-round interest. It contains many mature trees and shrubs, including some less common species, herbaceous borders and shrub roses which surround the foundations of original greenhouses, grass borders, a parterre, extensive beds of fruit and vegetables, a herb garden and a small woodland walk. This unusual garden is well worth a visit. 

Directions: Two miles south-west of Whithorn at junction off A746 and A747 (directly behind Glasserton Church).

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Whithorn Primary School 60%
Shepherd House

Shepherd House

Inveresk, Musselburgh EH21 7TH
Sir Charles and Lady Fraser
Sunday 19 May, 11am - 4pm (2024)
467
T:0131 665 2570 ann.shepherdhouse@gmail.com
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. 

Directions: The garden is near Musselburgh. From the A1 take the A6094 exit signposted Wallyford and Dalkeith and follow signs to Inveresk.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Trees For Life 60%
Broadwoodside

Broadwoodside

Gifford EH41 4JQ
Anna and Robert Dalrymple
Sunday 19 May, 11am - 5pm (2024)
457
“Broadwoodside is a remarkable achievement. It is a country house that is both memorable and noteworthy, without ever falling into the trap of architectural pretension. That is perhaps because the humble origins of the steading still shine through the transformation to lend texture and interest to the buildings. No less remarkable is the way that the house graduates into the garden and the garden into the landscape. This is a house that feels not merely at home in its setting, but born from it. Finally, there is the delight of the place, enlivened with colour, inscriptions and beautiful things. If Arcadia possessed a country house, surely this would be it.” Country Life, 2023.

Directions: On the B6355 going out of Gifford towards Pencaitland, at the Golf Course junction. 

Admission: £7.00, children free
Charities: Leuchie 60%
Bridge of Allan Gardens

Bridge of Allan Gardens

Bridge of Allan FK9 4AT
The Gardeners of Bridge of Allan
Sunday 19 May, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c6
Bridge of Allan gardens will again feature a selection of larger and smaller gardens. They will highlight various species of rhododendrons and azaleas and many varieties of spring blossoms, plants and flowers. Some have water features showing an interesting variety of plants. One of the gardens features a variety of sculpture, with quirky quotations placed around the garden, while another is divided into ‘rooms’, each having a different theme. The Gardens of Bridge of Allan were featured on Beechgrove last year.

Directions: Gardens will be signposted in the village on the day.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Artlink Central Ltd 30% & St Saviours Episcopal Church: Bridge Of Allan 30%
Inchmarlo Retirement Village Garden

Inchmarlo Retirement Village Garden

Inchmarlo, Banchory AB31 4AL
Skene Enterprises (Aberdeen) Ltd
Sunday 19 May, 1:30pm - 4:30pm (2024)
2c457
T:01330 826242 info@inchmarlo-retirement.co.uk
Beautiful five-acre woodland garden filled with azaleas and rhododendrons beneath ancient Scots pines, Douglas firs and silver firs (some over 140 feet tall). Also beeches, rare and unusual trees including pindrow firs, Pere David’s maple, Erman’s birch and a mountain snowdrop tree. The Oriental Garden features a Karesansui, a dry slate stream designed by Peter Roger, a RHS Chelsea gold medal winner. The keyhole-shaped garden houses a purple Prunus cerasifera hedge and a herbaceous border, and has been designed by Billy Carruthers of Binny Plants, an eight-times gold medal winner at Gardening Scotland and a regular at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Directions: From Aberdeen via North Deeside Road on the A93, one mile west of Banchory turn right at the main gate to the Inchmarlo Estate. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & The Forget-Me-Not Club 30%
Brooklands

Brooklands

Crocketford DG2 8QH
Mr and Mrs Robert Herries
Sunday 19 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c67
T:Gardener, Matthew Grieve: 07765 491902
Large old walled garden with a wide selection of plants, including some interesting shrubs and climbers and a kitchen garden. Mature woodland with many established rhododendrons and azaleas, and carpeted with snowdrops in February.

Directions: Turn off the A712 Crocketford to New Galloway Road one mile outside Crocketford at the Gothic gatehouse (on the right travelling north).

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Dalfruin

Dalfruin

Kirktonhill Road, Kirriemuir DD8 4HU
Mr and Mrs James A Welsh
Sunday 19 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
c4
A well-stocked, connoisseur’s garden of about ⅓ acre situated at the end of a short cul-de-sac. There are many less common plants like varieties of trilliums, meconopsis (blue poppies), tree peonies (descendants of ones collected by George Sherriff and grown at Ascreavie), dactylorhiza and codonopsis. There is a scree garden and collection of ferns. The vigorous climbing rose, Paul’s Himalayan Musk, grows over a pergola. Interconnected ponds encourage wildlife.

Directions: From the centre of Kirriemuir turn left up Roods. Kirktonhill Road is on the left near the top of the hill. Park on Roods or at St Mary’s Episcopal Church. Disabled parking only in Kirktonhill Road. Bus 20 (from Dundee) getting off at either stop on the Roods.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Kirriemuir Day Care Ltd 60%
Moray Place and Bank Gardens

Moray Place and Bank Gardens

Edinburgh EH3 6BX
The residents of the Moray Feu
Sunday 19 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2467
Bank Gardens Edinburgh EH3 6BX (The Residents of Bank Gardens): Join us to celebrate the gardens of the Moray Feu in their spring and summer colours. Nearly six acres of secluded wild gardens with lawns, trees and shrubs with banks of bulbs down to the Water of Leith and stunning views towards Dean Bridge.
Moray Place Edinburgh EH3 6BX (The Residents of Moray Place): Private garden of three-and-a-half acres in the Georgian New Town is framed by the polygon of Moray Place, and is laid out with shrubs, trees and flower beds offering an atmosphere of tranquillity in the city centre.

Directions: Bank Gardens enter by the gate at the top of Doune Terrace. Moray Place enter by the north gate in Moray Place.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Euan Macdonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research 60%
Ross Priory

Ross Priory

Gartocharn G83 8NL
University of Strathclyde
Sunday 19 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c467
Mansion house with glorious views over Loch Lomond with adjoining garden. Wonderful rhododendrons and azaleas are the principal plants in the garden, with a varied selection of trees and shrubs throughout. Spectacular spring bulbs, border plantings of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. Extensive walled garden with glasshouses, pergola and ornamental plantings. Children’s play area and putting green beside the house.

Directions: Ross Priory is one and a half miles off the A811 at Gartocharn. Bus from Balloch to Gartocharn.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Friends Of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs 30% & Loch Lomond Rescue Boat 30%
The Limes

The Limes

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XD
David and Carolyn McHale
Sunday 19 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
6
carolyn.mchale@btinternet.com
This one-and-a-quarter acre plantswoman’s garden has a variety of different plant habitats: woodland, dry sunny gravel beds, rock garden, crevice garden and mixed perennial and shrub borders. There is also a large productive vegetable garden. The McHales like to grow most of their plants from seed obtained through various international seed exchanges. You can expect to see a large number of unusual and exciting plants. The garden is full of colour with an abundance of spring flowers in March, and in late May and early June the meconopsis should be at their best. The gravel garden comes into its own in July and continues through until winter. Hardy cyclamen are a big favourite and one species or another is in flower in almost every month of the year. Winter is a good time to admire their varied leaf forms.

Directions: In Kirkcudbright go straight along St Mary Street towards Dundrennan. The Limes is on the right, about half a mile from the town centre crossroads, on the edge of the town.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Friends Of Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool 60%
Culzean

Culzean

Maybole KA19 8LE
The National Trust for Scotland
Tuesday 21 May, 10am - 2:45pm. Please join us for a rare opportunity to spend the day with the National Trust for Scotland’s Simon Jones, Gardens & Designed Landscapes Manager and Iain Govan, Head of Gardens and Grounds at the wonderful Culzean Castle, in collaboration with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. Please note, spaces are limited to 30. Advance booking is essential. Admission prices for National Trust for Scotland Members: £40.00. Admission for Non-National Trust for Scotland Members: £47.00. (2024)
03579
T:0165 588 4400 culzean@nts.org.uk
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.

Directions: On the A719 twelve miles south of Ayr, four miles west of Maybole. Bus 60 Stagecoach, Ayr/Girvan via Maidens to the entrance. One mile walk downhill from the stop to the Castle/Visitor Centre.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Gorthleck House Garden

Gorthleck House Garden

Stratherrick IV2 6UJ
Steve and Katie Smith
Friday 24 May - Sunday 2 June, 10am - 6pm, admission £5.00, children free. (2024)
T:07710 325903 gorthleckgarden@gmail.com
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.

Directions: From the A9, take the B851 towards Fort Augustus to join the B862. Go through the village of Errogie where there is a sharp left-hand bend on the road. After approximately one mile, there is a small church on the left. The Gorthleck drive is directly opposite the church and the house can be seen on the hill to the left as you follow the drive to the left of the new house. Visitors can park on the verges at the top of the drive. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Maggie's 60%