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 and 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.

Humbie Dean is an informal two-acre ornamental, woodland and vegetable garden on a variety of levels, sandwiched between two burns at 600 feet, developed since 2009. The garden is densely planted for year-round interest, not just from flowers, but foliage, bark and berries. The woodland gorge part of the garden is accessible only by a series of steps.

Impressive five-acre garden with a large collection of mature shrubs, including over 200 rhododendron species, many camellias, magnolias including campbellii, embothriums, leptospermums, olearias, myrtles, telopeas, perennials, over 200 hydrangeas and many other rare Southern Hemisphere plants. The garden has several interesting paths and is on a hillside running along the rocky shore of the Dee Estuary in Kirkcudbright Bay. 

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.

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.

A unique garden at the centre of a biodynamic farm on the Island of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides. The garden created from a field has a strong geometric layout that reflects the ecclesiastical history of the island. It has a vegetable garden, a tree nursery, a physic garden, an orchard and a polytunnel. The garden is a haven for wildflowers, birds, bees and butterflies. Standing stones, meadows, new woodlands, mountains and the sea encompass the whole. There is also a herd of rare breed Shetland cattle, chickens, ducks and friendly cats.

This half-acre, tiered garden is situated in the former forestry village of Port Ann, enjoying a sheltered position between Loch Fyne and a pine forest, and is a fine example of what can be achieved in a relatively small space. Created over the last 15 years by Anne and Chris, since Chris has become a wheelchair user, part of the top level of the garden has been made accessible with a viewing platform to the garden and loch beyond. The garden has a water feature, a pond teeming with newts and dragonflies, a labyrinth designed by artist Margaret Ker, many neuks and crannies filled with plants and small trees, including rhododendrons, azaleas, hawthorn, fig, maple and acers, and ends in a walk through a wilder area of hazels on the burnside where the ground is smothered in bluebells in May.

Half-acre garden with stunning views of Loch Scridain, the Ross of Mull, and surrounded by mountains and community forest. The current owner has been developing the garden over the last four years with a collection of rhododendrons, camellias, fruit trees, roses, ferns, peonies, lilies and a few exotics from the southern hemisphere, together with three small ponds. Dogs welcome on leads. Small selection of plants for sale. Kindly walk on gravel paths and grassy areas only.

An eclectic private garden, open on specific dates and year-round by appointment.Kilchoan Gardens consist of a mix of ornamental beds with less formal areas for regenerative gardening. The main areas include an old walled garden renovated with a glasshouse for tender species, and traditional vegetable production; a Himalayan garden with many species of Asiatic origin; an arboretum with plants of high conservation value, including trees through the International Conifer Conservation Programme, and new woodland areas designed for flora and fauna. The more formal gardens consist of herbaceous borders, topiary and various artwork dotted around the paths and planting areas.The chapel will be open. Teas available on SGS specific dates.

The Victorian walled garden at Glenburn can be found just outside the town of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. Positioned close to a pretty Georgian house, this one-acre space is enclosed by red brick walls and is wildly romantic. The garden and its glasshouse are home to a wide selection of perennials and annuals that thrive in the productive and sheltered space. Espaliered apple trees, paths and beds offer pleasing year-round structure and during spring and summer, the garden sings with romantic colour combinations and scent. Highlights include statuesque Himalayan poppies, Iris sibirica, Fritillaria imperialis, highly scented roses, delphiniums, verbascums and thalictrums.

From Empire building to herbal lore, every plant tells a story in the Dunoon Goes POP Drinks Garden. Tucked away in the centre of the town behind the POP shop, explore the plants, people and local heritage that inspire their soft drinks enterprise. Packed with over 50 species of flavoursome plants, you can touch, smell and learn about the botanicals used to make drinks. Built using reclaimed or durable materials, this intimate walled garden has a drinks hedge, hops tunnel, trained fruit trees, many rhubarb varieties and a unique blend of aromatic plants that our pollinating friends adore. Discover more on a tour and taste some of their soft drinks inspired by Dunoon’s People of Place (POP).

A one hectare walled garden containing an outstanding collection of rare and common plants from around the world assembled to create naturalistic habitat for our native fauna. Some plants can be found in no other Scottish Garden whilst many are first introductions to gardens in the UK. This is an example of gardening harmoniously with nature where declining birds such as Garden warbler can be seen nesting amongst Himalayan poppies & American Prairie plants whilst lucky people might glimpse harvest mice in our unique Grassland Ecology Garden. We use no artificial fertiliser or pesticide and this is also true of the plants we grow for our plant sale area which has a wide range of less common plants.

Seabeach’s coastal location offers spectacular views out over the Firth of Forth. Surprisingly sheltered, this one-acre site has been evolving since 2020, as we learn what survives in the wind, sea-spray and poor, stony soil. Formerly Pittenweem’s Gas Works, the garden now features irises, delphiniums, cottage garden borders, raised vegetable beds and formal planting. High stone walls attest to the site’s industrial past and excavated old bricks and stone have been incorporated into the new garden. Meandering hillside beds, planted in blue and white, are designed to mirror the sea and rocky skellies beyond. A large bank of cardoons, towering echiums and expansive hebe bushes are home to a host of birds, butterflies and bees. Although paths can be a little steep, lower areas of the garden are more accessible.

Come visit a garden where the wildlife is given as much space as the glorious mass of nectar-rich perennials, where herbicides and pesticides are banned, a hosepipe has never been used, only homemade compost is used to improve the soil and a small flock of chickens are allowed free-range. The kitchen garden comprises of a large vegetable plot, two greenhouses, fruit bushes and trees. Beech hedging has been planted to create a hidden and sheltered garden within the garden. There is a sizeable pond and a small but very productive orchard which is home to beehives. The front of the house is clothed with a very pleasing ever-changing tapestry of plants, many of which are self-seeded. Susan will be happy to tell you which of these self-seeders to avoid and Fin will talk to you for hours about his collection of chilli plants.

Situated on the edge of the Swannay Loch, a tranquil and secluded garden filled with a variety of colourful and fragrant hardy plants. The garden is complemented by stunning views of the loch and surrounding countryside.

A hidden gem, Coul garden lies within the grounds of Coul House, an imposing B-listed Victorian farmhouse which dates back to circa 1875. A mix of hydrangeas, roses, rhododendron and wisteria are contained in this ever-evolving amateur garden. The garden has more recently been redesigned with hard landscaping and includes a small pond. Come and take a walk around and enjoy a cup of tea and home baking.

A newly-created garden, on a domestic scale, which is very much a work in progress. The main part is a reclaimed riding manege, which has been transformed with meandering paths around borders planted with perennials and grasses to reflect the local undulating landscape. A rockery border and greenhouse are to one side of the house and traditional cottage-style borders are to the front and other side. A small vegetable plot with raised beds and a polycarbonate greenhouse is to the rear. The garden is situated about a mile from Luce Bay and has the benefits of the Gulf Stream, but the disadvantages of an exposed, shadeless position.

A recently-redeveloped walled garden in the grounds of the Marchmont Estate. Run as a space to inspire creativity as part of the Hugo Burge Foundation, a newly-formed arts charity based in the Scottish Borders. The garden contains herbaceous borders, a kitchen garden, a colonnade, wildflower meadows, cut flower borders, a sculpture collection and newly restored Mackenzie and Moncur glasshouses.

‘Claremont’ is situated only two minutes from J4 of the M8 and yet is an idyllic oasis. It is an eclectic garden created over 20 years; before we moved in it was just grass with a few rhododendrons. The garden has three areas, to the front are various herbaceous borders, to the side we have our hosta collection. Our garden contains over 150 Hosta’s. To the rear there are herbaceous borders, plus a stumpery/fernery created in 2022. We have three ponds, one very large, a rockery, a dovecot, newly created rose garden and interesting trees including a grand monkey puzzle. New for 2026: the stumpery has been extended over the winter. View our five new commissioned bird boxes all based on the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright.

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. A ‘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. Visit in March for over 200 hellebores, May for late spring bulbs and flowers, June and July for roses and high summer colour and August for late summer colour. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments and picnic in the garden. A season ticket for all these dates, and by arrangement (available at the garden or online) is £25 and admits the ticket holder plus guest.

Organic wildlife garden at the edge of boggy moorland. Mature trees and shrubs are mixed with herbaceous perennials, with raised beds for vegetables and flowers for cutting. Focus is on providing food and homes for pollinating insects.

Lochwood is an informal garden of just under an acre, which has been slowly rescued and developed over 25 years using organic principles. I’ve tried to apply the idea of ‘right plant right place’, and to provide flowers for pollinators for as long a season as possible. The garden has slowly evolved into separate areas. Cottage style herbaceous and mixed borders surround the house, with deciduous trees and mature yews creating more challenging areas of dry shade. There is a ‘no dig’ vegetable garden, and a composting patch. Hedges have been planted for shelter, and a wildflower area and pond support the local abundant wildlife.

A 150-year-old walled garden in Orkney’s West Mainland, which provides a unique micro climate against the windy, coastal conditions. The ‘gardens within gardens’ layout provides sheltered growing for hostas, irises, grasses and a collection of more than 120 species and hybrids of perennial geraniums. Organically gardened, the space is alive with birds, bees and butterflies. The garden has featured in the Scottish Field, Scotland on Sunday and Beechgrove. It is included in the books Island Gardens by Jackie Bennet, and Scotland for Gardeners by Ken Cox.

A traditional and romantic garden set in a beautiful 18th-century landscape. This garden is best known for its historically important collection of roses, with a national collection of pre-19th century Gallica roses and for its design of garden rooms with soft delicate herbaceous planting. Visit the oval walled garden, spilling with roses and billowing herbaceous borders, the herb garden with yellow and white roses set against acid green herbs or sit in the secret garden, planted in silver and pale pink. Walk to the apple orchard of historic apple trees and wild flowers or through the rose gates to the 18th century bridge and into the park and sit by the river. Carolside is said to be 'one of Scotlands finest private gardens'.
National Plant Collection: Pre-19th century Rosa Gallica

The ongoing restoration and transformation of this ‘pocket’ estate’s 17th-century Scot’s tower house and gardens continues to evolve and delight. Within the walled garden, imaginatively clipped yew hedges enclose ‘rooms’ filled with luxuriantly planted herbaceous borders, a productive potager garden, wildflower meadows, an intricate box parterre, water features and a magical shade garden which is home to four of Scotland’s largest Griselinia littoralis specimens. In recent years planting has extended into the wider woodland policies and highlights include extensive wildflower meadows and waterside plantings surrounding an impressively landscaped pond.

Situated in a sleepy corner of the charming village of Kirkcowan, this small domestic garden has been expertly improved and extended over the last 4 years by the current owners. A delightful combination of roses, alpines, herbaceous plants, lilies and grasses and a small meadow area offer an interesting experience to visitors.

Although small in scale, this traditional garden is adorned with ornamental flowers, spilling from hanging baskets and window boxes that during the height of summer, from July to August, unfold into a vivid kaleidoscope of colour offering a wonderful display. The garden is meticulously cared for, with striking bedding plants also adding to the riot of colour. A little gem.

The Linn Botanic Gardens used to be one of the only privately owned gardens to be accredited as a botanical garden, under the stewardship of its creators, Jim and Jamie Taggart. Sadly Jamie died on a plant-hunting expedition to Vietnam in 2013, and Jim's failing health and old age limited the care he could take of the place from that point onwards. He himself then passed away in 2019, at which point the garden was closed and was not maintained at all until 2021 when it was purchased by the current owners.Since then extensive work has been taking place to renovate and reopen the gardens, and to rebuild the disintegrating villa at their heart. It is still very much a work in progress, but large parts of the old plant collection remain intact. You are invited to explore what has been restored and to discuss the plans to complete the repair work and then further develop the garden in the future, but please do bear in mind that it is a long way from being the finished article just yet.