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.

Monimail Tower gardens is situated in the Howe of Fife, a 19th century walled garden and orchard, built around a 15th century tower, the remains of Cardinal Beaton's summer palace. The garden has been an organic vegetable garden since 1985. We are now developing flower beds, but very much in a natural and wildlife friendly way. You will find peacefulness and tranquillity, but not the formality associated with walled gardens. It is a haven for invertebrates and birds. The garden hosts a site for allotments for local people and the woodlands and orchard are open to the general public all year round with a carpet of snowdrops, aconites, then followed by wild garlic in spring. The garden has a marvellous aspect sloping south, surrounded by ancient yew trees and an orchard. The tower is open to visitors and hosts a little museum. You can climb up to the roof and enjoy a beautiful view.

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-acre garden begun from scratch in 2008, on an exposed hillside at 900 feet. It contains herbaceous plants, climbers, shrubs and trees - all selected for wind resistance and ability to cope with the poor, stony soil. There are usually fine views to the Southern Uplands.

A tranquil and secluded suburban garden created in August 2024. Landscaping features include interlacing circles and curves, archways, arbours, a wildlife pond, a Victorian-style greenhouse, and a lazy fountain. Indian sandstone flagstones, quartz gravel, clay rolltop edging, terracotta pots, sets and tiles offer a warm colour palette. Tulips, magnolias, camellias, cornus and peonies provide early seasonal interest; vibrant mixed borders are planted with fragrant standard, shrub, rambling and climbing roses. On the circular lawn is an ancient olive tree bordered by espalier-trained, dwarf and potted patio fruit trees. Peaches, nectarines, figs, oranges and kumquats are grown in the greenhouse. Eco measures include a rainwater reservoir, a compost tumbler to recycle garden and kitchen waste, and seaweed and manure to fortify the free-draining soil.

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.

Set within over nine acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Whitehills offers an enchanting retreat. The beautiful and tranquil gardens blend mature woodland, sweeping lawns, and a rich variety of flowering shrubs and specimen trees. A network of winding paths explore distinct garden spaces, from shaded woodland walks to open, sunlit areas ideal for rest and reflection. At the heart of the grounds lies a striking south-facing stone terrace, elevated above the gardens with views across the surrounding landscape. Further features include a tennis court, traditional outbuildings, and a charming greenhouse, all thoughtfully integrated within the natural surroundings. These gardens provide more than visual beauty—they offer a rare sense of escape, quiet inspiration, and connection to nature, creating a truly memorable experience for all who visit.

A synthesis of cultivated land and the natural environment. Informal 2.5 acre garden framed by the Ochil Hills and set in mature woodland and pasture. Features include approximately 70 juvenile species rhododendrons, an eclectic and expanding range of unusual perennials, shrubs and ferns; mature stands of bamboo, climbing and shrub roses, both species and hybrid, floral courtyard garden, large pond with feature water lilies and irises, buttercup meadow and (new for 2026) riverside trail. An eco-friendly bug and wildlife haven, herbicide and pesticide-free, minimal dig philosophy, free-range hens, everything recycled, a garden for the free spirit.

Stenton (Stane Toon) with its ancient cottages of pink-purple-hued sandstone and orange pantile roofs set around three village greens, has been awarded Outstanding Conservation status. The Neo-Gothic parish church designed by William Burn presides over the ruins of a 16th century tower. The Open Gardens will include 17th century Ruchlaw House with its formal, walled cottage garden, orchard and woodland paths, and in the village, a mix of walled, cottage gardens of various sizes. Many are divided into garden rooms with lush planting, garden ornaments, wildflower areas, ponds, seating areas, vegetable and fruit cultivation and much more. The gardens are managed intensively to provide year-round colour, interest and produce.

A wide variety of gardens, many hidden and behind walls. The diversity of gardens makes this village well worth a visit. One garden has a forest orchard set in woodland with many mature trees and an emphasis on encouraging into the garden wildlife in all its forms. Another garden, started in 2012 but already looking well established, contains a range of plants, trees, shrubs, roses and an amazing border of meconopsis. Other gardens show an extensive range of formal herbaceous and informal borders, shrubs and trees. As well as the gardens in Auchtermuchty, one garden in Dunshalt will participate as part of the weekend’s event.

About half an acre, the garden has been developed from scratch over 17 years. Plants include astilbes, scabious, astrantia, agapanthus, phlox, hydrangeas and primulas with an emphasis on flowers for cutting. A range of trees include a large Douglas fir, cornus, acers, jacquemontii silver birch and fruit trees.

The river Carron flows around the edge of the garden and the old Amat Caledonian Forest is close by. Large specimen trees surround the house, plus many new ones planted in the policies in the last few years. There are several herbaceous borders, rhododendrons, trees and shrubs, all set in a large lawn. It is possible to go on a short woodland and river walk and you may see red squirrels which were reintroduced some years ago and are often in and around the garden. 
Champion Trees: Abies Procera, Noble Fir

A south-facing Victorian walled garden, lovingly developed from a design started in 1990 to give colour and interest all year. Enjoy densely planted herbaceous borders, pause under the pergola clothed in clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses, continue on to the bottom of the garden where three ponds and wildflower beds reflect a strong focus on wildlife. This is a hidden gem of a garden that has won awards including Ellon Best Garden and with plants rarely seen in north-east Scotland. Parkvilla was featured as Garden of the Week in Garden News in 2024.