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Total of 48 openings.
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
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%
Kilbryde Castle

Kilbryde Castle

Dunblane FK15 9NF
Sir James and Lady Campbell
Sunday 26 May, 11am - 5pm (2024)
3c67
T:01786 824897 carolaandjames@googlemail.com
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.

Directions: Three miles from Dunblane and Doune, off the A820 between Dunblane and Doune. On Scotland’s Gardens Scheme open days the garden is signposted from the A820. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Leighton Library Trust 60%
Earlshall Castle

Earlshall Castle

Leuchars KY16 0DP
Paul & Josine Veenhuijzen
Sunday 26 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
6d7
T:01334 839205
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.

Directions: On Earlshall Road, three-quarters of a mile east of Leuchars Village (off A919).

Admission: £6.50, children free
Charities: Leuchars St Athernase and Tayport Church of Scotland 60%
Corsock House

Corsock House

Corsock, Castle Douglas DG7 3DJ
The Ingall family
Sunday 26 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c67
T:01644 440250 jingall@hotmail.com
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’. 

Directions: Off the A75, Dumfries is 14 miles, Castle Douglas is ten miles, Corsock Village is half-mile on the A712. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Church Of Scotland 60%
Dundonnell House

Dundonnell House

Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross IV23 2QW
Dundonnell Estates
Thursday 30 May, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c6e7
T:07789 390028 sueandwill@icloud.com
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

Directions: Turn off the A835 at Braemore on to the A832. After 11 miles take the Badralloch turn for a ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Fauna & Flora International 30% & Multiple Sclerosis Society 30%
Ardverikie with Aberarder

Ardverikie with Aberarder

Kinloch Laggan, Newtonmore PH20 1BX
The Fielden family, Mrs P Laing and Mrs E T Smyth-Osbourne
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5:30pm (2024)
167
T:01528 544300 amanda@ardverikie.com
Ardverikie
Kinloch Laggan, Newtonmore PH20 1BX (Mrs P Laing and Mrs E T Smyth-Osbourne):
Lovely setting on Loch Laggan with magnificent trees. Walled garden with large collection of acers, shrubs and herbaceous plants. Architecturally interesting house (not open) featured in Monarch of the Glen and The Crown.
Aberarder
Kinloch Laggan, Newtonmore PH20 1BX (The Fielden Family): The garden has been laid out over the last 20 years to create a mixture of spring and autumn plants and trees, including rhododendrons, azaleas and acers. The elevated view down Loch Laggan from the garden is exceptional.

Directions: On the A86 between Newtonmore and Spean Bridge. Ardverikie House entrance is at the east end of Loch Laggan via the bridge by Gatelodge. Aberarder Lodge entrance is about 200 metres west of the Ardverikie entrance, next to the small cottage.

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: Laggan Parish Church 30% & Highland Hospice 30%
Laidlawstiel House

Laidlawstiel House

Clovenfords, Galashiels TD1 1TJ
Mr and Mrs P Litherland
Wednesday/Thursday, 5/6 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c
Walled garden containing herbaceous border, fruit and vegetables in raised beds. There are colourful rhododendrons and azaleas as well as splendid views down to the River Tweed.

Directions: On the A72 between Clovenfords and Walkerburn turn up the hill signposted for Thornielee. The house is on the right at the top of the hill.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Young Lives vs Cancer 60%
Dirleton Village

Dirleton Village

Dirleton EH39 5EH
The Gardeners of Dirleton & Historic Scotland
Saturday/Sunday, 8/9 June, 2pm - 5:30pm (2024)
2467
Dirleton is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s prettiest conservation villages. Its traditional houses are clustered around the extensive village green, medieval castle dating from the 13th century, and the 400-year-old parish church. Expect the village to be a blaze of colour on the opening weekend, when up to 15 of its gardens will be open to the public for charity. These are scattered throughout the village, each within a short walking distance of the village green, where ample free parking is available. The gardens can all be visited on a single ticket. They are very different in size and style and you will find that their owners love to share their knowledge and answer questions. Compact gardens around the village centre contrast with larger ones on Chapelhill, which provide extensive views south over the surrounding countryside. Your ticket will also admit you to the castle gardens. These contain an impressive formal parterre and a herbaceous border extending to over 200 yards in length, claimed to be one of the longest such borders in the world.
Dirleton Village Association is a conservation charity.

Directions: By car - two miles west of North Berwick off the A198. By public transport — East Coast buses X5 and 124 from Edinburgh.

Admission: £7.00, children free
Charities: Dirleton Village Association 30% & RNLI 30%
Arbuthnott House Gardens

Arbuthnott House Gardens

Arbuthnott House, Laurencekirk AB30 1PA
Chris and Emily Arbuthnott
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
arbuthnotthouse@gmail.com
Arbuthnott House is the seat of the Viscount of Arbuthnott, whose family has lived here since 1190. The five-acre garden was laid out in the 17th century and comprises a walled garden with some 1920s Arts and Crafts planting. Thought to be one of the oldest gardens in Scotland, it runs down a steep, south-facing slope that is divided by three main broadwalks which run horizontally and are intercepted with diagonal pathways. The vegetables and soft fruit are contained within beds which are bound by topiary, herbaceous borders, rose beds and long beds for cut flowers.

Directions: Located at the heart of Arbuthnott Estate, just off the B967 Inverbervie to Fordoun. Three miles off the A90.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Pickups for Peace SCIO 60%
Old Allangrange

Old Allangrange

Munlochy IV8 8NZ
J J Gladwin
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
e
T:01463 811304 office@blackislegardendesign.com
We have an ornamental garden surrounding the house (new information discovered dates it from the 17th rather than 18th Century), and a three acre productive garden with two Keder greenhouses, designed using agroforestry and permaculture principles and gardened bio-dynamically using no-dig technique. The ornamental garden has different areas with distinctive characters. There is a parterre in front of the house with informal planting, a lower garden, an ornamental propagation garden, a mound and orchard. Hedges, (pleached lime, yew, beech, box, holly and mixed species field hedges) clipped in various styles connect the different areas of the garden. We have started to remove perimeter wire fences replacing them with log hedges and brash bunds. With a keen interest in gardening for biodiversity from the soil upwards, no chemicals have been used since our arrival in 1995. The development and improvement of the garden is ongoing.
Champion Trees: Yew and sweet chestnut.

Directions: From Inverness head four miles north on the A9, and follow the directions for Black Isle Brewery. Park up at the Brewery and walk down to the garden. Directions will be given in the shop.

Admission: £7.50, children free
Charities: Flourish 60%
Blair Castle Gardens

Blair Castle Gardens

Blair Atholl PH18 5TL
Blair Charitable Trust
Saturday 15 June, 10am - 5pm (2024)
345d7k
T:01796 481207 office@blair-castle.co.uk
Blair Castle stands as the focal point in a designed landscape of some 2,500 acres within a Highland estate. Hercules Garden is a walled enclosure of about nine acres recently restored to its original 18th-century design with landscaped ponds, a Chinese bridge, contemporary plantings, and an orchard of more than 100 fruit trees. The glory of this garden in summer is the herbaceous border, which runs along the 275 yard south-facing wall. A delightful sculpture trail incorporates contemporary and 18th-century sculpture as well as eight new works, letter-carving on stone from the Memorial and Commemorative Arts charity’s 'Art and Memory Collection'. Diana’s Grove is a magnificent stand of tall trees including grand fir, Douglas fir, larch and wellingtonia running along the Banvie Burn, with the 12th-century ruins of St Bride’s Church on the far bank.

Directions: Off A9, follow signs to Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.

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

Glenkyllachy

Tomatin IV13 7YA
Mr and Mrs Philip Mackenzie
Sunday 16 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
0c7
emmaglenkyllachy@gmail.com
In a magnificent Highland glen, 1200 feet above sea level, Glenkyllachy is a beautiful garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, rhododendrons, trees, and spectacular views down the Findhorn River. There are some rare specimens and a recently planted arboretum. Rhododendrons and bulbs flower in May/June, herbaceous plants bloom through July/August with glorious autumn colours in September and October. There is a very productive vegetable garden, poly tunnel, fruit cage and greenhouse as well as original sculptures and a Highgrove-inspired wall which provide year round interest. Featured on TV Beechgrove, in The English Garden Magazine and recently in Scottish Field (November 2023). The garden is constantly evolving with new areas being developed and planting schemes changed.

Directions: Turn off the A9 at Tomatin and take the Coignafearn/Garbole single-track road down the north-side of the River Findhorn, there is a cattle grid and gate on the right 500 yards AFTER the humpback bridge and the sign to Farr.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie 60%
Earlshall Castle

Earlshall Castle

Leuchars KY16 0DP
Paul & Josine Veenhuijzen
Sunday 23 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
6d7
T:01334 839205
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.

Directions: On Earlshall Road, three-quarters of a mile east of Leuchars Village (off A919).

Admission: £6.50, children free
Charities: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Charity 60%
House of Aigas and Field Centre

House of Aigas and Field Centre

by Beauly IV4 7AD
Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye
Sunday 23 June & Sunday 28 July, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c6e
T:01463 782443 info@aigas.co.uk
The House of Aigas has a small arboretum of named Victorian specimen trees and modern additions. The garden consists of extensive rockeries, herbaceous borders, ponds and shrubs. Aigas Field Centre rangers lead regular guided walks on nature trails through woodland, moorland and around a loch.
Champion Trees: Douglas fir, Atlas cedar and Sequoiadendron giganteum

Directions: Four-and-a-half miles from Beauly on the A831 Cannich/Glen Affric road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Highland Hospice: Aird branch 60%
Southwick House

Southwick House

Southwick DG2 8AH
Mr and Mrs R H L Thomas
Sunday 30 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
0c57
The extensive gardens at Southwick House comprise three main areas. The first is a traditional formal walled garden with potager and large glasshouse producing a range of fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers. Adjacent to this is a hedged formal garden with herbaceous, shrub and rose beds centred around a lily pond, with roses being a notable feature. Outwith the formal gardens there is a large water garden with two connected ponds with trees, shrubs and lawns running alongside the Southwick Burn. 

Directions: On the A710 near Caulkerbush. Dalbeattie 7 miles, Dumfries 17 miles. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Loch Arthur 60%
Glen House

Glen House

Glen Estate, Innerleithen EH44 6PX
The Tennant family
Sunday 7 July, 1pm - 4pm (2024)
3c67
T:01896 830210 info@glenhouse.com
Surrounding the outstanding Scots Baronial mansion designed by David Bryce in the mid-19th century, Glen House gardens are laid out on shallow terraces overhanging the glen itself. It offers one of the loveliest designed landscapes in the Borders. The garden expands from the formal courtyard through a yew colonnade, and contains a fine range of trees, long herbaceous border and a pool garden with pergola, all arranged within the curve of slopes sheltering the house. 

Directions: Follow the B709 out of Innerleithen for approximately 2½ miles. Right turn at signpost for Glen Estate

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: WFGA 60%
Gallery

Gallery

Gallery House DD10 9LA
Caroline and Alan Macdonald
Sunday 7 July, 1pm - 5pm. Teas will be available - proceeds of the teas will go to Milltown Community Centre. (2024)
59
A mid-18th century walled garden in the grounds of an A-listed Lairds House. The garden retains historic features, such as the paths intersecting at the listed 1786 sundial at the centre, and a fine stone carving of a recumbent retriever over the gate. Gallery’s garden was redesigned and replanted in 1999 with a formal layout consisting of 'rooms', including a white garden, rose garden, gold garden and summer lawn. The colourful herbaceous borders, clipped hedges and closely-mown lawns contribute to a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

Directions: Take the Hillside turn off the A90. Turn left towards Gallery. The entrance to the parking area is through the third gate on your left (marked Gallery Home Farm, it will be signposted). Alternatively turn off the A937 just before Marykirk.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 30% & APOPO 20%
Drummond Castle Gardens

Drummond Castle Gardens

Muthill, Crieff PH7 4HN
Grimsthorpe & Drummond Castle Trust Ltd
Sunday 4 August, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2857
T:01764 681433
Activities and events for a great family day out. The gardens of Drummond Castle were originally laid out in 1630 by John Drummond, second Earl of Perth. In 1830 the parterre was changed to an Italian style. One of the most interesting features is the multi-faceted sundial designed by John Mylne, Master Mason to Charles I. The formal garden is said to be one of the finest in Europe and is the largest of its type in Scotland.

Directions: Entrance two miles south of Crieff on Muthill road (A822).

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: BLESMA 60%
Aldourie Castle Garden

Aldourie Castle Garden

Dores, Inverness IV2 6DP
Sunday 11 August, 10am - 4pm (2024)
579
T:07761 049125
Aldourie Castle garden has been designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and is an ambitious modern re-imagining of a traditional castle garden and grounds. The grounds include a walled garden, formal castle garden, arboretum and parkland. The 1.3 acre walled garden contains a large productive area which hosts a range of vegetables and cut flowers. There are espaliered apples and pears as well as soft fruit. Surrounding this area are extensive naturalistic borders, covering a range of habitats. The historic glasshouses are used to grow vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers, figs and herbs. The castle itself is surrounded by two acres of gardens. These consist of large, late season, naturalistic herbaceous borders with beech topiaries and a central lawn with views of Loch Ness. There is an extensive terrace and smaller flower beds around the castle. Nearby is the Dell which is woodland in character and has more natural, native inspired planting. The four acre arboretum, containing some old tree specimens, is currently the subject of an interesting regeneration project.

Directions: Enter via the single track road adjacent to Aldourie Primary School, which is situated on the B862, 1.6 miles before Dores, when arriving from Inverness. Car parking is just before the electric gate on the left.

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: Highland Hospice 60%
Dundonnell House

Dundonnell House

Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross IV23 2QW
Dundonnell Estates
Thursday 15 August, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
c6e7
T:07789 390028 sueandwill@icloud.com
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

Directions: Turn off the A835 at Braemore on to the A832. After 11 miles take the Badralloch turn for a ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Fauna & Flora International 30% & Multiple Sclerosis Society 30%
Old Allangrange

Old Allangrange

Munlochy IV8 8NZ
J J Gladwin
Sunday 18 August, 1:30pm - 5pm (2024)
e
T:01463 811304 office@blackislegardendesign.com
We have an ornamental garden surrounding the house (new information discovered dates it from the 17th rather than 18th Century), and a three acre productive garden with two Keder greenhouses, designed using agroforestry and permaculture principles and gardened bio-dynamically using no-dig technique. The ornamental garden has different areas with distinctive characters. There is a parterre in front of the house with informal planting, a lower garden, an ornamental propagation garden, a mound and orchard. Hedges, (pleached lime, yew, beech, box, holly and mixed species field hedges) clipped in various styles connect the different areas of the garden. We have started to remove perimeter wire fences replacing them with log hedges and brash bunds. With a keen interest in gardening for biodiversity from the soil upwards, no chemicals have been used since our arrival in 1995. The development and improvement of the garden is ongoing.
Champion Trees: Yew and sweet chestnut.

Directions: From Inverness head four miles north on the A9, and follow the directions for Black Isle Brewery. Park up at the Brewery and walk down to the garden. Directions will be given in the shop.

Admission: £7.50, children free
Charities: Flourish 60%
Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Cairndow PA26 8BG
Ardkinglas Estate
Open daily, dawn - dusk (2024)
86ed7k
T:01499 600261
In a peaceful setting overlooking Loch Fyne, the garden contains one of the finest collections of rhododendrons and conifers in Britain. This includes the mightiest conifer in Europe - a silver fir - as well as many other Champion Trees. There is a gazebo with a unique scriptorium based around a collection of literary quotes. For younger visitors, the garden features a Fairy Trail, Gruffalo Trail and Snakey Slide. It is a VisitScotland 3-star garden.
Champion Trees: The mightiest conifer in Europe and others.

Directions: Entrance through Cairndow village off the A83 Loch Lomond/Inveraray road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Ardmaddy Castle

Ardmaddy Castle

by Oban PA34 4QY
Mr and Mrs Archie Struthers
Open daily, 9am - dusk (2024)
c57k
T:01852 300353 minette@ardmaddy.com
The gardens lie in a most spectacular setting in the centre of a horseshoe valley sheltered by mixed mature woodlands and the elevated castle standing on a volcanic mound to seaward. The walled garden is full of magnificent rhododendrons, a collection of rare and unusual shrubs and plants, the clock garden with its cutting flowers, the crevice garden, a NEW border with grasses and coastal theme, fruit and vegetables grown with labour saving formality, all within dwarf box hedging. Beyond, a woodland walk, with its 60-foot Hydrangea petiolaris, leads to the water garden which in spring has a mantle of bluebells and daffodils and in early summer a riot of Primula candelabra, irises, rodgersias and other damp-loving plants and grasses. Lovely autumn colour. A plantsman’s garden for all seasons.

Directions: Take the A816 south of Oban for eight miles. Turn right onto the B844 to Seil Island/Easdale. Four miles on, turn left to Ardmaddy (signposted) and follow for a further two miles.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Ardtornish

Ardtornish

by Lochaline, Morvern PA80 5UZ
Mrs John Raven
Open daily, 10am - 6pm (2024)
867k
Ardtornish Estate spreads out around Loch Aline, a huge, wooded, U-shaped bay, a natural haven. Wonderful gardens of interesting mature conifers, rhododendrons, deciduous trees, shrubs and herbaceous plantings, set amid magnificent scenery. Much of the garden is covered by native birch, alongside extensive planting of exotic species, under mature groups of larch, firs and pine, whose strong form and colour complement the pink sandstone towers and gables of Ardtornish House.

Directions: Three miles from Lochaline along the A884.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Achnacloich

Achnacloich

Connel, Oban PA37 1PR
Mr T M Nelson
Open daily (Saturday only), 10am - 4pm (2024)
6dk
T:01631 710223 or Gardener David Field 07929 336217 davefield6@hotmail.co.uk & cassandhu@gmail.com
The 20-acre woodland garden overlooking Loch Etive has been planted over the last century with a wide range of trees and shrubs from Asia, China, Japan, North America, Chile and New Zealand. Many have grown to considerable size. The light woodland canopy consists of native oaks and a number of magnificent 150-year-old Scots pines and European larch. Amongst these are open glades, carpeted with bluebells and numerous other bulbs. Two ponds and streams are planted with primulas, iris species, lysichitum, and astilbes. The woodland contains innumerable species of rhododendron and azalea, of which the triflorums and yunnanense are outstanding. Amongst these are species of acer, betula, camellia, cercidiphyllum, cornus, crinodendron, drimys, embothrium, enkianthus, eucryphia, hoheria, magnolia, malus, nothofagus, pieris, sorbus, stewartia, telopea and viburnum. Beside the house is a giant Douglas fir from Douglas' original introduction. One of the first Dawyck beeches stands beside the drive. Fine autumn colours.

Directions: On the A85 two miles east of Connel. The car park is at the bottom of the drive.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%
Mellerstain

Mellerstain

Mellerstain House and Gardens, Gordon TD3 6LG
PA to the estate
Open all year round. Open daily, 11am - 5pm. Snowdrops and winter walks during the snowdrop festival. Tours of the House are available (at extra cost) Fridays - Mondays from 7th April - 30th September. (2024)
b3c679
T:01573 410225 enquiries@mellerstain.com
The house is located within 100 acres of mature parkland and whether you want to enjoy a walk in the garden or picnic under an ancient tree, Mellerstain provides a magnificent backdrop and a serene location that has changed very little since the days of Adam and Grisell Baillie. Whilst the formal Italianate terraces we enjoy today were introduced a mere century ago, they are sympathetic to the original 18th century layout and the views of the gardens to the lake and the Cheviot hills beyond are quite breath taking. The formal gardens that we enjoy today were designed in 1910 by Reginald Blomfield in an Italian style sympathetic to the 18th century layout.Situated to the south of the house are a series of beautiful terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees. Steps lead via a crypto porticus to the lower terraces and a sweeping stretch of lawn descends to the lake. Mercury stands sentinel, one of the oldest residents here, included in the 1725 plans. Amongst the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you will find the enchanting little thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own enclosed parterre garden.

Directions: From Kelso, head south-west on E Bowmont St towards Henderson's Ct 0.5 miles. E Bowmont St turns slightly right and becomes Edinburgh Rd 0.3 miles. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Edinburgh Rd/A6089 Continue to follow A6089 for 5.5 miles. Turn left.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Gordon Castle Walled Garden

Gordon Castle Walled Garden

Fochabers, Moray IV32 7PQ
Angus and Zara Gordon Lennox
2 January - 31 December, admission details can be found on the garden's website. The cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday. (2024)
3c5d7
T:01343 612317 info@gordoncastlescotland.com
At almost eight acres in size, Gordon Castle has one of the oldest and largest walled gardens in Britain. Lovingly restored to its former glory with a modern design by award-winning designer Arne Maynard, this beautiful garden is overflowing with vegetables, fruit, herbs, and cut flowers. The onsite cafe has a ‘Plant, Pick, Plate’ ethos using wonderful fresh produce grown in the garden. There is a children's natural play area and shop.

Directions: The main entrance is at the western end of the village of Fochabers, just off the A96, nine miles east of Elgin and 12 miles west of Keith. 

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Braco Castle

Braco Castle

Braco FK15 9LA
Mr and Mrs M van Ballegooijen
1 February - 31 October 10am - 5pm. February to early March for Snowdrops and Winter Walks. Admission £5.00, children free. No dogs please (2024)
b5d
T:01786 880437
A 19th-century landscaped garden with a plethora of wonderful and interesting trees, shrubs, bulbs and plants. An old garden for all seasons that has been extensively expanded over the last 35 years. The partly walled garden is approached on a rhododendron and tree-lined path featuring an ornamental pond. Spectacular spring bulbs, exuberant shrub and herbaceous borders and many ornamental trees are all enhanced by the spectacular views across the park to the Ochils. From snowdrops through to vibrant autumn colour, this garden is a gem. Look out for the embothrium in June, hoheria in August, eucryphia in September and an interesting collection of rhododendrons and azaleas with long flowering season.

Directions: Drive for one-and-a-half-miles from the gates at the north end of Braco Village, just west of the bridge on the A822. Parking at the castle is welcome.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Woodland Trust Scotland 60%
Inveraray Castle Gardens

Inveraray Castle Gardens

Inveraray PA32 8XF
The Duke and Duchess of Argyll
28 March - 28 October, 10am - 5pm (2024)
146d
T:01499 302203 manager@inveraray-castle.com
With Inverary Castle as an imposing backdrop, the 16 acre garden has formal, meadow, park and woodland areas and is one of the most important designed landscapes in Scotland. The formal gardens consist of vivid green manicured lawn; the Flag Borders, historically laid out in the shape of the St Andrew’s cross; a spectacular rose garden and herbaceous borders. A number of significant trees, including notable specimens of Magnolia acuminata and Oxydendrum arboreum, provide structure and form in this section of the garden. Colour is abundant from April until well into the autumn. The wildflower meadow is managed with native flora and fauna in mind and links the formal and informal parts of the garden. The carpet of fragrant bluebells is a feast for the senses throughout the spring, following straight on from thousands of narcissi. With views over Loch Fyne and the majesty of the West Highlands, the garden holds numerous rhododendrons, hydrangeas and other plants known to flourish in the Argyll climate.

Directions: Inveraray is 60 miles north of Glasgow and 45 miles from Oban. Regular bus services from Glasgow, Oban and Campbeltown. SatNav PA32 8XF.

Admission: £9.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Pitmuies Gardens

Pitmuies Gardens

House of Pitmuies, Guthrie, by Forfar DD8 2SN
Jeanette and Ruaraidh Ogilvie
1 April - 30 September, 10am - 5pm (2024)
6d7
T:01241 828245 ogilvie@pitmuies.com
Two renowned, semi-formal walled gardens adjoin an 18th-century house and steading, sheltering long borders of herbaceous perennials, superb old-fashioned delphiniums and roses, together with pavings rich with violas and dianthus. An extensive and diverse collection of plants, interesting kitchen garden, spacious lawns, and river, lochside and woodland walks beneath fine trees. A wide variety of shrubs with good autumn colour and a picturesque turreted doocot and a ‘Gothick’ wash house. Myriad spring bulbs include carpets of crocus following massed snowdrops and daffodils.

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: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Glenkyllachy

Glenkyllachy

Tomatin IV13 7YA
Mr and Mrs Philip Mackenzie
1 April - 31 October (Monday & Tuesday), 10am - dusk (2024)
7
emmaglenkyllachy@gmail.com
In a magnificent Highland glen, 1200 feet above sea level, Glenkyllachy is a beautiful garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, rhododendrons, trees, and spectacular views down the Findhorn River. There are some rare specimens and a recently planted arboretum. Rhododendrons and bulbs flower in May/June, herbaceous plants bloom through July/August with glorious autumn colours in September and October. There is a very productive vegetable garden, poly tunnel, fruit cage and greenhouse as well as original sculptures and a Highgrove-inspired wall which provide year round interest. Featured on TV Beechgrove, in The English Garden Magazine and recently in Scottish Field (November 2023). The garden is constantly evolving with new areas being developed and planting schemes changed.

Directions: Turn off the A9 at Tomatin and take the Coignafearn/Garbole single-track road down the north-side of the River Findhorn, there is a cattle grid and gate on the right 500 yards AFTER the humpback bridge and the sign to Farr.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie 60%
Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

Isle of Skye IV55 8WF
Hugh Macleod of Macleod
1 April - 15 October, 10am - 5:30pm (2024)
38467
T:01470 521206 info@dunvegancastle.com
Any visit to the Isle of Skye is incomplete without enjoying the wealth of history and horticultural delights at award-winning 5* Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, now an RHS partner garden. The five acres of formal gardens began life in the 18th century. In stark contrast to the barren moorland and mountains which dominate Skye's landscape, the Castle's Water Garden, Round Garden, Walled Garden and woodland walks provide an oasis for an eclectic mix of flowers, exotic plants, shrubs and specimen trees, framed by shimmering pools fed from waterfalls. After visiting the Water Garden with its ornate bridges and islands replete with colourful plants along the riverbanks, wander through the elegant formal Round Garden. The Walled Garden, formerly the Castle's vegetable garden, now has a diverse range of plants and flowers completing the attractive features, including a water lily pond, garden museum, 17th century lectern sundial, glass house and the 'Dunvegan Pebble', a rotating 2.7 ton Carrara marble sculpture. The informal areas of the garden are kept wild to encourage wildlife, creating a more natural aesthetic framed by the coastal scenery. The present Chief, Hugh MacLeod, and his dedicated team of gardeners, continue to build on this unique legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Directions: One mile from Dunvegan village, 23 miles west of Portree. Follow the signs for Dunvegan Castle.

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

Monteviot

Jedburgh TD8 6UQ
Marquis and Marchioness of Lothian
1 April - 31 October, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
5d
T:01835 830380
A series of differing gardens displaying rose and herbaceous plants surrounded by foliage plants. A water feature linked by bridges and falls passes through the Dene Garden and Water Garden. The Garden of Persistent Imagination is planted with rose and clematis beside paths which meander across a bridge and under the Moonstone Gate, past the Dali-style clock.

Directions: Turn off the A68, three miles north of Jedburgh on to the B6400. After one mile turn right. 

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Floors Castle

Floors Castle

Kelso TD5 7SF
The Duke of Roxburghe
1 May - 30 September, 10am - 5pm (2024)
36d7
T:01573 223333
The gardens are situated within the grounds of Floors Castle. Meander through to the formal Millennium Parterre and soak up the spectacular visions of colour, texture and the most delicious scents around the four herbaceous borders in one of the finest Victorian kitchen gardens in Scotland. Features include perennial gardens, fruit cage, Tapestry Garden and glasshouse access as well as the Terrace Cafe, Apple Shed Gift Shop and Deli and children’s play area. Explore the grounds, which offer woodland and riverside walks from May to the end of September.

Directions: Floors Castle can be reached by following the A6089 from Edinburgh; the B6397 from Earlston; or the A698 from Coldstream. Go through Kelso, up Roxburgh Street to the Golden Gates. 

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Dunimarle Castle

Dunimarle Castle

Balgownie West, Culross KY12 8JN
George Fleming
1 May - 31 May (not Monday & Tuesday), 10am - 4pm (2024)
23ed
T:07713 629040 castledunimarle@gmail.com
Dunimarle Castle sits on the outskirts of the historic village of Culross, surrounded by 52 acres of formal gardens, meadows and woodlands. Entering the grounds from the rose arch on the main road, you will find the imposing Victorian gothic-style chapel, beautifully framed by the striking tulip tree and rhododendrons. Follow the path up towards the castle to the Italianate yew-lined terrace with its south-facing wall, home to a growing collection of grapes and other fruiting plants. The Bastion Garden provides a perfect backdrop to the original Georgian part of the castle with its colourful borders and trees. A stroll up the once grand "North Drive" takes you past specimen monkey puzzle trees sandwiched between dramatic redwoods and rhododendrons.
Champion Trees: Tulip Tree, Cedar, Monkey Puzzle, Redwood
Designed Landscape: www.historicenvironment.scot

Directions: Situated on the B9037 to the west of Culross, approximately 500 yards from the village. Parking is available in the village's west car park. From there, follow the coastal path west to the Rose Arch.

Admission: by donation
Charities: WFW 60%
The Castle and Gardens of Mey

The Castle and Gardens of Mey

Mey KW14 8XH
The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust
1 May - 30 September, 10:30am - 4pm (closed late July and early August, please check website for specific dates). (2024)
36k
T:01847 851473 enquiries@castleofmey.org.uk
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, bought what was then Barrogill Castle in 1952 before renovating and restoring the z-plan castle and creating the beautiful gardens you see today; renaming it The Castle and Gardens of Mey. This romantic and unique garden is a reminder that, however daunting the weather, it is often possible with a little vision and energy to create and maintain a garden in the most unlikely of locations. The castle now includes an animal centre, gift shop and tearoom serving delicious locally sourced food and drinks, often using produce from the castle’s very own gardens. 

Directions: On the A836 between Thurso and John O’Groats. 

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Dunninald Castle

Dunninald Castle

Montrose DD10 9TD
The Stansfeld family
1 May - 31 August (Monday, Tuesday & Sunday), 1pm - 5pm (2024)
6d7
T:01674 672031 estateoffice@dunninald.com
We welcome our visitors to explore our 100 acres of woods, wild garden, policies and a walled garden. From January to May, the main interest is the wild garden and policies where snowdrops in January are followed by daffodils and finally bluebells in May. In June, the emphasis turns to the walled garden, rich in interest and colour throughout the summer. Situated at the bottom of the beech avenue, the walled garden is planted with rose borders, traditional mixed borders, vegetables, herbs, soft fruits and fruit trees and there is a greenhouse.

Directions: Three miles south of Montrose, ten miles north of Arbroath, signposted from the A92.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Portmore

Portmore

Eddleston EH45 8QU
Mr and Mrs David Reid
3 July - 28 August (Wednesday only), 1pm - 5pm (2024)
0c45d7
T:07905 776894
Lovingly created by the current owners over the past 30 years; the gardens surrounding the David Bryce-designed mansion house contain mature trees and offer fine views of the surrounding countryside. Large walled garden with box-edged herbaceous borders is planted in stunning colour harmonies, potager, rose garden, pleached lime walk and ornamental fruit cages. The Victorian glasshouses contain fruit trees, roses, geraniums, pelargoniums and a wide variety of tender plants. There is also an Italianate grotto and water garden with shrubs and Meconopsis. The woodland walks are lined with rhododendrons, azaleas and shrub roses. Starred in Good Gardens Guide and featured in Kenneth Cox’s book Scotland for Gardeners and on Beechgrove

Directions: Off the A703 one mile north of Eddleston. Bus 62. 

Admission: £7.00, children free
Charities: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland 60%
Barholm Castle

Barholm Castle

Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2EZ
Drs John and Janet Brennan
By arrangement (2024)
b467
T:01557 840327 barholmcastle@gmail.com
Barholm Castle, a 16th-century tower, was restored from a ruin in 2006. The gardens surrounding the tower have been mostly developed from scratch and are now mature. There is a recently extended walled garden, with a gate designed by the artist blacksmith Adam Booth; a courtyard garden; a wooded ravine with huge hybrid rhododendrons from Benmore; a pond and a large fernery with over 100 varieties of fern, including very large tree ferns; a large Victorian-style greenhouse filled with succulents and tender perennials; and a large open garden with island beds of shrubs and perennials and a pond. Directly around the castle are rockeries and shrub borders. Views over Wigtown Bay are magnificent. The garden is planted for year-round colour, from February, when the castle ravine is a river of snowdrops, to October, when autumn colour is splendid.

Directions: Off the A75 at the Cairn Holy turn off, fork right three times up a steep narrow road for half-a-mile. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Home-Start Wigtownshire 60%
Glenkyllachy

Glenkyllachy

Tomatin IV13 7YA
Mr and Mrs Philip Mackenzie
By arrangement (2024)
7
emmaglenkyllachy@gmail.com
In a magnificent Highland glen, 1200 feet above sea level, Glenkyllachy is a beautiful garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, rhododendrons, trees, and spectacular views down the Findhorn River. There are some rare specimens and a recently planted arboretum. Rhododendrons and bulbs flower in May/June, herbaceous plants bloom through July/August with glorious autumn colours in September and October. There is a very productive vegetable garden, poly tunnel, fruit cage and greenhouse as well as original sculptures and a Highgrove-inspired wall which provide year round interest. Featured on TV Beechgrove, in The English Garden Magazine and recently in Scottish Field (November 2023). The garden is constantly evolving with new areas being developed and planting schemes changed.

Directions: Turn off the A9 at Tomatin and take the Coignafearn/Garbole single-track road down the north-side of the River Findhorn, there is a cattle grid and gate on the right 500 yards AFTER the humpback bridge and the sign to Farr.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie 60%
Kilbryde Castle

Kilbryde Castle

Dunblane FK15 9NF
Sir James and Lady Campbell
By arrangement between 1 February - 30 September (2024)
b67
T:01786 824897 carolaandjames@googlemail.com
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.

Directions: Three miles from Dunblane and Doune, off the A820 between Dunblane and Doune. On Scotland’s Gardens Scheme open days the garden is signposted from the A820. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Leighton Library Trust 60%
Gargunnock House Garden

Gargunnock House Garden

Gargunnnock FK8 3AZ
The Gargunnock Trustees
By arrangement between 1 February - 30 September (2024)
b6d7
T:Garden contact: William Campbell 01786 842538 william.campbellwj@btinternet.com
Large mature garden five miles from Stirling, with a walled garden, well-established house garden, woodland walks with species and hybrid rhododendrons, massed plantings of azaleas and wonderful specimen trees. Snowdrops in February/March are followed by over 40 varieties of daffodils and the glorious displays of azaleas and rhododendrons in May. The three-acre walled garden contains perennial borders, cut-flower beds, greenhouses, fruit orchard and newly planted arboretum of specimen trees. The Walled Garden is now used by the charity Green Routes to give gardening education to adults with learning difficulties.

Directions: Five miles west of Stirling on the A811. Car parking is at the entrance by the lodge.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Rhododendron Species Conservation Group 60%
House of Aigas and Field Centre

House of Aigas and Field Centre

by Beauly IV4 7AD
Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2024)
6e
T:01463 782443 info@aigas.co.uk
The House of Aigas has a small arboretum of named Victorian specimen trees and modern additions. The garden consists of extensive rockeries, herbaceous borders, ponds and shrubs. Aigas Field Centre rangers lead regular guided walks on nature trails through woodland, moorland and around a loch.
Champion Trees: Douglas fir, Atlas cedar and Sequoiadendron giganteum

Directions: Four-and-a-half miles from Beauly on the A831 Cannich/Glen Affric road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Highland Hospice: Aird branch 60%
Corsock House

Corsock House

Corsock, Castle Douglas DG7 3DJ
The Ingall family
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 June (2024)
67
T:01644 440250 jingall@hotmail.com
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’. 

Directions: Off the A75, Dumfries is 14 miles, Castle Douglas is ten miles, Corsock Village is half-mile on the A712. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Church Of Scotland 60%
Dundonnell House

Dundonnell House

Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross IV23 2QW
Dundonnell Estates
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2024)
6e7
T:07789 390028 sueandwill@icloud.com
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

Directions: Turn off the A835 at Braemore on to the A832. After 11 miles take the Badralloch turn for a ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Fauna & Flora International 30% & Multiple Sclerosis Society 30%
Old Allangrange

Old Allangrange

Munlochy IV8 8NZ
J J Gladwin
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
e
T:01463 811304 office@blackislegardendesign.com
We have an ornamental garden surrounding the house (new information discovered dates it from the 17th rather than 18th Century), and a three acre productive garden with two Keder greenhouses, designed using agroforestry and permaculture principles and gardened bio-dynamically using no-dig technique. The ornamental garden has different areas with distinctive characters. There is a parterre in front of the house with informal planting, a lower garden, an ornamental propagation garden, a mound and orchard. Hedges, (pleached lime, yew, beech, box, holly and mixed species field hedges) clipped in various styles connect the different areas of the garden. We have started to remove perimeter wire fences replacing them with log hedges and brash bunds. With a keen interest in gardening for biodiversity from the soil upwards, no chemicals have been used since our arrival in 1995. The development and improvement of the garden is ongoing.
Champion Trees: Yew and sweet chestnut.

Directions: From Inverness head four miles north on the A9, and follow the directions for Black Isle Brewery. Park up at the Brewery and walk down to the garden. Directions will be given in the shop.

Admission: £7.50, children free
Charities: Flourish 60%
Portmore

Portmore

Eddleston EH45 8QU
Mr and Mrs David Reid
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 August (2024)
1c45d7
T:07905 776894
Lovingly created by the current owners over the past 30 years; the gardens surrounding the David Bryce-designed mansion house contain mature trees and offer fine views of the surrounding countryside. Large walled garden with box-edged herbaceous borders is planted in stunning colour harmonies, potager, rose garden, pleached lime walk and ornamental fruit cages. The Victorian glasshouses contain fruit trees, roses, geraniums, pelargoniums and a wide variety of tender plants. There is also an Italianate grotto and water garden with shrubs and Meconopsis. The woodland walks are lined with rhododendrons, azaleas and shrub roses. Starred in Good Gardens Guide and featured in Kenneth Cox’s book Scotland for Gardeners and on Beechgrove

Directions: Off the A703 one mile north of Eddleston. Bus 62. 

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland 60%