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Total of 258 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%
Ilha de Deus

Ilha de Deus

Tiroran, Isle of Mull PA69 6ET
John Innes
Sunday 5 May, Sunday 2 June & Sunday 7 July, 2pm - 6pm (2024)
c79
T:01681705022 johninnes2009@hotmail.com
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 3 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.

Directions: From A849 (Craignure to Fionnphort) turn right at Kinloch junction onto B8035 'Scenic route to Salen'. The Garden is on the left after 4.5 miles immediately opposite Balevulin. The Saltire is flying when the wind is below 30mph.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Open Doors with Brother Andrew 30% & North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd 30%
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%
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%
Willowhill

Willowhill

Forgan, Newport-on-Tay DD6 8RA
Eric Wright and Sally Lorimore
Saturday 1 June & Monday 3 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
c6
T:01382 542890 e.g.wright@dundee.ac.uk
An evolving three-acre garden. The house is surrounded by a series of mixed borders designed with different vibrant colour combinations for effect in all seasons. Spectacular mix of roses, herbaceous perennials and annuals planted through the wide borders are a highlight in mid to late summer. A new ‘no dig’ 160-foot border in shades of white, blue, purple and pale yellow was created in 2019/2020. The most recent addition to the garden is another ‘no dig’ border in shades of peach, burgundy, yellow, chocolate and acid yellow. Come and see! April and May for late spring bulbs and flowers; June and July for roses and high summer colour; August for late summer colour.
The plant stall includes a lovely selection from the garden. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments and picnic in the garden. A season ticket for all these dates, and by arrangement, is £20 plus p&p and admits the ticket holder plus guest. It comes with a limited edition of the Willowhill Garden Guide: 35 pages of beautiful photographs with descriptions of key garden features and plantings. A season ticket with booklet is a perfect gift for garden lovers for a birthday or at Christmas and do treat yourself too! Season tickets are available online at tinyurl.com/4srm6rux or by post (cheque for £23 payable to Scotland’s Garden Scheme) from S. Lorimore, Willowhill, Forgan, Newport-on-Tay, Fife DD6 8RA.

Directions: One-and-a-half miles south of Tay Road Bridge. Take the B995 to Newport off the Forgan roundabout. Willowhill is the first house on the left-hand side next to West Friarton Farm Strawberry Shed.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Rio Community Centre: Newport-on-Tay 50%
West End Trio

West End Trio

3 & 12 Glamis Drive and 5 Glamis Terrace, Dundee DD2 1QL
Elaine Lowe, Frances and John Dent, and Heather MacLean
Saturday/Sunday, 1/2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c46
These gardens are opening with fond memories of Frances Shepherd; she had planned to include her garden at Windyridge, 10 Glamis Drive.
Greengaites 3 Glamis Drive, Dundee DD2 1QG (Elaine Lowe): A cottage-style garden with small trees, herbaceous borders and rockeries. Interest throughout the seasons is provided with magnolia blossom and bulbs in the spring, followed by wisteria, clematis and roses climbing up the walls of this pretty 1920s house. Further colour is provided in the summer and autumn by the herbaceous borders and rockeries.
Heather's Garden (NEW) 5 Glamis Terrace DD2 1NA (Heather MacLean): This mature suburban garden has a lovely south-facing aspect giving glimpses of the Tay and Fife coastline. The perennial herbaceous borders have been loosely planted with wildlife in mind. There are mature trees and shrubs, and a small wildlife pond provides a home for lots of frogs! A vegetable garden, with polytunnel and greenhouse, sits at the top of the garden where there is also a summerhouse.
Westgate 12 Glamis Drive, Dundee DD2 1QL (John and Frances Dent): This established garden, with many mature trees, occupies a south-facing site overlooking the River Tay and Fife hills. The tennis court lawn is surrounded by herbaceous plants and shrubs. A short woodland walk reveals a miniature knot garden, a bower and other surprise features. There are also rose beds and two oriental-themed water gardens.

Directions: Buses 5, 22 or 73 from Dundee city centre to the far end of Blackness Road. Glamis Drive is straight ahead and Glamis Terrace is a few yards down the hill, parallel to Glamis Drive. Please note there is no roadside parking on Glamis Drive.

Admission: £7.00, children free
Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%
Mayen Estate

Mayen Estate

Rothiemay, Huntly AB54 7NL
Mr and Mrs A Cheyne
Opening date to be confirmed. (2024)
6k
The Mayen Estate walled gardens are two acres in size and were built in 1997. They feature a large octagonal glasshouse, and the space is broken into small themed ornamental gardens and vegetable beds by tall yew hedges. We use permaculture growing methods and enjoy growing our plants from seed. Highlights include the large herbaceous border and highly scented rose garden.

Directions: From the A96 towards Inverness, take the B9002 just north of Huntly towards Portsoy. After six miles turn right, for Rothiemay, alongside the river. Entering the village, turn left, past the church then turn right for Aberchirder, on the B9117. After two miles along the valley, you will go round a sharp left corner and our gate lodge is on the right. It has navy iron gates and a signpost for Mayen House.

Admission: £8.00
Charities: Deveron, Bogie and Isla Rivers Charitable Trust 60%
Altries

Altries

Maryculter, Aberdeenshire AB12 5GD
Mr and Mrs Melfort Campbell
Opening date to be confirmed. (2024)
26
The Altries garden has been redesigned to give a feeling of space and to let in the light. The house itself is surrounded by a terraced area, borders and lawns. There is an exceptional view looking west up the River Dee, a woodland walk, a slate sphere sculpture using the original slates of the house following the refurbishment, a striking ten-foot wall making use of the down-takings of the house, a small new greenhouse with rose arbour path and further use of granite, and the original walled garden which has vegetables, fruit, and a picking garden. Each area of the garden has its own feeling of being a separate destination. Beautiful mature beech trees surround the area, giving a great sense of privacy.

Directions: From Bridge of Dee, follow the South Deeside road, B9077. Half a mile after Maryculter House Hotel, turn left at yellow SGS sign, and follow signs to car park. For SatNav follow AB12 5GJ.

Admission: £10.00, children free
Charities: River Dee Trust 60%
Old Granary Quoy and The Quoy of Houton

Old Granary Quoy and The Quoy of Houton

The Quoy of Houton, Orphir, Orkney KW17 2RD
Caroline Critchlow and Colleen Batey
Sunday 2 June, 10am - 4pm (2024)
2c6
T:01856 811355
Old Granary Quoy The Quoy of Houton, Orphir, Orkney KW17 2RD (Caroline Critchlow): A newly-planted and designed garden, adjacent to The Quoy of Houton. Fabulous views over Scapa Flow, ponds and a water garden. The home of Orkney perennial geraniums and an extensive range of plants suitable for this exposed coastal location. The lantern greenhouse is a new acquisition featuring an indoor fig tree. Caroline Critchlow has designed award winning gardens and is the resident gardening guru on BBC Radio Orkney.
The Quoy of Houton Orphir, Orkney KW17 2RD (Dr Colleen Batey): An unusual historic walled panoramic garden with 60-foot rill which leads the eye to the spectacular coastal views of Scapa Flow. Carefully planted to withstand winds in excess of 60 mph, with floral interest from March to September. Winner of Gardeners' World Britain’s best challenging garden 2017 and listed in the top ten UK coastal gardens. Featured on Beechgrove and in the book Island Gardens.

Directions: From Orphir take the turning to Houton Ferry at the first junction signed Quoy of Houton, turn right by the car park. Park here and walk 10 minutes along the coastal road around the bay to the gardens. Disabled access please ring to arrange as parking is very limited. The gardens are a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: FOTNW 60%
Quercus Garden Plants

Quercus Garden Plants

Whitmuir Farm, West Linton EH46 7BB
Rona Dodds
Sunday 2 June & Sunday 25 August, 10am - 5pm (2024)
c7
T:01968 660708 quercusgardenplants@gmail.com
We are a small, independent nursery growing and selling a wide range of happy, healthy plants propagated from our nursery gardens. At just under two acres, these gardens were started in 2015 to show visitors and customers what can be grown in our conditions here on a north-west-facing hill at 850 feet above sea level. Explore our herb garden, scented garden, wildlife garden, prairie-style garden, winter garden and all the other inspirational smaller borders. Our new woodland garden opened in Spring 2023. Many of the plants seen in the gardens are available to buy in the nursery.

Directions: On the A701, four miles south of the Leadburn junction or two miles north of West Linton. 

Admission: by donation
Charities: Breast Cancer Now 60%
Seabank

Seabank

The Merse, Rockcliffe DG5 4QH
Julian and Theodora Stanning
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
1c6
T:01556 630244
This one-and-a-half-acre garden extends to the high water mark with westerly views across a wildflower meadow to the Urr Estuary, Rough Island and beyond. The house is flanked by raised beds, and overlooks a cottage-style garden; peripheral plantings of mixed shrubs and perennials are interspersed with spring bulbs and summer annuals for all-year-round interest. There is a greenhouse with a range of succulents and tender plants. To the rear of the property is a new walled garden stocked with top and soft fruit, perennial vegetables (sea kale, asparagus and globe artichokes), a range of annual vegetables and flower borders. A further greenhouse is used for tomatoes and cucumbers, and has peaches growing against the back wall. A plantswoman’s garden with a range of interesting and unusual plants. 

Directions: Park in the public car park at Rockcliffe. Walk down the road about 50 yards towards the sea and turn left along The Merse, a private road. Seabank is the sixth house on the left. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie: DG5 Group 60%
20 Blackford Road

20 Blackford Road

Edinburgh EH9 2DS
John and Tricia Wood
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
c5
Victorian walled garden of a quarter of an acre. Large collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials established over some four decades giving colour and interest all year round. Tulips in pots are followed by many rhododendrons and camellias, then hostas and euphorbias. The bulb season starts with daffodils, crocuses, bluebells then lilies in pots and finally cyclamen in autumn.

Directions: Buses 9, 24 and 5.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%
Lindores House

Lindores House

by Newburgh KY14 6JD
Robert and Elizabeth Turcan & John and Eugenia Turcan
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
0c467
T:01337 840369
Situated between Lindores House and Lindores Loch, and with stunning views over the loch, the garden has been developed by the current owners over the last 45 years. It now includes extensive lochside and woodland walks with banks of snowdrops, leucojum, hostas, gunnera manicata, primula, astilbes, crocuses, fritillaria, spring and autumn cyclamen, hellebores and a notably impressive collection of trilliums. As well as the much older established trees - and in particular the splendid 17th Century yew (believed to be the largest in Fife which you can actually walk inside) there are more recent plantings of interesting specimen trees and shrubs. The herbaceous beds are mainly laid out formally around the old tennis court overlooking the loch. There is a one-acre walled garden, mainly used for growing fruit and vegetables, and a new garden in front of the recently converted stable building is under construction.

Directions: Off A913 two miles east of Newburgh. Bus from Cupar.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: RC Diocese Of Dunkeld: St Columba's RC Church Cupar 60%
Swallows Rest

Swallows Rest

Lindores KY14 6JD
Stuart & Elaine Ingram
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
47
T:07703 435055 elaine.ingram@icloud.com
The current owners moved in at the beginning of 2011 to a garden of grass and weeds. Since then, beds have been hand-dug, a slope filled with dwarf conifers and heathers, a pond and small stream made, and step-over fruit trees planted. The garden also hosts many perennials, shrubs, trees and acid-loving plants. Over 50 varieties of narcissus prolong spring interest, along with many hellebores and rhododendrons.

Directions: Two miles east of Newburgh on the A913 past Den of Lindores, on the left, house with a white door with a stained glass panel of a swallow scene. The garden is opening on 2 June in conjunction with Lindores House - see above listing. As there is limited parking at Swallows Rest, visitors are advised to park at, and walk from, Lindores House.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
West Leas

West Leas

Bonchester Bridge TD9 8TD
Mr and Mrs Robert Laidlaw
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
067
T:01450 860711 ann@johnlaidlawandson.co.uk
The visitor to West Leas can share in an exciting and dramatic project on a grand scale, still in the making. At its core is a passion for plants, allied to a love and understanding of the land in which they are set. Collections of perennials and shrubs, many in temporary holding quarters, lighten up the landscape to magical effect. New lily pond and woodland planting added in 2019 and a new courtyard garden is under construction.  

Directions: Signposted off the Jedburgh/Bonchester Bridge Road. 

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support: Borders Appeal 60%
Stobo Japanese Water Garden

Stobo Japanese Water Garden

Stobo Farm, Stobo EH45 8NX
Agnete Samdahl
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
46
enquiries@stobofarmestate.com
This is a mature, secluded woodland garden created in the early 1900s. Its most prominent feature is the constant presence of water that adds to the tranquillity of the garden, beginning with the drama of a waterfall at its head through a cascade of ponds, punctuated along the way by stepping stones and bridges. The garden was brought to life when Japanese style was the height of fashion – hence its cherry trees, maples, and iconic Japanese lanterns, ‘tea house’ and humpback bridge. The azaleas and rhododendrons provide a spectacular display in the spring. Limited disabled access due to gravel paths and steps. Visitors are advised to wear appropriate footwear.

Directions: Off the B712 (Peebles/Broughton road) via Stobo Castle entrance. Bus 91

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Stobo and Drumelzier Church of Scotland 30% & Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 30%
Norton House

Norton House

1 North Deeside Road, Kincardine O'Neil, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire AB34 5AA
Andrew and Nicola Bradford
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
1c8679
Norton House, on the edge of historic Kincardine O'Neil village, is a detached Victorian property dating
back to 1840. The garden is new to Scotland’s Gardens Scheme but the owners are not, as Andrew & Nicky have moved from nearby Kincardine Castle into what was once Andrew's grandmother’s home. Happily the intervening owners were keen gardeners and this is a mature garden with trees, shrubs, herbaceous borders and a small orchard. An area that has been neglected for decades is being chain-sawed into submission as a woodland - work in progress!

Directions: Situated on the A93 at the eastern end of Kincardine O'Neil. Accessible by bus, the Stagecoach 201 service.

Admission: £10.00, children free
Charities: Children 1st 60%
Geilston Garden

Geilston Garden

Main Road, Cardross G82 5HD
The National Trust for Scotland
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c46
T:01389 849187 geilstongarden@nts.org.uk
Geilston Garden has many attractive features including the walled garden with herbaceous border providing summer colour, tranquil woodland walks and a large working kitchen garden. This is the ideal season for viewing the Siberian iris in flower along the Geilston Burn and the Japanese azaleas. 

Directions: On the A814, one mile from Cardross towards Helensburgh. 

Admission: by donation
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Coldoch

Coldoch

Blairdrummond, Stirling FK9 4XD
David & Kim Stewart and Tim Black
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
67
T:01786 841217
The garden at Coldoch is sheltered by belts of mature woodland on three sides and looks south over the Carse of Stirling. The parterre courtyard garden and border have replaced the old farm buildings and lead on to a kitchen garden created by using the three old walls of an earlier rose garden. The less formal areas include a stream, a pond, paddocks and woodland. The drives are lined with old oaks and sycamores mixed with new trees from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and some fine, mature cherry trees. 

Directions: Signed from the A84. Take the A873 for Aberfoyle, after just under one mile turn left on to Coldoch Road, B8031 and continue for approximately half a mile. Wrought iron gates on the left mark the entrance. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Forth Valley Welcome 60%
Cowhill Tower

Cowhill Tower

Holywood DG2 0RL
Mr and Mrs P Weatherall
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
25d7
T:01387 720304 clara@cowhill.co.uk
This is an interesting walled garden. There are topiary animals, birds and figures and beautiful woodland and river walks. Splendid views can be seen from the lawn right down the Nith Valley. There is also a variety of statues, including several from the Far East. 

Directions: Holywood is one-and-a-half miles off the A76, five miles north of Dumfries. 

Admission: by donation
Charities: Maggie's 60%
Barnbeth House

Barnbeth House

Clevans Road, Bridge of Weir PA11 3RS
Laura Brown, Head Gardener; Dylan Brown, Assistant Gardener
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c79
Barnbeth Estate is a country estate in Renfrewshire with an Arts & Crafts mansion at its heart. Extensive formal gardens with sweeping lawns and mature trees, formal patio area with pond, rockery with unusual alpines/shrubs, herbaceous borders running down the stream edge leading to a large pond. Large woodland with rhododendrons, eucryphias, azaleas and laurel, and a new topiary themed garden. This is a traditional garden with a modern twist - full of surprises.

Directions: From the A761 in Bridge of Weir, turn onto Prieston Road leading to Clevans Road, drive past Ranfurly Castle Golf Club. Turn right to stay on Clevans Road. Barnbeth is approx 1 mile outside Bridge of Weir on Clevans Road. There are cross country routes here from Lochwinnoch but this is the easiest route.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: St Vincents Hospice Limited 60%
Waterside Garden

Waterside Garden

Moffat DG10 9LF
Ronnie Cann
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm. ADVANCE BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Please visit the SGS website to book. (2024)
6
T:07714230235 rtdcann@gmail.com
Set in beautiful Moffatdale and bounded on one side by the Moffat Water, Waterside Garden is a plantsman's delight, home to woods, riverside walks and three acres of cultivated garden. There are many mature trees including oak, birch, beech and much more. Collections of species and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, bamboos, and other flowering shrubs give year-round interest. There are herbaceous beds, giving colour in spring and summer, alpines, mixed plantings, spring bulbs, especially daffodils, and wildflower meadows.

Directions: Three miles north of Moffat on the A708 opposite Craigieburn Forest Car Park. From Selkirk the garden is about 14.5 miles south of St Mary's Loch.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Moffat Water Hall 60%
Macbiehill Gardens

Macbiehill Gardens

The Walled Garden, Macbiehill EH46 7AZ
Simone Lyon
Sunday 2 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
c6
T:07933 113067
Three very different gardens in the hamlet of Macbiehill which sits at some 1000 feet above sea level, very exposed to the copious wind and rain.
Alderbank: Alderbank is a large garden containing a mix of wild flower meadows and trees, a herbaceous border and a productive area of fruit and vegetables. It is very much a family garden used by our children to explore nature and play.
Birchbrae: The house was built on this site by the owners in 2019 and thereafter the garden was created from rough moorland ground. The enrichment of the soil and planting became a 'Lockdown' project in June 2021.
The Walled Garden: A contemporary walled garden paved with multi-hued sandstone enlivened by plants in raised beds and containers, plus a variety of ceramic and large one-off sculptures.

Directions: From the A701 take the turning opposite the entrance to Whitmuir Farm, signposted Macbiehill. After the narrow bridge go uphill and take the first entrance on the left, signposted Macbiehill Farm. There will be signs to the gardens and limited parking at the far end of the driveway. Alternatively, see opening section above for details of the available courtesy bus from Whitmuir Farm.

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

Shepherd House

Inveresk, Musselburgh EH21 7TH
Sir Charles and Lady Fraser
Tuesday & Thursday 4 - 27 June 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%
Stobshiel House

Stobshiel House

Humbie EH36 5PD
Mr Maxwell and Lady Sarah Ward
Wednesdays only from 5 - 26 June 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 5 - 26 June, 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
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
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%
Bradystone House

Bradystone House

Murthly PH1 4EW
Mrs James Lumsden
Thursday only 6 - 27 June, 11am - 4pm (2024)
c67
T:01738 710308 pclumsden@me.com
A unique cottage garden converted from a derelict farm steading. Imaginative and abundant planting with unusual and special perennials, clematis, roses, abutilons and shrubs. There is an interesting and bountiful plant stall. Small vegetable garden and orchard, meandering woodland walks and a duck pond. A garden oasis in which to sit and dream. Garden groups welcome by arrangement. Dogs on leads please.

Directions: From south/north follow the A9 to Bankfoot, then signs to Murthly. At the crossroads in Murthly take the private road to Bradystone.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 60%
Blackdykes Garden

Blackdykes Garden

Blackdykes Farmhouse, North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 5PQ
Sir Hew & Lady Dalrymple
Friday/Saturday, 7/8 June & Thursday/Friday, 20/21 June, 10am - 5pm (2024)
9
Blackdykes Garden was created 30 years ago from open fields. The three acre site has extensive views southwards towards the Lammermuirs. The formal heart of the garden consists of a series of rooms hemmed in by stone walls and clipped hedges of yew, beech and hornbeam. These are planted with roses, irises, climbers and perennials. Surrounding the formal garden is a network of mown grass paths and avenues, fringed with species roses, ornamental trees, shrubs and topiary. There is also a vegetable garden with sweet pea trellises and soft fruit.

Directions: Leave North Berwick on the A198 towards Dunbar. Half a mile after Tesco, turn right at Rhodes Holdings. After one mile you will arrive at Blackdykes.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Leuchie 60%
Cloan

Cloan

by Auchterarder PH3 1PP
Neil Mitchison
Saturday/Sunday, 8/9 June, 10am - 5pm (2024)
67
T:07958 155831 niall@fastmail.co.uk
Two acres of wild garden, with a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas, and an impressive collection of trees, including metasequoia, cryptomeria, Acer cappadocicum, Sequoia sempervirens, Quercus robur ‘Filicifolia’, liriodendron, several Japanese maples, magnificent beech and Scots pine trees, and extensive yew topiary; also an acre of walled garden with embothriums, Acer griseum, liquidambar, several sorbus varieties, parrotia and a large herbaceous border. Fine views of Strathearn from the front of the house. 

Directions: From the A823, just south of the A9, follow the small road heading north-east, signposted Duchally. Continue for approximately two-and-a-half miles, turn right at the sign Coulshill. Continue for just under half-a-mile. Follow the signs for car parking.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Tiphereth Limited: Camphill Scotland 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%
Castle Kennedy Gardens

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Stranraer DG9 8SJ
The Earl and Countess of Stair
Sunday 9 June, 10am - 5pm (2024)
46e7
T:01581 400225
Romantically situated, these famous 75 acres of landscaped gardens are located on an isthmus surrounded by two large natural lochs. At one end, the ruined Castle Kennedy overlooks a beautiful herbaceous walled garden with Lochinch Castle at the other end. With over 300 years of planting, there is an impressive collection of rare trees, rhododendrons, exotic shrubs and many spectacular Champion Trees. The stunning snowdrop walks, daffodils, spring flowers, rhododendron and magnolia displays and herbaceous borders make this a ‘must visit’ garden throughout the year.
Champion Trees: 95 in total; including 12 British, 30 Scottish, 44 for Dumfries and Galloway and 9 trees described as ‘otherwise remarkable’.

Directions: On the A75, five miles east of Stranraer. The nearest train station is in Stranraer. The garden is on a local bus route.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
Charities: Home-Start Wigtownshire 60%
Ardchattan Priory

Ardchattan Priory

North Connel PA37 1RQ
Mrs Sarah Troughton
Sunday 9 June, 12pm - 4pm (2024)
2c85d7
T:01796 481355 admin@ardchattan.co.uk
Overlooking Loch Etive, Ardchattan Priory Garden has a mature rockery and extensive herbaceous and rose borders to the front of the house. On either side of the drive, shrub borders, numerous roses and ornamental trees, together with bulbs, give colour throughout the season. The Priory, founded in 1230, is now a private house. The ruins of the chapel and graveyard are in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and open with the garden.

Directions: Oban 10 miles. From north, turn left off the A828 at Barcaldine onto the B845 for six miles. From east or from Oban on the A85, cross Connel Bridge and turn first right, proceed east on Bonawe Road.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
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%
No Photo

Tillytoghills Steading

Fettercairn AB30 1YJ
Veronica and Steve Engel
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
c67
A large country garden with established herbaceous borders, new shubbery borders, a paddock with native trees and a large pond with fish, waterlilies and other water plants. Veronica and Steve have made a productive vegetable and fruit garden with a vine in the greenhouse and tender vegetables in the polytunnel. There are also espaliered apple trees and soft fruit, with free-range chickens roaming close by.

Directions: On the B966 half way between Edzell and Fettercairn.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Edzell Village Improvement Society: Garden Group 60%
The Bishop's House

The Bishop's House

Glencairn Road, Kilmacolm PA13 4PD
Paula Macgee and Paul Yacoubian
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c46
The Bishop’s House is one of six villas in Kilmacolm designed by James Salmon in 1905. It was originally named Miyanoshta but renamed when it became the official residence of the Catholic Bishops of Paisley (1948-1993). The house is now a family home and much care has been taken in preserving the house and garden, both in landscaping and planting, which remain mostly as designed by Salmon. The house sits at the top of the garden and is framed by mature beech trees. There is a burn running down the side of the property (children should be supervised).

Directions: PLEASE ACCESS THE GARDEN FROM THE GLENCAIRN ROAD ENTRANCE. Turn off the A761 in the centre of Kilmacolm onto Houston Road or Porterfield Road for access to the garden on Glencairn Road. Follow SGS signage. Parking on-road. McGill's buses run through Kilmacolm on the A761.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Glasgow Samaritans 60%
36 Muirfield

36 Muirfield

Perth PH1 1JJ
Rob Mackay and Amanda Brown
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
046
T:01738 636527 mackaybrownjoint@gmail.com
A small suburban garden with a Japanese theme. The garden was designed and planted in 2019 with the aim of being low maintenance and offering a fun and safe environment for children. The Japanese features include a stone lantern, a water bowl, the placing of rocks, raked gravel and a timber building. The planting includes prunus, acer, bamboo, hostas, ferns and flowering plants. Foliage and texture are important elements. Views of the distant hills are seen as an extension of the garden in the Japanese tradition.

Directions: Muirfield connects Muirend Road with Burghmuir Road. 36 Muirfield is the white bungalow near the junction with Muirend Road on the left-hand side as you travel up the hill. The number 8 bus from Mill Street in the centre runs every hour, alight at Fairies Road just before the junction with Viewlands Road West. Go straight over the mini roundabout continuing along Fairies Road. At the next mini roundabout turn left into Muirend Road. Muirfield is the first turning on the right with number 36 the second house on the right. If coming by car please park on Muirend Road to avoid blocking neighbours' access.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust 60%
Thorntree

Thorntree

Arnprior FK8 3EY
Mark and Carol Seymour
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c6
T:01786 870710 carolseymour666@gmail.com
In 2024, Thorntree looks forward to welcoming visitors to their garden opening on Sunday 9 June as well as by arrangement on other dates. Carol will happily walk round the garden with you or you can wander on your own. The garden continues to evolve and cotoneasters by the saltire beds have been cut back which means the four flower beds are no longer hidden behind a hedge! Also, the view past the summerhouse can be seen and the Annabelle hydrangea has popped up now that there are fewer branches above it. It is an inspiring garden to visit at any time of the year. From the garden you can see panoramic views from Ben Lomond to Doune, watching the Forth meander down the bottom of the valley.

Directions: On the A811, to Arnprior, then take the Fintry Road; Thorntree is second on the right. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Forth Driving Group RDA SCIO 60%
Dean Gardens

Dean Gardens

Edinburgh EH4 1QE
Dean Gardens Management Committee
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2467
Nine acres of semi-woodland garden with spring bulbs on the steep banks of the Water of Leith in central Edinburgh. Founded in the 1860s by local residents, the Dean Gardens contain part of the great structure of the Dean Bridge, a Thomas Telford masterpiece of 1835. Lawns, paths, trees and shrubs with lovely views to the weir in the Dean Village and to the St Bernard’s Well. There is also a children’s play area.

Directions: Entrance at Ann Street or Eton Terrace.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Maggie's Edinburgh

Maggie's Edinburgh

Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU
Maggie's Centre
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c45
At Maggie’s we believe that gardens can have an amazing, positive effect on health and well-being. Each of our centres has a beautiful garden designed alongside the building to ensure a strong connection between the outside and inside. The garden was designed by Emma Keswick and has been adapted to grow and flourish alongside two new extensions. The walled garden and statue gardens create a connection with nature and the ever-changing seasons. Emma’s planting design ensures the garden has year-round colour and creates a calming transition away from the hospital. The garden is fully accessible for all with enclosed spaces cleverly interspersed with more open areas with longer views.

Directions: Maggie’s is located behind Ward 1 at the Western General Hospital. Enter the hospital at the Crewe Road entrance (Hospital Main drive), follow the path under the road bridge and take the first left into Maggie’s. Lothian Buses: 19, 19A, 28, 28B, 29, 37, 37A, 38; First Bus: 129. For vehicle access enter the hospital via the Telford Road entrance, parking is free, follow parking signs on the day.

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

Srongarbh

The Loan, West Linton EH46 7HE
Mr and Mrs O Arnesen
Sunday 9 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c89
The property consists of an Arts and Crafts house (not open) with a large, well-established garden dating from the 1930s surrounded by woodland, with many trees and shrubs within the garden. This garden is approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, with acidic soil, high rainfall and low winter temperatures. In spring, the azaleas and rhododendrons provide a beautiful array of colours and the wide herbaceous borders continue flowering throughout the year. There is a formal rose garden with hybrid teas and old varieties of climbing, rambling and shrub roses. Below the formal terracing there is an original swimming pool as well as an ornamental pool under Japanese acers. The new owners are opening up areas of the garden with naturalistic paths.

Directions: A701 or A702 and follow the signs.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Ben Walton Trust 30% & Borders General Hospital, Margaret Kerr Unit 30%
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%
Craig Hepburn Memorial Garden

Craig Hepburn Memorial Garden

Stirling Drive, Linwood PA3 3NB
Linwood High School
Wednesday/Thursday, 12/13 June, 4pm - 6pm (2024)
0c46
T:01505 336146 gw07hindelesley@glow.sch.uk
The Craig Hepburn Memorial Garden and Outdoor Learning Centre is located in Linwood High School. Our original garden with an outdoor classroom has been expanded to include community raised beds, an orchard, greenhouse and presentation area. We work with all years in the school, reconnecting them to the natural world, whether through growing in our organic garden, encouraging biodiversity or learning about sustainability. Winners of the Cultivation Street competition 2020.

Directions: Exit the M8 at St James Interchange and take the A737. Take the exit for Linwood onto the A761, follow to Clippens Road and then Stirling Drive where you will see the High School. Accessible by McGill's Buses. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Teenage Cancer Trust 60%
No Photo

Mouse Cottage

Strathtay, Pitlochry PH9 0PG
Penny Kennedy
Friday/Saturday, 14/15 June, 10am - 4pm (2024)
c4k9
T:07799 678067 mymousecottage@outlook.com
Mouse Cottage sits on a south facing hill overlooking Strathtay. Small but packed with interesting features, it is a semi-wild haven of secret places where self-seeders mix with annuals and more formal planting. The owner is an artist who adores her garden space and collects quirky planting containers such as dustbins and dolly tubs. Her Pear Parasol and Holly Brolly are amongst her favourite features. Gravel paths wind through shady places full of joyous surprises such as Crambe cordifolia.

Directions: From the A9 take the exit at Ballinluig signposted Aberfeldy. Go through Logierait, after about four miles turn right at T junction. At Grandtully turn right, over the bridge, up the hill to Strathtay Post Office. Turn right passing the golf course up to the red telephone box. Mouse Cottage is next opening on the left, signposted. Please beware of flying golf balls! NB: No parking at Mouse Cottage. On street parking possible at Strathtay. Bus 23 (Aberfeldy to Perth) stops at Grandtully Bridge.

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

Tinnisburn Plants

Upper Millsteads, Canonbie DG14 0RY
Helen Knowles
Saturday/Sunday 15/16 June, 10am - 4pm. Meconopsis and Primula 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%
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
Bradystone House

Bradystone House

Murthly PH1 4EW
Mrs James Lumsden
Saturday 15 June, 11am - 4pm (2024)
c67
T:01738 710308 pclumsden@me.com
A unique cottage garden converted from a derelict farm steading. Imaginative and abundant planting with unusual and special perennials, clematis, roses, abutilons and shrubs. There is an interesting and bountiful plant stall. Small vegetable garden and orchard, meandering woodland walks and a duck pond. A garden oasis in which to sit and dream. Garden groups welcome by arrangement. Dogs on leads please.

Directions: From south/north follow the A9 to Bankfoot, then signs to Murthly. At the crossroads in Murthly take the private road to Bradystone.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
River Garden, The Restoration of Auchincruive

River Garden, The Restoration of Auchincruive

The Bothy Office, Auchincruive KA6 5AE
Andrew, head gardener
Saturday 15 June, 11am - 5pm (2024)
04679
andrew@ifdas.net
The gardens date back to the 1900s, Auchincruive is steeped in horticultural history as the site used to be the West of Scotland Agricultural College. The gardens are going through major redevelopment to bring it back to its former glory, including restoring secret garden, walled garden, herbaceous borders and ponds that are within the gardens. Our main focus of the gardens is to produce vegetables for the Bothy Cafe, we have two large vegetable growing areas, one plot is no dig and the other is dig. We also have an arboretum that contains rare and endangered trees, including Sorbus Arranensis, Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoiadendron giganteum and cryptomeria japonica. The gardens also contain fruit, orchid and greenhouses and the grounds has a total of 48 acres that consist of woodlands, cafe and gardens. Our gardens are used therapeutically to help residents overcome addiction and improve their mental well being.

Directions: River Garden is located two minutes by car from the main Whitletts roundabout at the junction of the A77/B743. At the roundabout, take the B743 turn signposted Mossblown. At the bend in the road turn right into the Nellie’s Gate entrance at bus stop KA65.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: IFDAS 60%
No Photo

Auchtermuchty Open Gardens

Fife KY14 7AP
The Gardeners of Auchtermuchty
Saturday/Sunday, 15/16 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
46
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 - including a fine old specimen Redwood.

Directions: On the A91 from Cupar and Kinross. B936 from Falkland and Newburgh. Stagecoach buses 36 or 94A. Moffat & Williamson buses 64, 64A and 66.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Auchtermuchty Community Centre 60%
The Abercairny Garden

The Abercairny Garden

Abercairny House, Crieff PH7 3NQ
Liz O'Donnell
Saturday 15 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
2c67k
T:01764 652706 info@abercairny.com
The Abercairny garden which was originally designed by Lewis Kennedy is in the shape of a horseshoe and set within a wall. It is edged by huge trees that include Douglas firs and Sequoia sempervirens and it is laid out on three terraces. The top terrace is mostly formal, with mature informal beds on either side; these beds contain roses, rhododendrons, and azaleas. The second (originally called the Bowling Green) includes rhododendrons and fruit trees. The third is made up of gardens that have been created in the last sixteen years. Here you will see, amongst many new plants, a paulownia tree, different kinds of cornus and eight magnolias. There are lots of different varieties of candelabra primulas in the primula garden. At the bottom of this garden there is a stream and Kennedy’s two Swiss bridges. Look out for red squirrels.

Directions: Turn south off the A85 at the New Fowlis crossroads, following signs. Turn right into the estate grounds after 1.2 miles (opposite Kintocher Farm on the left) and follow the drive for one mile past Abercairny House on the left. Car parking for the gardens is in the car park opposite the castellated stables venue.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Anchor House Cyrenians: Perth 60%
St Bride's Cottage

St Bride's Cottage

South Kingennie, Broughty Ferry DD5 3PA
Alison and Donald Gordon
Saturday/Sunday, 15/16 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c67
This half-acre garden was started from scratch in 2002 and now provides year-round interest. Planting several trees and making a wildlife pond and stream were the first priorities, as birds were sadly rare visitors to the garden. Parts of the perimeter of the garden are left semi wild with dense shrubs to provide cover and nesting areas, while the area visible from the house is planted for viewing, with a mixture of shrubs, perennials and bulbs. Some features are inspired by visits to gardens around the world, including a Japanese-themed area with island bed. There is a small bog garden with a lovely early summer display of Iris sibirica and many plants justify their existence by attracting a wide variety of bees and butterflies.

Directions: From Kellas take the minor road signed Murroes Church for approximately one mile to some steading houses and turn left up the farm track immediately before them. St Bride’s is the first house on the left with the conservatory and solar panels.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Diabetes UK 60%
Inveresk Village

Inveresk Village

Inveresk, Musselburgh EH21 7TE
The Gardeners of Inveresk
Saturday/Sunday, 15/16 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c46
This year we will present a new garden, a neat garden attached to the redeveloped 1862 Inveresk Combination Poorhouse and a much visited garden in the past which has re-joined the Open event. These are in addition to previously opened gardens which include a television star, one complementing an eco house, one large tiered garden and one garden surrounding the house of the previous area coal mine manager. The National Trust for Scotland property, Inveresk Lodge Garden, has great potential for children with pond dipping an ever-popular pursuit at this venue. Musselburgh’s highly-rated allotments will also be open within the circular trail which passes a very interesting topiary hedge outside a cottage in Double Dykes. The mix of large and small gardens, some of which are wrapped round by high stone walls and others more exposed to the wind and relatively dry climate, will offer visitors many ideas to think over when they return home. The Romans recognised the quality of the soil in this area when they settled here during the Antonine era between 140 and 165 AD and some of the land may well have been in continuous cultivation since then.

Directions: Southside of Musselburgh on the A6124. The 140 bus stops in the village. Spreading visits over two days has been integral in preventing dangerous parking congestion. It is essential that able-bodied people who arrive by car do not park on the main A6124 road running through the village as this impedes smooth emergency vehicle movements

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: St.Columba’s Hospice Care 60%
Woodfall Gardens

Woodfall Gardens

Glasserton DG8 8LY
Ross and Liz Muir
Sunday 16 June, 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%
The Abercairny Garden

The Abercairny Garden

Abercairny House, Crieff PH7 3NQ
Liz O'Donnell
Sunday 16 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
2c67k
T:01764 652706 info@abercairny.com
The Abercairny garden which was originally designed by Lewis Kennedy is in the shape of a horseshoe and set within a wall. It is edged by huge trees that include Douglas firs and Sequoia sempervirens and it is laid out on three terraces. The top terrace is mostly formal, with mature informal beds on either side; these beds contain roses, rhododendrons, and azaleas. The second (originally called the Bowling Green) includes rhododendrons and fruit trees. The third is made up of gardens that have been created in the last sixteen years. Here you will see, amongst many new plants, a paulownia tree, different kinds of cornus and eight magnolias. There are lots of different varieties of candelabra primulas in the primula garden. At the bottom of this garden there is a stream and Kennedy’s two Swiss bridges. Look out for red squirrels.

Directions: Turn south off the A85 at the New Fowlis crossroads, following signs. Turn right into the estate grounds after 1.2 miles (opposite Kintocher Farm on the left) and follow the drive for one mile past Abercairny House on the left. Car parking for the gardens is in the car park opposite the castellated stables venue.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Spafford Children's Centre 60%
Pittenweem: Gardens in the Burgh

Pittenweem: Gardens in the Burgh

Pittenweem KY10 2PG
Gardeners of Pittenweem
Sunday 16 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
2c46
T:07718 000802
An inspiring variety of gardens, many tucked away behind houses and garden walls, displaying a wide range of styles, from traditional to landscaped to richly productive and incorporating many interesting and unusual plants. This is a chance to visit old favourites and discover new projects.

Directions: For tickets and maps follow postcode above to High Street. For parking, coming from the west follow signs to West Braes car park, from Ovenstone use car park next to football field/cemetery off Charles Street, and from the east turn right and park in Milton Road. Parking may also be available throughout the village.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: British Heart Foundation 60%
Kirkside of Lochty

Kirkside of Lochty

Menmuir, by Brechin DD9 6RY
Ed and Fi Troughton
Sunday 16 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
c679
T:01356 660362
This garden, designed by renowned local plantswoman Irene Mackie over 20 years ago, is now nurtured by the current owners. There are four distinct areas each with their own character. Along the short drive and to the east of the house is a spring woodland spot full of bulbs, leading to the new gravel garden, a sheltered spot to enjoy late summer sunshine amongst the agapanthus and grasses. The hot, sunny courtyard parterre is full of herbaceous perennials with high summer interest and from there, one is drawn through the beech hedge into a wilder area of three island beds with mixed planting, as well as a meadow loved by wildlife and bees. More recently the garden has been enhanced by careful reduction in the perimeter tree canopy opening up the westerly views to grazings and allowing the pollarded willow hedge to be back-lit by winter sun.

Directions: From the A90, take Careston/Fern/Menmuir turn just south of Brechin. Proceed towards Menmuir for about 2 miles. The garden is on the left behind beech hedge.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: St Andrews Scottish Episcopal Church 30% & Pitt Hopkins UK 30%
Covington Gardens

Covington Gardens

Covington Village ML12 6NE
Sharon Pearson
Sunday 16 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
1c469
T:07827236771 sharon.pearson69@outlook.com
A group of three gardens in and close to Covington Village.
Covington Mill Farmhouse (NEW) (Sharon Pearson) Set amongst eight acres, the gardens have been transformed since 2019 from pastureland to a landscape of woodlands, wildlife habitats: formal gardens and recently, a prairie inspired garden. A restored watermill building and lade runs through the whole area, creating a meditative backdrop to the matrix and drift planting schemes surrounding them. Changing seasons and environmental challenges we face, are reflected in different planting responses to the garden's varied site aspects and aesthetic aims.
Hawk House Gardens (NEW) (Angus and Angela Milner-Brown) The two plus acres of Hawk House gardens were formed in 2009. Protective mixed hedges, a wildflower meadow and lawns were planted on an exposed hillside with far reaching views. Since then the new owners have designed and planted additional gardens with extensive borders and herbaceous plants bringing much of their sizeable collection from the nearby manse. The new gardens include an alpine garden, hosta beds, a pond, new formal hedging leading to the wildflower meadows (80 species in 2023) and a hilltop pavilion nestled into a woodland.
Weavers Cottage (NEW) (Sharon Paton) This quaint cottage garden with picket fencing, topiary and stone and brick paths and walls, is the canvas for a Grade B listed thatched cottage. Lovingly interpreted and restored over 30 years, following the original layout of these modest cottages whose long plots and ‘vennels’ lead to a little woodland and pond. The Newtown’s row of cottages dating to the mid 1820's, some with original thatch under tin roofing, are now a rarity in Scotland.

Directions: From the A73 turn off at Tinto Hill into the village of Thankerton and follow the SGS signs

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Pancreatic Cancer UK 20%, The Linda Norgrove Foundation 20% & Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust 20%
14 East Brighton Crescent

14 East Brighton Crescent

Portobello, Edinburgh EH15 1LR
Jim and Sue Hurford
Sunday 16 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
46
sue.hurford@gmail.com
Roughly two thirds of an acre suburban garden, developed over 40 years. People have said the following about it: 'A little bit of countryside in the town', 'Booming with green', 'A bosky bower' and 'There is such a wide range of plant material and every little corner holds a new gem'.

Directions: Buses 21, 12 and 49 to Brighton Place, and 15, 26, 40 and 45 to Portobello High Street. Brighton Place intersects Portobello High Street just east of the bus stops.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Trussell Trust 60%
Claremont

Claremont

Redmill EH47 0JY
Trevor and Faye Yerbury
Sunday 16 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
23c6
info@yerburystudio.com
‘Claremont’ is situated only two minutes from J4 of the M8 and yet it’s an idyllic oasis. It is an eclectic garden created over 18 years and 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, containing over 150 hostas and to the rear there are herbaceous borders, plus a stumpery/fernery which was 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 2024 we have created a brand-new herbaceous border, the stumpery has been expanded over the winter and a new greenhouse has been installed.

Directions: Take the M8 and leave at J4 heading for Whitburn. At the first set of traffic lights turn right for Whitburn. After 100 metres turn first right at the bollards and come straight down.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & Breast Cancer Campaign Scotland 30%
Kirkhouse

Kirkhouse

Traquair EH44 6PU
Mr and Mrs H Panton
Sunday 16 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
069
T:07793 019518
The Panton family moved into Kirkhouse in 2017 and have been enjoying working (with some help!), learning and experimenting with the 8 acres of varied garden. The garden is a mixture of formal and wild, with some areas having existed and evolved over many years. A delightful network of paths will lead you through a series of ‘rooms’ including a newly-planted large herbaceous border, a formal terraced lawn surrounded by mature trees and shrubs, a kitchen garden and greenhouse. There is a gently sloping path through mature woodland to the most recent project – a wildflower meadow. The garden is home to much wildlife and if you are lucky, you may meet one of the local red squirrels.

Directions: Follow the B709 out of Innerleithen for approximately 2½ miles until you reach the hamlet of Kirkhouse and look for the yellow signs. Parking in the church car park, beyond Traquair Kirk on right hand side.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Peeblesshire Youth Trust 60%
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%
Congalton House

Congalton House

North Berwick EH39 5JL
Clare and John Carson
Friday 21 June, 11am - 5pm (2024)
357
The garden, which surrounds a stone built Victorian house, is an attractive family garden with a wide variety of plants and good colour throughout the summer months. It has a number of mature trees and herbaceous borders, most of which have been planted over the last 20 years (this is since we have had a full time, trained gardener, Bruce Rankine). Other attractions include rose beds and peonies, usually at their best in June, a sunken garden and a rockery. The woodland garden, which was planted about 15 years ago, is now beginning to mature.

Directions: On the B1347 between Haddington and North Berwick.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Camphill (Blair Drummond) Trust Limited 60%
Southdean Mill

Southdean Mill

Southdean Mill, Chesters, Hawick TD9 8TL
Linda and Brian Falconer
Saturday/Sunday, 22/23 June, 11am - 5pm (2024)
1679
T:07930 199552 linda@beastieassemblage.co.uk
An unruly, secluded family garden complete with mill ruins situated within 10 acres of young woodland. Approached down an avenue of crab apples, it features a romantic walled garden in front of the rose- covered, former miller's cottage, where perennials tussle with pretty annuals and biannuals. The old mill lade runs into a semi-wild pond with a turf bridge by the front lawn with its standing stones that depict the family. Behind the cottage, and sheltered by stone barn walls, is a very productive vegetable garden for the family with a wooden greenhouse, poly-tunnel and raised beds. The old farm courtyard makes an idyllic spot for a cream tea next to the stone barn where Linda will be displaying her assemblage art inspired by her garden.

Directions: 400m from Chesters village on the A6088 heading towards Newcastle, there is a farm track on the left.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Southdean Hall 60%
Kirkbrae House

Kirkbrae House

Culross KY12 8JD
Sandra Bannister
Saturday/Sunday, 22/23 June, Saturday/Sunday, 20/21 July & Sunday 18 August, 11am - 4pm (2024)
2c467k9
Sandra.bannister18@gmail.com
An acre of walled garden sitting high in the village of Culross in the shadow of the Abbey. With meandering paths through perennial beds, bright annuals and shrubs and trees from as far as South America and Asia, the garden provides interest from late spring until autumn. The garden aims to provide an environment of joy, surprise and opportunity to sit and enjoy the spectacular garden views of the River Forth.

Directions: The garden is located on Kirk Street. On leaving the lower village start to climb up to the Abbey, the garden gates open directly onto Kirk Street. Car parking is either below the garden or near the Abbey. Buses come into the village from Dunfermline and Kincardine

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Barrmill Community Garden

Barrmill Community Garden

Barrmill Park and Gardens KA15 1HW
The Barrmill Conservation Group
Saturday 22 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
0c467
jean42gilbert@gmail.com
This large woodland garden is carved from a 19th-century whinstone quarry and situated within a 1890s parkland, once known for the quoiting green provided for the village thread mill and ironstone pit workers of that time. Enhancement of the gardens began in 2010 by volunteers, with assistance from Beechgrove in 2012. Features include enchanted woodland walks, a fairy trail, a nature trail, the Vale Burn, views of the Dusk Water, a restored 19th-century cholera pit aka ‘The Deid Man’s Plantin’, a new Celtic tree circle and guided walks. The woodland backdrop is complemented by an understorey of natural planting throughout.

Directions: From Stewarton take the A735 to Dunlop, go left down Main Street B706 to Burnhouse, over at crossroads to Barrmill B706. From Lugton south on the A736, take the right at Burnhouse, B706 to Barrmill. From Glasgow on the M8 take J28a signposted Irvine, on Beith bypass take the left at B706 to Barrmill.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Barrmill and District Community Association 60%
Tiny Farm

Tiny Farm

St Modan's High School, Royal Stuart Way, Stirling FK7 7WS
Alison Poole
Sunday 23 June, 11am - 5pm (2024)
2c69
poolea05s@glow.sch.uk
Tiny farm was created to support learners within the Autism Provision at St Modan's High School. The space is a mixture of raised beds, planted grass and small woodland areas. Learning for sustainability is embedded within the Tiny Farm. Planting is decided by the learners and includes a range of flowers and vegetables. 2023 was a bumper year for the strawberry crops and we will be selling some of our delicious homemade strawberry jam! The Tiny Farm enables our curriculum to come to life, allowing interdisciplinary learning to flourish as learners nurture the plants, harvest them, donate to the community and make products such as jam and soap to sell. The Tiny Farm is opening to showcase what is being undertaken.

Directions: From the A91, take exit off Muirton Roundabout to Holiday Express Inn. At Springkerse roundabout take exit to the Peak. Keep right, and turn right at approach to Forthbank Stadium carpark and follow the road to the car park for St Modan's High School.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Strathcarron Hospice 60%
Stockbridge Gardens

Stockbridge Gardens

Garden trail runs between Logie Green Gardens EH7 4HE and Royal Circus Gardens North EH3 6TN
Gardeners of Stockbridge
Sunday 23 June, 12pm - 4:30pm (2024)
c46
JW.homeoffice@gmail.com
Visit some of the surprising horticultural delights behind the discrete terraces of Stockbridge and enjoy home-made refreshments in a classic Georgian leisure garden. Bringing fresh air and wildlife into the heart of the city, the collection provides lots of creative solutions to urban gardening with year-round interest through a mix of seasonal planting and structural evergreens which the gardeners will be on hand to talk about.

Directions: Buses 23 and 27 to Dundas Street and Canonmills, 8 to Rodney Street and Canonmills, 36 to Hamilton Place and Broughton Road, 29 to Royal Circus.

Admission: £8.50, children free
Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 30% & Shelter Scotland 30%
Brechin Gardens in June

Brechin Gardens in June

Locations across Brechin DD9 6JL
The Gardeners of Brechin
Sunday 23 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
26
9 Pearse Street Brechin DD9 6JR (James Mackie): Opening in memory of its creator Irene Mackie, the well-known plantswoman whose love of plants is reflected in every inch of this beautiful, tranquil garden. There’s a secluded and rural feel to this town garden. A huge collection of ferns is a unique feature of the garden, unusually planted to mingle with other colourful herbaceous plants.
Bishops Walk 11A Argyll St, Brechin DD9 6JL (Steff and Mike Eyres): A collection of acers grown successfully for years in large pots greets you as you access the unexpected door after viewing several different planting areas. You will find a hidden, walled garden planted with scented climbing and shrub roses, lavenders, perennials and evergreen shrubs and conifers including an established Wollemi, the prehistoric tree recently discovered.
Dalhousie Estate Allotments Brechin Bridge, Arbroath Road, Brechin DD9 6TJ (George Garden): Fourteen varied plots in a beautiful setting making use of reclaimed materials including a wind-powered generator, raised beds and sheds of all shapes and sizes!
Hoodston House Findowrie DD9 6RF (Kat and Aaron Robertson): A work-in-progress family garden and wildlife haven created from scratch, on a tight budget. The garden includes wildlife (and child!) friendly lawns, vegetables and herbs, fruit cage, perennials and shrubs.
Kirkton Cottage Aberlemno DD8 3PE (George Henry and Susan Norris): Nestled in a dip beside a stream, this country cottage garden is packed with plants. Mown grass paths meander among mature trees, shrubs and perennials in borders, island beds and rockeries. Rustic steps lead to raised vegetable beds, greenhouse and a prolific nursery area.
Rosehill West 15C North Latch Road, Brechin DD9 6LF (Robert and Jenny Martin): An acre of newly-planted garden, formerly a field, featuring mature original trees, herbaceous areas, fruit trees (quince and crab apple), and a path through recently planted trees. A work in progress!

Directions: Most gardens are located around the town of Brechin. Look for the SGS yellow signs. A map with directions will be provided with tickets.

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: St Andrews Scottish Episcopal Church 60%
The Moorhouse

The Moorhouse

Duns TD11 3RY
Mike and Bridget Bevan
Sunday 23 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c57
T:07848 803776 bordersecoflowers@gmail.com
The Borders Eco Flowers garden at The Moorhouse is designed to produce organic cut flowers and foliage throughout the year. Whilst most cut flowers sold in Scotland are imported, our flowers are grown here, not flown here! All are grown in an environmentally friendly manner without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Not only are we eco-friendly gardeners, we are eco-friendly florists too! We harvest the flowers at their peak and create posies, bouquets and all kinds of unique floral creations.

Directions: Ignore your SatNav once you have left the A6112. From Duns, take the A6112 towards Grantshouse. Ignore the left-hand turn (B6355) signposted Abbey St Bathans. Proceed through the village of Preston and 3 miles further on, turn left signposted Edin's Hall Broch. Continue up the hill for 1½ miles and you will see The Moorhouse (painted yellow) on the right. From the A1, turn off at Grantshouse onto the A6112, signposted Duns. After 3½ miles, turn right signposted Edin's Hall Brock. Continue up the hill for 1½ miles and you will see The Moorhouse (painted yellow) on the right.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Borders Pet Rescue 60%
The Gardens of Milton of Campsie

The Gardens of Milton of Campsie

Milton of Campsie G66 8EA
The Gardeners of Milton Campsie
Sunday 23 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c467
As well as a selection of smaller gardens, all with varying interests, we are delighted that the stunning new garden, Lillyburn will be joining us for the first time in 2024.
18 James Boyle Square G66 8JN (Hugh and Vivien Pritchard): Developed from scratch a few years ago, this peaceful, colourful garden holds a wide variety of perennial plants as well as hanging baskets, a well-stocked greenhouse and summer bedding plants, all of which can be grown by anyone who loves gardening.
56 Lochiel Drive G66 8EU (James and Ann Pert): A small garden with a variety of plants in the north-facing front garden, with herbs and geraniums under the balcony made from recycled scaffold boards by the garden owner.
Lillyburn House (NEW) 21 Campsie Road G66 8EB (Ray McKenzie): A lovely mature garden with lots of interesting features including sculptures and a summer house, gravel walkways meandering through the informal layout of colourful shrubs, flowers and trees, creating a haven for wildlife. Four lawns, one with a California-style summer house with seating areas and two magnificent champion yew trees, make this an unmissable garden to visit.
Marengo Cottage 8 Campsie Road G66 8EA (Angela Welsh): A small garden with many quirky features, it contains fruit trees, a vegetable patch, paths between flower and fauna beds, a small pond and if you can spot him, a topiary rabbit.
Milton of Campsie Community Garden
Campsie Road G66 8EU: The community garden is the creation of one man covering roughly an acre of hillside beside the Glazert water. A small beach where there are otters and kingfishers, memorial gardens and various bespoke seating, make this an unmissable garden.

Directions: From Glasgow, Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs bus numbers X85, 89, 88. By road, B757. By SatNav use postcode G66 8EU and follow SGS yellow road signs. There is free parking at the church and at other various signposted sites. Lillyburn House is in the corner of Campsie Road and Cottonmill Drive.

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: The Trussell Trust: Food Bank Kirkintilloch 60%
No Photo

Longniddry Gardens

Longniddry EH32 0LF
The Gardeners of Longniddry
Sunday 23 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c46
Longniddry is an attractive village with extensive green spaces, popular beaches and outstanding sea views. Our gardens are tended by enthusiastic gardeners some of whom are old hands and some recent converts to gardening - all will be delighted to discuss their gardens with visitors. The gardens exhibit a variety of size, layout and planting, ensuring something for everyone. One of the smaller gardens is modern and shows what can be achieved with attractive and innovative hard landscaping. Another small addition is a very young 'urban woodland' garden designed over the past few years with most plants either freebies or sale bargains. Larger gardens include new and mature trees and herbaceous planting ranging from self-seeding cottage style to the more formal, with some now influenced by the modern concept of rewilding. There are veggie plots, potagers, containers of all sorts and ponds. Outbuildings range from working greenhouses to summer houses and gazebos. There’s lots to see and enjoy so please join us!

Directions: On the A198 from North Berwick (east) or Edinburgh (west). Access also from the B1348 (the coast road from Port Seton/Cockenzie) and the B1377 (from Drem). Longniddry is also on the North Berwick train line from Edinburgh Waverley and bus route 124 from Princes Street, Edinburgh.

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: Parkinsons UK 30% & Blood Bikes Scotland 30%
Tyninghame House and The Walled Garden

Tyninghame House and The Walled Garden

Tyninghame House, Dunbar EH42 1XW
Mrs C Gwyn, Tyninghame Gardens Ltd
Sunday 23 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
3457
The formal walled garden combines the lawn, sculpture and yew hedges, an Apple Walk, extensive herbaceous planting including roses and peonies with an informal arboretum. Splendid 17th century sandstone Scottish baronial house, remodelled in 1829 by William Burn. The gardens include herbaceous border, formal rose garden, Lady Haddington’s Secret Garden with old fashioned roses and an extensive Wilderness spring garden with rhododendrons, azalea, flowering trees and bulbs. Grounds include a one mile beech avenue to the sea. The Romanesque ruin of St Baldred’s Church commands views across the Tyne Estuary and Lammermuir Hills. Tyninghame has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ for every category in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Scotland.

Directions: Gates on the A198 at Tyninghame Village. Bus 120. 

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Tyninghame Village Hall and Community SCIO 60%
Merchiston Cottage

Merchiston Cottage

16 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH10 5EL
Esther Mendelssohn
Sunday 23 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c467
Previously open for nearly twenty years we are happy to open again after a six year gap. Come and enjoy our romantic walled garden within a mile of the city centre providing a haven for wildlife based on a tapestry of habitats including numerous water features. It has been gardened on organic principles for nearly 40 years with productive fruit trees, apples, pears, plums, quince, medlar and black mulberry. Soft fruit including gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries and red, white and blackcurrants all benefit from the pollinating bees kept in hives in the garden which also give us the added bonus of honey. A roof garden devoted to growing fruit and vegetables has greatly enhanced the garden and provided new planting opportunities. Since Covid we have become involved with a new charity, Blood Bikes Scotland and are delighted to open our garden to help raise much needed funds for them.

Directions: Near Holy Corner, opposite George Watson's College School. Take Lothian Buses 11 or 16.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Blood Bikes Scotland 60%
No Photo

The Hewke

Lockerbie, Dumfries DG11 2JY
Mr and Mrs Colin Endacott
Sunday 23 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
23e79
T:01576 610354 Diannepaula@hotmail.co.uk
A gently sloping garden with views across the Dryfe Valley. The approach is from the parking area through the Rock Garden towards a converted byre. The back wall features roses and a wisteria. A greenhouse is attached to the principal house, built in 1806. Continue past domestic ancillary accommodation (former coach house, stables and dovecote). You enter a courtyard abutting a former gig house to reach the walled garden which is split on two levels. The lower section features a vegetable garden and fruit bushes, whilst the upper section with bothy, displays roses and shrubs. This exits to a small woodland containing mature trees. Throughout the garden is a collection of copper beech trees and hedges , green beech hedges, rhododenrons, azaleas and fruit trees.
Champion Trees: Tulip and Walnut

Directions: Take B7076 north from Lockerbie & after 2 miles, join B723 signposted to Boreland & Eskdalemuir. Continue past junction for Sibbaldbie & after 500 yards, just before road bears right , cross small stone bridge on the right .

Admission: by donation
Charities: Epilepsy Scotland 60%
Brantwoode and High Glenan

Brantwoode and High Glenan

24a Queen Street, Helensburgh G84 9LG
Tricia and Tom Stewart
Sunday 23 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c4679
Brantwoode (NEW) Munro Drive West, Helensburgh G84 9AA (David W Henderson): Brantwoode is a mix of informal and formal areas, chosen to complement the 1895 Arts & Crafts house. The south-facing front garden is beautifully terraced on three levels in red sandstone with a central lavender path dividing the main lawns. The top terrace is mainly perennials and small shrubs flanked by rambling roses. There is a shrubbery on the west side of the garden with rhododendrons, azaleas and acers while on the east side there is a woodland path with camellias, hydrangeas, magnolias and two large rhododendron trees. There are also several mature conifers. The lower terrace, sheltered by a beech hedge, has shrubs and many outstanding specimen trees, providing year round interest. There is also a rockery with two small wildlife ponds. To the rear of the house is the formal rose garden with many scented and repeat flowering roses backed by clematis and wisteria on the high sandstone wall. There is also a working area and small fruit garden.
High Glenan Helensburgh G84 9LG (Tom and Tricia Stewart): A secluded garden with burn and waterside plants, gravel garden, herb and herbaceous borders and kitchen garden with a selection of fruit and vegetables. Extensive programme of hard landscaping has been undertaken over the last ten years.

Directions: Brantwoode is the middle house behind Helensburgh Upper Station. Parking either in W. Lennox Dr or Rossdhu Dr. High Glenan is approximately ½ mile along Queen Street from its junction with Sinclair Street on the right hand side.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The Woodland Trust Scotland 30% & Rhu and Shandon Parish Church of Scotland: Tower Appeal 30%
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%
Little Sparta

Little Sparta

Stonypath, Dunsyre ML11 8NG
Pantea Cameron
Tuesday 25 June, Tuesday 2 July, Tuesday 27 August & Tuesday 3 September, 1pm - 4pm (2024)
T:01899 810711 contact@littlesparta.org.uk
Little Sparta is Ian Hamilton Finlay’s greatest work of art. Ian and Sue Finlay moved to the farm of Stonypath in 1966 and began to create what would become an internationally acclaimed garden across seven acres of a wild and exposed moorland site. Collaborating with stone carvers, letterers and other artists and poets, the numerous sculptures and artworks created by Finlay explore themes as diverse as the sea and its fishing fleets, our relationship to nature, classical antiquity, the French Revolution and the Second World War. Individual poetic and sculptural elements, in wood, stone and metal, are sited in relation to carefully structured landscaping and planting. Please note that there is a 700m uphill walk from the car park and livestock grazing in the fields. For visitors with limited mobility, it may be possible to book a space near the house; call the garden for details.

Directions: Check www.littlesparta.org.uk/visit/ for directions.

Admission: £9.00, children £5.00
Charities: Little Sparta Trust 60%
Blanerne

Blanerne

West Road, Charlestown KY11 3EW
Lesley and Geoff Fenlon
Saturday/Sunday, 29/30 June, 11am - 4pm (2024)
469
lesleyabloomer@gmail.com
South-facing hidden village garden with lots of paths to follow and many places to sit, both sunny and shaded. The centrepiece of the garden is a large oval pond with wildlife-friendly planting. Surrounding the pond are several mini-gardens including a rose courtyard garden with catmint, salvias, beech, false indigo and featuring a bubble fountain. There is also a vegetable patch, woodland, a shady courtyard and a summerhouse garden enclosed by a young purple beech/wild rose hedge.

Directions: Driving: follow signs from the A985 into Charlestown. Follow the road until you see the village shop, The Sutlery, which is available for takeaway all day Saturday and Sunday mornings - these can be eaten in the garden. Parking is behind the Charlestown Workshop which is next to the shop. Cycling: National Route76 passes c20m from the house. Public transport: bus 6/6A from Dunfermline or bus 88A from Kincardine or Inverkeithing. Get off at The Green in Charlestown and walk towards the shop. From the village shop, walk west about 20m along West Road. Turn left down the tarmac driveway opposite 10 West Road, and the garden is on the right hand side at the end.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Mary's Meals 60%
Gifford Bank

Gifford Bank

Gifford EH41 4JE
Mr and Mrs Austin
Saturday/Sunday, 29/30 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2457
Gifford Bank is a Georgian house set in four acres on the edge of the village. Lawns to the front and side of the house are edged by woodland whilst a walled garden provides a more formal area. The four quadrants of the walled garden include a circular lawn area, raised beds for soft fruit, a herb and rose garden and an orchard. There are large herbaceous borders on all four sides. Beautiful scented roses grow over six arches that connect the gravel path. The garden to the rear of the house includes water features and a large fire bowl planter.
This year we are supporting Gifford Village Hall (known as Gifford Community Association)

Directions: When leaving Gifford on the B6355 Edinburgh Road, Gifford Bank is the last property on the right before the de-restriction signs. Regular Gifford Circle bus service from Haddington.

Admission: £7.00, children free
Charities: Gifford Community Association 60%
The Bield at Blackruthven

The Bield at Blackruthven

Blackruthven House, Tibbermore PH1 1PY
The Bield Christian Co Ltd
Saturday 29 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
2c57
T:01738 583238 info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk
The Bield is set in extensive grounds with well maintained lawns, hedges, flower meadow and specimen trees. A labyrinth is cut into the grass of the old orchard and there is also a wheelchair-friendly labyrinth. Traditional walled garden with colourful, richly stocked borders and lawns, cut-flower garden, healing garden, glasshouse, trained fruit trees and organic vegetable plot. Walk through extensive woodland and visit the old curling pond. Southton Smallholding is a social enterprise ten minutes walk away, featuring vegetable plots, polytunnels and a number of animals (not staffed on the day).

Directions: From Dundee or Edinburgh, follow signs for Glasgow, Stirling and Crianlarich which lead onto the Perth bypass. Head west on the A85 signed to Crieff/Crianlarich to West Huntingtower. Turn left at the crossroads to Madderty/Tibbermore. The entrance is left after a half-mile passing the gate lodge on your right. Parking signed to right at the steading.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Ripple Effect 60%
Blebo Craigs Village Gardens

Blebo Craigs Village Gardens

Blebo Craigs, Cupar KY15 5UG
Gardeners of Blebo Craigs
Sunday 30 June, 11am - 4pm (2024)
2c6
A selection of cottage gardens in this charming rural village, situated between Cupar and St Andrews; most gardens have stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The gardens are all different, many with beautiful herbaceous borders and unusual trees, there are also ponds, orchards and a living roof. Because the village is on a hill, please be aware that some of the gardens will involve steps.

Directions: From St Andrews: B939 for 5 miles, village sign on your left at the bus stop pointing right and taking you straight to the village. From Cupar: B940 to Pitscottie, turn left onto the B939 and, after a couple of miles, turn left into the village. Turn left at the phone box for the Village Hall and signs to the parking area.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Blebo Craigs Village Hall 2000 Trust 60%
Moonzie House

Moonzie House

By Cupar KY15 4NL
Katherine Watts
Sunday 30 June, 12pm - 6pm (2024)
c69
T:07720 266298 Kathy@joe-cool.co.uk
Moonzie House was formerly the manse to historic Moonzie Kirk, which sits a few metres away at the top of the small hill. The modest walled garden has been developed over 35 years around a pre-existing central circular feature and echoes the circles and curves to creates a garden that is traditional with some surprising features. As well as a wide variety of shrubs and perennials, the garden is home to a collection of over 60 different bamboo varieties which are subtly incorporated among more traditional plantings.

Directions: From Cupar take the A913 (Newburgh, Perth Road). In approximately 3 miles, shortly after the large bends at Kilmaron, turn right to Moonzie. Take next left, signposted Moonzie Church and follow the single track road to the top. After the farmyard bear right following the track alongside the wall or follow parking instructions. From Dundee take the A92, after Rathillet, turn left where Moonzie signposted, then instructions as above. Similarly, from Edinburgh/Perth, from A92 at Parbroath crossroads take the A913 and then as above.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Moonzie Kirk Preservation Trust 60%
Ruthven House

Ruthven House

Coldstream TD12 4JU
Keith and Karen Fountain
Sunday 30 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
2c67
T:01890 840680 ruthvenhouse@btconnect.com
The three acres of Ruthven’s garden have lovely views towards the Cheviots. The garden’s central feature is two ponds joined by a winding stream. The garden is composed of various differing areas - herbaceous borders, woodland areas, a gravel garden, a knot garden, rockeries, an orchard laid to meadow, a kitchen garden, a nuttery, a small lavender field, a shade bed to the back of the house and, adjacent to the house, a formal rose garden. Much of the work to create the garden from the original few small beds around the house has only been undertaken in the last few years, so the garden has not yet reached complete maturity. The small fold of Highland cattle, hopefully including a young calf, in the adjacent field complete the scene.

Directions: Four miles north of Coldstream on the old Duns road.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Borders General Hospital, Margaret Kerr Unit: and Macmillan Centre 60%
Bruckhills Croft

Bruckhills Croft

Rothienorman, Inverurie AB51 8YB
Paul and Helen Rushton
Sunday 30 June, 12pm - 5pm (2024)
2c6a
T:01651 821596 helenrushton1@aol.com
An informal country cottage garden extending to three-quarters of an acre with a further acre as wildflower meadow and pond. There are several distinct areas which include a white border, a butterfly alley, kitchen garden with polytunnel, greenhouse and fruit cage, an orchard, and a blue and yellow border. Relax on one of the many seats in the garden and soak up the atmosphere. Awarded National Collection status for Galanthus (snowdrops) in 2021.
National Plant Collection: Galanthus

Directions: From Rothienorman take the B9001 north for two-and-a-half miles. On the S-bend turn left. When you reach the Bruckhills Farm turn off, yellow signs will direct you to the Croft.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Befriend A Child Ltd 60%
Dalhowan Farm

Dalhowan Farm

Crosshill, Maybole KA19 7RN
Fiona and Robbie Baird
Sunday 30 June, 1pm - 5pm (2024)
2c6k
T:07850 282130 crosshill.fionabaird@tiscali.co.uk
Situated on the edge of the village, the garden of this working dairy farm has clear views towards the Heads of Ayr. Central to the garden is the lawn, around which are a wide range of mixed perennial borders. In spring these are highly colourful with a variety of daffodils. A raised pond complements some of the external walls and border edges, constructed from recycled sandstone. A long hosta border stretches the length of the farmhouse, where it benefits from shade. Mature trees and shrubs help to protect the garden from the prevailing winds. Two greenhouses protect tender plants over winter, from which a large number of cuttings are taken to fill numerous containers around the farmyard.

Directions: Follow the A77 south from Ayr to Maybole, take the B7023 towards the village of Crosshill, continue to the end of the village. Parking is available in the field at the end of the village, with a short walk along the road to enter the garden.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The Ayrshire Hospice 60%
Middle Cairncake

Middle Cairncake

Cuminestown, Turriff AB53 5YS
Nick and Penny Orpwood
30 June - 14 July, 1pm - 4pm (2024)
67
T:01888 544432 orpwood@hotmail.com
The garden here surrounds the traditional farmhouse and steading in a rural landscape. We enjoy a series of gardens, all interlinked, and with different character and planting; roses, heathers, ponds, borders and beds, wild area plus a large vegetable plot with polytunnel for self-sufficiency. We grow annuals from seed collected from our own plants. The spring open afternoons will show a colourful garden getting ready for the summer planting. Refreshments will be served in our winter garden which houses tender plants such as begonias, passionflowers and brugmansia.

Directions: Middle Cairncake is on the A9170 between New Deer and Cuminestown. It is clearly signposted. 

Admission: £7.00, children free
Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%
The Old Schoolhouse

The Old Schoolhouse

Kilry PH11 8HU
Carol and Richard Till
Sunday 30 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
267
The garden extends to ⅔ acre and comprises two distinct areas. Firstly, the original cottage-style garden with lawn and borders of mixed shrubs, perennials and annuals, enhanced by a variety of trees. The second area is a recently acquired paddock which is home to a polytunnel, a fruit cage, a Finnish BBQ hut with decking and a riverside deck on the bank of Kilry Burn which runs along the southern edge of the garden.

Directions: From Perth take A94 to Coupar Angus and just before Meigle take the B954 and follow signs to Glen Isla and then to Kilry, signed to the left. Follow road past Kilry Church then downhill, past former Kilry Primary School and continue for ½ mile until reaching The Old Schoolhouse on the left. From Dundee take the A923 to Muirhead and then B954 to Meigle, turn right up B954 towards Glen Isla and then follow signs as above.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Rotary Club of the Angus Glens Charitable Trust 60%
7 Braes of Conon

7 Braes of Conon

Conon Bridge IV7 8AX
Mr Nigel Stanton
Sunday 30 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
245
A beautifully-designed garden created by a professional nurseryman. Nigel Stanton moved to the Highlands in 2014. The garden needed imported local topsoil and a lot of manure. Now, eight years later, with the help of raised beds and paved paths, the fruits of his endeavours are a delight. Specialities include magnificent delphiniums, rampant sweet peas and subtly blended roses.

Directions: Coming into Conon Bridge on the A862 from Muir of Ord, turn right into the Braes of Conon and follow the road signs to No. 7. From Dingwall, take the A835 towards Tore at the Maryburgh roundabout, then turn first right towards Conon Bridge, and follow the signs.

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%
Whitehouse & Grange Bowling Club

Whitehouse & Grange Bowling Club

18a Hope Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 2AR
Whitehouse & Grange Bowling Club
Sunday 30 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
24679
wandgbc@icloud.com
The walled garden provides a backcloth for those bowling on the green or just sitting on the sidelines. The main feature is the rose garden, replanted in 2020, in part responding to Covid lockdowns when the clubhouse was off limits. Trees mark the coronations of George VI and Charles III. In 2022, children from Sciennes Primary assisted in planting trees to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee and the Club's 150th anniversary.

Directions: Heading south on Marchmont Road, cross over Strathearn Road onto Kilgraston Road, past the church on the left side and take the first turning on the right. Buses: 5, 9 and 24 to Beaufort Road stops.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: St.Columba’s Hospice Care 30% & Eric Liddell Community 30%
Craigfoodie

Craigfoodie

Dairsie KY15 4RU
Mr and Mrs James Murray
Sunday 30 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
67
T:01334 870291
Unusually, Craigfoodie House sits within its walled garden and the garden itself is on a sloping site, with the view from the upper terraces stretching beyond the garden into the valley below. The walled garden is quartered with its clock lawn, malus lawn, parterre and extensive vegetable garden. There are many individual features - the large herbaceous border, dry rill, mixed borders, espalier fruit, pleached lime hedge and much else. Enjoy the mediterranean-style terraces, informal woodland garden, the grass tennis court and planting of young trees and shrubs (a current development area) and a stroll round the Knoll to its magnificent viewpoint. Craigfoodie has featured on The Beechgrove Garden and in articles in several national magazines.

Directions: On A91 from Cupar to St Andrews turn left at Dairsie School then follow signs.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The Pitcairn Trust 60%
Burgie Arboretum

Burgie Arboretum

Between Forres and Elgin IV36 2QU
Hamish Lochore
Open daily, 8am - 5pm (2024)
7
T:01343 850231 hamish@burgie.org
A rare opportunity to see a sizeable woodland garden/arboretum in its infancy. It has a good collection of rhododendrons, Sorbus, alder, birch and Tilia but also includes many unusual trees from around the world. The arboretum is zoned into geographic areas and species type. It includes a Japanese Garden, bog garden, bog wood, loch and quarry garden. First created in 2005 and is ongoing. Most plants are grown from hand-collected seed and propagated in the Georgian greenhouse.

Directions: A96 between Forres and Elgin. Four miles east of Forres. Six miles west of Elgin. Sign to Burgie Mains along the A96 is set in wrought iron decorated with horses and cattle. South off the main road and one mile to the Woodland Garden car park. 

Admission: by donation
Charities: World Horse Welfare 30% & Sandpiper Trust 30%
Oldtown of Leys Garden

Oldtown of Leys Garden

Inverness IV2 6AE
David and Anne Sutherland
1 January - 30 April, 1 May - 31 October (not Thursday & Friday) & 1 November - 31 December, dawn - dusk (2024)
c467
T:01463 238238 ams@oldtownofleys.com
Established in 2003, on the outskirts of Inverness, with views over the town, this large garden of three acres has year-round interest. Spring rhododendrons and azaleas, summer herbaceous plantings, autumn trees and shrubs and winter appeal from the conifers, evergreens and structures. Features include a rockery, ponds, musical instruments, a stumpery and a new area of late summer colour.

Directions: Turn off southern distributor road (B8082) at Leys roundabout towards Inverarnie (B861). At the T-junction turn right. After 50 metres turn right into Oldtown of Leys.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & Highland Hospice 30%
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
Glenapp Castle

Glenapp Castle

Ballantrae, Girvan KA26 0NZ
Mr Paul Szkiler
Open daily, dawn - dusk (2024)
16ed7
T:01465 831212 info@glenappcastle.com
The 36-acre grounds at Glenapp Castle are secluded and private. Many rare and unusual plants and shrubs can be found, including magnificent specimen rhododendrons. Paths meander round the azalea pond, through established woodland leading to the wonderful walled garden with a 150-foot Victorian glasshouse. Fresh herbs and fruit from the garden are used every day in the castle kitchen. Much of the gardens were designed by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932), the world-famous garden designer, applying the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement, who worked in collaboration with Edwin Lutyens. A new walk has been created opening up the Glen, where Glenapp’s Champion Trees will be found. 
Champion Trees: Abies cilicica, Cercidiphyllum japonicum and Picea likiangensis

Directions: From the north take the A77 south. Pass through Ballantrae, crossing the River Stinchar as you leave. Take the first turning on the right, 100 yards beyond the river (not signposted). From the south take the A77 north, turn left 100 yards before the bridge over Stinchar at Ballantrae. The Castle gates are one mile along this road. 

Admission: by donation
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Angus's Garden, Barguillean

Angus's Garden, Barguillean

Taynuilt PA35 1HY
The Josephine Marshall Trust
Open daily, 9am - dusk (2024)
7k
T:01866 822333 info@barguillean.co.uk
Created in 1957 as a memorial garden by Betty Macdonald of Barguillean for her son Angus, this picturesque nine acre woodland garden is set around the tranquil shores of Loch Angus in historic Glen Lonan. Whilst famous for its extensive collection of hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, this glorious garden cleverly retains the natural atmosphere of the landscape. Visitors can enjoy an informal network of paths, lined with spring flowering shrubs and bulbs, through native woodland and by shoreland whilst surrounded by the magnificent views of Ben Cruachan and the mountains of Glen Etive. This unspoilt natural setting attracts a wide range of wildlife, and the eleven acre loch is home to swans and ducks. On the north-west side of the garden overlooking the loch stands Betty's bell paying tribute to her 40 years of work creating this magical garden. The garden reaches its full glory between April and the end of June but is a place of special tranquillity and charm at all times of the year. Three marked, circular walks from the car park taking between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

Directions: Off A85 Crianlarich/Oban road at Taynuilt, road marked Glen Lonan, three miles up a single track road, turn right at the sign opposite Barguillean Farm.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: SSAFA Forces Help 60%
Highland Liliums

Highland Liliums

10 Loaneckheim, Kiltarlity IV4 7JQ
Neil and Frances Macritchie
Open daily, 9am - 5pm (2024)
c57
T:01463 741698 accounts@highlandliliums.co.uk
Highland Liliums is a working retail nursery with spectacular views over the Beauly valley and Strathfarrar hills. A wide selection of home-grown plants are available including alpines, ferns, grasses, herbaceous, herbs, liliums, primulas and shrubs.

Directions: Signposted from Kiltarlity village, which is just off the Beauly to Drumnadrochit road (A833), approximately 12 miles from Inverness.

Admission: by donation
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
Raasay Walled Garden

Raasay Walled Garden

Isle of Raasay IV40 8PB
Raasay Community
Open daily, 9am - 7pm (2024)
c67
T:07939 106426 raasaywalledgarden@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram
Accessed from the road behind Raasay House, just a ten minute walk from the Ferry Terminal, is the Category A listed community owned Walled Garden. Visited by Boswell and Johnson in 1773, the garden suffered neglect before coming into community ownership. Ongoing restoration began in 2013 and the 1.43 acre garden now supplies vegetables, fruit, salad, herbs and cut flowers to the community and visitors. Features an orchard, rose beds, polytunnels, a fruit cage, wildflowers for pollinators and insects, and plenty of seats. We have a composting toilet for visitors' use. June to August provide the most colourful time and our main produce harvests take place from May to September. We run events during the year - please check our Facebook page for details. The garden isn't always staffed, so please contact us for further details.

Directions: Take the Calmac Ferry to Raasay (20 minute journey) from Sconser, between Broadford and Portree on the Isle of Skye. The garden is an easy walk from the terminal and there is plenty to do and see on Raasay on foot, although cars can also cross.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
Cambo Gardens

Cambo Gardens

Kingsbarns KY16 8QD
Trustees of Cambo Heritage Trust
Open year round. Admission details can be found on the garden's website. (2024)
b3c5ea7
T:01333 451040 hello@cambogardens.org.uk
Best known for snowdrops (mail order February), but exciting throughout the year, this Victorian walled garden features constantly evolving, magnificent herbaceous borders featuring rare and unusual plants, many of which are propagated for sale at Cambo. The garden is renowned too for its tulips and a stunning rose collection. Outside the main garden an inspiring Winter Garden and North American Prairie continue to be developed. Woodland walks to the sea.
National Plant Collection: Galanthus
Champion Trees: Bundle Beech

Directions: A917 between Crail and St Andrews.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website
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%
Glenwhan Gardens & Arboretum

Glenwhan Gardens & Arboretum

Dunragit, by Stranraer DG9 8PH
Tessa and Ian Knott Sinclair
Open daily, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
b3c6d7k
T:07787 990702
Described as one of the most beautiful gardens in Scotland, Glenwhan Gardens is situated at 300 feet and overlooks Luce Bay and the Mull of Galloway, with clear views to the Isle of Man. Forty-five years ago there was wild moorland, but now, following considerable dedication and vision, you can see glorious collections of plants from around the world. There is colour in all seasons and the winding paths, well-placed seats and varied sculptures, set around small lochans, add to the tranquil atmosphere. There is a 17-acre moorland wildflower walk, the chance to see red squirrels and well-marked garden and tree trails. Glenwhan has now been added to the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes, a record of nationally important gardens and designed landscapes and a major resource for enhancing appreciation and understanding of these sites, as well as promoting education and stimulating further research. Dara Parsons, Head of Designations at HES, said: 'Glenwhan Gardens is an excellent addition to, the inventory.'

Directions: Seven miles east of Stranraer, one mile off the A75 at Dunragit (follow brown VisitScotland and yellow SGS arrows).

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

The Hidden Gardens

25a Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 2PE
The Hidden Gardens Trust
2 January - 31 December (not Monday), 10am - 4:30pm (2024)
3c846
T:0141 433 2722 info@thehiddengardens.org.uk
The multi-award winning Gardens have been designed to reflect the legacy of this historic site as well as the ever-changing character and needs of the local area. The north to south borders echo the layout of the site when it was a nursery in the 1800s, supplying trees and shrubs to major gardens in Scotland, whilst the retained tramlines and the chimney reflect its industrial past. A number of artworks are integrated into the overall design, for example Alec Finlay’s Xylotheque, a library of wooden books detailing 17 native Scottish trees. The Hidden Gardens is an independent charity offering learning and social activities and opportunities for the whole community to participate in its development. It is a calm, green space where you can relax away from the busy city streets: take a meditative walk along the square route path around the formal lawn; brush past the aromatic herb border; admire the white wall border with its herbaceous plantings and espalier fruit trees; stroll through the wildlife area; connect with nature in the woodland glade; and enjoy the naturalistic planting of the grassy or wild flower meadows or buy some young plants propagated here. Volunteer-led guided tours are available to book during most of the year, for free.

Directions: Travel directions are available on the garden's website thehiddengardens.org.uk/explore/visit/

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
The Japanese Garden at Cowden

The Japanese Garden at Cowden

Dollar, Clackmannanshire FK14 7PL
Cowden Castle SCIO
Open year round. Please check the garden's website for opening days and times. (2024)
6d
sales@cowdengarden.com
Created in 1908, The Japanese Garden at Cowden is listed as an important example of its type in Western Europe. Nestled beneath the Ochil Hills the seven-acre garden wraps around a large pond. Enjoy the meandering walk by the water, taking in the changing scenes created by sculpted landforms, carefully placed stones, clipped shrubs and original stone lanterns. Picnic area, woodland, shop and cafe.

Directions: The entrance to the garden is from the Upper Hillfoots Road, about half a mile west from the junction with the A91. 

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

Abriachan Garden Nursery

Loch Ness Side IV3 8LA
Mr and Mrs Davidson
1 February - 30 November, 9am - 5pm (2024)
bc467
T:01463 861232 info@lochnessgarden.com
This is an outstanding garden with over four acres of exciting plantings with winding paths through native woodlands. Seasonal highlights include snowdrops, hellebores, primulas, meconopsis, hardy geraniums and colour-themed summer beds. Views over Loch Ness.

Directions: On the A82 Inverness/Drumnadrochit road, about eight miles south of Inverness.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Highland Hospice 60%
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%
Logan Botanic Garden

Logan Botanic Garden

Port Logan, by Stranraer DG9 9ND
A Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 March - 31 October 10am - 5pm & 1 November - 15 November 2pm - 4pm (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%
Logie House

Logie House

Dunphail, Forres IV36 2QN
Alasdair and Panny Laing
1 April - 31 December, 2pm - 5pm. Admission details can be found on the garden's website. (2024)
3c57
panny@logie.co.uk
Originally a traditional formal garden, Logie House walled garden has been developed since 1991 with emphasis on trees, shrubs and hardy perennials, giving all-year-round interest. The meandering burn and dry stone walls support the creation of a wide variety of planting habitats from dry sunny banks to damp shady areas. Many of the unusual plants are propagated for sale in the Garden Shop at Logie Steading. Also features woodland and river walks.

Directions: Six miles south of Forres off the A940. Follow signs to Logie Steading

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

Kinlochlaich Walled Garden

Appin PA38 4BD
Miss F M M Hutchison
3 March - 31 October, 10am - 4pm (2024)
45k
T:07881 525754 fionakinlochlaich@gmail.com
Octagonal walled garden incorporating a large Nursery Garden Centre with a huge variety of plants growing and for sale. Bluebell woodland walk and spring garden. Many rhododendrons, azaleas, trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, including many unusual ones such as embothrium, davidia, stewartia, magnolia, eucryphia and tropaeolum. A quarter of the interior of the walled garden is borders packed with many unusual and interesting plants, espaliered fruit trees, and with an ancient yew in the centre, and another quarter is vegetable growing.

Directions: On the A828 in Appin between Oban, 18 miles to the south, and Fort William, 27 miles to the north. The entrance is next to the police station. Infrequent bus Oban to Fort William - request stop.

Admission: by donation
Charities: The Appin Village Hall 30% & Down's Syndrome Scotland: West of Scotland Branch 30%
Glenarn

Glenarn

Glenarn Road, Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LL
Michael and Sue Thornley
21 March - 21 September, dawn - dusk (2024)
46ed7
T:01436 820493 masthome@btinternet.com
Glenarn survives as a complete example of a ten-acre garden which spans from 1850 to the present day. There are winding paths through miniature glens under a canopy of oaks and limes, sunlit open spaces, a vegetable garden with beehives, and a rock garden full of surprise and season-long colour. The famous collections of rare and tender rhododendrons and magnolias give way in midsummer to roses rambling through the trees and climbing hydrangeas, followed by the starry white flowers of hoherias and eucryphias to the end of the season. There is a Silent Space at the top of the garden with views over the Gareloch.
Champion Trees: Notably Magnolia rostrata

Directions: On the A814, two miles north of Helensburgh, up Pier Road. Cars to be left at the gate unless passengers have limited mobility.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Rhu and Shandon Parish Church of Scotland: Tower Appeal 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
Crinan Hotel Garden

Crinan Hotel Garden

Crinan PA31 8SR
Mrs N Ryan
29 March - 31 October, dawn - dusk (2024)
1467k
T:01546 830261 macdonaldart.crinan@gmail.com
A small, mature garden behind the Crinan Hotel which has been open with SGS for over 25 years. It is 100 years old and was originally the walled vegetable garden for the Hotel. In 1980 it was cleared and reinstated with azaleas, rhododendrons and herbaceous beds. Approached from a patio under ancient griselinia boughs, the garden catches the afternoon sun and is a peaceful escape!

Directions: Take the A83 to Lochgilphead, then the A816 to Oban, then the A841 Cairnbaan to Crinan. Daily bus.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & Guide Dogs 30%
Castle Kennedy Gardens

Castle Kennedy Gardens

Stranraer DG9 8SJ
The Earl and Countess of Stair
29 March - 3 November, 10am - 5pm (2024)
46e7
T:01581 400225
Romantically situated, these famous 75 acres of landscaped gardens are located on an isthmus surrounded by two large natural lochs. At one end, the ruined Castle Kennedy overlooks a beautiful herbaceous walled garden with Lochinch Castle at the other end. With over 300 years of planting, there is an impressive collection of rare trees, rhododendrons, exotic shrubs and many spectacular Champion Trees. The stunning snowdrop walks, daffodils, spring flowers, rhododendron and magnolia displays and herbaceous borders make this a ‘must visit’ garden throughout the year.
Champion Trees: 95 in total; including 12 British, 30 Scottish, 44 for Dumfries and Galloway and 9 trees described as ‘otherwise remarkable’.

Directions: On the A75, five miles east of Stranraer. The nearest train station is in Stranraer. The garden is on a local bus route.

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

Craigieburn House

by Moffat DG10 9LF
Janet and Peter McGowan
31 March - 31 October (not Monday), 10:30am - 6pm (2024)
c7
T:07557 928648 bideshi@aol.com
A beautiful and varied six-acre, plant-lovers' garden in a natural location in scenic Moffat Dale. Meconopsis, trilliums, rhododendrons, magnolias, arisaemas, bamboos, hoherias and many more types of plants flourish in the shelter of mature woodland. A Himalayan glen has been recreated with plants from the region where the Craigie Burn tumbles down a gorge with a series of waterfalls. Downstream is a fern garden with over 70 varieties. Candelabra primulas, rodgersias, cardiocrinum, orchids and other rare plants thrive in the bog garden and woodland glades. Double herbaceous borders come into their own later in the summer and keep the display going throughout the season. Other garden areas include a rose garden, formal pond and autumn garden. A nursery sells hardy plants propagated on site, many of them rare or unusual. The garden has been created over the past 30 years by Janet and Peter, with Dawa Sherpa, building on its old setting, and continues to evolve. Its links to Robert Burns – including his song 'Craigieburn Wood' – provide another layer of history.

Directions: Three miles from the motorway (junction 15), two miles east of Moffat on the A708 Selkirk Road. Coming from Moffat, there are traffic lights straight ahead at the end of the bend. You can't miss the lodge and prayer flags.

Admission: by donation
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Norby

Norby

Burnside, Sandness, Shetland ZE2 9PL
Mrs Gundel Grolimund
1 April - 31 December, dawn - dusk (2024)
4
T:01595 870246 gundel.g5@btinternet.com
A small but perfectly formed garden and a prime example of what can be achieved in a very exposed situation. Blue painted wooden pallets provide internal wind breaks and form a background for shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants, while willows provide a perfect wildlife habitat. There are treasured plants such as Chionochloa rubra, pieris, Chinese tree peonies, a selection of old-fashioned shrub roses, lilies, hellebores and grasses from New Zealand. There is also a lovely selection of interesting art and textiles in the house.

Directions: Head north on the A970 from Lerwick then west on the A971 at Tingwall. At Sandness, follow the road to Norby, turn right at the Methodist Church, Burnside is at the end of the road. Bus 10 Sandness - Walls. 

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Survival International 60%
Ardchattan Priory

Ardchattan Priory

North Connel PA37 1RQ
Mrs Sarah Troughton
1 April - 31 October, 9:30am - 5:30pm (2024)
2c85d7
T:01796 481355 admin@ardchattan.co.uk
Overlooking Loch Etive, Ardchattan Priory Garden has a mature rockery and extensive herbaceous and rose borders to the front of the house. On either side of the drive, shrub borders, numerous roses and ornamental trees, together with bulbs, give colour throughout the season. The Priory, founded in 1230, is now a private house. The ruins of the chapel and graveyard are in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and open with the garden.

Directions: Oban 10 miles. From north, turn left off the A828 at Barcaldine onto the B845 for six miles. From east or from Oban on the A85, cross Connel Bridge and turn first right, proceed east on Bonawe Road.

Admission: £6.00, 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
Attadale

Attadale

Strathcarron IV54 8YX
Mr Ewen Macpherson
1 April - 31 October, 10am - 5pm (2024)
3c67k
T:01520 722603 info@attadalegardens.com
The Gulf Stream, surrounding hills and rocky cliffs create a microclimate for 20 acres of outstanding water gardens, old rhododendrons, unusual trees and a fern collection in a geodesic dome. There is also a sunken fern garden developed on the site of an early 19th-century drain, a waterfall into a pool with dwarf rhododendrons, sunken garden, peace garden and kitchen garden. Other features include a conservatory, Japanese garden, sculpture collection and giant sundial.

Directions: On the A890 between Strathcarron and South Strome.

Admission: £10.00, children free
Charities: Highland Hospice 60%
The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

Isle of Lismore, Oban, Argyll PA34 5UL
Eva Tombs
1 April - 1 October (Wednesday & Saturday), 10am - 4pm (2024)
T:07786 374931 eva.tombs@gmail.com
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.

Directions: Please telephone for directions. Approximately two miles from Port Appin ferry.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Tinnisburn Plants

Tinnisburn Plants

Upper Millsteads, Canonbie DG14 0RY
Helen Knowles
1 April - 31 August (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), 10am - 4pm (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%
An Cala

An Cala

Ellenabeich, Isle of Seil PA34 4RF
Mrs Sheila Downie
1 April - 31 October, 10am - 6pm (2024)
46d7
A wonderful example of a 1930s designed garden, An Cala sits snugly in its horseshoe shelter of surrounding cliffs. A spectacular and very pretty garden with streams, waterfall, ponds, many herbaceous plants as well as azaleas, rhododendrons and cherry trees in spring. Archive material of Thomas Mawson’s design was found recently and is available to visitors.

Directions: Proceed south from Oban on Campbeltown Road for eight miles, turn right at the Easdale sign, a further eight miles on the B844; the garden is between the school and the village. Bus Oban - Easdale.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%
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
Glassmount House

Glassmount House

by Kirkcaldy KY2 5UT
Peter, James and Irene Thomson
1 April - 30 September, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
7
T:01592 890214 mcmoonter@yahoo.co.uk
Densely planted walled garden with surrounding woodland. An A-listed sundial, Mackenzie & Moncur greenhouse and historical doocot are complemented by a number of newer structures. Daffodils are followed by a mass of candelabra and cowslip primula, meconopsis and Cardiocrinum giganteum. Hedges and topiary form backdrops for an abundance of bulbs, clematis, rambling roses and perennials, creating interest through the summer into September. The garden is now extending beyond the walls, with new areas of naturalistic planting blending the boundary between the surrounding fields and the woodland.

Directions: From Kirkcaldy, head west on the B9157. Turn left immediately after the railway bridge on the edge of town. Follow the single track road for one-and-a-half miles and cross the crossroads. Glassmount House is the first turning on your right.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%
Explorers Garden

Explorers Garden

Port Na Craig, Pitlochry PH16 5DR
Pitlochry Festival Theatre
2 April - 26 October (not Monday & Sunday), 10am - 5pm. Last entry 4:00 pm. Please note payment is by card only. (2024)
3c846a7
T:01796 484626
Designed as a Theatricum Botanicum, to showcase art and horticulture in one place. The Explorers Garden celebrates the rich history of Scottish Plant Explorers of the past. Across our serene, seven-acre woodland garden, you will find each area is dedicated to regions across the world including a large Himalayan section which houses our Meconopsis, beautiful Himalayan blue poppies. There are breathtaking views, buildings and stone structures with unique odes to Pitlochry’s Pictish past. The garden is a sanctuary for our resident red squirrels and there is visiting art throughout each garden space. We have live theatre performances in summer in our very own amphitheatre. This really is a garden like no other.
National Plant Collection: Meconopsis

Directions: Take the A9 to Pitlochry town, then follow signs to Pitlochry Festival Theatre, (tickets available at the Theatre Box Office). Bus and rail travel are both available to Pitlochry from further afield.

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

Bughtrig

near Leitholm, Coldstream TD12 4JP
Mr and Mrs William Ramsay
1 May - 30 September, 9am - 4:30pm (2024)
67
ramsay@bughtrig.co.uk
A traditional, hedged, Scottish family garden with an interesting combination of sculpture, herbaceous plants, shrubs, annuals and fruit. It is surrounded by fine specimen trees, which provide remarkable shelter. In the grounds of Bughtrig Gardens is the recently opened Admiral Ramsay Museum, which has been created in memory of all who served at D-Day, Dunkirk and during World War II.

Directions: ¼ mile east of Leitholm on the B6461. 

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

Ardvorlich

Lochearnhead FK19 8QE
Mr and Mrs Sandy Stewart
1 May - 2 June, 9am - dusk (2024)
7
T:01567 830335
Beautiful hill garden featuring over 170 different species of rhododendrons and many hybrids, grown in a glorious setting of oaks and birches on either side of the Ardvorlich Burn. The paths are quite steep and rough in places and boots are advisable, especially when wet.

Directions: On South Loch Earn Road three miles from Lochearnhead, five miles from St Fillans.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Ghurka Welfare Trust 60%
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
Leathad Ard

Leathad Ard

Upper Carloway, Isle of Lewis HS2 9AQ
Rowena and Stuart Oakley
1 May - 30 September (not Sunday), 10am - 6pm (2024)
c47
T:01851 643204 leathad.ard@gmail.com
A one-acre sloping garden with stunning views over East Loch Roag. It has evolved along with the shelter hedges that divide the garden into a number of areas giving a new view at every corner. With shelter and raised beds, the different conditions created permit a wide variety of plants to be grown. Features include herbaceous borders, cutting borders, bog gardens, grass garden, exposed beds, patios, a pond and vegetables and fruit grown both in the open ground and the Keder greenhouse. Some of the vegetables are grown to show standards.

Directions: On the A858 Shawbost-Carloway take the first right after the Carloway football pitch, and it is the first house on the right. By bus take the Westside circular bus, exit Stornoway and head for Carloway football pitch.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: British Red Cross 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
Balmeanach House

Balmeanach House

Balmeanach, nr Struan, Isle of Skye IV56 8FH
Mrs Arlene Macphie
1 May - 2 October, 11am - 4pm (2024)
2c7k
T:01470 572320 info@skye-holiday.com
Very much a plantsman's garden, begun in the early 1990s after a third-of-an-acre of croft land was fenced. A shelter belt now permits a plethora of diverse plants in exuberant herbaceous borders, which give nectar and pollen to keep the buzzing and fluttering going until autumn, plus rockeries and raised beds. Native trees rub shoulders with more exotic ornamental varieties, providing a canopy for shade-loving plants and nesting sites for the many birds who make the garden their home. A small pond in a sunken garden; a larger pond divided in two by a path over a culvert and a bog garden, give scope for marginal and moisture-loving plants. Meandering pathways lead through a small bluebell wood, an arbour garden, shrubbery and small birch wood, full of azaleas and rhododendrons. Plenty of seating throughout provides an invitation to sit, relax and enjoy the garden and stunning scenery beyond.

Directions: A87 to Sligachan, turn left and Balmeanach is five miles north of Struan and five miles south of Dunvegan.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Scottish SPCA 30% & Redwings 30%
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
Newliston

Newliston

Kirkliston EH29 9EB
Mr and Mrs R C Maclachlan
1 May - 2 June (not Monday & Tuesday), 2pm - 6pm (2024)
6d7
T:0131 333 3231 newliston@gmail.com
A well preserved 18th-century parkland/designed landscape rather than a garden as such. Full of mature rhododendrons and azaleas, fine vistas and allées of trees. The walk around the woods and lake is a carpet of wild garlic and bluebells in the spring. The wood to the east of the house is in the pattern of the Union Jack, best appreciated by standing in the centre where all the radiating paths meet. The house, designed by Robert Adam, is also open.

Directions: Four miles south of the Forth Road Bridge, entrance off the B800.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: CHAS 60%
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Peilton

Moniaive DG3 4HE
Mrs A Graham
Please watch the website for details of the opening dates. We are going to open when the garden is looking its best . This will be open for a week in May or early June and teas will be available. Peilton is near the village of Moniaive with a number of good cafes and restaurants. (2024)
0
T:01848 200363 amgatpeilton@gmail.com
This really very special and attractive woodland garden has a great variety of interesting rhododendrons, shrubs and flowering trees. It has been developed over many years and is of particular interest for the real plantsman. 

Directions: Off A702 between Kirkland of Glencairn and Moniaive. 

Admission: by donation
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Linn Botanic Gardens

Linn Botanic Gardens

Cove, By Helensburgh G84 0NR
Matthew Young
Dates to be confirmed (2024)
47
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.

Directions: From Helensburgh, head North to Garelochhead. Go through Garelochhead and turn left on the B833, towards Rosneath and Kilcreggan. Drive around the whole peninsula, through both those villages until you reach Cove. Past Cove Country Store and Cove Burgh Hall you will see Cove picnic area by the shore on your left, which is the only public parking facility. From there, walk up the wee lane along the burn, between the two garden walls and we are 20 metres along on the left. Alternative you can take the 316 bus to Coulport from Colquhoun Square in Helensburgh and ask the driver to kick you off at Cove picnic area.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Scottish Refugee Council 60%
Nonavaar

Nonavaar

Levenwick, Shetland ZE2 9HX
James B Thomason
1 June - 30 September, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
4
T:01950 422447
This is a delightful country garden, sloping within drystone walls and overlooking magnificent coastal views. It contains ponds, terraces, trees, bushes, varied perennials, annuals, vegetable garden and greenhouse. 

Directions: Head south from Lerwick. Turn left at the Levenwick sign soon after Bigton turnoff. Follow the road to the third house on the left after the Midway stores. Park where there is a Garden Open sign. Bus 6 from Lerwick - Sumburgh. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%
The Potting Shed

The Potting Shed

Broughton Place, Broughton, Biggar ML12 6HJ
Jane and Graham Buchanan-Dunlop
5 June - 3 July (Wednesday only), 11am - 5pm (2024)
c67
T:01899 830574 buchanandunlop@btinternet.com
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.

Directions: Signposted from the main A701 Edinburgh - Moffat Road, immediately north of Broughton village. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support: Borders General Hospital 60%
Beechwood

Beechwood

Broughton, Peeblesshire ML12 6HH
Susheila and James Gordon
5 June - 3 July (Wednesday only), 2pm - 5pm (2024)
267
T:07810 837068 or 01899 830443 susheilarachan@gmail.com
An informal sculptor's garden adjacent to a mature woodland and pond. A well-planted stream runs through the garden. There are varied perennial meadows to encourage wildlife and provide forage for the resident bees, it also features many examples of the owners' artworks which are inspired by the natural world.

Directions: Approximately one mile south of Broughton take the B712 off the A701. Then first left turn onto unmade road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: MND Scotland 60%
5 Knott

5 Knott

Clachamish, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9NZ
Brian and Joyce Heggie
7 June - 30 September (Monday, Friday & Sunday), 2pm - 5pm (2024)
6k
T:07495 442468 jbheggie@hotmail.co.uk
An informal, organic garden on a gently-sloping half-acre site. Perimeter hedging has enabled a sheltered and tranquil oasis to be created. Winding paths meander through the densely- planted borders filled with a diverse range of perennials, annuals and shrubs. There is also a vegetable area with raised beds and a large polytunnel. A developing wildflower meadow with sea loch views leads onto a sheltered bay and a shoreside walk to the headland. There are regular sightings of seals, otters, sea eagles and harbour porpoises. Garden seating in several locations. The garden is situated in an easily-reached, particularly quiet and scenic area of Skye. Featured on Beechgrove in 2023.

Directions: From Portree, take the A87 to Uig/Dunvegan. After approximately three miles, take the A850 towards Dunvegan. Six miles on, pass the Treaslane sign. Turn right on the bend at the signpost for Knott.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: The Way Forward Group 30% & Crossroads Care Skye & Lochalsh 30%
Gordonstoun

Gordonstoun

Duffus, near Elgin IV30 5RF
The Principal
Saturday 15 June, 2pm - 5pm (2024)
35d7
principalpa@gordonstoun.org.uk
Gordonstoun is famous for educating the Royal family, but its history dates much further back and was the 18th century Georgian home of the first Marquis of Huntly. The school gardens consist of formal herbaceous borders, an ornamental lake and an apple orchard. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the extensive school grounds including the unique 'Round Square' former farm building (now boarding house) which has an unusual echo and can stroll down the 'silent walk' to the 17th century kirk where former students including members of the Royal Family would have worshipped.

Directions: Entrance off B9012, four miles from Elgin at Duffus village. 

Admission: £8.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
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Mouse Cottage

Strathtay, Pitlochry PH9 0PG
Penny Kennedy
By arrangement between 1 January - 29 November (not Sunday) (2024)
3c4k9
T:07799 678067 mymousecottage@outlook.com
Mouse Cottage sits on a south facing hill overlooking Strathtay. Small but packed with interesting features, it is a semi-wild haven of secret places where self-seeders mix with annuals and more formal planting. The owner is an artist who adores her garden space and collects quirky planting containers such as dustbins and dolly tubs. Her Pear Parasol and Holly Brolly are amongst her favourite features. Gravel paths wind through shady places full of joyous surprises such as Crambe cordifolia.

Directions: From the A9 take the exit at Ballinluig signposted Aberfeldy. Go through Logierait, after about four miles turn right at T junction. At Grandtully turn right, over the bridge, up the hill to Strathtay Post Office. Turn right passing the golf course up to the red telephone box. Mouse Cottage is next opening on the left, signposted. Please beware of flying golf balls! NB: No parking at Mouse Cottage. On street parking possible at Strathtay. Bus 23 (Aberfeldy to Perth) stops at Grandtully Bridge.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries
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%
The Limes

The Limes

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XD
David and Carolyn McHale
By arrangement (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%
Kevock Garden

Kevock Garden

16 Kevock Road, Lasswade EH18 1HT
David and Stella Rankin
By arrangement between 1 January - 29 December (2024)
stella@kevockgarden.co.uk
This wonderful hillside garden has magnificent views over the North Esk Valley. Its steep slope creates a range of different habitats with a wide diversity of plants, ranging from those that love hot, sunny conditions to those that prefer the cool, damp places near the pond and woodland glades. Mature specimen trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and unusual shrubs are underplanted with many rare woodland plants. Lawns have been relaid, surrounding borders have been planted, and there is a new rock garden. Kevock Garden has featured in many magazine articles and gardening programmes.

Directions: Kevock Road lies to the south of the A678 Loanhead/Lasswade Road. Five minutes from the city bypass Lasswade Junction and on the 31 Lothian Bus route to Polton/Bonnyrigg Road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Fischy Music 60%
Ruthven House

Ruthven House

Coldstream TD12 4JU
Keith and Karen Fountain
By arrangement between 1 January - 13 September (2024)
67
T:01890 840680 ruthvenhouse@btconnect.com
The three acres of Ruthven’s garden have lovely views towards the Cheviots. The garden’s central feature is two ponds joined by a winding stream. The garden is composed of various differing areas - herbaceous borders, woodland areas, a gravel garden, a knot garden, rockeries, an orchard laid to meadow, a kitchen garden, a nuttery, a small lavender field, a shade bed to the back of the house and, adjacent to the house, a formal rose garden. Much of the work to create the garden from the original few small beds around the house has only been undertaken in the last few years, so the garden has not yet reached complete maturity. The small fold of Highland cattle, hopefully including a young calf, in the adjacent field complete the scene.

Directions: Four miles north of Coldstream on the old Duns road.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Scottish Association For Mental Health 60%
The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

Isle of Lismore, Oban, Argyll PA34 5UL
Eva Tombs
By arrangement between 1 January - 1 December (2024)
3c
T:07786 374931 eva.tombs@gmail.com
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.

Directions: Please telephone for directions. Approximately two miles from Port Appin ferry.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Laundry Cottage

Laundry Cottage

Culdrain, Gartly, Huntly AB54 4PY
Judith McPhun
By arrangement (2024)
b046
T:01466 720768 judithmcphun@icloud.com
An informal cottage-style garden of about one and a half acres by the River Bogie. Two contrasting steep slopes make up the wilder parts. The more intensively gardened area around the cottage includes a wide variety of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, an orchard area and fruit and vegetable plots, making a garden of year-round interest.

Directions: Four miles south of Huntly on the A97.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust 60%
Stockarton

Stockarton

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XS
Lt Col and Mrs Richard Cliff
By arrangement (2024)
67
T:01557 330430
This garden was started in 1995 by Carola Cliff, a keen and knowledgeable plantswoman, and contains a collection of unusual shrubs and small trees, which are growing well. Her aim has been to create different informal gardens around a Galloway farm house, leading down to a lochan. Above the lochan there is a sweet cottage, used for holiday retreats, with its own interesting garden. In 1996 a three-acre arboretum was planted as a shelter belt and it now contains some rare oak trees. 

Directions: On the B727 Kirkcudbright to Gelston Road. Kirkcudbright three miles, Castle Douglas seven miles. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Loch Arthur 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%
Ar Dachaigh

Ar Dachaigh

Redhill Farm, Allanfearn, Inverness IV2 7JA
Mrs Tina Ross
By arrangement (2024)
0c
T:07920 803410 tinaross463@hotmail.co.uk
Ar Dachaigh has stunning views towards Kessock Bridge, the Black Isle and the Great Glen. The sloping garden is very exposed but after erecting fences, planting trees and hedging, the garden is beginning to flourish. As well as the colourful beds and borders, there are two ponds, five decks, and a large collection of plants in pots.

Directions: Ar Dachaigh is to be found on a farm directly off the A96, 4.5 miles east of Inverness. From Inverness head east along the A96. Shortly after the turn off for Alturlie, there is a turn-off on the left with an old telephone box - this is the drive for Ar Dachaigh. From the east once you have passed the Balloch junction, the turn-off for the garden will be on your right-hand side at the old telephone box. PLEASE TAKE CARE as this is a busy stretch of the A96, and there are no filter lanes. After crossing the railway line Ar Dachaigh is ahead of you on the left.

Admission: by donation
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Amulree

Amulree

8 Mill Street, Drummore, Stranraer DG9 9PS
Colin Belton and Gabrielle Reynolds
By arrangement between Groups are welcome at other times by arrangement. (2024)
4a7
T:0789 909 2070 gabygardeners@btinternet.com
Amulree is home to two complete plantaholics who probably should start taking their own advice and stop collecting quite so many plants! Starting from a blank canvas in 2017 the garden now consists of a sunny terrace with displays of half-hardy and tender plants, exuberantly planted borders separated by serpentine grass patches, a small vegetable patch, a glasshouse and a 'wild' bit. Amulree contains many unusual plants including a National Plant Collection.
National Plant Collection: Nicotiana species

Directions: Follow the A716 signposted Drummore and Mull of Galloway. At the T-junction in Drummore turn right. Amulree is on the left, a few doors up from the shop. Bus route 407 from Stranraer.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Kirkmaiden Old Kirk 60%
Craichlaw

Craichlaw

Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart DG8 0DQ
Mr and Mrs Andrew Gladstone
By arrangement (2024)
b46
T:01671 830208 craichlaw@aol.com
Formal garden with herbaceous borders around the house. Set in extensive grounds with lawns, lochs and woodland. A path around the main loch leads to a water garden returning past a recently planted arboretum in the old walled garden. The best times to visit the garden are early February for snowdrops, May to mid-June for the water garden and rhododendrons, and mid-June to August for herbaceous borders.

Directions: Take the B733 for Kirkcowan, off the A75 at the Halfway House eight miles west of Newton Stewart and Craichlaw House is the first turning on the right. 

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

Delvine

Murthly PH1 4LD
Mr and Mrs David Gemmell
By arrangement between 2 January - 29 December (2024)
67
T:07748 207647 gemmell.david@googlemail.com
The gardens and arboretum at Delvine cover about 20 acres. The old gardens are on the Inchtuthil plateau, leading down to the more recent garden and arboretum which is situated on a flood plain, flanked by oxbow lakes on each side. This is the place to visit for those who seek a remote and peaceful setting. As one proceeds in a westerly direction, one departs from the traditional and enters an area of great drifts of chimonobambusa and miscanthus grasses with water and wildlife in abundance. The walking is easy. This garden will appeal to those seeking the unusual and also for those with an adventurous spirit.

Directions: On the A984, seven miles east of Dunkeld, four miles south-west of Blairgowrie.

Admission: by donation
Charities: ABF The Soldiers' Charity 60%
Harthill

Harthill

Reediehill Farm, Auchtermuchty KY14 7HS
Nichola and John Fletcher
By arrangement between 2 January - 31 October (2024)
6
T:01337 828369 info@nicholafletcher.com
Harthill enjoys a tranquil setting in the Ochil hills just above Auchtermuchty with beautiful views and, if you are lucky, sightings of the herd of stunning pure white deer who also live there. The garden, of approximately one acre, offers a large flower garden, vegetables and fruit, two separate wild gardens planted with specimen trees, a lochan and a small woodland. Spring-time treats (late May to early June) are our meconopsis and primula beds with woodland plants at their best. Summer offers herbaceous interest including a pergola dripping with roses and a large mound with grasses, thalictrum and many very large plants. Autumn colours are in the trees and shrubs, with grasses and cyclamen through to early winter.

Directions: Find 'Reediehill Deer Farm' on Google maps. Continue 50 metres up the drive then turn LEFT at HARTHILL sign. Continue over the cattle grid up the unsurfaced drive till you reach Harthilll house. Directions can be emailed.

Admission: by donation
Charities: TST 60%
Dawson's Garden

Dawson's Garden

The Old Post Office, Kilmany KY15 4PT
Liz Murray
By arrangement between 6 January - 22 December (2024)
45e9
T:07531571045 kilmanyartist@gmail.com
A small cottage garden, full of surprises. Developed from a bare rectangle of grass by the late artist Dawson Murray, it was designed to please the senses all year round with colour, form and scent. Stone paths edged with box meander out of sight past 13 apple trees and a plum tree; two varieties of fig; both a red and a green grape vine and roses chosen for scent. There are plenty of areas to sit and relax; by the pond, in a small grassy area through a rose and clematis arch, outside the studio facing the kitchen garden or up on the patio. All are accessible by wheelchair.
Champion Trees: Red Hazel

Directions: The Old Post Office is in the centre of the small hamlet of Kilmany, just off the A92, 8 miles from Dundee or 1.5 miles after Rathillet coming from the opposite direction. It can also be reached from Cupar via Foodieash.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Overcoming MS 50%
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%
Kings Grange House

Kings Grange House

Castle Douglas DG7 3EU
Christine and Peter Hickman
By arrangement between 1 February - 31 August (2024)
b6
T:07787 535889
An extensive garden surrounded by mature trees and shrubberies, with views to the south west over the surrounding countryside. Originally Victorian, the garden is being restored by the present owners with a colourful variety of herbaceous mixed borders, beds and rockeries. There are snowdrops in February and banks of daffodils and a carpet of white narcissus in the lawns and around the pergola in springtime.

Directions: Take the B794 north off the A75, two miles east of Castle Douglas. Kings Grange House is approximately one mile on the left. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie 30% & RNLI 30%
Brooklands

Brooklands

Crocketford DG2 8QH
Mr and Mrs Robert Herries
By arrangement between 1 February - 29 February & 1 May - 30 September (2024)
b67
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
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%
Duntreath Castle

Duntreath Castle

Blanefield G63 9AJ
Sir Archibald and Lady Edmonstone
By arrangement between 1 February - 30 September (2024)
b5d7
T:01360 770215 juliet@edmonstone.com
Extensive gardens with mature and new plantings. Ornamental landscaped lake and bog garden. Sweeping lawns below formal fountain and rose parterre with an herbaceous border leading up to an attractive waterfall garden. Swathes of yellow daffodils and other colourful spring bulbs together with rhododendrons and many other ornamental shrubs surround the formal lawns. There is also a woodland walk. The garden has horticultural interest throughout the year and enjoys superb autumn colours.

Directions: A81 north of Glasgow between Blanefield and Killearn. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
The Pond Garden

The Pond Garden

Pond Cottage, Middleton, Milnathort KY13 0SD
Fay Young & Ray Perman
By arrangement between 1 February - 31 December (2024)
67
T:07767 407396 fay@fayyoung.org
A wild woodland and wetland garden creatively adapting to challenges of climate change. We learn from resilient plants and thriving communities of birds, bats, bees, butterflies, red squirrels, swans and other wildlife. Woodland paths lead through seasonal highlights: snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells, foxgloves and ferns. Grand old beeches and oaks mark boundaries of former Victorian estate. Since mid 1990s we have rebuilt and recently retrofitted derelict farm cottage with external insulation and renewable energy. New plantings of native trees add spring and autumn colour. There are stone and willow features to discover and benches to rest by the pond.

Directions: From Milnathort village. At the mini roundabout in the centre of the village take the north exit (signed for Path of Condie) up Wester Loan, then North Street. At the top of the hill, past the church on your left, you will cross the motorway again. Carry straight on for 1/2 mile, the gate to Pond Cottage is on the right after a field opening.

Admission: £5.50, children free
Charities: CHAS: Children's Hospices Across Scotland 60%
Kirkton Manor House

Kirkton Manor House

Peebles EH45 9JH
Mrs Rosemary Thorburn
By arrangement between 14 February - 10 July (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
Anwoth Old Schoolhouse

Anwoth Old Schoolhouse

Anwoth, Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2EF
Mr and Mrs Pepper
By arrangement between 15 February - 15 November (2024)
7
T:01557 814444 lesley.pepper@btinternet.com
Two acres of delightful cottage-style gardens behind the old schoolhouse and cottage in a picturesque setting opposite Anwoth Old Church (in ruins) and graveyard. Much of the garden provides an excellent habitat for wildlife, with winding paths alongside a burn, informally planted with unusual woodland perennials and shrubs. Wildlife pond, fish pond, rock garden, vegetable garden, wildflower area and viewpoint. 

Directions: Driving west on the A75, take the Anwoth turn off about half a mile after Gatehouse of Fleet. Anwoth Church is about half a mile along the road and Anwoth Old Schoolhouse is a little further along, opposite Anwoth Old Church (in ruins). 

Admission: by donation
Charities: Dogs for Good 60%
Tal-y-Fan

Tal-y-Fan

Laurieston Road, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire DG7 2BE
Janet & Sarah Wood
By arrangement between 1 March - 31 October (2024)
9
T:01557 815287 woodhill2uk@yahoo.co.uk
An over mature one acre plot is being developed into a many faceted garden with a varied mix of interesting plants. The Secret Path leads to Acer Valley and the Won-Kei Parterre, overlooked by the Loch Corbie Monster. A narrow log-lined way leads to West Wood, from where you follow the Burnside Path by the Flame Tree Forest and through the bamboo arch to Dry Wood to find Wood's Henge. Then up through Bluebell Wood to the top of The Rock, where Big Red, the giant squirrel resides, with views across the Fleet Valley. Back down and cross the lawns below the pond before heading up the granite path to the greenhouse, polytunnel, compost bins and the car park, with its collection of pots and troughs. Visit the front lawn and its well-stocked beds on your way out. Light refreshments may be available by arrangement.

Directions: Take the Laurieston Road north from Gatehouse of Fleet. After 1 mile fork right and then right at postcode sign. Turn left at top of slope. Tal-y-Fan (red roof) is at the very end.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Chaplains' Court

Chaplains' Court

20 The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 1RQ
Irene Wischik
By arrangement between 1 March - 30 September (2024)
0c467
T:01224 491675 irene@wischik.com
This historic walled garden has a long, well-stocked herbaceous border offering a succession of vivid colour from early spring to winter. It is divided by an ornamental pergola, a perfect place to sit and enjoy the garden. Large trees of ash, beech, horse chestnut, oak and sycamore give this garden a mature feel. A specimen Camperdown elm sits in the centre of the lawn, which in spring is covered in a carpet of crocuses, snowdrops and Scilla. Vegetables and herbs produce plentiful crops, together with newly planted espalier and fan-trained apple and pear trees.

Directions: Bus 1 or 2 from Aberdeen city centre to St Machar Drive, and head towards St Machar Cathedral. Or drive down St Machar Drive, turn into The Chanonry and drive down until the junction with Don Street.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: SSAFA Forces Help 60%
Luckie Harg's

Luckie Harg's

Anwoth, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2EF
Drs Carole and Ian Bainbridge
By arrangement between 1 March - 30 September (2024)
467
T:01557 814141 luckiehargs@btinternet.com
A new and developing garden on the outskirts of Gatehouse of Fleet. A rock and spring herbaceous garden of around an acre, with a wide range of alpines, Himalayan and New Zealand plants, shrubs and small trees. There is a rock garden, modern crevice gardens, troughs, a large alpine house and bulb frame. New boulder, scree and stumpery beds, a pond and a woodland area are being developed. Small productive vegetable and fruit garden, plus a bluebell bank in May.

Directions: From Gatehouse High Street, turn north onto Station Road, immediately west at the Fleet Bridge by The Ship Inn. After almost one mile turn left signed to Anwoth Old Church. Luckie Harg’s is the first on the right after 400 yards. The nearest bus stop is on Gatehouse High Street, walk about 15 minutes to Luckie Harg’s.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Scottish Rock Garden Club 60%
3 Millhall

3 Millhall

Shore Road, Kirkcudbright DG6 4TQ
Mr Alan Shamash
By arrangement between 1 March - 31 October (2024)
7
T:01557 870352 shamash@freeuk.com
Impressive five-acre garden with a large collection of mature shrubs, including over 200 rhododendron species, many camellias, perennials, over 300 hydrangeas and many 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. 

Directions: On the B727 between Kirkcudbright and Borgue on the west shore of the Dee Estuary. Parking at Dhoon Beach public car park, about three miles south of Kirkcudbright. There is a five-minute walk to the house. Please note there will be no vehicular access to 3 Millhall and all visitors should park at Dhoon Beach and walk up to the property.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Kirkcudbright Hospital League Of Friends 30% & Alzheimer's Research UK 30%
The Steading at Clunie

The Steading at Clunie

The Steading PH10 6SG
Jean and Dave Trudgill
By arrangement between 26 March - 7 July (2024)
67
T:01250 884263 davetrudgill@googlemail.com
The Steading at Newmill is on the north bank of the Lunan Burn midway between Lochs Clunie and Marlee. There are paths that extend for 800yds along the Lunan, a small, colourful cottage garden with a fish pond, and 6 acres of woodland, ponds and a wildflower meadow. There are banks of wild daffodils that are at their best in early April. By early May there are primroses, carpets of cuckoo flower, wood anemones, and cowslips in the meadow. Mid-May sees some of the banks covered with bluebells. In the meadow there are 14 species of wild orchids that come into flower from mid-May until early July. A video of Newmill, lasting 8 minutes, can be seen by going to Youtube and searching for ‘Newmill: creating and managing an orchid meadow’

Directions: Three miles west of Blairgowrie on the A923. About 600 metres west of the Kinloch Hotel take the track on the left, just after a mobile phone mast and a breeze-block wall.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Save the Children UK 60%
The Carriage House

The Carriage House

Blair Estate, Dalry KA24 4ER
Mr and Mrs Luke Borwick
By arrangement between 29 March - 31 October (2024)
57
T:07831 301294 lina@blairtrust.co.uk
Set within the glorious historic Blair Polices dating back to the 1500s, at the Carriage House, the Borwicks have planted a beautiful new Arboretum. This continues to build on the vision of past generations of Blairs of creating a sanctuary of rare species trees. Over the past three years a collection of over 160 trees and shrubs has transformed a 10-acre field into a peaceful refuge with year-round variety and colour. Mown paths wend their way around providing different vistas and points of interest including the mermaids rescuing a girl carved by a local artist from the stump of a Portuguese Laurel. Look out for the 24-year old Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) grown from seed here at Blair, an avenue of eight different lime trees which earned a Queen's Green Canopy Award, a Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Golden Dawn' and many other rare trees. To sit on one of the benches created from our own wood and enjoy the energies of the Arboretum is a special experience. The Carriage House garden, created from a field over the past 20 years and planted with many varieties of roses and mature shrubs, is also available for a wander. You are welcome to bring a picnic and we welcome garden societies and walking groups.

Directions: A737 from Beith. At the roundabout before Dalry take the first left signposted Stewarton. Then go straight on, signposted Bike Route Irvine. Keep going for approximately two miles and keep the estate wall on the right until you come to South Lodge (white building). Turn right down the drive for Blair Estate - The Carriage House is on the right. Public transport to Dalry. Follow SatNav KA24 4ER and enter Blair Estate through the South Lodge.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The National Trust for Scotland 60%
Thirlestane

Thirlestane

Kelso TD5 8PD
Catherine Ross and John Wylie
By arrangement between 31 March - 31 October (2024)
67
T:01573 420487
Thirlestane is a large informal garden. There is a walled garden with colour-themed borders and an orchard with many old varieties of fruit trees. In front of the house prairie planting is surrounded by high beech hedges. The young nine-acre wood has trees and shrubs selected for autumn colour and for decorative bark and fruit. These include Persian Ironwood, Golden Rain Tree, Scarlet Oak, Monarch Birch, Himalayan Birch, Tibetan Cherry, Chinese Hawthorn and various maples.

Directions: Thirlestane is near Yetholm, not to be confused with Thirlestane, Lauder. Do not follow SatNav, it will try to take you to Lochside. From Kelso, take the B6352 towards Yetholm for about six miles. Continue past a cottage on the edge of the road. Thirlestane is next on the left, opposite the road to Lochside. From Yetholm, take the road to Kelso for about two miles. After a very sharp corner, Thirlestane is on the right. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 60%
Hollytree Lodge

Hollytree Lodge

Muckhart, Dollar FK14 7JW
Liz and Peter Wyatt
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2024)
0857
T:07973 374687 elizwyatt@aol.com
A tranquil one-acre garden in the centre of the village. The garden is divided by internal hedges into different areas. Highlights include a small Japanese garden, mini orchard, naturalised spring bulbs and wildflowers, mixed herbaceous borders, rill and a wildlife pond. We have an interesting collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. A variety of other unusual trees and shrubs including various acers, giving wonderful autumn colours, a handkerchief tree, eucalyptus snow gum, and a Parrotia Persica (Persian ironwood) amongst others. We garden organically, aiming to keep the garden as pollinator friendly as possible, by working with nature, complementing our beekeeping interests.

Directions: Approximately 100 yards from the A91 (between Dollar and Milnathort) down the small lane directly opposite the entrance to the Inn at Muckhart.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund 60%
Savat

Savat

Meikle Richorn, Dalbeattie DG5 4QT
George Thomas
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (not Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) (2024)
67
T:01556 612863 Mob. 07866 392150 georgethomas6@icloud.com
A generally informal garden of about two-thirds of an acre with mature trees, exposed Dalbeattie granite and winding paths. The garden houses a unique summerhouse, artist Sue Thomas’s studio and a greenhouse. Planting caters for sun to shade and dry to very moist, with shrubs – including rhododendrons, herbaceous and minimal summer bedding with an eye to keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum! There is a paved area around the house in which there are two water features, and may display potted plants.

Directions: Leave Dalbeattie along the A710 south towards Kippford. After about 1.7 miles pass Gorsebank on the left and 200 yards further on turn right into a large lay-by. Enter the lane marked with cul de sac signs and proceed straight ahead along the paved road for about 500 yards. Limited parking is available at the property entrance. Savat is the sixth house on the left.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Ruthven Cottage Hardy Plant Nursery

Ruthven Cottage Hardy Plant Nursery

Delnies, Nairn IV12 5NT
Mari and Kevin Reid
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
c59
T:07874 779705 kevin.mari@gmail.com
The garden has exciting interest all year round. It features several large colourful herbaceous borders and many of the plants are sold at the nursery. The naturalistic style of planting with grasses and perennials looks good from late spring to late summer. There is also a pond, greenhouse and chickens.

Directions: From Inverness take the A96 to Nairn, Ruthven Cottage is on your left just before the Sandown Road Crossroads. From Nairn the entrance is on your right off the A96. Ruthven Cottage is at the end of the lane.

Admission: by donation
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Kirkmuir Cottage

Kirkmuir Cottage

Stewarton KA3 3DZ
Mr and Mrs Brian Macpherson
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 August (2024)
7
dhmmacp@gmail.com
This garden was created in 1997 from a small field and includes a large pond which was originally a small quarry. It covers approximately one-and-a-half-acres of mature garden and, using hedging and shrubbery the garden is split into garden 'rooms' including woodland, formal borders, laburnum arch, herbaceous borders, rhododendrons and azaleas. Large lawn area and wildlife pond. The garden also features many interesting and unusual artefacts and sculptures.

Directions: From the M77 take the B778 to Stewarton. At the traffic lights, turn left and continue to the mini-roundabout. Turn right towards the B778 Kilwinning. Continue for 100 yards under the railway bridge, take an immediate left at the war memorial and continue along Kilwinning, head until you reach the countryside. Kirkmuir is the first farm road on the right hand side. The cottage and garden is on the left at the end of the farm road. Please follow these directions not SatNav.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Capability Scotland 60%
16 Mulla

16 Mulla

Voe, Shetland ZE2 9XQ
Linda Richardson
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
4
T:07765 037516 linda@lindarichardson.co.uk
A garden on the Clubb of Mulla, a hillside overlooking Olnafirth with views of the sea and Lower Voe. Started in October 2016, the steep overgrown plot looked like a continuation of the moor at the back of the house. This garden shows what can be achieved in a very windy and exposed situation, battling against the extremes of the Shetland weather. Gardening with wildlife in mind, trees were planted in the spring of 2017, now providing shelter for birds. Six years on, there are herbaceous borders, rockery, a vegetable bed, 3.6 x 2.4 metre greenhouse, mini wildflower meadow strips and a natural water feature which is a long drainage ditch planted up with willows and water-loving plants. Always a work in progress, more trees will be added this year. The owner is an artist-printmaker with an open studio that folk are welcome to look round too.

Directions: Eighteen miles north of Lerwick on the A970 is Voe. Pass the North Isles junction and Tagon Stores on your right. Turn right into Mulla and number 16 is up the hill on your left. Bus no. 21 (Hillswick) and 23 (Toft) stop on the main road at the bottom of Mulla.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Shetland UHI: Shetland Community Wildlife Group 60%
Hunter's Tryst

Hunter's Tryst

95 Oxgangs Road, Edinburgh EH10 7BA
Jean Knox
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
2c4
T:07708 653584 jean.knox@blueyonder.co.uk
Well-stocked and beautifully designed, mature, medium-sized town garden comprising herbaceous and shrub beds, lawn, fruit and some vegetables, water features, seating areas, trees and an example of cloud pruning. This is a wildlife-friendly garden that has been transformed from a wilderness 40 years ago and continues to evolve. In 2017 two raised beds were added to the front garden. This hidden treasure of a garden was featured on Beechgrove in June 2015 and on The Instant Gardener in June 2016.

Directions: From Fairmilehead crossroads head down Oxgangs Road to Hunter’s Tryst roundabout and it's the last house on the left. Buses 4, 5, 27, 400. The bus stop is at Hunter’s Tryst and the garden is opposite.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Lothian Cat Rescue 30% & St.Columba’s Hospice Care 30%
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%
Kilsyth Gardens

Kilsyth Gardens

Allanfauld Road G65 9DE
Mr George Murdoch, Mr and Mrs Alan Patrick
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 August (2024)
2c8467
T:07743 110908 alan.patrick3@googlemail.com
Aeolia Allanfauld Road, Kilsyth G65 9DE (Mr George Murdoch): A third-of-an-acre woodland garden developed since 1960 and designed to have something in flower every month of the year. The garden contains a large variety of mature specimen trees and shrubs, maples, primulas, hardy geraniums and herbaceous plants. Spring bulbs provide early colour and lilies and dahlias provide late season interest. There are a couple of small ponds for wildlife, two greenhouses and a fruit production area. The owner is a member of the Scottish Rhododendron Society and has a collection of over 100 specimens, some grown from seed. Areas of the garden are often under development to provide something new to see and provide material for the extensive plant sale, which is all home grown. 
Blackmill Allanfauld Road, Kilsyth G65 9DE (Mr and Mrs A Patrick): Across the road from Aeolia is Blackmill through which the Garrel Burn flows. The garden includes the magnificent seven-metre waterfall with its ever-changing moods throughout the year. On one side of the property, on the site of an old water-powered sickle mill, is an acre of mature specimen trees, rhododendrons and shrubs with an ornamental pond and a rock pool built into the remains of the mill building. Across the burn there is a further two acres of woodland glen with paths along the waterside offering glimpses of the many cascading waterfalls. A large area of wildflowers has been newly introduced alongside the burn. A micro-hydro scheme is on view, along with many different examples of dry stone walls. Visitors remark on the sense of tranquillity and peace they experience in the garden and appreciate the works of art created from repurposed stone and salvaged material.

Directions: Turn off the A803 into Parkburn Road up to the crossroads (parking attendant will advise on parking). The 89 bus Glasgow - Kilsyth has a stop at the crossroads a couple of minutes walk to the gardens. The nearest station is Croy, then take the bus 147 or 344 to Kilsyth. 

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Strathcarron Hospice 60%
Bonhard House

Bonhard House

Perth PH2 7PQ
Stephen and Charlotte Hay
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2024)
67
T:07990 574570 stephenjohnhay@me.com
Traditional 19th-century garden of five acres approached through an avenue of magnificent oaks. Mature trees, six classified by the National Tree Register as 'remarkable', including a monkey puzzle, sequoias, Douglas fir and a variety of hollies. Reinstated and new herbaceous borders. Rhododendron and azalea beds. Recently planted spring and summer flowering meadow areas with a variety of fruit and nut trees. Beehive and a productive vegetable garden. A new larch arbour with climbing roses and clematis. Grass paths meander through a pond area with shrubs and mature trees. A pinetum with 25 different varieties. Garden emphasis on wildlife habitat as well as aesthetics. Resident red squirrels. Plentiful and varied birdlife.

Directions: On the A94 just under a mile north of Perth take the right turn, signed Murrayshall Country Estate. After approximately one mile take the entrance right marked Bonhard House, at a sharp left turn. From Balbeggie turn left, signposted for Bonhard, one mile north of Scone. Turn right in a half-a-mile, pass any sign for Bonhard Nursery, and enter the drive at sharp right turn.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Freedom from Fistula Foundation 60%
Burnside

Burnside

Littlemill Road, Drongan KA6 7EN
Sue Simpson and George Watt
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
067
T:01292 592445 suesimpson33@btinternet.com
This maturing and constantly changing six-and-a-half acre garden began in 2006. There is a wide range of plants from trees to alpines, giving colour and variability all year. Next to the road flows the Drumbowie Burn, parallel to which is a woodland border with snowdrops, erythroniums, hellebores, trilliums, rhododendrons and acers. Near the house are a raised bed and large collection of troughs, with an interesting range of alpines. The garden boasts herbaceous beds, ericaceous garden, screes, three alpine glasshouses with award-winning plants, an extensive Streptocarpus collection, polytunnel, pond and arboretum - underplanted with daffodils, camassia, fritillaries and crocus. With a view towards matrimonial harmony, there are two sheds which may be of interest. The garden is only 15 minutes from Dumfries House.

Directions: From the A77 Ayr bypass take the A70 Cumnock for 5¼ miles, at Coalhall, turn onto the B730 Drongan (south) for 2½ miles. Burnside entrance is immediately adjacent to a black/white parapeted bridge. Ordnance survey grid ref: NS455162.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer's Research UK 60%
Berandhu

Berandhu

Appin, Argyll PA38 4DD
John and Fiona Landale
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2024)
T:01631 730585 mobile 07900 377414 johnllandale@gmail.com
A sheltered one-and-a-half acre coastal garden in a scenic setting offering fabulous views over Loch Laich to Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker and the Morvern hills beyond. Craggy limestone abounds on the undulating site, some of which forms natural rockeries. Native trees mix with introduced firs and conifers. A variety of rhododendrons and azaleas provide spring and early summer colour. A mix of limestone overlaid with peat gives an unusual mix of wild flowers. This well-tended garden also has lovely wild areas of bog garden and woodland.

Directions: In Appin turn off the A828 Connel to Ballachulish road at Gunn's Garage signposted for Port Appin. After one mile when the road turns uphill, it's the first entrance on the right, half way up the hill.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & The Appin Village Hall 30%
Glenrinnes Lodge

Glenrinnes Lodge

Dufftown, Keith, Banffshire AB55 4BS
Mrs Kathleen Locke
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
267
T:01340 820384/073939 28049
The garden and policies surrounding Glenrinnes Lodge are typical of a Victorian lodge. They are full of exciting colourful borders. Newly-developed areas are now beginning to establish and give year-round seasonal interest in the kitchen garden and glasshouse, the secret garden, labyrinth and bog garden. There are also woodland walks and a flight pond and meadow. If you are lucky, you may spot our red squirrel, otter and pine marten. All caught on woodland trail camera.

Directions: In the centre of Dufftown at the Clock Tower take the B9009 road to Tomintoul for about one mile. After passing Dufftown Golf Club on your right there is a lane to the left, which leads to two stone pillars to Glenrinnes Lodge.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer's Research UK 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%
South Flisk

South Flisk

Blebo Craigs, Cupar KY15 5UQ
Mr and Mrs George Young
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 June (2024)
2c46
T:01334 850859 southfliskgarden@gmail.com
The spectacular views to Perthshire and Angus, and the large flooded quarry full of fish (and occasional otter) and planted with impressive marginals, make this garden very special. Flights of old stone steps, cliffs, boulders, exotic ferns and mature trees form a backdrop for carpets of primroses, bluebells, spring bulbs and woodland plants like trilliums, camassia, meconopsis and colourful primulas, with rhododendrons in flower from March until July. In front of the house is a charming, mature walled garden with traditional cottage-garden planting. Next to the house is the St Andrews Pottery where George will be demonstrating his pottery skills for those who need a break from the garden! A new water garden with a stream running through it was created in 2023.

Directions: Six miles west of St Andrews off B939 between Strathkinness and Pitscottie. There is a small stone bus shelter opposite the road into the village and sign saying Blebo Craigs. See map on our website. Bus to Blebo Craigs.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%
46 South Street

46 South Street

St Andrews KY16 9JT
Mrs June Baxter
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 July (2024)
467
T:01334 474995 ejbaxter986@gmail.com
Renowned town garden in medieval long rig, with orchard underplanted with wildflowers and bulbs, and many unusual flowering shrubs. Roses and other climbers clothe the surrounding high walls. Shrub roses planted in a delightful central parterre fill the air with scent. An historic and unique feature in St Andrews, but also a wonderfully planted space where different styles of planting complement the range of plants used. Historic doocot.

Directions: Access and parking information on request.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Friends of Craigtoun 60%
Rosewells

Rosewells

Baldinnie, Ceres KY15 5LE
Birgitta and Gordon MacDonald
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
67
g.macdonald54@hotmail.co.uk
Rosewells, designed by the garden owners, has developed over the last 25 years. It started as a one-and-a-half acre, overgrown paddock. The design is based on the texture and foliage of trees and shrubs to create year-round interest. In spring and summer, colour and scent become increasingly important. In spring, highlights are around 55 magnolias and rhododendrons, many of which are chosen for their foliage. Other highlights include flowering cornus, trillium, fritillaries, erythroniums, peonies, roses, ferns and acers. There have been a number of developments in recent years. More winding paths have been developed creating wildlife friendly areas. There is a new lavender walk which leads to a covered seating area at the bottom of the garden.

Directions: B940 between Pitscottie and Peat Inn, one mile from Pitscottie. Rosewells is the ochre-coloured house.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Save the Children UK 60%
Berryfield House

Berryfield House

Lentran, Inverness IV3 8RJ
Lynda Perch-Nielsen
By arrangement between 1 April - 31 July (2024)
6
T:01463 831346 M: 07547 960341 lyndazpn@gmail.com
An open garden of trees and bushes with views across the Beauly Firth to Ben Wyvis. There are large swathes of bulbs: crocus, dogtooth violets and heritage daffodils. A three-acre wildflower meadow with meandering paths adjoins the garden.

Directions: Halfway between Inverness and Beauly on the A862. From Inverness, four-and-a-quarter miles on the left from crossing over the Clachnaharry railway bridge. From Beauly, one-and-a-quarter miles on the right from The Old North Inn.

Admission: by donation
Charities: Action Medical Research 60%
Kirklands

Kirklands

Saline KY12 9TS
Peter and Gill Hart
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
2c8467
T:07787 115477 peter@kirklandsgarden.co.uk
Kirklands, built in 1832, has been the Hart family home for 46 years. Over the years we have created a garden. The walled garden was reinstated from a paddock including terracing and raised beds. In 2023 we introduced two bee hives. Unfortunately, our box hedges in the walled garden and elsewhere are being removed due to box blight, but it gives us the opportunity to make some changes! The woodland garden starts in February with snowdrops then bluebells, hellebores, trilliums, fritillaries, rhododendrons, meconopsis and candelabra primulas. The rockery displays dwarf rhododendrons and azaleas. The herbaceous borders reach their peak in the summer. Down by the Saline Burn, the bog garden is home to a giant Gunnera manicata. Over the red or blue bridge there are 20 acres of naturally regenerating woodland with a pathway by the stream. To keep the grandchildren occupied, Peter built a tree house, climbing frame and rope swing, though we hope they will take an interest in gardening too!

Directions: Junction 4, M90, then B914. Parking in the centre of the village, then a short walk to the garden. Limited disabled parking at Kirklands.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
The Tower

The Tower

1 Northview Terrace, Wormit DD6 8PP
Peter and Angela Davey
By arrangement between 1 April - 1 October (2024)
4
T:01382 541635 M: 07768 406946 adavey541@btinternet.com
Situated four miles south of Dundee, this one-acre Edwardian landscaped garden has panoramic views over the River Tay. Set on a hill, a series of paths meander around ponds and a small stream, rockeries featuring hellebores and low-level planting, a curved lawn and larger borders. Original woodland paths lead to a granite grotto with a waterfall pool. At the rear of the house the vegetable garden features raised beds made from granite sets. The garden is colourful throughout the summer, with many architectural plants accentuating the clever hard landscape design.

Directions: From B946 park on Naughton Road outside Spar shop and walk up path on left following signs.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Brain Tumour Research 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%
Fernlea Garden

Fernlea Garden

Corvisel Road, Newton Stewart DG8 6LW
Mrs Jenny Gustafson
By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2024)
2c6
T:07909 951 885/ 01671 638273 jennygustafson2@hotmail.com
A secluded town garden of a third-of-an-acre, it was created in 2006 to complement a new house. There are many rare and unusual trees and shrubs. Two herbaceous borders, one with hot colours and the other pastels. A Chinese-inspired corner, small pond, fruit trees including a Galloway pippin apple and soft fruit. The upper part of the garden is hidden behind a tall beech hedge, where there is a summer house and adjacent woodland planting. 

Directions: Turn right at the roundabout on the A75 if coming from Dumfries direction. Go left at the cattle market (opposite the Crown Hotel) and it is the first through road on the right. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: GDI: Red Squirrels 60%
Broomhill Villa

Broomhill Villa

4 Edinburgh Road, Greenlaw TD10 6XF
Tatyana Aplin
By arrangement between small groups are welcome (2024)
67
T:07957 288557 aplin848@btinternet.com
Broomhill garden is on the northern side of Greenlaw comprising half-an-acre of spring colour nestled between village and farmland. The garden is maintained by a passionate plant collector featuring narcissus, tulips, meconopses and hundreds of other flowers. The collection has been developed along informal lines with treats at every turn. A radiant display of blooms that changes through the year is intended not only for the visual pleasure of the garden but also for the house with cut flower arrangements as well as produce for the table and larder.

Directions: On the A697 at the northern end of Greenlaw Village.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%
Stobshiel House

Stobshiel House

Humbie EH36 5PD
Mr Maxwell and Lady Sarah Ward
By arrangement between 3 April - 25 September (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%
Craigowan

Craigowan

Ballinluig PH9 0NE
Ian and Christine Jones
By arrangement between 7 April - 31 July (2024)
67
T:01796 482244 i.q.jones@btinternet.com
This is a specialist garden with a major collection of rhododendrons put together over the last 40 years; initially, mainly species from Glendoick following the plant hunting and discoveries of Peter Cox and the late Sir Peter Hutchison and others. In the last 20 years there have been added noteworthy hybrids sourced from Glendoick and the major English nurseries. Each year further additions are made and earlier introductions which have outgrown their original or secondary planting spot are moved to new locations. With growth rates tending to increase, this is a major exercise but the result is a constantly changing garden and more plants are developing into a spectacular presentation. Other plant types include magnolias, ornamental acers and a collection of unusual trees. There are areas of more formal beds where there is a large collection of meconopsis, lilies including cardiocrinum with roughly a hundred flowering each year. The rhododendron flowering period lasts from January to August but the best months are April, May and June. There is adjoining woodland which is being replanted with trees free of disease risk and with the larger rhododendrons which have outgrown the more formal areas. In June and July two large herbaceous borders give summer colour and interest.

Directions: From the north or south of the A9 to Ballinluig junction. Follow sign for Tulliemet and Dalcapon. Pass the filling station and Ballinluig Hotel. Turn right following the Tulliemet/Dalcapon sign; this is a steep narrow road so take care. About half-a-mile up the road take a left turning with fields on either side and Craigowan is the first house on the left about half-a-mile along. Park on paviours adjoining the house.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: LUPUS UK 60%
Auldbyres Farm Garden

Auldbyres Farm Garden

Coylton KA6 6HG
Marshall and Sue Veitch
By arrangement between 13 April - 2 September (2024)
67
su.pavet@btinternet.com
Surrounded by a working farm, this compact, established garden has mature shrubs, wildlife pond, bog garden and stream, borrowing stunning countryside views towards Ayr and Arran. Well-behaved spring borders give way to a riot of summer perennial favourites. Many 'found objects' of agricultural interest. Extensive containers brighten the farmyard with seasonal displays.

Directions: In Coylton take the road signposted B742, past Coylton Arms Pub in Low Coylton, Auldbyres is signposted on the left after ½ mile. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre 60%
A Blackbird Sings

A Blackbird Sings

20 Kings Park, Longniddry EH32 0QL
Graham and Maxine Pettigrew
By arrangement between 15 April - 17 September (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%
Kames Bay

Kames Bay

Kilmelford PA34 4XA
Stuart Cannon
By arrangement between 16 April - 16 June (2024)
c7
T:07770 817877 kamesbay@talk21.com
Kames Bay garden has evolved from two acres of scrub and bracken on an exposed lochside hill into a natural, almost wild garden spread over 13 acres, which blends into the contours of the coastal landscape. A garden where visitors can wander at peace on the woodland walk, or the hillside walk edged with wild primroses and violets, or around the pond edged with hydrangeas. Relax on hidden benches to enjoy the magnificent views over Loch Melfort and the islands to the west. An enchanting garden full of vibrant colours, especially in the spring, with more than 100 varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons.

Directions: On the A816 Oban to Lochgilphead road. Opposite Kames Bay and the fish farm. Two-and-a-half miles south of Kilmelford and two-and-a-half miles north of Arduaine.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Netherlorn (Church of Scotland): Kilmelford Church New Annexe 60%
10 Menzieshill Road

10 Menzieshill Road

Dundee DD2 1PW
Frances Tait
By arrangement between by arrangement from 20 April - 5 May, 2 - 5pm and from 6 May - 2 June, 2 - 5pm and 7 - 9pm. All visitors welcome including groups of up to to 15 people. Please phone 01382 665719 to arrange a visit. (2024)
04
T:01382 665719
On a sloping site facing the river, No 10 is home to one of the nine wells in this part of the west end of Dundee. At one time, the well provided drinking water for a nearby farmhouse and two cottages. It was also the first and last water available to carriers' horses on their way to and from Dundee. Now it feeds rhododendrons and camellias, many of which came from the Rothschilds' garden at Exbury, Hampshire. Of particular interest are magnolia 'Manchu Fan' and rhododendrons 'Loderic King George' and 'Lady Chamberlain'. More recently, an area near the well has been given over to bulbs and small herbaceous plants, various irises and primulas.

Directions: Turn off A85/Riverside Ave at the roundabout towards Dundee Botanic Garden. Pass the Botanic Garden to where it joins Perth Road. Turn left then 1st right onto Invergowrie Drive and 1st left onto Menzieshill Road. Bus 5 takes you to the foot of Glamis Road; Buses 5A and 19 to Hazel Drive. Walk west along Perth Road until you come to Invergowrie Drive.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%
Willowhill

Willowhill

Forgan, Newport-on-Tay DD6 8RA
Eric Wright and Sally Lorimore
By arrangement between 27 April - 31 August (2024)
6
T:01382 542890 e.g.wright@dundee.ac.uk
An evolving three-acre garden. The house is surrounded by a series of mixed borders designed with different vibrant colour combinations for effect in all seasons. Spectacular mix of roses, herbaceous perennials and annuals planted through the wide borders are a highlight in mid to late summer. A new ‘no dig’ 160-foot border in shades of white, blue, purple and pale yellow was created in 2019/2020. The most recent addition to the garden is another ‘no dig’ border in shades of peach, burgundy, yellow, chocolate and acid yellow. Come and see! April and May for late spring bulbs and flowers; June and July for roses and high summer colour; August for late summer colour.
The plant stall includes a lovely selection from the garden. Visitors are welcome to bring their own refreshments and picnic in the garden. A season ticket for all these dates, and by arrangement, is £20 plus p&p and admits the ticket holder plus guest. It comes with a limited edition of the Willowhill Garden Guide: 35 pages of beautiful photographs with descriptions of key garden features and plantings. A season ticket with booklet is a perfect gift for garden lovers for a birthday or at Christmas and do treat yourself too! Season tickets are available online at tinyurl.com/4srm6rux or by post (cheque for £23 payable to Scotland’s Garden Scheme) from S. Lorimore, Willowhill, Forgan, Newport-on-Tay, Fife DD6 8RA.

Directions: One-and-a-half miles south of Tay Road Bridge. Take the B995 to Newport off the Forgan roundabout. Willowhill is the first house on the left-hand side next to West Friarton Farm Strawberry Shed.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Rio Community Centre: Newport-on-Tay 50%
The Waterhouse Gardens at Stockarton

The Waterhouse Gardens at Stockarton

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XS
Martin Gould & Sharon O'Rourke
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
7
T:01557 331266 waterhousekbt@aol.com
One acre of densely planted, terraced, cottage-style gardens attached to a Galloway cottage. Three ponds surround the oak-framed eco-polehouse, The Waterhouse. Climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckles are a big feature as well as a pond-side walk. There are over 50 photos on their website. Featured on The Beechgrove Garden in 2007.

Directions: On the B727 Kirkcudbright to Gelston/Dalbeattie road. Kirkcudbright is three miles and Castle Douglas is seven miles.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Loch Arthur 60%
Lennel Bank

Lennel Bank

Coldstream TD12 4EX
Mrs Honor Brown
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
37
T:01890 882297 honor.b.brown@gmail.com
Lennel Bank is a terraced garden overlooking the River Tweed, consisting of wide borders packed with shrubs and perennial planting, some unusual. The water garden, built in 2008, is surrounded by a rockery and utilises the slope, ending in a pond. There is a small kitchen garden with raised beds in unusual shapes. Different growing conditions throughout the garden from dry, wet, shady and sunny, lend themselves to a variety of plants and enhance interest in the garden. 

Directions: On the A6112 Coldstream to Duns road, one mile from Coldstream. 

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

Glenbervie House

Drumlithie, Stonehaven AB39 3YA
Mr and Mrs A Macphie
By arrangement between Open by arrangement from 1 May - 15 September. (2024)
6
The nucleus of the large garden at Glenbervie is the traditional Victorian walled garden. It slopes south east for 1½ acres, divided essentially into four sections, including vegetables punctuated by annuals, roses and lawn, surrounded by fruit and perennials. At the top of the garden is an extensive heated greenhouse, well worth exploring. A lovely woodland garden can be found in other parts of the garden, also around the house, lawns with herbaceous and shrub borders.

Directions: Drumlithie one mile. Garden is 1½ miles off the A90. 

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 60%
Highlands Garden

Highlands Garden

East Voe, Scalloway, Shetland ZE1 0UR
Sarah Kay
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
c4
T:01595 880526/ 07818 845385 info@easterhoull.co.uk
The garden is in two parts. The upper garden is mostly a rockery, with a large selection of plants, shallow pond, seating area, polycrub and greenhouse with fruit and vegetables. The lower garden is on a steep slope with a spectacular sea view over the village of Scalloway. There is a path to lead visitors around and the garden features a large collection of plants, vegetable patch, deep pond and pergola. It was awarded a Shetland Environmental Award in 2014 for its strong theme of recycling. The owner also has an art studio which you are most welcome to visit when you view the garden.

Directions: Follow the A970 main road towards the village of Scalloway. Near the top of the hill heading towards Scalloway take a sharp turn to the left, signposted Easterhoull Chalets. Follow the road to chalets (painted blue with red roofs) and you will see the yellow SGS sign for the garden. Bus 4 from Lerwick/Scalloway. 

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%
5 Greenbank Crescent

5 Greenbank Crescent

Edinburgh EH10 5TE
Sandy Corlett
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
4
T:0131 4471119 sandycorlett@hotmail.co.uk
South-facing, newly designed, sloping terraced garden with views over Braidburn Valley Park to the Pentlands. Colourful chaos of herbaceous plants, shrubs, roses and small trees. Hard features include a gazebo, pergola, greenhouse and water feature. 

Directions: From the city centre take the A702 through Morningside, continue uphill on Comiston Road, turn right at Greenbank Church on to Greenbank Crescent. Buses 5, 16, 11. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: NASS: (Spinal Arthritis) 60%
101 Greenbank Crescent

101 Greenbank Crescent

Edinburgh EH10 5TA
Jerry and Christine Gregson
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 July (2024)
2c4
T:0131 447 6492 jerry_gregson@yahoo.co.uk
After some changes to make maintenance easier, we are back to holding an open day. While the house is on a busy bus route, it hides a fascinating garden on a sloping site. There are views over Braidburn Valley Park to the Pentland Hills. Paths wind down from the oval lawn, past a handsome magnolia tree, to a terrace which overlooks a water feature and flowering shrubs. Further steps lead past a scree bed of azalea and rhododendron to a productive area of vegetable beds, fruit trees and a neatly-concealed composting area. We aim to have colour, contrast and interest all year round.

Directions: From the city centre take the A702 through Morningside. Continue uphill and turn right at Greenbank Church on to Greenbank Crescent. Buses 5 and 16; the stop is for Greenbank Row.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: St.Columba’s Hospice Care 60%
Kildalloig

Kildalloig

Campbeltown PA28 6RE
Mr and Mrs Joe Turner
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
7
T:07979 855930 kildalloig@gmail.com
Coastal garden with some interesting and unusual shrubs including Australasian shrubs and trees, climbing roses, and herbaceous perennials. There is a woodland walk and a pond garden with aquatic and bog plants.

Directions: Take the A83 to Campbeltown, then three miles south-east of the town past Davaar Island.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 30% & Marie Curie 30%
Wraes

Wraes

Corseliehill Road, nr Houston PA6 7HU
Tim and Jo Mack
By arrangement between 1 May - 1 September (2024)
7k
T:07985 156555 jomack22@gmail.com
Varied seven acre rural garden with far reaching views and a variety of planting areas designed to take advantage of the natural terrain and be actively wildlife friendly. Raised formal herbaceous beds, several wildlife ponds, burnside walks, grass maze, spring garden, woodland with rhododendron collection (100 species). For those interested in growing their own food, there is a large no-dig productive area, with vegetables, fruit cage, orchard and wildflower meadow. There are lots of seating places to relax and enjoy the tranquility while the kids tackle the maze or just have a good run around!

Directions: From Houston follow Barochan Road towards Langbank B789 for about a mile, turn left down Corseliehill Road. From Kilmacolm leave the village on Houston Road, past the golf course, turn left down Corseliehill Road for about a mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Breast Cancer Care 60%
Pitcurran House

Pitcurran House

Abernethy PH2 9LH
The Hon Ranald and Mrs Noel-Paton
By arrangement between 1 May - 1 September (2024)
3c467
T:01738 850933 patricianp@pitcurran.com
This end-of-village garden was created 20 years ago. It includes an interesting combination of trees, rare shrubs and herbaceous plants including azaleas, rhododendrons, tree paeonies, trillium and veratrum. Also a rose pergola, eucryphias and a large west-facing hydrangea border for the later summer. Above the pond there is a good collection of pink and white-barked birch, and a young arboretum, from which there are fine views over the Earn and Tay valleys.

Directions: South-east of Perth. From the M90 (exit nine) take the A912 towards Glenfarg, go left at the roundabout onto the A913 to Abernethy. Pitcurran House is at the far eastern end of the village. Buses run through Abernethy from Perth and the surrounding districts.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Limited 60%
Barlockhart Lodge

Barlockhart Lodge

Glenluce DG8 0JG
Barlockhart Gardeners
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
0c69
T:07821 776226 neilharper1962@btinternet.com
A newly-created garden, 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. An alpine 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 no-dig beds and raised areas 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.

Directions: Take the A75 to Glenluce. On the hill which links the two Glenluce turnoffs, take the single-track unmarked lane, signposted for Whithorn Way. Property is roughly one mile along the lane, on the left.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Galloway Music Festival 60%
Beech Cottage

Beech Cottage

The Wynd, Muthill PH5 2AP
Rosalyn Serex
By arrangement between 1 May - 1 September (2024)
349
T:07590 813509 rosalyn@serex.me
Nestled at the foot of The Wynd in the conservation village of Muthill, the garden is surrounded by the ancient trees of Lindores. The main attraction of the garden is the collection of 200 roses interspersed with companion perennials. A well planted Koi pond provides a relaxing area to be seated.

Directions: The Wynd is a street perpendicular to Drummond street. The street name is clearly displayed on the corner house. The cottage is at the bottom of The Wynd approx 80 meters/30 seconds walk slightly down hill. Please note The Wynd is very narrow and is not suitable for large vehicles and is extremely difficult to turn around. Recommend using Drummond Street to park where there are usually sufficient spaces. Bus routes in Muthill: 18 – Auchterarder/Crieff; 45 - Town Service/Crieff; 15A – Perth/ St Fillans or Stirling; 615 – Perth/ St Fillans or Stirling. Bus stops are on Drummond Street - from here head east towards the church/old church monuments.

Admission: by donation
Charities: The Dystonia Society 60%
Ilha de Deus

Ilha de Deus

Tiroran, Isle of Mull PA69 6ET
John Innes
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 July (2024)
79
T:01681705022 johninnes2009@hotmail.com
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 3 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.

Directions: From A849 (Craignure to Fionnphort) turn right at Kinloch junction onto B8035 'Scenic route to Salen'. The Garden is on the left after 4.5 miles immediately opposite Balevulin. The Saltire is flying when the wind is below 30mph.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Open Doors with Brother Andrew 30% & North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd 30%
West Leas

West Leas

Bonchester Bridge TD9 8TD
Mr and Mrs Robert Laidlaw
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
67
T:01450 860711 ann@johnlaidlawandson.co.uk
The visitor to West Leas can share in an exciting and dramatic project on a grand scale, still in the making. At its core is a passion for plants, allied to a love and understanding of the land in which they are set. Collections of perennials and shrubs, many in temporary holding quarters, lighten up the landscape to magical effect. New lily pond and woodland planting added in 2019 and a new courtyard garden is under construction.  

Directions: Signposted off the Jedburgh/Bonchester Bridge Road. 

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support: Borders Appeal 60%
Thorntree

Thorntree

Arnprior FK8 3EY
Mark and Carol Seymour
By arrangement between 1 May - 1 September (2024)
c6
T:01786 870710 carolseymour666@gmail.com
In 2024, Thorntree looks forward to welcoming visitors to their garden opening on Sunday 9 June as well as by arrangement on other dates. Carol will happily walk round the garden with you or you can wander on your own. The garden continues to evolve and cotoneasters by the saltire beds have been cut back which means the four flower beds are no longer hidden behind a hedge! Also, the view past the summerhouse can be seen and the Annabelle hydrangea has popped up now that there are fewer branches above it. It is an inspiring garden to visit at any time of the year. From the garden you can see panoramic views from Ben Lomond to Doune, watching the Forth meander down the bottom of the valley.

Directions: On the A811, to Arnprior, then take the Fintry Road; Thorntree is second on the right. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Forth Driving Group RDA SCIO 60%
Beechwood

Beechwood

Broughton, Peeblesshire ML12 6HH
Susheila and James Gordon
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
267
T:07810 837068 or 01899 830443 susheilarachan@gmail.com
An informal sculptor's garden adjacent to a mature woodland and pond. A well-planted stream runs through the garden. There are varied perennial meadows to encourage wildlife and provide forage for the resident bees, it also features many examples of the owners' artworks which are inspired by the natural world.

Directions: Approximately one mile south of Broughton take the B712 off the A701. Then first left turn onto unmade road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: MND Scotland 60%
Carig Dhubh

Carig Dhubh

Bonskeid, Pitlochry PH16 5NP
Jane and Niall Graham-Campbell
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
7
T:01796 473469 niallgc@btinternet.com
'I don’t know how Niall and Jane manage to grow their splendid meconopsis on the sand and rock of their garden but they do, most successfully.' In this stunning situation, when not admiring the views, you will find wonderful primulas, cardiocrinum and meconopsis, all interspersed between beautiful shrubs and other herbaceous plants. Look up and in July you will see roses flowering 40 feet up in the tree. This is a gem of a garden and you will be welcomed by Niall and Jane Graham-Campbell with all their expert knowledge.

Directions: Take the old A9 between Pitlochry and Killiecrankie, turn west on the Tummel Bridge Road B8019, Carig Dhubh is three-quarters of a mile on the north side of the road.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Earl Haig Fund Poppy Scotland 60%
The Pines

The Pines

Southwood Road, Troon KA10 7EL
Cheryll and Alasdair Cameron
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 July (2024)
3
cheryllcameron2@gmail.com
In nine years our one-acre plot has been transformed from a barren children’s playground with only mature pine trees and rhododendrons, to a colourful seaside garden. Our exposed coastal situation causes windburn in many supposedly hardy plants, so we have formed a windbreak for the borders with mixed shrubs including griselinia, hawthorn and photinia. Billowing grasses sit alongside perennials including helenium, euphorbia and agapanthus, all interspersed with tulips, lilies and alliums. The coastal theme is accentuated by cordyline, phormium, Fatsia japonica and eucalyptus. We have bark woodland paths, and our garden is a haven for birds, bees and butterflies.

Directions: From the A77 at Dutch House Roundabout, follow the A78 and then the A79, then immediately right to Troon on the B749. Southwood Road is first left and The Pines is the last property. Stagecoach X14 passes the property.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: The Ayrshire Hospice 60%
No Photo

The Old Farmhouse

Dunning Road, Auchterarder PH3 1DU
Jane and Nigel Gallier
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 June (2024)
6
T:01764 662471 thegalliers@msn.com
A garden of approximately one acre with herbaceous borders, a gravel garden, vegetable garden, trained fruit trees in half-wine barrels, wild areas under-planted with bulbs, and woodland areas, with other areas still being developed. As you approach the house, look out for our kamikaze hens. The garden is not always immaculate; a well-ordered winter garden and a floriferous summer garden.

Directions: From the A9 take the A824 and halfway between Auchterarder and Aberuthven take the B8062 at Grand Eagles and head towards Dunning. We are on the left just before the A9 bridge.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: ABF The Soldiers' Charity 60%
Barochreal

Barochreal

Kilninver, Oban, Argyll PA34 4UT
Nigel and Antoinette Mitchell
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
46
T:01852 316151 antoinettemitchell1946@gmail.com
The garden was started in 2006. Fencing and stone walling define it from the rest of Barochreal land. Every year an area has been added, resulting in the gardens you will see today. There are rhododendron banks, a water feature, waterfalls and burns, a pond, a walled rose garden, active beehives (now housed in a purpose-built bee shelter built in 2021), tiered areas, a greenhouse and wild garden across the burn. Maintained walking tracks in the fields lead to viewpoints. Biodiversity studies revealed that rare butterflies inhabit the small glen by the waterfall. There are forty different species of moths including rare micro moths and over seventy species of wildflowers in the fields, including three types of wild orchid. There is an abundance of wildlife including red squirrels, pine martens and a wide range of birds can be seen. This garden is a haven of tranquillity, as seen in episode 9 of 2022 Beechgrove Garden.

Directions: Fifteen minutes south of Oban. On the main A816 Oban to Lochgilphead road just to the south of the village of Kilninver on the left-hand side of the road. Bus Oban - Lochgilpead stops at Kilninver School, short walk after. Please disregard SatNav and use what3words address instead www.w3w.co/albums.forest.tinned

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Scottish SPCA 60%
Ardno

Ardno

Cairndow PA26 8BE
Denzil How
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
7
T:Rob Backhouse Gardener 01499 302304 denzil.how@btconnect.com
From the rich, varied landscape, a romantic garden has been created from scratch over the past 25 years. Visitors can stroll in the walled garden near the house, or explore the old oak wood planted with many interesting shrubs. These are growing up fast, adding shape and colour. Across the burn is the gorge and a wonderful waterfall. The woodland garden ends in the meadow, planted with irises and a collection of unusual trees, which continues down to the beach and a magnificent huge rock. My garden is a place to be peaceful in. Come and enjoy, but be prepared as some of the paths are steep with lots of steps and are unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs.

Directions: Situated at the top end of Loch Fyne between Cairndow and St Catherines, off the A815. 

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Rediweld Foundation 60%
Drumpark

Drumpark

Irongray DG2 9TX
Mr and Mrs Iain Mitchell
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 August (2024)
e7
T:01387 820323 or 07743 895351 iain.liz.mitchell@gmail.com
Well-contoured woodland garden and extensive policies nurture mature azaleas, rhododendrons and rare shrubs among impressive specimen trees. Water garden with primulas and meconopsis. Victorian walled garden with fruit trees and garden produce. There is also a beautiful herbaceous border. All planting is set in a natural bowl providing attractive vistas. 
Champion Trees: Abies cephalonica, Abies procera, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Cryptomeria japonica.

Directions: Dumfries bypass, head north on the A76 for a half mile, turn left at the signpost to Lochside Industrial Estates and immediately right onto Irongray Road; continue for five miles; gates in sandstone wall on left (half-mile after Routin’ Brig). 

Admission: by donation
Charities: Loch Arthur 60%
Waterside Garden

Waterside Garden

Moffat DG10 9LF
Ronnie Cann
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 August (2024)
6
T:07714230235 rtdcann@gmail.com
Set in beautiful Moffatdale and bounded on one side by the Moffat Water, Waterside Garden is a plantsman's delight, home to woods, riverside walks and three acres of cultivated garden. There are many mature trees including oak, birch, beech and much more. Collections of species and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, bamboos, and other flowering shrubs give year-round interest. There are herbaceous beds, giving colour in spring and summer, alpines, mixed plantings, spring bulbs, especially daffodils, and wildflower meadows.

Directions: Three miles north of Moffat on the A708 opposite Craigieburn Forest Car Park. From Selkirk the garden is about 14.5 miles south of St Mary's Loch.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Moffat Water Hall 60%
Braevallich Farm

Braevallich Farm

by Dalmally PA33 1BU
Mr Philip Bowden-Smith
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
7
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%
Haugh Garden

Haugh Garden

College of Roseisle IV30 5YE
Gwynne and David Hetherington
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 July (2024)
2c67
T:01343 835790 davidhetherington26@gmail.com
A lovely two-acre garden to enjoy and to relax in. Wander through woodland and meadows, and in and around eye-catching perennial borders with unusual plants and shrubs, a pond and an orchard, all attracting a diversity of insects and birds. Our organic vegetable garden and polytunnel keep us well supplied and using the no-dig method, without need for artificial fertiliser or chemicals. Our garden delights us with year-round interest starting with various spring bulbs and flowering shrubs and continuing through to late autumn colours

Directions: From Elgin take the A96 west, then the B9013 Burghead Road to the crossroads at the centre of College of Roseisle. The garden is on the right, enter from the Duffus Road. Car parking at the village hall off Kinloss road. Drop off and disabled parking is available at the house.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & CHAS 30%
Dal an Eas

Dal an Eas

Kilmore, Oban PA34 4XU
Mary Lindsay
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
2c7
T:01631 770246 dalaneas@live.com
An informal country garden with the aim of increasing the biodiversity of native plants and insects while adding interest and colour with introduced trees, shrubs and naturalised perennials. There is a structured garden round the house and beyond there are extensive flower-filled ‘meadows’ with five different species of native orchid. Grass paths lead to waterfalls, vegetable plot, woodland garden, views and ancient archaeological sites.

Directions: From Oban take the A816 to Kilmore three-and-a-half miles south of Oban. Turn left on the road to Barran and Musdale. Keep left at the junction for Connel. Dal an Eas is approximately one mile on the left before the big hedges.

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

Eas Mhor

Cnoc-a-Challtuinn, Clachan Seil, Oban PA34 4TR
Mrs Kimbra Lesley Barrett
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
2c4
T:01852 300469 kimbra1745@gmail.com
All the usual joys of a west coast garden plus some delightful surprises! A small contemporary garden on a sloping site - the emphasis being on scent and exotic plant material. Unusual and rare blue Borinda bamboos (only recently discovered in China) and bananas. The garden is at its best in mid to late summer when shrub roses and sweet peas fill the air with scent. The delightful, sunny deck overlooks stylish white-walled ponds with cascading water blades. Recent additions include a 20-foot citrus house, Chinese pergola walk and peony border.

Directions: After arranging a visit and agreeing a time, you will be met at the Tigh An Truish car park by the Atlantic Bridge, Isle of Seil. Or if travelling by bus, you will be met off the bus and taken to Eas Mhor. Please inform Mrs Barrett the time of your arrival. The bus stops at the bottom of Cnoc-a-Challtuinn Road.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: ABWA: Argyll & Bute Woman's Aid - support for domestic abuse - Oban Branch 60%
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%
Struanbridge

Struanbridge

Essich Road, Inverness IV2 6AH
Marcus and Catriona Jenks
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
2479
mjenks@greenx.co.uk
A small, well-stocked garden approximately three miles from Inverness city centre, set on three levels each with its own distinct character. The entrance to the garden includes a decking area where the hidden garden can be viewed, with a small fruit garden and raised beds. The small mid-tier area consists of mainly hydrangeas and rhododendrons and the very informal, hidden lower garden includes a wildlife pond, raised beds, and shaded garden area with a greenhouse, all framed by an old stone bridge and a small burn. Due to its layout, the garden is not suitable for wheelchairs and requires the ability to climb a number of steps to view.

Directions: From the Inverness Southern Distributor road (A8082) exit the Essich roundabout onto Essich Road. Struanbridge is located exactly a ½ mile from the roundabout, on the left.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%
The Potting Shed

The Potting Shed

Broughton Place, Broughton, Biggar ML12 6HJ
Jane and Graham Buchanan-Dunlop
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2024)
67
T:01899 830574 buchanandunlop@btinternet.com
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.

Directions: Signposted from the main A701 Edinburgh - Moffat Road, immediately north of Broughton village. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support: Borders General Hospital 60%
The Old Manse

The Old Manse

Sandhead, Stranraer DG9 9JT
Mrs Teri Birch
By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2024)
46
T:01776 830455 birchteri@gmail.com
Recently designed, landscaped and replanted by the current owners who are keen to develop the garden to its full potential. Comprising about half-an-acre, the garden is surrounded by stone walls and has a burn running through it. Features include a formal parterre, a rose garden, herbaceous borders, rockeries and a shady woodland area. The planting is creative and thoughtful, using grasses, bulbs, annuals, herbaceous perennials and alpines to make full use of the temperate climate enjoyed in this location.

Directions: From Stranraer take the A716 south following signs for Drummore; past Sandhead, look for a tourist sign for Kirkmadrine Stones and Clachanmore and turn immediately right. The Old Manse is on the corner on the right (known locally as Doctors’ Corner’. A bus service is available from Stranraer and stops at Doctors’ Corner.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Board Of Trustees Of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 60%
Netherbyres

Netherbyres

Eyemouth TD14 5SE
Col S J Furness
By arrangement between 1 May - 31 August (2024)
57
T:01890 750337
An unusual, elliptical walled garden, dating from 1740, with a mixture of flowers, fruit and vegetables. A very old pear tree, possibly dating from the 18th century, and the largest rose in Berwickshire, Rosa filipes 'Kiftsgate'. A wide variety of roses and herbaceous borders.

Directions: ½ mile south of Eyemouth on the A1107 to Berwick. 

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

Arndean

by Dollar FK14 7NH
Johnny and Katie Stewart
By arrangement between 6 May - 7 June (2024)
57
T:07940530499 johnny@arndean.co.uk
Opening for more than 40 years, this is a beautiful mature garden extending to 15 acres including the woodland walk. There is a formal herbaceous part, a small vegetable garden and an orchard. In addition, there are flowering shrubs, abundant and striking rhododendrons and azaleas as well as many fine specimen trees. There is a tree house for children. 

Directions: Arndean is well signposted off the A977. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie 60%
St Blane's House

St Blane's House

High Street, Dunblane FK15 0ER
Guy and Maud Crawford
By arrangement between 6 May - 28 June (2024)
6
maud.crawford@btinternet.com
This is a well-established two-acre garden with a wide variety of trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and other shrubs and herbaceous perennials. There is a short walk through a wooded area.

Directions: St Blanes House is almost directly opposite Dunblane Library.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Strathcarron Hospice 60%
Barnweil Garden

Barnweil Garden

Craigie, near Kilmarnock KA1 5NE
Mr and Mrs Ronald W Alexander
By arrangement between 21 May - 21 July (2024)
2c6
ronaldwalexander@btinternet.com
An earlier opening date than usual highlights the late spring woodland garden, that surrounds the more formal borders and lawns next to the 19th-century house. The woodland features azaleas, species and hybrid rhododendrons as well as acers and magnolias with primulas, meconopsis, smilacina and a wide variety of hostas, ferns and other foliage focused plants especially lining Oscar's ditch. Another woodland feature is the Golden Glade where golden leaved trees, shrubs and under-planting should be at its most potent. The golden philadelphus should be in full flower and the arching sprays of white-stemmed golden bramble (rubus) are particularly graceful. Herbaceous and rose borders nearer the house will have an early summer display of perennial geraniums, alliums, astrantia and many others whilst the species and old roses will be flowering. During June and July visitors can still see the wide selection of David Austin and other roses while herbaceous borders will be at their peak. During September and October you can see the autumn leaf colours of Parrotia, Liquidambar and American oaks with displays of sedums, dahlias and anemones.

Directions: From the south take the A719 off the A77 at Sandyford roundabout continue on the A719 for 2.5 miles before turning left onto the B730. Take the first left signposted Barnweil Monument, and the garden is on the right. From the north on the A77 take the left at the B730 Tarbolton (past Hayes). Go two miles on the right, signposted Barnweil Monument and the garden is on the right.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Tarbolton Parish Church of Scotland 30% & The Ridley Foundation 30%
Dougarie

Dougarie

Isle of Arran KA27 8EB
Mrs S C Gibbs
By arrangement between 22 May - 30 August (2024)
7
laviniawgibbs@gmail.com
Most interesting terraced garden in a castellated folly built in 1905 to celebrate the marriage of the 12th Duke of Hamilton’s only child to the Duke of Montrose. Good selection of tender and rare shrubs and herbaceous border. Small woodland area with trees including azara, abutilon, eucryphia, hoheria and nothofagus. 

Directions: Five miles from Blackwaterfoot. Regular ferry sailing from Ardrossan and Claonaig (Argyll). Information from Caledonian MacBrayne, Gourock, T: 01475 650100. Parking is free.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Pirnmill Village Association 60%
Seabank

Seabank

The Merse, Rockcliffe DG5 4QH
Julian and Theodora Stanning
By arrangement between 27 May - 22 June (2024)
6
T:01556 630244
This one-and-a-half-acre garden extends to the high water mark with westerly views across a wildflower meadow to the Urr Estuary, Rough Island and beyond. The house is flanked by raised beds, and overlooks a cottage-style garden; peripheral plantings of mixed shrubs and perennials are interspersed with spring bulbs and summer annuals for all-year-round interest. There is a greenhouse with a range of succulents and tender plants. To the rear of the property is a new walled garden stocked with top and soft fruit, perennial vegetables (sea kale, asparagus and globe artichokes), a range of annual vegetables and flower borders. A further greenhouse is used for tomatoes and cucumbers, and has peaches growing against the back wall. A plantswoman’s garden with a range of interesting and unusual plants. 

Directions: Park in the public car park at Rockcliffe. Walk down the road about 50 yards towards the sea and turn left along The Merse, a private road. Seabank is the sixth house on the left. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie: DG5 Group 60%
Keldaberg

Keldaberg

Cunningsburgh, Shetland ZE2 9HG
Mrs L Johnston
By arrangement between 1 June - 30 September (2024)
6
T:01950 477331/07774539693 linda@cunningsburghhall.com
A ‘secret garden’ divided into four areas. A beach garden of grasses, flowers and driftwood. The main area is a sloping perennial border leading down to a greenhouse and vegetable plot and up to a decked area with containers and exotic plants including agaves, pineapple lilies, cannas and gunneras. The new area has trees, raised vegetable beds, a rockery, retaining walls and an arbour in which to rest. There is a pond with goldfish and aquatic plants and now a polycrub to grow vegetables, fruit trees and a grapevine. 

Directions: On the A970 south of Lerwick is Cunningsburgh, take the Gord junction on the left after passing the village hall. Continue along the road to the second house past the Kenwood sign. 

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: RNLI 60%
Helensbank House

Helensbank House

Kincardine FK10 4QZ
David Buchanan-Cook
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 August (2024)
1c4ea
T:07739 312912 Helensbank@aol.com
Hidden away from public view, this is an 18th-century walled garden, with main feature a Cedar of Lebanon, reputedly planted in 1750 by the sea captain who built the house. The tree is registered as a 'Notable Tree' and while it provides challenges for planting, in terms of shade and needle fall, the microclimate it provides has encouraged the owner's passion for pushing boundaries and growing unusual and exotic plants. Distinctive garden ‘rooms’ in part of the garden comprise a perennial blue and white cottage garden, a formal rose garden and an Italian double courtyard with citrus trees in pots. A ‘hot’ courtyard contains exotics including varieties of banana, acacia, iochroma, impatiens, melianthus and brugmansia. A shaded walk along the bottom of the garden leads to a Japanese themed area including a pagoda and dry river. A large glasshouse hosts various exotic and climbing plants. The garden has well over a hundred roses, including the National Collection of Portland roses. These are best viewed from mid June to early July.
National Plant Collection: Portland Roses
Champion Trees: The garden has a 'notable' Cedar of Lebanon, the second largest in Fife

Directions: The garden is down a lane off the main Toll Road. SGS signs.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Maggie's 60%
Blanerne

Blanerne

West Road, Charlestown KY11 3EW
Lesley and Geoff Fenlon
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 August (2024)
469
lesleyabloomer@gmail.com
South-facing hidden village garden with lots of paths to follow and many places to sit, both sunny and shaded. The centrepiece of the garden is a large oval pond with wildlife-friendly planting. Surrounding the pond are several mini-gardens including a rose courtyard garden with catmint, salvias, beech, false indigo and featuring a bubble fountain. There is also a vegetable patch, woodland, a shady courtyard and a summerhouse garden enclosed by a young purple beech/wild rose hedge.

Directions: Driving: follow signs from the A985 into Charlestown. Follow the road until you see the village shop, The Sutlery, which is available for takeaway all day Saturday and Sunday mornings - these can be eaten in the garden. Parking is behind the Charlestown Workshop which is next to the shop. Cycling: National Route76 passes c20m from the house. Public transport: bus 6/6A from Dunfermline or bus 88A from Kincardine or Inverkeithing. Get off at The Green in Charlestown and walk towards the shop. From the village shop, walk west about 20m along West Road. Turn left down the tarmac driveway opposite 10 West Road, and the garden is on the right hand side at the end.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Mary's Meals 60%
Madeira

Madeira

Grangemuir, Pittenweem KY10 2RB
Tara Macdonald
By arrangement between 1 June - 30 September (Tuesday, Thursday & Friday) (2024)
47
T:07867 798746 tara@madeirainfife.com
Madeira is a wonderful, ten-acre eco garden with a Victorian walled garden at its centre. We have an orchard and vegetable garden, pretty paths through woodland and plenty of bluebells and snowdrops. We don’t use chemicals and fully support wildlife and the habitat they live in; the bee garden and our wilding areas are just two examples. The garden is a work in progress and we are continually creating spaces and fun things for kids to enjoy e.g. our dragon's den, Viking shelter, rope swings and more. We grow our own vegetables and love turning our fruit into juices, jellies, jams and ice-cream. We’d be delighted to show you round or let you wander and enjoy.

Directions: Take the bus to Pittenween and walk up Charles Street, past the recycling centre and we are 400 metres up on the left.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries
Ormsary Gardens

Ormsary Gardens

Ormsary, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8PE
Lady Lithgow
By arrangement between 1 June - 30 September (2024)
67
T:01880 770738 mclithgow@ormsary.co.uk
Ormsary is on the shore of Loch Caolisport looking across to Islay and Jura. The house policies are resplendent in spring with bluebells and daffodils under fine oak trees. There are woodland gardens with azaleas, rhododendrons and a collection of trees and shrubs. The walled garden, which has evolved over a couple of centuries, is on two levels. The top half is a kitchen garden producing plants, fruit and vegetables for the house; a winter garden and ‘Muscat of Alexandria’ vinery have been heated by hydroelectric power for 100 years. A magnificent Polylepis australis beckons to the lower Secret Garden with its lawn, roses, magnolias and long mixed border. It opens onto the banks of Ormsary Water. There are also woodland walks accessed via the upper woodland garden with specimens of Wollemi Pine, Gingko and Turkish Oak.

Directions: Take the A83 road from Lochgilphead towards Campbeltown for four miles, then take the B8024 signposted to Kilberry, travel ten miles and follow signs to the Estate Office for directions to the garden.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Mary's Meals 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%
7 Craigend Cottages

7 Craigend Cottages

Craigend, Perth PH2 8PX
Fiona Stewart
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 July (2024)
46
T:07468 303506 munro283@btinternet.com
This south-west-facing garden has a sunny, open aspect with an extended landscape to the front and back. It is an informal cottage garden with a dedicated, productive vegetable growing area including fruit bushes, dahlias and the lovely scent of sweet peas growing alongside. There are herbaceous borders with a colourful mix of flowers and shrubs many of which attract bees and butterflies. The soil is acid and so rhododendrons and pieris grow well. Also included are climbers such as clematis and honeysuckle, mixed hedges and a rose bed along with lawns, a productive greenhouse and a wildlife-attracting pond with beautiful water lilies.

Directions: From Bridge of Earn follow the main street and drive north on the A912 for about one-and-a-half miles passing the Earn Cafe on your left. Craigend Cottages are on the main road on the left-hand-side with number 7 at the Perth end of the row. From Perth take the Edinburgh Road (A912). Continue on the road passing Tesco on your left and straight on at mini roundabout. Continue with Craigclowan School on your right, pass under two flyovers and Craigend cottages are immediately on your right.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 60%
1 Burnton Road

1 Burnton Road

Dalrymple KA6 6DY
David and Margaret Blatchford
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 August (2024)
4
T:01292 561988 d.blatchford273@btinternet.com
A tiny slice of jungle nestled within a small triangular plot. To the front of the house are two beds planted with nectar-secreting plants and seasonal colour. To the rear, an anonymous door leads to a small patio, home to some bonsai, a collection of potted terrestrial ferns and stone troughs hold tender and hardy succulents. A serpentine path meanders through dense planting of palms, brugmansia, bananas and tree ferns. Of particular note is the use of hardy and tender bromeliads and a collection of aroids such as Arisaemia, Alocasia, Colocasia and Giant Zantedeschia. Flower highlights are provided by lilies (species and cultivars) and later in the season, Cannas, and hardy gingers such as Hedychium and Roscoea. Nestling amongst the foliage is the giant leafed Tetrapanax together with the rare terrestrial fern Lophosoria.

Directions: From the north take the A77 Ayr to Stranraer. At the Bankton roundabout, turn left onto the A713 and follow the road past the hospital to the junction with B742, turn right into the village and park in the White Horse car park at the T junction. The garden is on the corner of Burnton and Barbieston Roads. From the south take the A77 towards Ayr, turn right onto the B7034. Follow into the village, at Kirkton Inn junction turn left onto Barbieston Road. Bus 52 from Ayr. The 52 leaves Ayr bus Station at 20 minutes to the hour and will drop you at the White Horse.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Dalrymple, Skeldon and Hollybush Project 60%
10 Pilmuir Road West

10 Pilmuir Road West

Forres IV36 2HL
Mrs Lorraine Dingwall
By arrangement between 1 June - 1 September (2024)
c
T:01309 674634 fixandig@aol.com
Plantswoman’s small town garden with over 300 cultivars of hostas, an extensive collection of hardy geraniums together with many other unusual plants. Managed entirely without the use of artificial fertilisers or chemicals, the owner encourages hedgehogs, toads and wild birds to control slugs. In early spring there are approximately 150 named snowdrops to be seen, some of which are very rare.

Directions: From Tesco roundabout at Forres continue along Nairn Road. Take the first left onto Ramflat Road, then go right at the bottom and first left onto Pilmuir Road West. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%
5 Knott

5 Knott

Clachamish, Portree, Isle of Skye IV51 9NZ
Brian and Joyce Heggie
By arrangement between 1 June - 30 September (2024)
6k
T:07495 442468 jbheggie@hotmail.co.uk
An informal, organic garden on a gently-sloping half-acre site. Perimeter hedging has enabled a sheltered and tranquil oasis to be created. Winding paths meander through the densely- planted borders filled with a diverse range of perennials, annuals and shrubs. There is also a vegetable area with raised beds and a large polytunnel. A developing wildflower meadow with sea loch views leads onto a sheltered bay and a shoreside walk to the headland. There are regular sightings of seals, otters, sea eagles and harbour porpoises. Garden seating in several locations. The garden is situated in an easily-reached, particularly quiet and scenic area of Skye. Featured on Beechgrove in 2023.

Directions: From Portree, take the A87 to Uig/Dunvegan. After approximately three miles, take the A850 towards Dunvegan. Six miles on, pass the Treaslane sign. Turn right on the bend at the signpost for Knott.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: The Way Forward Group 30% & Crossroads Care Skye & Lochalsh 30%
The Lookout

The Lookout

Kilmuir, North Kessock IV1 3ZG
David and Penny Veitch
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 August (not Saturday) (2024)
2
T:01463 731489 david@veitch.biz
A three-quarter-acre, elevated coastal garden, with incredible views over the Moray Firth, which is only for the sure-footed. This award-winning garden, featured on Beechgrove, has been created out of a rock base with shallow pockets of ground, planted to its advantage to encourage all aspects of wildlife. There is a small, sheltered courtyard, raised bed vegetable area, pretty cottage garden, scree and rock garden, rose arbour, rhododendrons, flowering shrubs, bamboos, trees and lily pond with waterside plants.

Directions: From Inverness, take the North Kessock left turn from the A9, and third left at the roundabout to go on the underpass, then sharp left onto Kilmuir Road. From Tore, take the slip road for North Kessock and immediately right for Kilmuir. Follow signs for Kilmuir (three miles) until you reach the shore. The Lookout is near the far end of the village with a large palm tree in front, surrounded by gravel.

Admission: £4.00, children free
Charities: Alzheimer's Research UK 60%
Two Gardens in Banchory Devenick

Two Gardens in Banchory Devenick

Banchory Devenick AB12 5XR
Angela and Derek Townsley & Jane and Terry O'Kelly
By arrangement between 1 June - 31 July (2024)
2c
T:text 07712 528450 janeokelly868@gmail.com
Pinetrees Cottage Banchory Devenick AB12 5XR (Angela and Derek Townsley): A mature garden set in three-quarters of an acre, filled with a wide range of hardy plants including rhododendrons, azaleas, acers, topiary and roses, with two ponds. An alpine house is fronted by stone troughs filled with rock plants. Set in a backdrop of mature pine trees to the north and open fields to the south.
Whin Cottage Ardoe, Aberdeen AB12 5XT (Jane and Terry O'Kelly): A cottage garden of just under half an acre surrounded by farmland. It features a border of rhododendrons and azaleas, several mixed borders, two formal rose beds, a wildlife pond and four raised beds growing a variety of vegetables and flowers for the house. The garden reflects a love of colour and structure and an interest in wildlife.

Directions: Pinetrees Cottage: Banchory Devenick is four miles from Bridge of Dee. Turn off B9077 at Banchory Devenick church. Follow to T-junction, turn right. Next right is Butterywells Steading. Turn into opening and follow track, go around the back of farmhouse (Lochend) and continue on track to Pinetrees. Whin Cottage: Take the B9077 out of Aberdeen. After approximately two miles turn left immediately after Banchory Devenick Church, signposted Banchory Devenick. (There is parking available along the verge on the left). Turn right after 100 metres. Whin Cottage is on the right immediately after you have turned. There is limited parking outside the cottage.

Admission: £6.00, children free
Charities: Fighting For Sight Aberdeen 60%
Gardener's Cottage Walled Garden

Gardener's Cottage Walled Garden

Ballochruin Road, Killearn G63 9QB
Morna Knottenbelt
By arrangement between 15 June - 15 October (2024)
T:01360 551682 mornaknottenbelt@hotmail.com
The walled garden, acquired in 2013 by the present owners, has been planted with extensive herbaceous borders, box hedging, roses and many unusual plants. There is a White Garden, a long shrub border with primulas and gentians and a former fernery with a collection of salvias and peach and pear trees. June is a good time to visit when the roses are in bloom and borders with lupins, peonies and other perennials are in flower. By late summer, the borders have argyranthemums as well as dahlias, Michaelmas daisies, rudbeckias and blue aconitums. The Celtic Cross Garden was planted in May 2021 with a range of new plants including echinaceas, cardoons, lobelias, anthemis and lavender for mid to late summer colour. There are fine views of the Campsie Hills and the garden is surrounded by the conifers of the Designed Landscape of Carbeth. 

Directions: Follow Sat Nav to G63 0LF, which is Carbeth Home Farm. We are the next entrance below the farm. Turn left on to the gravel road and follow yellow SGS signs. 

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: The British Horse Society: Scotland 60%
Clonyard Farm

Clonyard Farm

Colvend, Dalbeattie DG5 4QW
Matthew and Pam Pumphrey
By arrangement between 15 June - 30 June (2024)
0467
clonyard@btinternet.com
Open by arrangement for wildflowers. Informal garden around traditional stone buildings with views over pasture, wetland and a loch to mature mixed forest. The garden joins a wildflower meadow dominated by black knapweed and established yellow rattle. It features three species of native orchids and a former mill pond, a notable damselfly site. Both are maintained specifically to allow native wildlife and plants to thrive. There is an ornamental vegetable garden and around the house mixed plantings merge from sun to shade and woodland planting to provide all-year-round interest. There are meadow, wetland and woodland walks to two lochs and a crannog. Refreshments available on request.

Directions: On the north side of the A710 approximately four miles from the crossroads with the A711 in Dalbeattie, adjacent to Clonyard House Hotel and one mile from Colvend village. Parking at the Farm. Bus service from Dalbeattie but current timetables should be checked. Clonyard Farm is a request stop.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Marie Curie: DG5 Group 60%
Kemplemyres Farmhouse

Kemplemyres Farmhouse

Alvah, Banff AB45 3UR
Jane Duffield
By arrangement between 29 - 30 June, 27 - 28 July & 24 - 25 August (2024)
2c6
T:07778 083759 janeduffield@hotmail.co.uk
A large wildlife garden, still in the making. Starting from a completely blank canvas 15 years ago, we wanted the garden to blend sympathetically in to the wider, natural landscape. We’re constantly learning how to garden creatively, in order to live harmoniously alongside the visiting deer and badgers! Areas of interest include a rose garden, stone circle garden, dell garden, two wildlife ponds, mixed shrub beds and our current project, a small walled kitchen garden.

Directions: From Turriff, take the B9025, signposted to Aberchirder. Approximately five miles out of Turriff, turn right, on to the B9121, signposted Banff and Whitehills. After approximately two miles, take the right hand turn, signposted Alvah. The road passes farm buildings on your left. Just past these, at the bottom of the hill, take the left hand turn, signposted Kirktown of Alvah. The road dips down to a small bridge over a burn, with a short, steep climb up the other side. Our drive is on the right-hand side, by the big beech tree, with double wooden gates, signposted Kemplemyres Farmhouse and the Bothy.

Admission: £5.00, children free
Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%