The musings of a plant fanatic

Friday 24 March, 2023

In this blog I’m going to have a go at describing a number of plants which I’ve grown in my time in Scotland’s west, mostly outsiders but occasionally insiders, for which I’ve had to go a little further than the local garden centre.

Garden Wedding Venues

Monday 20 March, 2023

Your wedding ceremony with natural backdrop. Explore garden wedding destinations in beautiful Scotland.

Winton Castle Spring Gardens Open Day

Thursday 16 March, 2023

Winton Castle Invites Families and Garden Lovers to its Spring Gardens Open Day on Sunday 26 March.

Water features in gardens

Wednesday 15 March, 2023

There are many benefits of having a pond or other body of water in the garden. Water adds a special quality to a garden.

Scotland's Gardens Cattanach Fund

Monday 27 February, 2023

Scotland's Gardens Scheme is offering the chance to apply for bursary grant funding for horticulturists working or training in Scotland.

Scottish garden in February

Monday 13 February, 2023

Today we are sharing a cheerful February update from our Garden Opener's garden in Dundee.

Why women grow

Tuesday 7 February, 2023

'I started to garden when I moved to London in my early twenties and had a tiny 6m x 1m plot outside our flat, into which I poured hours, money and love and have gardened ever since. ' - by Liz Stewart

My Scottish Wild Garden: Mid-Winter

Wednesday 4 January, 2023

I am the grateful and proud custodian of my wild garden consisting of 12 acres which is now 20 years old, a youngster really! It has everything a wild natural haven may need.

Delicious recipe from Hospitalfield Head Chef

Wednesday 30 November, 2022

Pickled radicchio, feta and toasted walnuts recipe from Hospitalfield Head Chef Elaine Chalmers.

My Scottish Wild Garden - Early Winter

Tuesday 22 November, 2022

I am the grateful and proud custodian of my wild garden consisting of 12 acres which is now 20 years old, a youngster really! It has everything a wild natural haven may need.

Photography Competition

Monday 21 November, 2022

New for 2022, to celebrate Visit Scotland’s Year of Stories, we invited you to share the stories of your garden visits and open days through the year by entering our first ever photography competition!

My Scottish Wild Garden - Welcome

Tuesday 1 November, 2022

I am the grateful and proud custodian of my wild garden consisting of 12 acres which is now 20 years old, a youngster really! It has everything a wild natural haven may need.

Spiced Apple and Pear Chutney Recipe.

Saturday 1 October, 2022

Making chutney is a great way of storing a seasonal glut of fruit and veg to enjoy in the colder months. This recipe is easy to follow even for beginners.

Spring Bling

Monday 5 September, 2022

With a little careful thought when choosing your bulbs, you can also provide a vital early spring lifeline to insects.

Visit Corners House in Gattonside

Wednesday 22 June, 2022

'In my most difficult times gardening has been my solace. In 1999 and 2001, my eldest grandsons were born. Both have Fragile X Syndrome.'

Corsock House Gardens 70th Platinum Jubilee

Friday 27 May, 2022

Corsock House is celebrating its own platinum jubilee this year as it opens for charity for the 70th time.

Pittenweem village trail on Sunday 12 June

Thursday 26 May, 2022

A variety of gardens of Pittenweem, a picturesque fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife, will open their gates to the public to raise money for charities.

Behind the scenes of McLaren's Nursery - guided tour

Wednesday 18 May, 2022

Ticketed event for a small group of 30 - book your ticket today.

The Western Isles Are Calling

Thursday 12 May, 2022

The Glasgow Garden Walks Group are a group of retirees who travel Scotland in their minivan, staying in hostels and exploring the many, beautiful gardens of Scotland.

See wildflowers in May at The Steading

Wednesday 11 May, 2022

Wildflowers are particularly important to our bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food sources through a long season, as well as providing our landscape with such beauty.

Designing a garden in challenging conditions

Thursday 5 May, 2022

In this short series Caroline demonstrates how she makes the most of a difficult garden...

My Garden Open Day - Snowdrops at Cleghorn, Lanarkshire

Thursday 31 March, 2022

We were delighted to hear from Mrs Nicky Eliott Lockhart, telling us about her February snowdrop open day at Cleghorn.

Recycle, as nature would!

Tuesday 15 March, 2022

Repurposing materials to use in the garden can save money, and is lighter on the planet.

Visitor Survey

Thursday 3 March, 2022

We’d like to learn a bit more about our garden visitors. Please take a moment to answer a few questions about your experience with Scotland's Gardens Scheme.

Rhubarb Recipe

Tuesday 1 February, 2022

Try this rhubarb recipe tried and tested by garden owners at 101 Greenbank Crescent in Edinburgh

Dealing with ash dieback at Humbie Dean

Monday 17 January, 2022

Frank Kirwan, the Garden Opener at Humbie Dean shares his recent experience with ash dieback in his garden in East Lothian.

Gardens 'by arrangement'

Tuesday 4 January, 2022

Did you know that we have hundreds of gardens that are open to visitors by arrangement with the garden owner? This is your chance to arrange an exclusive visit!

Mid-winter meditation

Thursday 16 December, 2021

Give yourself the gift of checking in with yourself, by listening to this guided mid-winter meditation.

Douneside House Head Chef Matt Price shares his recipe for Wark Farm hogget

Wednesday 15 December, 2021

Matt Price, the Head Chef at Douneside House, has generously provided a seasonal recipe for Wark Farm hogget, for supporters of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme to try.

Christmas Wreath Workshop

Wednesday 1 December, 2021

Follow along this free 30-minute video tutorial and make your own Christmas wreath. The workshop was kindly delivered by Penny Wright.