Gardens to visit in the Scotland
see these pages for England or Wales
Here are some links to gardens to visit, either locally or whist on holiday in Scotland. The sites we list include other sites recommending gardens as well as individual gardens.
The gardens listed include gardens which have limited access for people to visit, as well as other gardens open to the public all the year round - so check the opening times of particular gardens before going.
Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland - The National Trust for Scotland has over 100 places to visit, ranging from grand castles to the scenes of epic battles and glorious gardens to spectacular islands. Use the search engine on the website to find places to visit.
Visit the gardens of North of Scotland - Include photographs and descriptions
| Edinburgh | Royal
Botanic Garden, Edinburgh - Known locally as the 'Botanics' and established way back in 1670, Scotland's Premier Garden is
one of the UK's favourite attractions. Originally founded as a physic garden in Holyrood, the Garden moved to Leith and finally,
settled and expanded in Inverleith in 1820. Home to over 6% of all known plants, the Garden is acknowledged to be one of the finest
in the world where unusual and beautiful plants can be found. Tender plants have always been an important part of the Living Collections
and the Glasshouses featuring Britain’s tallest Palm House, is a haven for botanical wonders in ten climate zones. Include some
of the world's oldest plants in the Orchid & Cycad House.
Edinburgh's most famous tropical rainforest, the Tropical Aquatic House, displays well-known and economically important plants, including bananas and rubber, as well as some familiar houseplants. The world's largest collection of vireya rhododendrons, originally from the mountains of New Guinea and Borneo, are on display in the Peat and Rock House. These beautiful species share their house with plants that feed on insects!
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| Cowal Peninsula | Royal
Botanic Garden, Benmore - In the wonderful woodland setting of the Eachaig Valley lies Benmore, a Garden steeped in history
and surrounded by dramatic scenery. Benmore boasts a world-famous collection of magnificent conifers, flowering trees and shrubs.
Its 150 acres feature some of the tallest trees in Britain, including a spectacular Avenue of Giant Redwoods – these majestic giants
soar over 40 metres high! With its ideal growing conditions, Benmore is a living textbook dedicated to rhododendrons. Home to over
250 species, it cultivates some of the finest Himalayan rhododendrons from the familiar to the rare. Providing a showcase for some
of the Garden’s established conifers, the historic Formal Garden, includes the distinctive Puck’s Hut.
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| Peebles | Royal
Botanic Garden, Dawyck - Dawyck Botanic Garden has a stunning collection of trees and shrubs. Benefiting from the cooler continental
environment in the heart of the Scottish Borders, and from over 300 years of tree planting, Dawyck is truly one of the world’s
finest arboreta. Gaze at exotic conifers dating back to 1680, the unique Dawyck beech, and some of the tallest trees in Britain.
Follow way-marked trails which highlight just a few of the special collections. Learn about the adventures of David Douglas, or
discover more about the natural heritage with the Scottish Rare Plants Trail.
Find out about fungi, mosses and lichens in the world’s first-ever Cryptogamic Reserve for non-flowering plants. Carpets of bulbs mark the arrival of spring. The banks of the Scrape Burn turn white with drifts of snowdrops. Magnificent colour is provided in early summer, thanks to the Garden’s collections of rhododendrons - particularly those on the Azalea Terrace. Flaming leaves and luscious berries ensure that autumn is a memorable time of year.
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| Rhinns of Galloway | Royal
Botanic Garden, Logan - Logan lies at the south-western tip of Scotland, and it is unrivalled as the country’s most exotic
garden. Because of the influence of the Gulf Stream, a remarkable collection of bizarre and beautiful plants flourishes outside,
making this Garden a plantsman’s paradise. Wonder at the groves of eucalypts and at the Gunnera Bog in the Woodland Garden. Enjoy
the brilliant blooms of southern hemisphere plants in the Walled Garden. This is a showcase for tender plants, and provides a blaze
of colour all year round. Visit the Discovery Centre, and unearth the intriguing history of the Logan Botanic Garden, from its
foundation to its current wealth of plant collections. Self-guided audio tours highlight interesting plants and features in this
beautiful Garden.
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| Poolewe, Rosshire | Inverewe
Garden - This is for all who appreciate beautiful ornamental and woodlands gardens. It has outstanding plant collections from
every corner of the world. They include spectacular rhododendrons, azalias, trees and shrubs. The wide lawn, flowering terraces
and herbaceous borders and much more of Inverewe House are open to the public. They make very attractive photogenic areas.
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| Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway | Threave
Garden - 60 acres (24 hectares) of pleasantly wooded parkland now developed as a show garden open to the public include rose
garden, woodland garden, small heath garden, and peat garden.
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| Newton Stewart, Dumfries & Galloway
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Woodfall Gardens
- Includes a3 acre walled garden and a "pleasure garden" with beautiful, unusual and often scented shrubs, trees and flowers.
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General information sites
UK Database of Historic Parks and Gardens - Produced by the University of York - covers England, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Does not say much about the Parks/Garden listed but is fairly comprehsive and gives link to relevant website.
Garden History and Garden Tours - International guide to gardens to visit - includes large number of UK gardens.
The British Red Cross Open Gardens programme offers a rare opportunity to explore the secrets of some hidden and private gardens not usually open to the public.
Garden Shows - Diary of gardening shows around the UK.
