Four & Five Star Quality B&Bs in Scotland Scottish Gardens

The gardens of Scotland are well known for their beauty, their lushness and their interesting planting. In the Victorian era, intrepid plant hunters visited unexplored regions of the world and brought back seeds, cuttings and specimens of plants which were previously unknown in Britain, particularly from China, Japan and the Himalayas. These adventurous and daring men are remembered through the plants, which bear the names of Forrest, Douglas, Fortune, Menzies, Wilson, etc.

Wealthy patrons were desperate to be the first to grow the new species in their private gardens, often around castles and mansions, and today many of those spectacular gardens are open to visitors who come to admire and enjoy, not just the plants themselves, but also the skill in creating and caring for these beautiful gardens.

On the west coast, the effect of the Gulf Stream bringing warm, damp currents of air, maintains a largely frost-free climate which has enabled the growth of exotic plants and rhododendrons and azaleas particularly thrive in these conditions. However, shelter belts of trees have had to grow to protect from strong winds.

In the east, the colder climate favours the hardier plants and more native species.

See the different sections below to discover which gardens you can visit in the area of Scotland where you will be staying and follow the links to the B&Bs within no more than 2 hours drive from those gardens.

The following B&Bs have interesting gardens of their own:
Violet Bank House (Edinburgh)
Kirklands House (Fife)
Clach Mhuilinn (Inverness)
Auld Cummerton (Strathdon)

SOUTH-WEST SCOTLAND

Dumfries and Galloway Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, (14 miles south of Stranraer). A fabulous array of bizarre and beautiful plants, including sub-tropical ones, that flourish out-of-doors at Scotland's most exotic garden. Open: Mar - Oct. 10am - 6pm (5pm in March & October) Stay at: Smithy House (Castle Douglas)

Threave Garden, Estate and Threave House, Castle Douglas (National Trust for Scotland) The National Trust for Scotland's School of Practical Gardening takes post-graduate students and trains them in estate gardening. The gardens offer wonderful displays of daffodils, azaleas, herbaceous perennials and a walled garden still producing the vegetables, fruit and flowers it was designed to do. Threave Estate is a wildlife refuge with walks, hides and nature trails. Estate and Garden open all year. Threave House offers an insight into life in the 1930s in a country house built in the 19th century in the Scottish baronial style. House open April - October. Stay at: Smithy House (Castle Douglas)

Ayrshire and the Isle of Arran Brodick Castle and Gardens, Isle of Arran, guided walks, plant sales from world famous gardens. Gardens open 9am-sunset. NTS. Castle open open daily from April to October 11am-4pm. Tel 01770 302636

Greater Glasgow Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace, Great Western Road and Queen Margaret Road, Glasgow west end. Park and botanic garden, with a great conservatory: the Kibble Palace of 1873. Open all year daily, 7am - dusk Admission: free.

Argyll, Loch Lomond, Kintyre and the Isle of Mull Arduaine Gardens Beautiful gardens on the west side by Kilmelford. Well worth a visit. Open all year, 9.30am-Sunset. (no dogs please). NTS. Stay at: Roineabhal Country House (Taynuilt) Ardanaiseig Garden used for vegetables and large herbaceous border. Woodland walks with flowering trees and shrubs. Located at Ardanaiseig Hotel, Kilchrenan by Taynuilt. Tel: 01866 833 333. Stay at: Roineabhal Country House (Taynuilt) Ardkinglass Woodland Garden Spectacular display of rhododendrons and one of Britain's finest collections of trees. At Cairndow overlooking Loch Fyne. Open: Daylight hours all year round Stay at: Roineabhal Country House (Taynuilt) Torosay Castle and Gardens, Craignure, Isle of Mull Twelve acres of splendid gardens with dramatic views. Gardens open all year round 9.00am - 7pm and daylight hours in winter Castle open daily April - October 10.30am - 5.30pm. Tearoom, craft/souvenir shop. Miniature railway. Web site: torosay.com Stay at: Roineabhal Country House (Taynuilt)

Crarae Garden, Inveraray, Argyll Eleven miles south of Inveraray on the A83 road to Lochgilphead. Rare trees and exotic shrubs from around the world thrive in the mild climate and the magnificent setting of the Highland glen, making Crarae unique among gardens. 400 rhododendrons and azaleas. Gardens open all year round (summer: 9am - 6pm / winter: dawn to dusk). NTS. Ardchattan Priory Garden - 13th Century ruins with wonderful gardens on the north shore of Loch Etive, not far from Oban. Open April - October. Tel: 01796 481355. Stay at: Blarcreen House (near Oban)

SOUTH-EAST SCOTLAND

The Borders Teviot Water gardens, between Jedburgh and Kelso. Terraced gardens featuring still and moving water Open: all year daily 10am - 5pm Web site: www.teviotwatergardens.co.uk Stay at: The Spinney (Jedburgh) Dawyck Botanic Gardens, Stobo, 8 miles from Peebles. Collection of trees and shrubs, part of Edinburgh Botanic Gardens. Guided walks throughout the season. Open: daily February - November. Stay at: The Spinney (Jedburgh)

Edinburgh and the Lothians Malleny Garden, Balerno, 8 miles south east of Edinburgh Much appreciated for its atmosphere of peace and tranquillity, Malleny is the garden to visit for a few hours of quiet contemplation among beautiful surroundings. Renowned for its flamboyant plantings of old-fashioned roses (for which Malleny holds a prestigious NCCPG award) and herbaceous perennials arranged with an eye for pleasing colour combinations, this 3-acre walled garden is dominated by four magnificent clipped yew trees dating from the 17th century. You can also enjoy the vegetable and herb garden, the Victorian greenhouse, and the surrounding area of woodland which adds to the aura of shelter and seclusion. Open daily all year. NTS. Stay at: Violet Bank House (Currie, Edinburgh) or Newmills Cottage (Balerno, Edinburgh)

The Royal Botanic Garden - 1 mile from Princes Street. Over 28 hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds ; World-famous Rock Garden; 11 unique glasshouses including Britain's tallest Palm House; Tranquil Chinese Hillside complete with wild water ravine. Open daily (excluding 25 December & 1 January) from 10am, closing: 4pm November - February, 6pm March, 7pm April - September and 6pm October. Admission to the Garden is free. Admission charges apply to entry of the glasshouses. Free map and Junior Explorer leaflet. Shop and Café. Web site: www.rbge.org.uk Stay at: Violet Bank House (Currie, Edinburgh)

Stirling and Fife Aberdour Castle - in Aberdour, 5 miles east of the Forth Bridges on the A921. The 13th century fortified residence of Aberdour has a delightful walled garden and terraces with beehive-shaped doocot. Open daily 1 April - 30 September 9.30am to 5.30pm 1 October to 31 March: open Saturday to Wednesday, 9.30am to 4.30pm (closed Thursdays & Fridays). Admission charge. Tel 01383 860519. Historic Scotland. Stay at: Gruinard (Burntisland) Kirklands House and Garden, Saline, Fife. A 2-acre garden, woodland walk through 20 acres of naturally regenerating Scottish Native Woodland, which has been designated a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation), and a small nursery - all plants are grown on site. Open April to September, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2:30pm to 5:00pm. Web site: www.kirklandshouseandgarden.co.uk Stay at: Kirklands House

NORTHERN SCOTLAND

Lochaber, Wester Ross and the Isle of Skye Balmacara Estate - a National Trust for Scotland estate Lots of walks through ancient woodland and wild countryside. Abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. Web site: www.nts.org.uk Lochalsh Woodland Gardens at Balmacara. Open all year, dawn to dusk, honesty box. Web site: www.nts.org.uk

Attadale Gardens, Strathcarron, Wester-Ross, on A890 road between Strathcarron and South Strome. Privately owned garden and house, near the shores of Loch Carron, cradled by mountains. A style that allows the garden to blend seamlessly from the planned planted areas into the wilderness that surrounds it. Open 10am - 5.30pm April - October (closed Sundays). Admission charge. Tel: 01520 722603. Web site: www.attadale.com Stay at: Ferroch (Loch Torridon)

North-West Highlands and Wester Ross Kerrarchar Gardens - A unique loch-side garden only accessible by boat. Plants for sale and refreshments available. Combine a wonderful loch boat trip with a visit to a beautiful remote garden. Sailings: From Kylesku - Open Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 1pm from mid May to mid September. The boat fare is approx. £10 and admission to garden £2.50. Tel: 01971 502345. Web site: www.kerrachar.co.uk Stay at: Veyatie (Lochinver) The Hydroponicum, Achiltibuie. See plants growing without soil. Guided tour and Lily Pond café. Open daily April to September, plus weekdays in October. Tel: 1854 622202. Web site: www.thehydroponicum.com Stay at: Veyatie (Lochinver) Leckmelm Shrubbery and Arboretum - Little Leckmelm, Lochbroom, 4 miles south of Ullapool on the A835. A woodland garden, planted in 1870 and restored in 1984. Open April to September daily 10am to 6pm. Stay at: Clach Mhuilinn (Inverness) or Evergreen (Loch Ness)

Inverewe Garden - Famous National Trust for Scotland Garden on A832 between Ullapool and Gairloch. Spectacular garden with fabulous rhododendrons and azaleas in May plus tree ferns, Himalayan poppies, herbaceous borders, eucalyptus, gunnera, primulas , walled garden and rockeries, all year colour and interest. Open daily all year. Admission charge. Free guided garden walks weekdays May to September. Café and shop (open March - October). National Trust for Scotland. Stay at: Braemore Square (Ullapool) or The Sheiling (Laide) or The Old Smiddy Guest House (Laide) or Clach Mhuilinn (Inverness) or Evergreen (Loch Ness)

North-East Highlands / Easter Ross / Orkney Dunrobin Castle, Golspie. Formal parterre gardens laid out in 1850 below the castle. Castle open 1 April - 15th October, 10.30am - 5pm (Sundays from 12 noon). The gardens are open all year round and entry is free of charge when the castle is closed. Tel: 01408 633177. Web site. Stay at: Glenaveron (Brora)

Inverness, Loch Ness and Nairn Abriachan Nursery and Gardens , A82 Loch Ness side. Open: February - November 9am - 7pm or dusk if earlier. Admission: Nursery free, gardens £1.00 for charity. Stay at: Clach Mhuilinn (Inverness) or Evergreen (Loch Ness) Inverness Floral Hall, Bught Lane, Inverness. Mixed floral displays including cactus house. Open: daily 10am - 4pm (winter) / 5pm (summer). Small admission charge. Web site: www.invernessfloralhall.com Stay at: Clach Mhuilinn (Inverness) or Evergreen (Loch Ness) Cawdor Castle Gardens and grounds, on B9090 between Inverness & Nairn. Mixture of formal gardens and parkland, including maze. Open daily: 1 May to 14 October 10.00 am - 5.30 pm. Admission charges apply. Web site: www.cawdorcastle.com Stay at: Clach Mhuilinn (Inverness) or Evergreen (Loch Ness)

Speyside and the Cairngorm National Park Jack Drake's Inshriach Gardens and Nursery - near Aviemore, nursery garden with unusual alpine plants for sale. Open 1st March to 31st October, 10am - 5.00pm, other times by appointment. Web site: www.drakesalpines.com Stay at: Glengarry (Kingussie) or Rowan House (Kingussie)

NORTHEAST SCOTLAND

Moray The Biblical Garden, King Street, Elgin (around the corner from the entrance to the Cathedral). The only garden of its type in Scotland. Open daily May to September, between 10.00 am and 7.30pm. Admission: free. Stay at: The Croft (Elgin) or Milton of Grange Farmhouse (Forres)

Royal Deeside and Grampian Balmoral Castle (gardens and grounds). Open daily from 10am to 5pm from April to July. Web site: www.balmoralcastle.com Stay at: Auld Cummerton (Strathdon) Crathes Castle near Banchory. Castle with spectacular gardens featuring herbaceous borders in garden "rooms" and unusual topiary. Garden and grounds open all year daily. Castle open: April - September, daily 10am - 5.30pm; October daily 10am - 4.30pm; November - March Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 3.45pm. Admission charges apply. National Trust for Scotland. Stay at: Auld Cummerton (Strathdon)

Kildrummy Castle near Alford, Aberdeenshire. A gem set in the small glen beside Kildrummy Castle. Rare arctic and rock plants. Licenced for marriages. Open April to October. Admission charge. Web site: www.kildrummy-castle-gardens.co.uk Stay at: Auld Cummerton (Strathdon) Drum Castle (near Banchory). The original 13th century keep has an adjoining Jacobean mansion house and additions made by Victorian lairds. There are woodland trails and a garden of historic roses in the grounds. National Trust of Scotland. Castle open Easter - 30 June and 1 - 30 September 12.30 - 5pm (closed Tuesdays and Fridays). Castle open 1 July - 31 August daily 11am - 5pm. Grounds open daily all year. National Trust for Scotland Stay at: Fridayhill (Inverurie) Angus & Dundee Pitmuies Gardens, House Of Pitmuies, Guthrie, Forfar, Angus. Two walled gardens adjoining an 18th century house, sheltering long mixed flower borders, superb delphiniums and old fashioned roses. Spacious lawns, woodland, river and lochside walks. Open 1st April - 31st October daily 10am - 5pm. Admission charge. Web site: www.pitmuies.com Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee) University of Dundee Botanic Gardens, Dundee. 21 acres of tree, shrubs and plants collected world-wide. Tropical temperate plant houses with fruits, flowers and giant Victoria water lily. Coffee shop, plant and gift sales. Disabled facilities. Open March - October (daily 10am - 4.30pm); November - February (daily 10am - 3.30pm). Admission charge. www.dundeebotanicgardens.co.uk Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee)

Glamis Castle Gardens, near Forfar. A mile of daffodils in Springtime. Superb displays of rhododendrons and azaleas in summer. Colourful autumn trees. Nature Trail and Pinetum providing a haven for wildlife. Open daily from 17 March - December. Admission charge. Web site: www.glamis-castle.co.uk Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee) Camperdown Country Park. Dundee's largest public park consists of 395 acres of beautiful parkland containing many rare trees, 18 hole golf course, horse riding, tennis and award-winning adventure playground. Open all year and free. Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee) Clatto Country Park, Dundee. Parkland surrounding 24 acres of water. Facilities include visitors centre, play area, picnic areas, woodland walks. During the summer months a variety of water sports are available. Park & woodland open at all times. Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee) Broughty Ferry Esplanade Rock Gardens, Dundee. Delightful rock garden containing plants and flowers from all over the world. Water feature including a tadpole friendly pond. Woodland walk and fine trees. Open all year and free. Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee)

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Perthshire The Perthshire Gardens Collection 11 gardens which can all be visited using a 14 day pass costing £10. Stay at: Easter Dunfallandy House (Pitlochry) Bell's Cherrybank Gardens, Perth Bolfracks Garden, by Aberfeldy Branklyn Garden, Perth Cluny House Gardens, by Aberfeldy Drummond Castle Gardens, by Crieff Hercules Garden at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl Kinross House Gardens, Kinross Scone Palace Gardens, by Perth Scottish Plant Hunters' Garden, Pitlochry Glendoick Gardens, by Perth. Garden and nursery with rhododendrons and azaleas. Open 10 April to 16 June 2006, Monday to Friday only, 10am to 4pm. Also open under Scotland's Garden Scheme on the first and third Sundays in May (2pm to 5pm). Admission: £3 per person

Drummond Castle Gardens, Muthill, Crieff. One of the finest formal gardens in Europe, first laid out in the early 17th century. Gardens open at Easter, then from May to October 1pm - 6pm. Admission charge. Web site. Note: the castle itself is not open to the public. Stay at: Kilrymont (Aberuthven) Megginch Castle Gardens, Errol, near Perth. A 15th century castle, altered by Robert Adam in 1790, with a 19th century garden. Megginch Castle Gardens have ancient yews, topiary, an astrological garden, a fountain parterre, a courtyard with a dovecote and a walled garden with a long herbaceous border. April to October Daily 2pm to 5.30pm. Admission charges. Stay at: Duntrune House (Dundee)