Blair Castle's private gardens will be open for visitors - allowing them to walk around the beautiful, landscaped gardens which include a collection of trees dating back to the 18th century. The gardens are continually evolving with a wonderful collection of rhododendrons, magnolias and azaleas. April is a wonderful time to see the gardens.

The garden extends to two acres, and has been developed to provide different areas of interest. A lawned area behind the house contains a herbaceous border featuring a variety of David Austin roses. Adjacent is a herb garden with small pond. Also behind the house is a Moon Garden. A gate leads to the Garden of Contemplation, an area of relaxation containing the large wildlife pond and a labyrinth. Walk on and you will find the orchard complete with beehives. Over the stream is an area left to nature, a small allotment, an arboretum and a willow dome. There are multiple seating areas. We are a pesticide free garden which has allowed a wide range of pollinators and other wildlife to flourish. Stout shoes advised.

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. There is also an established allotment growing area and 'Threads of Time' mural to visit at the rear of the community centre.

The garden surrounds the house, which dates from the 17th century. Mature beech and lime trees shelter an abundance of rhododendrons and azaleas. More recent plantings of trees and shrubs add year-round colour and interest with under-plantings of perennials and bulbs. Raised beds have been added for vegetables, fruit trees and herbs. Across the bridge over the burn, the long border has been extended to include more summer flowering plants and a mix of trees and shrubs for different seasons. A colourful maple grove, a den for youngsters and a rockery with alpines and small rhododendrons all add interest.

Crummieholm was originally a farm, dating back to the 18th century. A formal front garden was created in the 1970s. The adjacent farmland was developed for housing apart from one area which was left to nature for over 30 years. Over the past 10 years, the current owners have attempted to transform this neglected and overgrown field into a tranquil haven for trees, shrubs, flowers and wildlife. A network of paths leads round the sloping, south facing site, bounded by a small burn. It continues to be a work in progress. It is hoped that others in the village will participate, enabling a trail of village gardens

Underwood Lodge’s secluded garden is set in surrounding farmland and woodland. The main structure of the garden has been in place for over 20 years with mature trees, shrubs, herbaceous and wall-grown plants. Recent changes to the garden include the development of a woodland, scree garden and installation of a summer house, pergola and glasshouse. Deer and rabbit fencing was added in autumn 2023 to give greater protection. We continue to enhance the planting in all areas.

The garden extends to two acres, and has been developed to provide different areas of interest. A lawned area behind the house contains a herbaceous border featuring a variety of David Austin roses. Adjacent is a herb garden with small pond. Also behind the house is a Moon Garden. A gate leads to the Garden of Contemplation, an area of relaxation containing the large wildlife pond and a labyrinth. Walk on and you will find the orchard complete with beehives. Over the stream is an area left to nature, a small allotment, an arboretum and a willow dome. There are multiple seating areas. We are a pesticide free garden which has allowed a wide range of pollinators and other wildlife to flourish. Stout shoes advised.

The house itself was built in 1887, but when we moved in to the house in 2010, the garden was a jungle. We removed 12 trees, many of them self-seed trees, discovered a sunken garden and had to fill it with 20 tonnes of topsoil. Therefore, starting from this blank canvas and a love of gardening, we divided the garden into rooms to add interest, including a parterre, herbaceous border, patio and lots of different seating areas, including one by Nigel Bialy, to take advantage of the sun at various times of the day.

This south facing garden began life in 2015 with new owners taking over in 2024. Traditional hedging provides shelter for this established cottage garden, planted with a wide variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, roses and clematis. Snowdrops, daffodils and hellebores are planted in abundance for spring interest. For summer, herbaceous borders and shrubberies frame a lawn. Paths link raised vegetable beds, a greenhouse, fruit trees and fruit cage. Steps lead to a small woodland area at the rear of the house which includes hydrangeas, ferns, an enclosed space for the family of chickens, a composting area and a wild area complete with hedgehog house and bug hotel. Recently created steps, a path and waterside deck open access to the Fenwick Water which flows through the south side of the garden where you may be lucky enough to spot the blue flash of the kingfishers as they streak along the water, or see dippers, ducks and heron. The garden remains a work in progress.

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 the secret garden, walled garden, herbaceous borders and ponds that are within the gardens. Our main focus 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.

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 the secret garden, walled garden, herbaceous borders and ponds that are within the gardens. Our main focus 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.

Our green spaces grow from one end of the village to the other. From the range of perennials and bulbs in the Meadowfoot triangle, past the colourful station beds to the stunning wallflowers and dahlias at the Library triangle. In between, we have the sensory Catlinn, the relaxing Old Man's Rest and the Boyd Orr where his work is celebrated in growing food, fruit and flowers. Pass by our flower beds when you go into the Barony Arts Centre to buy your booklet 'The Community Gardens of West Kilbride'. The Centre is open 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday. Wander through the Kirktonhall Glen and visit our meadow and community orchard. Cross Gilmour's Lane and wind your way back through Starling Woods with its fairy doors amongst the trees.

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

Set within the historic Blair estate dating back to the 1500s, at the Carriage House the Borwicks have planted a beautiful arboretum. Built on the vision of generations of Blairs of creating a sanctuary of rare species trees, over the past four 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 pathways offer different vistas and points of interest including mermaids rescuing a girl, carved by a local artist from a Portuguese Laurel stump. View the 24-year old Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) grown from Blair seed, an avenue of eight different lime trees which earned a Queen's Green Canopy Award, a Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Golden Dawn', and other rare trees. From a bench created from our own wood, enjoy the arboretum’s energy – a special experience. New since 2024 is a beautiful Cumbrian green slate commemorative stone, with superb engraving by the Cordozo Kindersley Workshop: it frames Blair Castle perfectly and honours the three related families who have nurtured this special place since 1105. The Blair crest heads the inscription with the motto “Amo Probos”, and the Royal Scots Greys badge “second to none” recognises the generations of family members serving our country in Scotland’s only cavalry regiment. Wander the Carriage House garden, created from a field since 2002 and planted with many varieties of roses and mature shrubs.

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. Also, there is a potting shed which may be of interest. The garden is only 15 minutes from Dumfries House.

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.

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.

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, 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, Cautleya and Roscoea. Nestling amongst the foliage is the giant leafed Tetrapanax together with the rare, giant terrestrial fern Lophosoria.

A tranquil and secluded suburban garden created in August 2024. Landscaping features include interlacing circles and curves, archways, arbours, a wildlife pond, a Victorian-style greenhouse, and a lazy fountain. Indian sandstone flagstones, quartz gravel, clay rolltop edging, terracotta pots, sets and tiles offer a warm colour palette. Tulips, magnolias, camellias, cornus and peonies provide early seasonal interest; vibrant mixed borders are planted with fragrant standard, shrub, rambling and climbing roses. On the circular lawn is an ancient olive tree bordered by espalier-trained, dwarf and potted patio fruit trees. Peaches, nectarines, figs, oranges and kumquats are grown in the greenhouse. Eco measures include a rainwater reservoir, a compost tumbler to recycle garden and kitchen waste, and seaweed and manure to fortify the free-draining soil.