Tree planting began in March 2010. 1,500 varied species were planted into a half acre of rough ground. Several varieties of willow were planted around the perimeter to provide a wind break for other less hardy trees. There was once a house on this site which is long gone but some of the ground around it remains very stony which has hampered planting in those areas. We used a pick to assist planting here; not everything survived so we have planted annually to fill in any gaps. Half an acre adjacent to the trees is annually sown with bird seed mix. Seeds included kale, mustard, crimson clover, phacelia, rape, buckwheat, borage, corn marigolds, oats and barley to feed the wild birds. We have added various bulbs such as daffodils, crocuses and bluebells. We also planted pampas, New Zealand Flax, gunnera and ferns.

This relatively sheltered garden (by Orkney standards!), centrally placed within the village of St. Margaret’s Hope, has a wonderful, established tree backdrop. The garden demonstrates that a relatively small space can be transformed into a plant-packed paradise! Plants that are usually difficult to grow in Orkney thrive here and the lush green paths give wonderful access to a rich range of plants.

Waulkmill is a three-acre garden overlooking the sands of Waulkmill Bay. Created over the last 15 years amidst bog and heathland, the garden sits alongside Hobbister Bird reserve. The native, wild, naturalistic-style planting includes hardy plants for the windy plot and Orkney native shrubs and trees. A dipping pond, long borders and perennial planting are designed to take in the spectacular views over Scapa Flow. The St Magnus Way cuts through the land and a sculpture garden is currently under development.

Mill House gardens are a seaside sanctuary of quiet contemplative rooms on many levels, with amazing views. The many secluded seated areas are accessed by steps, tree lined paths and walled garden routes leading around the sprawling grounds, with an array of trees, shrubs, flowers for seasonal colour and interest with formal and natural ponds attracting abundant wildlife. There is a sea front rockery overlooked by a glazed deck from where you can view Scapa Flow. The fruit and vegetable garden is home to a self-built recycled green house, a sheltered potting area, cold frames, raised beds for growing the family’s produce including a dappled shaded herb garden behind the house, all giving hours of peace and health benefits working with the steady processes of gardening.

Half-an-acre site (including the house) with a view towards North Isles. Established windbreak surround of mixed shrubs and trees, seven raised beds for vegetables and flowers, bog garden with huge gunnera and water-loving plants. A very large rockery, non alpine, with a path over the top. There are two small wooded areas, one with bluebells and areas of grass made over to a wildflower meadow.

A 150-year-old walled garden in Orkney’s West Mainland, which provides a unique micro climate against the windy, coastal conditions. The ‘gardens within gardens’ layout provides sheltered growing for hostas, irises, grasses and a collection of more than 120 species and hybrids of perennial geraniums. Organically gardened, the space is alive with birds, bees and butterflies. The garden has featured in the Scottish Field, Scotland on Sunday and Beechgrove. It is included in the books Island Gardens by Jackie Bennet, and Scotland for Gardeners by Ken Cox.

Set in an acre of land, we have been breaking through the weeds for around three years. Our garden has a mixture of flowers, vegetables, raised beds, wildlife and a pond. There are also a few mature shrubs, windbreak boundaries of willow and dog rose, two polytunnels, one of which houses fruit trees. A new hornbeam hedge and a gabion basket windbreaker wall. The garden is very much a work in progress.

Over the last few years there have been big changes in the garden and there is now much more interest during the summer months. There is a new mini stumpery and many changes to the original borders. The river Carron flows around the edge of the garden and the old Amat Caledonian Forest is close by. Large specimen trees surround the house, plus many new ones planted in the policies in the last few years. There are several herbaceous borders, rhododendrons, trees and shrubs, all set in a large lawn. It is possible to go on a short woodland and river walk and you may see red squirrels which were reintroduced some years ago and are often in and around the garden. 
Champion Trees: Abies Procera, Noble Fir

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. There are herbaceous borders, rockery, 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 have been planted to increase wildlife habitat. The owner is an artist-printmaker with an open studio that folk are welcome to look around too.

Extensive woodland garden with spectacular views over Loch Fleet. Mixed herbaceous borders, rose garden and shrubberies surround the house. Lawns slope down to a small lochan and river walkway. Mature trees throughout. Large kitchen garden. 

A beautiful and spectacular old walled garden with outstanding borders situated in the secluded Langwell Strath. Charming wooded access drive with a chance to see deer. 

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.

Set in an acre of land, we have been breaking through the weeds for around three years. Our garden has a mixture of flowers, vegetables, raised beds, wildlife and a pond. There are also a few mature shrubs, windbreak boundaries of willow and dog rose, two polytunnels, one of which houses fruit trees. A new hornbeam hedge and a gabion basket windbreaker wall. The garden is very much a work in progress.

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.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the late 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. 

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. 

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. There are herbaceous borders, rockery, 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 have been planted to increase wildlife habitat. The owner is an artist-printmaker with an open studio that folk are welcome to look around too.

Over the last few years there have been big changes in the garden and there is now much more interest during the summer months. There is a new mini stumpery and many changes to the original borders. The river Carron flows around the edge of the garden and the old Amat Caledonian Forest is close by. Large specimen trees surround the house, plus many new ones planted in the policies in the last few years. There are several herbaceous borders, rhododendrons, trees and shrubs, all set in a large lawn. It is possible to go on a short woodland and river walk and you may see red squirrels which were reintroduced some years ago and are often in and around the garden. 
Champion Trees: Abies Procera, Noble Fir

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.

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. There is a small pond with a waterfall and goldfish. The area to the back of the house has retaining walls in which rockery plants can be found and, nestled among trees, an arbour in which to rest. In the newer part of the garden there is a wildlife pond with aquatic plants including water lilies, a gunnera and a few frogs! This is situated below the polycrub, in which I grow vegetables, passion flower and fruit trees such as a peach, pear and plum as well as a grapevine. My other vegetables plots are east of the polycrub.