Situated on the edge of the Swannay Loch, a tranquil and secluded garden filled with a variety of colourful and fragrant hardy plants. The garden is complemented by stunning views of the loch and surrounding countryside.

Tucked behind the house, at the centre of the village, you will find a small apothecary garden, each plant a familiar companion and herbal ally. With a circular path at its heart, just wide enough for slow footsteps and a basket on your arm, beds of calendula, yarrow, plantain, rose, mint, and lemon balm grow amongst nettles, clover and other wildflowers. With micro habitats of woodland, water and meadow, the garden supports the wellbeing of both humans and wildlife, where the work of tending becomes a daily ritual of listening, repair and small, stubborn hope and plants are gathered for teas, tinctures and simple balms. In this wild sanctuary, we are encouraged to take things slow, and repair.

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 Rousay Community School garden is located on the grounds of Rousay Primary School. It is a project funded by the Climate Challenge Fund and is used by the school and local community. The garden covers an extensive area and includes a wildlife pond and a woodland planted by the students over 20 years ago, as well as a polytunnel and raised beds.

Trumland Estate Garden is a notable feature of the Trumland Estate, located on the island of Rousay in Orkney. Built in 1875, the 40 plus acre garden, which surrounds the grand Victorian mansion of Trumland House, is renowned for its picturesque landscape. The garden at Trumland Estate is laid out in a traditional Victorian style, with terraced lawns, winding paths, and a mixture of formal and informal planting. Mature trees, including beech and sycamore, shelter the grounds and provide a sense of seclusion and tranquillity. Shrubberies and flower borders bring colour throughout the changing seasons, while carefully placed benches offer visitors a chance to pause and admire the sweeping views across the estate and towards the sea. Despite the challenges posed by the Orkney climate, the garden boasts a diverse range of hardy plants adapted to the windy and often cool conditions. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas flourish in the sheltered spots, while native wildflowers and ferns are interspersed among the more formal plantings. The garden’s location allows for a blend of traditional ornamental species and local flora, contributing to its distinctive character. Trumland Estate Garden retains many original features from its Victorian roots. Stone walls, wrought iron gates, and elegant steps connect different levels of the garden. Visitors can enjoy a sense of stepping back in time, exploring pathways that wind through mature woodland, open lawns, and vibrant borders. The setting, with panoramic views of the Orkney landscape and the sea beyond, enhances the garden’s peaceful and unspoilt appeal. The garden offers a tranquil retreat and an opportunity to experience the unique blend of cultivated beauty and wild Orkney nature that defines Trumland Estate.

A magical woodland garden now over 40 years old, filled with a lush undergrowth and a wide variety tree species thriving in Orkney growing conditions. Wander the trails through the woods to pop out to find spectacular views of Rousay and other islands or sit in a quiet garden room to soak in the quiet wildness of Rousay.

Organic wildlife garden at the edge of boggy moorland. Mature trees and shrubs are mixed with herbaceous perennials, with raised beds for vegetables and flowers for cutting. Focus is on providing food and homes for pollinating insects.

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. 

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.

Situated high on Wideford Hill, with views across Kirkwall, the north isles, east mainland, linked south isles and onwards to mainland Scotland, this 1½ -acre plot tries to challenge the saying ‘In Orkney, you can have views, or shelter, but not both’. Established shelter planting by the previous owner has created a mature garden surrounding the house, whilst in the past three years we have expanded the garden into the adjacent field, adding a young woodland, ponds, prairie inspired borders and a ‘sitooterie’ at the top of the plot to enjoy the view. Two tunnels and a greenhouse provide the opportunity to grow a wide variety of trained fruit trees and soft fruit. The garden is a work in progress, as so many are.

Newly-created garden, since 2024. This exposed coastal location has outstanding views to the south, west and north to Marwick Bay and Kitchener Memorial. It has a mix of general garden areas with a vegetable garden and covered fruit and two productive seven metre Polycroos.

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.

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, Granary Lodge B&B, 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. 

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.