Garden Openings

Stobshiel House

Humbie EH36 5PD
Mr Maxwell and Lady Sarah Ward

4 March to 23 September, 9am - 3.30pm. Wednesday only. (2026)

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T:01875 833646 or 07876 350725 E:stobshiel@gmail.com

The garden at Stobshiel House is effectively split into four main parts viz., the walled garden, the shrubbery, the pond and lawns and the woodland areas. Each area is laid out and planted to provide the visitor with all year round interest from swathes of aconites, snowdrops and narcissi in spring to a vast array of perennials, roses, clematis and annuals throughout summer and autumn. The extensive collection of shrubs and mature trees offer a fantastic backdrop during all seasons.

Directions: Travelling from Humbie towards Haddington B6368. Take the second sign on the right opposite Gilchriston, having passed over a very narrow bridge. Go uphill until you see two stone pillars on a corner. If coming from Haddington to Humbie, take the B6368 and turn uphill to the left at the first sign to Stobshiel. Continue uphill until you see the two stone pillars on your right at a sharp corner. Find using what3words/acclaim.reform.breached

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Remap Scotland 60%

Humbie Dean

Humbie EH36 5PW
Frank Kirwan

Wednesday 18 March, Wednesday 15 April, Wednesday 6 May, Wednesday 20 May, Wednesday 3 June, Wednesday 8 July & Wednesday 12 August, 10:30am - 4pm (2026)

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E:frank.kirwan@gmail.com

Humbie Dean is an informal two-acre ornamental, woodland and vegetable garden on a variety of levels, sandwiched between two burns at 600 feet, developed since 2009. The garden is densely planted for year-round interest, not just from flowers, but foliage, bark and berries. The woodland gorge part of the garden is accessible only by a series of steps.

Directions: Enter Humbie from the A68, pass the school and the village hall on the left then immediately turn right just before the Humbie Hub. Take the second left and Humbie Dean is on the left between two small bridges. Limited parking. Find using what3words/shorthand.frog.limbs

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Mamie Martin Fund 60%

Kirkton Manor House

Peebles EH45 9JH
Mrs Rosemary Thorburn

Open 18 March - 15 July, Wednesday only, 1pm - 4pm. (2026)

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T:01721 740220 E:rpthorburn@icloud.com

Kirkton Manor House has a delightful, three-acre, informal country garden set in the beautiful Manor Valley. It enjoys spectacular open views and calling curlews from its riverside position. Bluebells flank the impressive entrance leading to a new shrub border. Stone steps continue through to terraced slopes filled with bulbs, roses and hellebores providing height, interest and fragrance. Grass paths meander along the burn where snowdrops, blue and white camassia, meconopsis, and ligularia thrive in this sunny meadow environment. Later, in June, sisyrinchiums, irises, orchids and many flowering shrubs and roses are abundant. The natural woodland includes many interesting trees.

Directions: Turn off the A72 west of Neidpath Castle, signposted to Kirkton Manor. After crossing the River Tweed, enter a garden gate which is a mile downhill, opposite a Beware Horses sign.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

The Limes

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XD
David and Carolyn McHale

**Special Event - Hellebore Opening** Sunday 22 March & Sunday 26 April, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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E:carolyn.mchale@btinternet.com

This one and a quarter acre plantswoman’s garden has a variety of different plant habitats: woodland, dry sunny gravel beds, rock garden, crevice garden and mixed perennial and shrub borders. There is a large productive vegetable garden. The McHales like to grow most of their plants from seed obtained through various international seed exchanges. Expect to see a large number of unusual and exciting plants. The garden is full of colour with an abundance of spring flowers in March, and in late May and early June the meconopsis should be at their best. The gravel garden comes into its own in July and continues through until winter. Hardy cyclamen are a big favourite and a species is in flower in almost every month of the year. The garden has featured on the BBC Beechgrove Garden, in Garden Answers and Scottish Field.

Directions: In Kirkcudbright go straight along St Mary Street towards Dundrennan. The Limes is on the right, about half a mile from the town centre crossroads, on the edge of the town.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Friends Of Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool 60%

Millfield House

Millfield House, Falkland, Fife KY15 7BN
Sarah, Rob & Aaron Marshall

**Special Event - Hellebore Opening** Saturday/Sunday, 4/5 April, 2pm - 5pm. (2026)

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Millfield is set on the edge of the beautiful and historic village of Falkland. Millfield is opening for hellebores with fine displays throughout the walled garden and along woodland paths. Also in flower early April will be hundreds of naturalized bulbs in the meadows, and other early season delights throughout the gardens and in the greenhouses including pulmonaria, erythronium, primula, hepatica and primula auricula.

Directions: From the A912 turn into the village, travel straight past the central fountain. Follow the road until it makes a sharp left - Millfield is straight ahead.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: Falkland in Bloom: Falkland Gardening Group 60%

Blair Castle & Estate

Dalry, Ayrshire KA24 4ER
Siobhan Nanson, Castle Manager

Sunday 12 April, 12:30pm - 4:30pm (2026)

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T:01294 833100 E:Siobhan@blairestate.co.uk

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.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00061

Directions: Exit the A737 at the Highfield roundabout. Take the first exit towards Stewarton on the B707. Follow this road for 0.8 mile and then turn right onto Blair Road. Turn left to enter the estate at the north gates - KA24 4EL for your SatNav. We will be operating a one-way system on the day for visitors.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Calum's Cabin 60%

3 Millhall

Shore Road, Kirkcudbright DG6 4TQ
Mr Alan Shamash

Sunday 12 April & Sunday 30 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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E:ashamash3@aol.com

Impressive five-acre garden with a large collection of mature shrubs, including over 200 rhododendron species, many camellias, magnolias including campbellii, embothriums, leptospermums, olearias, myrtles, telopeas, perennials, over 200 hydrangeas and many other rare Southern Hemisphere plants. The garden has several interesting paths and is on a hillside running along the rocky shore of the Dee Estuary in Kirkcudbright Bay.

Directions: On the B727 between Kirkcudbright and Borgue on the west shore of the Dee Estuary. Parking at Dhoon Beach public car park, about three miles south of Kirkcudbright. There is a five-minute walk to the house. Please note there will be no vehicular access to 3 Millhall and all visitors should park at Dhoon Beach and walk up to the property.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer's Research UK 60%

Megginch Castle

Errol PH2 7SW
Giles Herdman and Catherine Drummond-Herdman

Sunday 12 April, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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E:info@megginch.com

W:megginchcastle.com

Come and immerse yourself in the magic of Megginch on Sunday 12th April. Wander through the glorious daffodils and into the award-winning orchard. Then back to the conservatory for our famous, home-baked teas. We love having your dogs on leads but let your children run free! Please note that Megginch is a family home and so not open to the public apart from the SGS day on Sunday 12th April.
National Plant Collection: Scottish cider apples, Scottish Heritage apples and pears
Champion Trees: Acer palmatum

Directions: Ten miles from Perth and Dundee directly off the A90, Perth-bound carriageway, 600 yards after the Errol/Rait flyover, on the left hand side, 300 yards after Beware Pedestrians Crossing sign. Find the entrance using what3words/unguarded.clan.masks

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Longwood

Humbie EH36 5PN
Linda Flockhart and Sandra Gentle

Wednesday 15 April, 10:30am - 4pm (2026)

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An extensive, long-established country garden at 800 feet. There are ducks and hens, stream and ponds as well as areas of wild garden and borders including roses, vegetables, lawns and woodlands. Stunning views over the Forth.

Directions: From the B6368 (Humbie to Haddington road) about one mile east of Humbie take the direction south to Blegbie Farm (signposted). Follow the road for circa two miles, passing Humbie Mains Farm as you go. You will find Blegbie Farm at a hard right-hand bend. The drive for Longwood will be straight in front of you, right beside Blegbie. Go straight up the drive and park at the bottom of the cottages. Do not turn right or left. Find using what3words/mermaids.steepest.animals

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

Grange

Linlithgow EH49 7RH
Johnny and Karen Cadell

Sunday 19 April, 1pm - 5pm. Admission for one hour for car including driver £8.00. Cars must be pre-booked online. Passengers and walkers £5.00, children free. Booking link coming soon. (2026)

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E:johnnycadell@icloud.com

Discover a hidden century-old woodland and terraced formal garden in the setting of an Edwardian country house near Linlithgow. Less a horticulturalists garden than a diverse and surprising hillside walk, revealing hidden gardens, garden structures and architectural gems. Climb down to a walled garden with croquet lawn, topiary, pleached limes, apple espaliers and wisteria. Search the woods and rockery for a large collection and variety of mature rhododendrons, including several giants. Enjoy the extensive native

spring flowers along tree-lined avenues and in our 110-year-old orchard. And don't miss our highlight, the blaze of flowering azaleas at the end of the lawn. The garden previously opened under the Garden Scheme by earlier generations of the Cadell family from the 1930's until 2000 and this is a rare chance to re-discover the garden.

Directions: A visit to Grange can be part of a countryside walk from Linlithgow or Bo'ness. From the east end of Linlithgow loch, off the A803 Blackness Road, take the minor road north towards Bonnytoun Farm, over the motorway then turn left onto a private road signposted Grange just before the farm. Follow the tree-lined avenue a mile uphill. If coming by car, booking is essential due to limited parking. Take the A803 (Blackness Road) from the M9, exit 3 and take the 2nd right after Oracle site (Bonnytoun Road), then 1st left before Bonnytoun Farm (private road). Follow signs to the house. Exit north towards Bo'ness; turn right before West Lothian golf course to return to Linlithgow/M9. This route is one-way south to north.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%

The Geans

Gosford Road, Longniddry EH32 0LF
Nicky & Stewart Williams

Sunday 26 April, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

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A large, mature, semi-structured garden with views over the Firth of Forth. The garden includes evolving topiary for structure and wild areas for nature. There is a pond and a separate water feature, a couple of cabins and many seating areas. A shady path under the trees, a veg patch, a fruit cage and a large old greenhouse all add interest. The garden is designed to have interest all year and attracts lots of wildlife which is caught on wildlife camera traps. There are lots of gravelled paths but they are quite compacted.

Directions: The Geans is the fourth house on Gosford Road after Longniddry Golf Club and is painted terracotta. There is a train station and buses to Longniddry (124 and X5).

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: HWDT 60%

Eglinton and Glencairn Gardens

Eglinton Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 5DD
Eglinton and Glencairn Gardens Association

Sunday 26 April, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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W:https://www.eglintonglencairngardens.co.uk

The Eglinton and Glencairn Gardens are an oasis of calm in Edinburgh’s West End. Covering two acres, they consist of lawns, flower beds and a fine collection of trees including a Camperdown elm. They are well used and enjoyed by the residents of the two crescents and include a small children’s play area. The gardens are maintained on organic principles. Situated just off Palmerston Place, they are probably at their best in spring time with a profusion of blossom. Created at the end of the nineteenth century, the paths wander through the trees, shrubs and lawns, with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the peace of the gardens.

Directions: The gardens lie off Palmerston Place, between Eglinton Crescent and Glencairn Crescent, 10 minutes walk from Haymarket station, which can be reached by tram and Lothian buses including numbers 26 and 31 stopping outside the station and 4 and 44 in Dalry Road.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Trussell 60%

The Secret Garden

Isle of Lismore, Oban, Argyll PA34 5UL
Eva Tombs

1 May - 1 September (Wednesday & Saturday), 10am - 4pm (2026)

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T:07786 374931 E:eva.tombs@gmail.com

A unique garden at the centre of a biodynamic farm on the Island of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides. The garden created from a field has a strong geometric layout that reflects the ecclesiastical history of the island. It has a vegetable garden, a tree nursery, a physic garden, an orchard and a polytunnel. The garden is a haven for wildflowers, birds, bees and butterflies. Standing stones, meadows, new woodlands, mountains and the sea encompass the whole. There is also a herd of rare breed Shetland cattle, chickens, ducks and friendly cats.

Directions: Please telephone for directions. Approximately two miles from Port Appin ferry.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Kilmoluag Liosmor 60%

Haugh Garden

College of Roseisle IV30 5YE
Gwynne and David Hetherington

Saturday/Sunday, 2/3 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01343 835790 E:davidhetherington26@gmail.com

A lovely two-acre garden to relax in with continuing developments to enjoy. Wander through woodlands and meadows, and around eye-catching perennial borders with unusual plants and shrubs, a pond and an orchard, all attracting a diversity of insects and birds. Our organic vegetable garden and polytunnel keep us well supplied and using the no-dig method, without need for artificial fertiliser or chemicals. Our garden delights us with year-round interest starting with various spring bulbs and flowering shrubs, continuing through to late autumn colours

Directions: From Elgin take the A96 west, then the B9013 Burghead Road to the crossroads at the centre of College of Roseisle. The garden is on the right, enter from the Duffus Road. Car parking at the village hall off Kinloss road. Drop off and disabled parking is available at the house.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & WWF-UK 30%

4 Port Ann

Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8SE
Chris and Anne Buckland

Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, 2-4 May, 23-25 May and 1-3 August, 2pm-5pm (2026)

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E:chrisbuckland3@hotmail.com

This half-acre, tiered garden is situated in the former forestry village of Port Ann, enjoying a sheltered position between Loch Fyne and a pine forest, and is a fine example of what can be achieved in a relatively small space. Created over the last 15 years by Anne and Chris, since Chris has become a wheelchair user, part of the top level of the garden has been made accessible with a viewing platform to the garden and loch beyond. The garden has a water feature, a pond teeming with newts and dragonflies, a labyrinth designed by artist Margaret Ker, many neuks and crannies filled with plants and small trees, including rhododendrons, azaleas, hawthorn, fig, maple and acers, and ends in a walk through a wilder area of hazels on the burnside where the ground is smothered in bluebells in May.

Directions: Heading north on A83 from Inveraray, before you reach Lochgilphead, Port Ann is signposted on the right. Please park in central square. Only the top garden deck is accessible by wheelchair.

Admission: £4.00, children free

Charities: MND Scotland 60%

The Gardens of Monimail Tower

Monimail Tower Project, by Letham KY15 7RJ
The Gardeners of Monimail Tower Project

Sunday 3 May & Sunday 28 June, 10am - 4pm (2026)

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T:07505 424905 E:monimailtower@posteo.uk

W:https://www.monimailtower.org

Monimail Tower gardens is situated in the Howe of Fife, a 19th century walled garden and orchard, built around a 15th century tower, the remains of Cardinal Beaton's summer palace. The garden has been an organic vegetable garden since 1985. We are now developing flower beds, but very much in a natural and wildlife friendly way. You will find peacefulness and tranquillity, but not the formality associated with walled gardens. It is a haven for invertebrates and birds. The garden hosts a site for allotments for local people and the woodlands and orchard are open to the general public all year round with a carpet of snowdrops, aconites, then followed by wild garlic in spring. The garden has a marvellous aspect sloping south, surrounded by ancient yew trees and an orchard. The tower is open to visitors and hosts a little museum. You can climb up to the roof and enjoy a beautiful view.

Directions: Monimail Tower Project is situated in Monimail, a hamlet on the road between Letham and Collessie

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Monimail Tower Project Ltd 60%

South Flisk and Craig Cottage

Blebo Craigs KY15 5UQ
Julia and George Young, David and Elizabeth Wallace

Sunday 3 May, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

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Craig Cottage Blebo Craigs KY15 5UQ (David and Elizabeth Wallace): A total contrast to the nearby South Flisk but the two gardens complement each other perfectly. Most of the garden has been planted since the owners moved here in 2014, although the small area of shrubs close to the cottage is original. Half of the lawn is 'meadow' with a recent planting of fritillaries and there are borders with interesting plants, a rose screen, rhododendrons, azaleas, specimen and fruit trees and a productive veg plot. A recently extended rockery leads to paths between thymes, camomile and other ground cover plants with hedges and trees providing windbreaks. Fine examples of dry stone walling, most of which is the restoration of the original. A half-acre field adjacent to the existing gardens has recently been added. The intention is to have meadow grasses with a small number of trees.

South Flisk Blebo Craigs, Cupar KY15 5UQ (Mr and Mrs George Young): The spectacular views to Perthshire and Angus and large flooded quarry full of fish (and occasional otter) planted with impressive marginals, make this garden very special. Flights of old stone steps, cliffs, boulders, exotic ferns and mature trees form a backdrop for carpets of primroses, bluebells, spring bulbs and woodland plants like trilliums, camassia, meconopsis and colourful primulas, with rhododendrons in flower from March to July. In front of the house is a charming, mature walled garden with traditional cottage-garden planting. Next to the house is the St Andrews Pottery where George will demonstrate his pottery skills for those who need a break from the garden! A new water garden with a stream running through was created in 2023.

Directions: Six miles west of St Andrews off B939 between Strathkinness and Pitscottie. There is a small stone bus shelter opposite the road into the village and sign Blebo Craigs. See map on our website - standrewspottery.co.uk. Bus to Blebo Craigs. The gardens are a short walk from each other

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

Newmill

The Steading, Newmill PH10 6SG
Jean and Dave Trudgill

Sunday 3 May, 1pm - 4pm (2026)

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T:01250 884263 E:davetrudgill@googlemail.com

Newmill is a wildflower and wildlife haven. There are secluded paths that extend 800m by ponds and through woodland along the millrace and the north side of the Lunan Burn. In mid-March there are swathes of wild daffodils and by May, banks of bluebells and primroses. There is a half-acre wildflower meadow covered with cowslips and two colourful gardens to visit. If you are lucky and we have had a warm spring, the first of our 17 species of wild orchid may just be coming into flower.

Directions: Three miles west of Blairgowrie on the south side of the A923 in the direction of Dunkeld. We are 600 metres west of the Kinloch Hotel. Take the track on the left, just after a mobile phone mast and a breeze-block wall.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Unicef 60%

Kinmount House

Annan, Dumfriesshire DG12 5RH
Fiona Birkbeck

Sunday 3 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01461 700406 E:fiona@kinmounthouse.co.uk

W:https://www.kinmounthouse.co.uk Instagram:@kinmounthouse Facebook:Kinmount House

Step into the beauty of Kinmount House and enjoy a day of fresh air, stunning scenery and gentle exploration through our historic estate. Wander the elegant Italian Gardens, where stone terraces, ornamental fountains and manicured hedges create a timeless backdrop before following peaceful woodland trails and lakeside paths alive with birdsong and seasonal colour. Every turn reveals a new view from sweeping parkland to tranquil water reflections and the grand façade of the house itself. Whether you stroll, stride or simply take it all in Kinmount’s gardens offer the perfect setting to support a worthy cause, connect with nature and experience one of Scotland’s most enchanting private estates.

Designed Landscape: Available on the Kinmount House website

Directions: The Italian Gardens at Kinmount House are located within the main estate grounds of the house. Follow signs from the main entrance off the A75 down the front drive and signposted towards the Italian Garden's gate and lakeland footpath.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer Scotland: Dumfries Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centre 60%

Threave Garden

Castle Douglas DG7 1RX
The National Trust for Scotland

Monday 4 May, 10am - 4pm (2026)

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T:01556 502 575 E:threave@nts.org.uk

W:www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/threave-garden

The Threave Garden & Craft Fair SGS Open Day is a one-day event at the home of the National Trust for Scotland's School of Heritage Gardening in Dumfries and Galloway, celebrating all aspects of horticulture. There will be plant nurseries, a craft fair, local producers, and plant-related talks from Threave's Garden Instructors. In addition to this there will be children's activities. Threave Garden Cafe, gift shop and plant sales will be open as normal on the day.
Champion Trees: Acer platanoides 'Princeton Gold'; Carpinus caroliniana; X Cuprocyparis leylandii 'Picturesque' and a further 25 Scottish Champion Trees

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00372

Directions: Off the A75, one mile west of Castle Douglas.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: The National Trust for Scotland: School of Gardening Heritage 60%

Haystoun

Peebles EH45 9JG
Mrs Mary Coltman

every Wednesday in May, 1.30pm - 5.00pm. (2026)

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T:01721 720645

This seventeenth-century house (not open) has a charming walled garden with an ancient yew tree, herbaceous beds and vegetable garden. There is a wonderful burnside walk created since 1980, with azaleas and rhododendrons leading to a small ornamental loch (cleared in 1990) with stunning views up Glensax Valley.

Directions: Cross the River Tweed in Peebles to the south bank and follow Scotland's Gardens Scheme sign for approximately one mile.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: St.Columba’s Hospice Care 60%

Aldouran Lodge

Aldouran Lodge, Leswalt DG9 OLJ
Gordon Wemyss

Saturday 9 May, 10am - 5pm (2026)

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T:07475 710191 E:gwemyss@mac.com

A sheltered SE facing garden set in a stunning landscape comprising about 2 acres of mature planting - mainly shrubs and trees. Access through the borders is via fairly steep narrow paths. There is a large variety of unusual plants including the Sassafras, Polylepsis Australis (Filo Pastry Tree) and Clerodendron (Peanut Butter Bush). There are also many tender rhododendrons which enjoy the uniquely mild climate of this part of SW Scotland.

Directions: Drive straight through Leswalt Village turning right after the graveyard on your right and follow the driveway to the house - about 100 m.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Overdale

Kirk Wynd, Blairgowrie PH10 6HN
Peter Mackenzie and Samantha Peck

Sunday 10 May, 11am - 4pm (2026)

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T:07817822190 E:peckies4@gmail.com

A unique town garden and arboretum with magnificent views over Rattray, Blairgowrie & the Strathmore valley. Spread over 1.3 acres of southeast-facing slope, this garden has a wonderful collection of rhododendrons, acers, shrubs and established trees. A series of paths winding down the steep slope takes you past the herbaceous borders, past a pond and through the tree collection. Species include Magnolia acuminata, Cornus kousa, Acer rubrum, Eucalyptus globulus, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Sambucus nigra f. porphyrophylla, Callicarpa bodinieri and Cercidiphyllum japonicum.

Directions: Parking on Kirk Wynd is not possible due to the steep narrow road. Free street parking is available in Blairgowrie for two hours and car parks are available. Buses 57, 58 & 58A stop at the High Street or Wellmeadow bus station. From the High Street take Upper Allan Street uphill turning right into Kirk Wynd. Overdale is on the right. Disabled visitors should arrange drop off and pick up at gates.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: RNLI 60%

Fasnacloich

Appin PA38 4BJ
Mr and Mrs David Stewart

Sunday 10 May, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

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South-facing 15-acre woodland garden sloping down to Loch Baile Mhic Cailein in Glen Creran. Partly laid out in the mid-19th century with extensive structural water features added in the early 20th century. The garden mainly consists of hybrid and species rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias with, over the last 35 years, a more recent addition of trees from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Northern United States (including a small pinetum).

Directions: On the A828 at the roundabout on the north side of Creagan Bridge take the road for Invercreran. At the head of the loch go straight ahead for about one-and-a-half miles. The house is on the right hand side.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: International Dendrology Society 60%

Tyninghame House and The Walled Garden

Tyninghame House, Dunbar EH42 1XW
Mrs C Gwyn, Tyninghame Gardens Ltd

Sunday 10 May, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

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The Walled Garden (Mrs C Gwyn): The formal walled garden combines the lawn, sculpture and yew hedges, an Apple Walk, extensive herbaceous planting including roses and peonies with an informal arboretum.

Tyninghame House (Tyninghame Gardens Limited):Splendid 17th century sandstone Scottish baronial house, remodelled in 1829 by William Burn. The gardens include herbaceous border, Lady Haddington’s Secret Garden with old fashioned roses and an extensive wilderness spring garden with rhododendrons, azalea, flowering trees and bulbs. The Romanesque ruin of St Baldred’s Church commands views across the Tyne Estuary and Lammermuir Hills. Tyninghame has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ for every category in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Scotland.
Champion Trees: Two British and four Scottish.

Directions: Gates on the A198 at Tyninghame Village. Bus 120.

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: Muirfield Riding for the Disabled 60%

Moray Place and Bank Gardens

Edinburgh EH3 6BX
The Residents of the Moray Feu

Sunday 10 May, 2pm - 4:30pm (2026)

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Bank Gardens Edinburgh EH3 6BX (The Residents of Bank Gardens): Join us to celebrate the gardens of the Moray Feu in their spring and summer colours. Nearly six acres of secluded wild gardens with lawns, trees and shrubs with banks of bulbs down to the Water of Leith and stunning views towards Dean Bridge.

Moray Place Edinburgh EH3 6BX (The Residents of Moray Place): Private garden of three-and-a-half acres in the Georgian New Town is framed by the polygon of Moray Place, and is laid out with shrubs, trees and flower beds offering an atmosphere of tranquillity in the city centre.

Directions: Bank Gardens enter by the gate at the top of Doune Terrace. Moray Place enter by the north gate in Moray Place. Also entry via Water of Leith Path at St Bernard's Well

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%

Wraes

Corseliehill Road, nr Houston PA6 7HU
Tim and Jo Mack

Sunday 10 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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A varied seven acre rural garden with far reaching views, established in 2013. A variety of planting areas, designed to take advantage of the natural terrain and be actively wildlife friendly. Several formal(ish) herbaceous beds, 3 wildlife ponds, burnside walks, daffodil maze, spring garden, 3 acre woodland with rhododendron collection (100 species). In May the rhododendrons and bluebells are at their peak, and the daffodil maze may even still be in flower! For those interested in growing their own food, there is a large “no-dig” productive area, with vegetables, fruit cage and orchard. There are lots of comfortable benches to relax on and enjoy the tranquillity while the kids tackle the maze or just have a good run around!

Directions: From Houston follow Barochan Road towards Langbank B789 for about a mile, turn left down Corsliehill Road. From Kilmacolm leave the village on Houston Road, past the golf course, turn left down Corsliehill Road for about a mile.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Breast Cancer Now 60%

Baravalla Garden

by West Loch Tarbert, Argyll PA29 6YE
Baravalla Garden Partnership - Matt Heasman, Director

Thursday 14 May, 10am - 5pm (2026)

2c7

T:07793604609 E:mtheasman@outlook.com

W:rscg.org.uk

This wild garden of 26 acres is carved out of typical Argyll woodland, with mature oak, beech, hazel and alder that run down to the shores of the West Loch some seven miles from Tarbert. The 'Two Peters', Sir Peter Hutchison Bt. CBE FRSE and Peter Cox MBE, both botanical travellers, were looking for an area to plant the more tender plants from their colder east coast gardens. They found the site here with the help of the Mackie Campbell Family and some 50 years ago started to create a garden with collections of plants from all over the world, rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas, camellias, tender shrubs and so much more. The garden now is mature, managed and maintained by the Rhododendron Species Conservation Group. This garden is very rarely open. This is a truly wild garden and stout footwear and clothing for protection against the Argyll weather are recommended.

Directions: From Tarbert Village, through the village take the B8024 past the golf course, turn left on the Kilberry road for about seven miles. SGS signs will direct you to a car park just through the gate on the right hand side. Please do not attempt to come down the forest track but follow the signs and walk down the track to the garden. We will provide guided tours at regular intervals.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Rhododendron Species Conservation Group 60%

Cloan

by Auchterarder PH3 1PP
Neil Mitchison

Saturday/Sunday, 16/17 May, 10am - 5pm (2026)

267

T:07958 155831 E:niall@fastmail.co.uk

Two acres of wild garden, with a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas, and an impressive collection of trees, including metasequoia, cryptomeria, Acer cappadocicum, Sequoia sempervirens, Quercus robur ‘Filicifolia’, liriodendron, several Japanese maples, magnificent beech and Scots pine trees, and extensive yew topiary; also an acre of walled garden with embothriums, Acer griseum, several sorbus varieties, parrotia and a large herbaceous border. Fine views of Strathearn from the front of the house.

Directions: From the A823, just south of the A9, follow the small road heading north east, signposted Duchally. Continue for approximately 2½ miles, turn right at the sign Coulshill. Continue for just under ½ mile. Follow the signs for car parking.

Admission: £4.00, children free

Charities: Tiphereth Limited: Camphill 60%

Kilchoan Gardens

Kilmelford PA34 4XD
Kilchoan Estate/ Zsolt Fodor (Head Gardener)

Saturday/Sunday, 16/17 May & Saturday/Sunday, 18/19 July, 10am - 5pm (2026)

23c867

T:07588 404238 E:Zsolt@kilchoanestate.co.uk

An eclectic private garden, open on specific dates and year-round by appointment.

Kilchoan Gardens consist of a mix of ornamental beds with less formal areas for regenerative gardening. The main areas include an old walled garden renovated with a glasshouse for tender species, and traditional vegetable production; a Himalayan garden with many species of Asiatic origin; an arboretum with plants of high conservation value, including trees through the International Conifer Conservation Programme, and new woodland areas designed for flora and fauna. The more formal gardens consist of herbaceous borders, topiary and various artwork dotted around the paths and planting areas.

The chapel will be open. Teas available on SGS specific dates.

Directions: 4.5 miles along the road from the A816 turn-off south of Kilmelford signed Degnish. Turn left after 1.5 miles at the bridge and Melfort Holiday Village. Follow this for 3 miles and look out for signage.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: The Kilchoan Melfort Trust 30% & Breast Cancer Now 30%

Regent, Royal and Carlton Terrace Gardens

17a Royal Terrace Mews, Carlton Terrace Lane Entrance, Edinburgh EH7 5BZ
RRCT Gardens Association

Saturday 16 May, 12pm - 4pm (2026)

347

The largest of Edinburgh's New Town gardens still in private ownership, it remains largely unchanged since its formation in 1830. The design consists of an upland lawn of seven acres planted with specimen trees. The flanking woodlands of five acres are planted with spring bulbs giving a carpet of colour. Sitting on the lower slope of Calton Hill, the garden has beautiful views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside.

Directions: Trams: To Picardy Place then walk along Blenheim Place and Royal Terrace turning right onto Carlton Terrace Lane, where the green garden gate is straight ahead. Buses: to Elm Row or London Road and directions above.

Admission: £7.50, children free

Charities: Myeloma UK 60%

1 Alvah Terrace

Banff AB45 1BG
Morag Baptie

Saturday 16 May, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2469

T:07367 287943 E:moragbaptie@hotmail.com

This garden wraps around three sides of an urban bungalow. The front garden, with a mix of rhododendrons, azaleas and acers, leads to a path between a mixed border with seasonal perennials, roses and hydrangeas and raised beds containing vegetables and soft fruits. There is a tiny woodland, a vegetable patch, pond and a fairy garden. The back garden is designed around the washing line, with spring bulbs followed by a white planting of roses, lupins, peonies, anemones and several types of grasses. There is a deck with outdoor seating along with a potting shed, and a summerhouse which sits in the sunniest corner. No space has been wasted in this compact garden.

Directions: Follow the A97 through Banff towards Aberchirder and turn right at the roundabout at entrance to the Fife Lodge Hotel. The 35 Stagecoach bus will drop you at Banff High Street.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Banff & Macduff in Bloom 60%

Colliston Castle

Colliston, Arbroath DD11 3RS
Susan and John Lansley

Saturday 16 May, 1pm - 4pm (2026)

2c46ek

16th century 'z plan' castle, built by Cardinal Beaton with a later Victorian addition. The gardens, neglected in past years, have been attacked and the overgrown wilderness has regained some form. The garden is in its infancy with a new, small walled garden and the beginnings of a formal garden with box hedging and a rose bed. The rest of the ten acres is mostly parkland with large specimen trees including a Wellingtonia. Large rhododendrons survive from the castle's previous gardens with an abundance of daffodils.
Champion Trees: Wellingtonia, Copper Beech

Directions: A933 from Arbroath towards Friockheim. Drive through Colliston Village, continue past the church. Approximately 500m on the right, take the road signposted West Mains of Colliston. Follow this past the farm and around to the left, the castle gates are on your right.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Church of St Mary the Virgin 60%

Knock Newhouse

Lochgair PA31 8RZ
Mrs Hew Service

Saturday/Sunday, 16/17 May, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2c467

T:01546 886628 E:corranmorhouse@aol.com

Like all good gardens, it has evolved over time. The garden is centred on a 250-foot lochan, a small waterfall and lily pond. The first trees and rhododendrons were planted in the 1960s, with major additions in the 1990s. A variety of cut leaf and flowering trees were added after the storms of 2011/12. As a result, the garden now has a wide range of specimen trees, camellia, hoheria, eucryphia, stewartia to name a few in addition to the azaleas and rhododendrons. January flowering is followed by spring flowers and bluebells and then into the autumn by spectacular colours. I am delighted to welcome visitors at any time.

Directions: On the A83. The house is not visible from the road. From Lochgilphead, a ½ mile south of Lochgair Hotel and on the left-hand side of the road, and from Inveraray on the right-hand side of the road a ½ mile after the Lochgair Hotel; the drive opening is marked and enters the woods. Bus Route - Inveraray to Lochgilphead

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: The Lochgair Association (SCIO): Village Hall Fund 30% & Cancer Research UK 30%

Logan Botanic Garden

Port Logan, by Stranraer DG9 9ND
A Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Sunday 17 May, 10am - 5pm (2026)

3c45ea

T:01776 860231 E:logan@rbge.org.uk

W:www.rbge.org.uk/logan

Logan Botanic Garden lies at the south-western tip of Scotland, unrivalled as ‘Scotland’s Most Exotic Garden’. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, Logan enjoys an almost subtropical climate, enabling southern hemisphere plants to flourish. The spectacular walled garden contains a fabulous collection of rare, subtropical plantings creating the feeling of being in the subtropics and the specialist woodland gardens such as Tasmanian Creek and Chile give splendour to the garden. With its 15 species of palms, giant tree ferns, Proteas and a conservatory filled with colour Logan promises a fantastic day out for all. Scottish Hospitality Awards ‘Family Venue of the Year’ 2025 & ‘Best Garden in the UK’ 2021.
National Plant Collection: Gunnera, Leptospermum, Griselinia, Clianthus and Sutherlandia
Champion Trees: Polylepis and Eucalyptus

Directions: Ten miles south of Stranraer on the A716 then 2½ miles from Ardwell Village.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Mollan

Thornhill, Stirling FK8 3QJ
Iain and Ruth Howieson

Sunday 17 May, 12pm - 4pm (2026)

0c85

Mollan is a large, three-acre garden in rural Stirlingshire set in softly rolling farmland. The garden is designed as a series of smaller interlocking gardens, each with a distinct character, packed with rich, colourful planting and meandering paths. There is a formal lawn, a wildflower meadow, two ponds and a productive kitchen garden. This year we are opening in springtime to give an opportunity to see the garden at a different time of year. The rhododendrons that form the backbone of the garden will be in flower, alongside tulips, magnolias and camellias.

Directions: Leaving Thornhill on the A873 towards Aberfoyle, Mollan is on the left-hand side a mile outside the village. There are stone pillars and a knee height sign saying Mollan House at the entrance which leads to a tree lined drive.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Thornhill Playgroup & Toddlers 60%

Grange

Linlithgow EH49 7RH
Johnny and Karen Cadell

Sunday 17 May, 1pm - 5pm. Admission for one hour for car including driver £8.00. Cars must be pre-booked online. Passengers and walkers £5.00, children free. Booking link coming soon. (2026)

079

E:johnnycadell@icloud.com

Discover a hidden century-old woodland and terraced formal garden in the setting of an Edwardian country house near Linlithgow. Less a horticulturalists garden than a diverse and surprising hillside walk, revealing hidden gardens, garden structures and architectural gems. Climb down to a walled garden with croquet lawn, topiary, pleached limes, apple espaliers and wisteria. Search the woods and rockery for a large collection and variety of mature rhododendrons, including several giants. Enjoy the extensive native

spring flowers along tree-lined avenues and in our 110-year-old orchard. And don't miss our highlight, the blaze of flowering azaleas at the end of the lawn. The garden previously opened under the Garden Scheme by earlier generations of the Cadell family from the 1930's until 2000 and this is a rare chance to re-discover the garden.

Directions: A visit to Grange can be part of a countryside walk from Linlithgow or Bo'ness. From the east end of Linlithgow loch, off the A803 Blackness Road, take the minor road north towards Bonnytoun Farm, over the motorway then turn left onto a private road signposted Grange just before the farm. Follow the tree-lined avenue a mile uphill. If coming by car, booking is essential due to limited parking. Take the A803 (Blackness Road) from the M9, exit 3 and take the 2nd right after Oracle site (Bonnytoun Road), then 1st left before Bonnytoun Farm (private road). Follow signs to the house. Exit north towards Bo'ness; turn right before West Lothian golf course to return to Linlithgow/M9. This route is one-way south to north.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%

Torwood House

St Mary's Road, Birnam PH8 0BJ
Jan Silburn

Sunday 17 May, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2467

An eight-acre woodland garden developed over the last 40 years in a setting of great natural beauty. You will find a range of interesting shrubs such as enkianthus, cercidiphyllum, crinodendron, eucryphia, magnolias, cornus, amelanchier and abutilon, well-stocked herbaceous borders, beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas and some fine trees. This is an enchanting, quirky garden full of vibrant colours especially in the spring.

Directions: On the hill above the Birnam Hotel, up St Mary’s Road and first left turning over left cattle-grid. Limited disabled parking at the house so best to park in Birnam and walk. Bus stops at Birnam Hotel. Approx 200 metres.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: LoveOliver: a charity supporting children with cancer 60%

Arbigland House

Kirkbean, Dumfries DG2 8BQ
Alistair Alcock and Wayne Whittaker

Sunday 17 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

06d7

T:01387 880764 E:alcockalistair@gmail.com

W:www.arbiglandhouseandgardens.co.uk

Arbigland House is an Adam-style 18th-century mansion surrounded by 24 acres of woodland gardens running down to a beach on the Solway Firth. The gardens date from the 18th century but the more formal areas were developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and are currently undergoing a programme of restoration and development by the current owners Wayne Whittaker and Alistair Alcock. There are 200 year-old trees lining the Broad Walk which runs down to the Solway and a huge variety of rhododendrons and azaleas. Within the woodland are a range of features including a stream-fed lake and a Japanese garden, with a more formal sundial garden and sunken rose garden, all in the process of renewal. Amongst these are a diverse collection of mature trees and shrubs. The gardens have received TripAdvisor awards in both 2024 and 2025 and have been named one of the top ten coastal gardens in Scotland.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00015

Directions: Take the A710 to Kirkbean. In the village turn off towards Carsethorn and, after 200 yards, turn right and follow signs to John Paul Jones Cottage. After a mile or so, turn left at the T junction through white gates and down the drive through ornamental gates to Arbigland House.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Absolute Classics 30% & The Arts Society, Dumfries and Galloway 30%

Ross Priory

Gartocharn G83 8NL
University of Strathclyde

Sunday 17 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c467

Mansion house with glorious views over Loch Lomond with adjoining garden. Wonderful rhododendrons and azaleas are the principal plants in the garden, with a varied selection of trees and shrubs throughout. Spectacular spring bulbs, border plantings of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. Extensive walled garden with glasshouses, pergola and ornamental plantings. Children’s play area near the House.

Directions: Ross Priory is one and a half miles off the A811 at Gartocharn. Bus from Balloch to Gartocharn.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Friends Of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs 30% & Loch Lomond Rescue Boat 30%

Oatridge College Campus - SRUC

Ecclesmachan, Broxburn, West Lothian EH52 6NH
Oatridge College Campus - SRUC

Saturday 23 May, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

0c467

T:01506 864800 E:gmcgillivray@sruc.ac.uk

W:https://www.sruc.ac.uk

SRUC Oatridge Campus situated within 700 acres of mixed grounds, is a land-based college comprised largely of agricultural with arable areas, but also hosts Horticulture and Landscaping, the Scottish National Equestrian Centre, Engineering and Animal Care departments. Benefitting from formal planted areas with named and labelled specimen plants, the campus presents an inviting and diverse mixture of planting styles to explore. With prairie planting, an alpine rockery, numerous specimen trees, productive allotment areas, a woodland walk and herbaceous borders, the visit is sure to have something for everyone. The student polytunnels and glasshouses offer an additional glimpse of some of the propagation techniques demonstrated by students. Visitors can explore the extensive woodland walks of the National Paths For All demonstration site. This project was developed to show several different materials, design and construction methods to use when creating walking paths.

Directions: The college is well signposted. Turn into Ecclesmachan Village, then immediately left and up the main college drive. The car park is on the left at the top of the drive. Buses 31 and 32 from Linlithgow, Uphall Station and Livingston, then approx a six minute walk.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: SRUC: Oatridge Campus Student Hardship Fund 60%

Kilbryde Castle

Dunblane FK15 9NF
Sir James and Lady Campbell

Sunday 24 May, 11am - 5pm (2026)

0c67

T:01786 824897 E:carolaandjames@googlemail.com

W:www.kilbrydecastle.com

Kilbryde Castle gardens cover some 12 acres and are situated above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. The gardens are split into three parts: informal, woodland and wild. Natural planting (azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias) are found in the woodland garden. There are glorious snowdrops, spring bulbs, and autumn colour provided by clematis and acers. Within the wildflower meadow the meconopsis are happily spreading.

Directions: Three miles from Dunblane and Doune, off the A820 between Dunblane and Doune. On Scotland’s Gardens Scheme open days the garden is signposted from the A820.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Leighton Library Trust 60%

Wemyss Castle Gardens

Wemyss Castle, Coaltown of Wemyss KY1 4TE
Mr and Mrs Michael Wemyss, Wemyss Estates Trustees

Sunday 24 May, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

45d79

T:01592 652181 E:wemyss.gardens@gmail.com

W:wemysscastlegardens.com

The gardens comprise a spring woodland garden of some 15 acres with a very fine display of Erythronium revolutum followed by bluebells and narcissi. Since 1994, the contiguous redundant six-acre walled garden has been substantially overhauled and redesigned by Michael and Charlotte Wemyss, with completely new planting and landscaping concentrating in particular on clematis, roses and ornamental trees.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00384

Directions: In village of Coaltown of Wemyss (A955 three miles east of Kirkcaldy). Drive entrance opposite bowling green, half mile down drive bear left at fork and follow drive through stable yard, parking in field on right approximately 200 yards after stable yard.

Admission: £7.50, children free

Charities: Rosslyn School 60%

Tigh-na-Beithe

Birnam Glen, Birnam, Dunkeld PH8 0BW
The Robbs

Sunday 24 May, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

27

E:ericarobb555@gmail.com

An informal, shady woodland garden of 1½ acres with a fine collection of mature shrubs and trees including copper beeches, an enormous flowering prunus and a beautiful Scots pine. Rhododendrons and azaleas are a lovely sight in spring. The garden is a haven for wildlife with red squirrels and a wide variety of birds. Other features include a rockery, a perimeter pathway, a bluebell walk and seating areas. The ground is hilly, uneven and damp underfoot and sensible footwear is essential.

Directions: There is limited parking at the house. Please park at Birnam Village or Birnam and Dunkeld train station and walk to the garden up Birnam Glen footpath which is a five-minute uphill walk.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 30% & Guide Dogs 30%

Kirklands

Saline KY12 9TS
Peter and Gill Hart

Sunday 24 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

c467

T:07787 115477 E:peter@kirklandsgarden.co.uk

W:www.kirklandsgarden.co.uk

Kirklands, built in 1832, has been the Hart family home for 48 years. The walled garden was reinstated from a paddock to include terracing and raised beds. In 2023 we introduced two bee hives. The woodland garden comes into life in February with snowdrops followed by bluebells, hellebores, trilliums, fritillaries, rhododendrons, meconopsis, candelabra primulas and irises. The rockery displays dwarf rhododendrons and azaleas. The herbaceous borders reach their peak in the late summer with bright yellow rudbeckia, verbena and echinacea. Down by the Saline Burn there are 30 species of many-coloured primula and 20 acres of naturally regenerating woodland with a pathway by the stream. To keep the grandchildren occupied, Peter built a tree house, climbing frame and rope swing, though we hope they will take an interest in gardening too!

Directions: Junction 4, M90, then B914. Parking in the centre of the village, then a short walk to the garden. Limited disabled parking at Kirklands.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Saline & District Heritage Society 60%

Corsock House

Corsock, Castle Douglas DG7 3DJ
The Ingall family

Sunday 24 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0c67

T:01644 440250 E:corsockhouse@gmail.com

Corsock House garden, renowned for its substantial collection of rhododendrons, includes an amazing variety of designed landscape, from a strictly formal walled garden, through richly planted woodlands full of different vistas, artfully designed water features and surprises to extensive lawns showing off the Bryce baronial mansion. This is an Arcadian garden with pools and temples, described by Ken Cox as ‘perhaps my favourite of Scotland’s many woodland gardens’.

Directions: Off the A75, Dumfries is 14 miles, Castle Douglas is 10 miles, Corsock Village is half-mile on the A712.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Church Of Scotland 60%

Milton of Finavon House

Forfar DD8 3PY

Sunday 24 May & Saturday 18 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c857

E:enquiries@miltonoffinavonhouse.co.uk

W:miltonoffinavonhouse.co.uk

Milton of Finavon House is a Grade C listed property in 1.8 acres of gardens. In parts, the house dates from about 1500. The gardens are currently being restored and replanted. There is a small meadow orchard with fruit trees and mown walkways, a formal semi-walled garden with more restoration and new planting, with further woodland walks and a kitchen garden with new and old restoration planting. We hope that you will enjoy seeing the garden evolve over the coming years.

Directions: 2 minutes off the A90, north of Forfar and south of Brechin. Take the sharp turn off the A90 and then again into Milton Lane and then about 1 mile into the village. Park up and then on foot follow the signs. Parking is free in the village and is a two minute walk to the gardens. Blue Badge holders may park in the courtyard, you will be directed on arrival, so please follow the road and turn right at the T junction. A public WC is available in the courtyard. Water bowls for dogs will be available.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Kilbeg House

Kilbeg, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ
Philip and Nicola Howarth

Sunday 24 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0679

E:nicola@kilbeghouse.org.uk

W:www.kilbeghouse.org.uk

A growing botanical collection of trees, shrubs and perennials from around the world in 3.5 acres, sloping down towards the sea with views to Knoydart and Ardnamurchan. Rhododendrons (mainly species) and bluebells in May, colourful borders from June through to September. Since the owners acquired the property in 2015 there has been much new planting in and between existing mature trees, and development of new projects is on-going. There is an all weather route along the drive, terrace and part way round the garden, elsewhere grass can be steep and slippery when wet. There is a steep path down to the public sandy beach.

Directions: From Skye Bridge take the A87 for eight miles, then left towards Armadale for 14 miles. After the primary school at the road on the right to Tarskavaig, turn left (towards the sea) to the iron gates. Parking is in the lay-by just before turning and before the gates on the left. There is disabled parking.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%

Cowhill Tower

Holywood DG2 0RL
Mr and Mrs P Weatherall

Sunday 24 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c5d7

T:01387 720304 E:clara@cowhill.co.uk

This is an interesting walled garden. There are topiary animals, birds and figures and beautiful woodland and river walks. Splendid views can be seen from the lawn right down the Nith Valley. There is also a variety of statues, including several from the Far East.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00109

Directions: Holywood is one-and-a-half miles off the A76, five miles north of Dumfries.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Maggie's 60%

Beechwood

Broughton, Peeblesshire ML12 6HH
Susheila and James Gordon

Saturday/Sunday, 30/31 May & Saturday/Sunday, 20/21 June, 10am - 5pm (2026)

2467

T:07810 837068 or 01899 830443 E:susheilarachan@gmail.com

W:www.rachan.co.uk

An informal sculptor's garden adjacent to a mature woodland and pond. A well-planted stream runs through the garden. There are varied perennial areas to encourage wildlife and provide forage for the resident bees, it also features many examples of the owners' artworks which are inspired by the natural world.

Teas and delicious home-baking available.

Directions: Approximately one mile south of Broughton take the B712 off the A701. Then first left turn onto unmade road. Bus 91 Biggar to Peebles service.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: MND Scotland 60%

Woodfall Gardens

Glasserton DG8 8LY
Ross and Liz Muir

Saturday/Sunday, 30/31 May, 10:30am - 4:30pm (2026)

67

E:woodfallgardens@btinternet.com

W:www.woodfall-gardens.co.uk

This lovely 3 acre triple walled garden has been thoughtfully restored to provide year round interest and a wonderful environment for birds, bees, butterflies and even red squirrels. The gulf stream keeps the climate mild and enables many tender southern hemisphere plants to thrive. Some of the seasonal highlights are the exotic bulb beds, the candelabra primula walkway, hundreds of blue poppies and a huge variety of hydrangeas, rhododendrons and acers. There are many mature trees and shrubs, including many less common species, and extensive beds of fruit and vegetables that are interspersed with flowers. This well stocked garden, that still has traces of 18th century grandeur, is definitely worth a visit. We are very grateful to the people who visit annually - there is no better recommendation.

Directions: Two miles south-west of Whithorn at junction off A746 and A747 (directly behind Glasserton Church).

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Whithorn Primary School 60%

Barrmill Community Garden

Barrmill Park and Gardens KA15 1HW
The Barrmill Conservation Group

Saturday 30 May, 1pm - 4pm (2026)

0467

E:carrickcc@hotmail.com

W:https://www.facebook.com/BarrmillCG

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.

Directions: From Stewarton take the A735 to Dunlop, go left down Main Street B706 to Burnhouse, over at crossroads to Barrmill B706. From Lugton south on the A736, take the right at Burnhouse, B706 to Barrmill. From Glasgow on the M8 take J28a signposted Irvine, on Beith bypass take the left at B706 to Barrmill.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Barrmill and District Community Association 60%

Silverburn Walled Garden

Silverburn Cottages, Largo Road, Leven KY8 5PU

Saturday 30 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

3457

T:01333 278775 E:info@silverburnpark.co.uk

W:www.silverburnpark.co.uk

The Walled Garden was created by the Russell family in the late 1800s, showcasing their love of horticulture. In 2013, local mental health charity Fife Employment Access Trust took ownership of the park. Since then the garden has been regenerated by volunteers and clients. There is a sensory area, attractive herbaceous borders, specimen trees and plenty of birds. Benches and picnic tables, perfect for day trips or quiet reflection. Visitors can enjoy The Cottage Window Café, the real earth wildlife hide designed by Becky Little overlooking a pond with dipping platform, and a Giant Redwood Trail. In 2026 FEAT will open the renovated, B-listed Flax Mill as a multi-purpose visitor centre.

Directions: Accessible from the A915 heading east of Leven to St Andrews. Turn opposite Blacketyside Farm Shop, follow road to the car park. Garden entrance is just beyond the cottages. Accessible on foot/bike along the Fife Coastal Path. Buses operate a hail & ride service at the main entrance on the A915.

Admission: by donation

Charities: FOSP 60%

Dundonnell House

Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross IV23 2QW
Dundonnell Estates

Saturday 30 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c6e7

T:07789 390028 E:sueandwill@icloud.com

Camellias, magnolias and bulbs in spring, rhododendrons and laburnum walk in this ancient walled garden. Exciting planting gives all year round interest, centred around one of the oldest yew trees in Scotland. A water sculpture, unique Victorian glass house, riverside walk, arboretum - all in the valley below the peaks of An Teallach.
Champion Trees: Yew and Holly

Directions: Turn off the A835 at Braemore on to the A832. After 11 miles take the Badralloch turn for a ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: The Tusk Trust 30% & Parkinsons UK 30%

Old Allangrange

Munlochy IV8 8NZ
J J Gladwin

Sunday 31 May, 12pm - 5pm. Admission £8.00 includes a cup of tea and a biscuit, children under 13 free, children 13 - 18 £5.00. There will also be an extensive plant stall, baking stall, children’s activities and music. Guided tours given on the hour from 11.30am, 1.00pm and 3.30pm. (2026)

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T:01463 811304 E:office@blackislegardendesign.com

The house sits in the middle of the ornamental garden with several different, distinctive areas. Hedges formal and informal, pleached, cloud-pruned, play an important role within the garden to separate the areas. Particularly of note is the mound which children love to climb up and roll down. We also have a substantial market garden which is designed to be beautiful as well as productive. Increasing biodiversity is a crucial part of how we garden, and are pleased to note that through one of our ecological initiatives, putting in a tree-surrounded pond, we have had the largest number of hawfinches ever caught on camera in Scotland (24 in one photo). We have fun ways of increasing life in the garden and on the farm - replacing fences with log hedges and brash bunds fish whinrows, planting, and letting areas go wild and rough. We use no dig, permaculture and agroforestry techniques. Also open concurrently with our garden is the Go Flourish School Garden at North Kessock, which is the charity supported through our openings.
Champion Trees: Yew and sweet chestnut.

Directions: From Inverness head four miles north on the A9, and follow the directions for Black Isle Brewery. Park up at the Brewery and walk down to the garden. Directions will be given in the shop. GoFlourish garden in North Kessock is accessed from Drumsmittal Road.

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: GO FLOURISH [SCIO] 60%

Earlshall Castle

Leuchars KY16 0DP
Paul and Josine Veenhuijzen

Sunday 31 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01334 839205

Extensive, historically important and quixotic topiary gardens designed by Sir Robert Lorimer in the 1890s to complement the Castle. The grounds also include a rose garden, croquet lawn, vegetable garden, orchard, park and wooded area.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00168

Directions: On Earlshall Road, ¾ mile east of Leuchars Village (off A919).

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Leuchars St Athernase and Tayport Church of Scotland 60%

Brooklands

Crocketford DG2 8QH
Mr and Mrs Archie Herries

Sunday 31 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:Gardener, Matthew Grieve: 07765 491902

Large old walled garden with a wide selection of plants, including some interesting shrubs and climbers and a kitchen garden. Mature woodland with many established rhododendrons and azaleas, and carpeted with snowdrops in February.

Directions: Turn off the A712 Crocketford to New Galloway Road one mile outside Crocketford at the Gothic gatehouse (on the right travelling north).

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Stobo Japanese Water Garden

Stobo Farm, Stobo EH45 8NX

Sunday 31 May, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

46

E:enquiries@stobofarmestate.com

This is a mature, secluded woodland garden created in the early 1900s. Its most prominent feature is the constant presence of water that adds to the tranquillity of the garden, beginning with the drama of a waterfall at its head through a cascade of ponds, punctuated along the way by stepping stones and bridges. The garden was brought to life when Japanese style was the height of fashion – hence its cherry trees, maples, and iconic Japanese lanterns, ‘tea house’ and humpback bridge. The azaleas and rhododendrons provide a spectacular display in the spring. Limited disabled access due to gravel paths and steps. Visitors are advised to wear appropriate footwear.

Directions: Off the B712 (Peebles/Broughton road) via Stobo Castle entrance. Bus 91

Admission: £10.00, children free

Charities: Stobo and Drumelzier Church of Scotland 20%, Firefly 20% & Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 20%

Longwood

Humbie EH36 5PN
Linda Flockhart and Sandra Gentle

Wednesday 3 June, 10:30am - 4pm (2026)

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An extensive, long-established country garden at 800 feet. There are ducks and hens, stream and ponds as well as areas of wild garden and borders including roses, vegetables, lawns and woodlands. Stunning views over the Forth.

Directions: From the B6368 (Humbie to Haddington road) about one mile east of Humbie take the direction south to Blegbie Farm (signposted). Follow the road for circa two miles, passing Humbie Mains Farm as you go. You will find Blegbie Farm at a hard right-hand bend. The drive for Longwood will be straight in front of you, right beside Blegbie. Go straight up the drive and park at the bottom of the cottages. Do not turn right or left. Find using what3words/mermaids.steepest.animals

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

The Potting Shed

Broughton Place, Broughton, Biggar ML12 6HJ
Jane and Graham Buchanan-Dunlop

3 June - 1 July, Wednesday only, 11am - 5pm. Admission £5.00, children free. (2026)

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T:01899 830574 E:buchanandunlop@btinternet.com

A one-acre garden begun from scratch in 2008, on an exposed hillside at 900 feet. It contains herbaceous plants, climbers, shrubs and trees - all selected for wind resistance and ability to cope with the poor, stony soil. There are usually fine views to the Southern Uplands.

Directions: Signposted from the main A701 Edinburgh - Moffat Road, immediately north of Broughton village.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Nomad Beat Ltd: Peebles Community Music School 60%

Crummieholm

Crummieholm, Loans, Troon KA10 7EX
Mr and Mrs Bruce

Saturday 6 June, 12pm - 4pm (2026)

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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

Directions: The village of Loans lies 2 miles east of Troon and also accessible from the A78. Access to Crummieholm from Main Street will be signposted. Parking is available at the camping site on Troon Road. Stagecoach buses nos 10 and 14 stop in Main Street.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Loans Community Centre Ltd 60%

Cloan

by Auchterarder PH3 1PP
Neil Mitchison

Sunday 7 June, 10am - 5pm (2026)

267

T:07958 155831 E:niall@fastmail.co.uk

Two acres of wild garden, with a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas, and an impressive collection of trees, including metasequoia, cryptomeria, Acer cappadocicum, Sequoia sempervirens, Quercus robur ‘Filicifolia’, liriodendron, several Japanese maples, magnificent beech and Scots pine trees, and extensive yew topiary; also an acre of walled garden with embothriums, Acer griseum, several sorbus varieties, parrotia and a large herbaceous border. Fine views of Strathearn from the front of the house.

Directions: From the A823, just south of the A9, follow the small road heading north east, signposted Duchally. Continue for approximately 2½ miles, turn right at the sign Coulshill. Continue for just under ½ mile. Follow the signs for car parking.

Admission: £4.00, children free

Charities: Tiphereth Limited: Camphill 60%

Marcus Walled Garden

Marcus House, Finavon, Forfar DD8 3QH
James and Veronica Baillie

Sunday 7 June, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

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A charming walled garden surrounded by mature woodland near to River South Esk. The garden has gravel paths with box hedges and pleached limes on arched frames. Consisting of herbaceous borders, a topiary area with a yew secret square, a pleached hornbeam area, and Japanese area with a bridge next to a giant Wellingtonia. There is a fuchsia border outside the walls with a path and steps leading down to the river, where there is a thatched octagonal folly with bench seating and carved Latin inscriptions. A walk along the river bank brings you to the front of the house where some rowan trees give views of a stone obelisk.

Directions: From Dundee head north on the A90 signposted Forfar and Aberdeen. Continue north past Forfar, past Peggy Scott's diner (approx 7 miles north of Forfar on A90) and past the agricultural machinery depot. At this point you should cross into the right hand lane as the entrance to Marcus is marked by a stone walled entrance and black iron gates on the south side of the A90. From Aberdeen head south on the A90 past Brechin and continue south for approx. 6 miles, where you will reach the stone-walled entrance to Marcus on your left.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 60%

Kirkside of Lochty

Menmuir, by Brechin DD9 6RY
Ed and Fi Troughton

Sunday 7 June, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

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This garden, designed by renowned local plantswoman Irene Mackie over 20 years ago, is now nurtured by the current owners. There are four distinct areas each with their own character. Along the short drive and to the east of the house is a spring woodland full of bulbs, leading to the new gravel garden, a sheltered spot to enjoy late summer sunshine amongst the agapanthus and grasses. The hot, sunny courtyard parterre is full of herbaceous perennials with high summer interest and from there, one is drawn through the beech hedge into a wilder area of three island beds with mixed planting, and a meadow loved by wildlife and bees. More recently the garden has been enhanced by careful reduction in the perimeter tree canopy opening up the westerly views to grazings and allowing the pollarded willow hedge to be backlit by winter sun.

Directions: From the A90, take Careston/Fern/Menmuir turn just south of Brechin. Proceed towards Menmuir for about 2 miles. The garden is on the left behind beech hedge.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Mill of Forneth

Forneth, Blairgowrie PH10 6SP
Mr and Mrs Graham Wood

Sunday 7 June, 2pm - 4pm (2026)

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E:gaw@forneth-mill.co.uk

Built on the site of a former watermill on the Lunan Burn, originally laid out in the 1970s by James Aitken, the Scottish landscape designer and naturalist. The sheltered four-acre garden has a range of mature trees, including a Himalayan blue cedar, large rhododendrons, azaleas and a wide range of shrubs. The former mill lade feeds rocky waterfalls and a lily pond. Planting includes established perennials with seasonal colours, many bulbs, primulas and heathers, plus a vegetable garden on the site of an old tennis court and a new wildflower meadow.

Directions: Take the A923 Dunkeld to Blairgowrie road. Six miles east of Dunkeld turn south onto a minor road signposted Snaigow and Clunie. Mill of Forneth is the first gate on the left-hand side. PLEASE NOTE due to wet weather conditions there may be limited safe meadow parking on site (exceptions will be made for people with mobility problems).

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Perthshire Women's Aid 60%

Norton House

1 North Deeside Road, Kincardine O'Neil, Aboyne AB34 5AA
Andrew and Nicola Bradford

Sunday 7 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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Norton House, on the edge of the historic village of Kincardine O’Neil, dates from 1840. In the main this is a mature garden with large trees, shrubs, herbaceous borders, rockeries and a small orchard. An area that was neglected for decades has seen much tree-felling and work is in progress to make a woodland garden. Following last year’s hugely successful SGS opening you are invited to return to see progress and enjoy a scrummy tea and a social event.

Directions: Situated on the A93 at the eastern end of Kincardine O'Neil. Accessible by bus, the Stagecoach 201 service.

Admission: £10.00, children free

Charities: CHILDREN FIRST 60%

Glenernie

Glenernie House, Dunphail, Moray IV36 2QH
Robert and Fiona Laing

Sunday 7 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01309 611203 E:robert@glenernie.co.uk

A tranquil, landscaped woodland garden set in the Dorbach river valley with garden, woodland and river walks. The garden, which includes some ornamental ponds, has been created over the last forty years and is planted with azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods and other shrubs set amongst both mature and younger specimen trees.

Directions: Access is from the A940 Forres to Grantown on Spey road approximately ten miles south of Forres. Half-a-mile south of Edinkillie church on the right.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Prostate Cancer UK 60%

Geilston Garden

Main Road, Cardross G82 5HD
The National Trust for Scotland

Sunday 7 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c46

T:01389 849187 E:geilstongarden@nts.org.uk

W:www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/Geilston-Garden/

Geilston Garden has many attractive features including the walled garden with herbaceous border providing summer colour, tranquil woodland walks and a large working kitchen garden. This is the ideal season for viewing the Siberian iris in flower along the Geilston Burn and the Japanese azaleas.

Directions: On the A814, one mile from Cardross towards Helensburgh.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Blair Castle Gardens

Blair Atholl PH18 5TL
Blair Charitable Trust

Saturday 13 June, 10am - 5pm (2026)

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T:01796 481207 E:bookings@blair-castle.co.uk

W:www.blair-castle.co.uk

Blair Castle stands as the focal point in a designed landscape of some 2,500 acres within a Highland estate. Hercules Garden is a walled enclosure of about nine acres recently restored to its original 18th-century design with landscaped ponds, a Chinese bridge, contemporary plantings, and an orchard of more than 100 fruit trees. The glory of this garden in summer is the herbaceous border, which runs along the 275 yard south-facing wall. A delightful sculpture trail incorporates contemporary and 18th-century sculpture as well as eight new works, letter-carving on stone from the Memorial and Commemorative Arts charity’s 'Art and Memory Collection'. Diana’s Grove is a magnificent stand of tall trees including grand fir, Douglas fir, larch and wellingtonia running along the Banvie Burn, with the 12th-century ruins of St Bride’s Church on the far bank.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00059

Directions: Off A9, follow signs to Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Mellerstain

Mellerstain House and Gardens, Gordon TD3 6LG
Gill Harrop, Administrator

Saturday 13 June, 11am - 5pm for Midsummer Magic. (2026)

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T:01573 410225 E:enquiries@mellerstain.com

W:www.mellerstain.com

100 acres of mature parkland, formal gardens and lakeside walks set off this Robert Adam masterpiece. The formal gardens to the south of the house were designed in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfield in an Italianate style sympathetic to the earlier 18th century layout. These beautiful terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees lead to lower terraces via a cryptoporticus, and then a sweeping expanse of lawn descends to the lake. Among the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you’ll find an enchanting tiny thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own parterre garden. A map is available of the woodland and lakeside walks, picnic spots are available and the cafe is open during the summer season. Look out for the Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep too!

Directions: The house is signposted on the A6089 Kelso-Gordon road. The approach from the A68 Jedburgh-Edinburgh road is through Earlston on the A6105, then via the B6397 towards Smailholm.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Congalton House

North Berwick EH39 5JL
Clare and John Carson

Friday/Saturday, 19/20 June, 11am - 5pm (2026)

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The garden, which surrounds a stone-built Victorian house, is an attractive family garden with a wide variety of plants and good colour throughout the summer months. It has a number of mature trees and herbaceous borders, most of which have been planted over the last 20 years (this is since we have had a full-time, trained gardener, Bruce Rankine). Other attractions include rose beds and peonies, usually at their best in June, a sunken garden and a rockery. The woodland garden, which was planted about 15 years ago, is now beginning to mature.

Directions: On the B1347 between Haddington and North Berwick.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Camphill (Blair Drummond) Trust Limited 60%

Underwood Lodge

Craigie, Kilmarnock, South Ayrshire KA1 5NG
Marilyn Badman

Saturday 20 June, 11am - 5pm (2026)

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T:07802 531783 E:mbadman1@sky.com

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.

Directions: Southbound on the A77, pass Hansel Village and take the next left signposted Underwood/Ladykirk. Northbound on the A77 take the exit to Symington, then first right, to join the southbound carriageway. Take the Underwood/Ladykirk turning. At the stone bridge, turn left and Underwood Lodge is the first house on the left.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Annbank Parish Church Of Scotland 60%

House of Aigas and Field Centre

by Beauly IV4 7AD
Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye, Greg and Hermione Jackson

Sunday 21 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01463 782443 E:info@aigas.co.uk

W:www.aigas.co.uk

The House of Aigas has a small arboretum of named Victorian specimen trees and modern additions. The garden consists of extensive rockeries, herbaceous borders, ponds and shrubs. Aigas Field Centre rangers lead regular guided walks on nature trails through woodland, moorland and around a loch.
Champion Trees: Douglas fir, Atlas cedar and Sequoiadendron giganteum

Directions: 4½ miles from Beauly on the A831 Cannich/Glen Affric road.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Highland Hospice: Aird branch 60%

Bonerick House

Irongray , Dumfries DG2 9SE
Isobel Strathmore

Sunday 21 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01387 730415 E:isostrathmore@hotmail.com

With views across the road towards White Hill, one can also see the new garden development. There is a new greenhouse and the garden will be blooming with peonies, lilies and roses. There are lots of geraniums and a wooded stepped climb up to the glorious Hobbit House at the top of the garden. The gardener is Mike Watson from Border Gardens who is very skilled with topiary and he is helped by his nephew Andy, who mows and pulls out the endless briars.

Directions: Take the Terregles Road from Dumfries for approximately 4 miles, past Terregles and on towards Shawhead. The house is on the right opposite a white farm steading. Bus route 373 (Dumfries-Shawhead) passes directly by the house. Timetables available online.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Maggie's 60%

Amat

Amat Lodge, Ardgay IV24 3BS
Jonny and Sara Shaw

Saturday/Sunday, 27/28 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:07712 266500 E:sara.amat@aol.co.uk

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

Directions: Take the road from Ardgay to Croick, nine miles. Turn left at the red phone box and the garden is 500 yards on the left.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & Marie Curie 30%

The Bield at Blackruthven

Blackruthven House, Tibbermore PH1 1PY
The Bield Christian Co Ltd

Saturday 27 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01738 583238 E:info@bieldatblackruthven.org.uk

The Bield is set in extensive grounds with well-maintained lawns, hedges, flower meadow and specimen trees. A labyrinth is cut into the grass of the old orchard and there is a wheelchair-friendly labyrinth. Traditional walled garden with richly-stocked borders and lawns, cut flower garden, healing garden, glasshouse, trained fruit trees and organic veg plot. Walk through extensive woodland and visit the old curling pond. New to the grounds is a little Japanese Garden.

Directions: From Dundee or Edinburgh, follow signs for Glasgow, Stirling and Crianlarich which lead onto the Perth bypass. Head west on the A85 signed to Crieff/Crianlarich to West Huntingtower. Turn left at crossroads to Madderty/Tibbermore. Entrance on left after ½ mile passing the gate lodge on your right. Parking signed to right at the steading.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%

Tyninghame House and The Walled Garden

Tyninghame House, Dunbar EH42 1XW
Mrs C Gwyn, Tyninghame Gardens Ltd

Sunday 28 June, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

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The Walled Garden (Mrs C Gwyn): The formal walled garden combines the lawn, sculpture and yew hedges, an Apple Walk, extensive herbaceous planting including roses and peonies with an informal arboretum.

Tyninghame House (Tyninghame Gardens Limited):Splendid 17th century sandstone Scottish baronial house, remodelled in 1829 by William Burn. The gardens include herbaceous border, Lady Haddington’s Secret Garden with old fashioned roses and an extensive wilderness spring garden with rhododendrons, azalea, flowering trees and bulbs. The Romanesque ruin of St Baldred’s Church commands views across the Tyne Estuary and Lammermuir Hills. Tyninghame has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ for every category in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes of Scotland.
Champion Trees: Two British and four Scottish.

Directions: Gates on the A198 at Tyninghame Village. Bus 120.

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: Lynton Day Centre 60%

Drumstinchall House

Drumstinchall, Dalbeattie DG5 4PD
Melanie and Mark Parry

Sunday 28 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:07771 784606 E:melanie@drumstinchall.co.uk

An extensive and established garden, surrounded by mature trees, with fine views to the sea two miles away. There are colourful herbaceous and mixed borders, and a rose garden in front of the house. A variety of paths wind their way through more borders, a rock garden, rhododendrons and azaleas, and past the ruin of the original house to a woodland walk around the edge of the garden. There is a vegetable garden, including a polytunnel.

Directions: From the A711 just east of Dalbeattie, take the B793 towards Southwick/Caulkerbush. After 4. 2 miles take a right turn signposted Drumstinchall and follow this road for 0. 8 miles to Drumstinchall House.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: N and S RDA 60%

Earlshall Castle

Leuchars KY16 0DP
Paul and Josine Veenhuijzen

Sunday 28 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

6d7

T:01334 839205

Extensive, historically important and quixotic topiary gardens designed by Sir Robert Lorimer in the 1890s to complement the Castle. The grounds also include a rose garden, croquet lawn, vegetable garden, orchard, park and wooded area.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00168

Directions: On Earlshall Road, ¾ mile east of Leuchars Village (off A919).

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Charity 60%

Pentland Crescent Gardens

2 Pentland Crescent, Edinburgh EH10 6NP
Jan Polley

Sunday 28 June, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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Neighbouring gardens all laid out very differently, offering a wide range of ideas for visitors. The gardens include colourful herbaceous borders, a range of fruit and vegetables and a woodland garden which shows what can be done with a sloping site. There are ideas for planting in the sun and shade, rockeries, a garden pond, and various patios and seating areas.

Directions: From the city centre take the A702 through Morningside, continue uphill and turn right at Comiston Springs Avenue. Pentland Crescent is first left. Buses 11 or 15 and get off at the Comiston Springs Avenue stop.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: Marie Curie 60%

Haugh Garden

College of Roseisle IV30 5YE
Gwynne and David Hetherington

Saturday/Sunday, 4/5 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01343 835790 E:davidhetherington26@gmail.com

A lovely two-acre garden to relax in with continuing developments to enjoy. Wander through woodlands and meadows, and around eye-catching perennial borders with unusual plants and shrubs, a pond and an orchard, all attracting a diversity of insects and birds. Our organic vegetable garden and polytunnel keep us well supplied and using the no-dig method, without need for artificial fertiliser or chemicals. Our garden delights us with year-round interest starting with various spring bulbs and flowering shrubs, continuing through to late autumn colours

Directions: From Elgin take the A96 west, then the B9013 Burghead Road to the crossroads at the centre of College of Roseisle. The garden is on the right, enter from the Duffus Road. Car parking at the village hall off Kinloss road. Drop off and disabled parking is available at the house.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & WWF-UK 30%

Crimonmogate

Lonmay, Fraserburgh AB43 8SE
Viscount and Viscountess Petersham

Saturday/Sunday, 4/5 July, 2pm - 5pm. Admission fee includes refreshments. Children are welcome to offer a donation for refreshments. (2026)

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Crimonmogate is a neo-classical house designed by Archibald Simpson and completed in 1825. It is a family home, and the large garden has been created in the last twenty years. There is an interesting arboretum with many non native trees planted. Also a wonderful display of snowdrops, bluebells, daffodils, camassia and alliums throughout the year. There is an impressive collection of Hydrangea paniculata. Within a walled area, the garden is more formal with herbaceous borders, topiary and a pond.

Directions: Head off A90 Peterhead/Fraserburgh main road, onto B9033 towards St Combs, one mile on right hand side, signposted Crimonmogate.

Admission: £10.00, children free

Charities: Shirley's Space: Crimond Medical Centre 60%

Kirkgate

Wester Road, Rousay, Orkney KW17 2PS
Mrs Patricia Prater

Saturday 4 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

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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.

Directions: Take the free shuttle bus to the garden or parking is available at the bottom of the drive. Look for the signs and expect a 12-minute walk up to the garden. Limited parking for those with limited mobility is available at the garden gate.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Charity to be confirmed 60%

Whitsome Welcomes You

The Ark, Whitsome Village, Duns, Berwickshire TD11 3NA
The Gardeners of Whitsome

Sunday 5 July, 11am - 3pm (2026)

23679

10 miles west of Berwick lies Whitsome, a 'wee village' that punches above its weight, with a thriving village hall, post office and community shop. The beautiful views north to the Lammermuirs set off the variety of lovingly tended gardens that will be opening. On display are vegetable plots, herbaceous borders, annuals, perennials and nature friendly spaces. Explore the much-loved community garden at The Loaning, with its mini orchard wildflower area and sensory garden. Delicious bacon rolls and homemade cakes will be available at the village hall The Ark, also home to the village pétanque court. We look forward to welcoming you!

Directions: South of Duns and Chirnside, east of Greenlaw and west of Berwick upon Tweed. Parking is available at The Whitsome Ark. what3words/costumed.double.sands

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Whitsome Enhancement Group 60%

Naturally Useful, Marcassie Farm

Rafford, Forres IV36 2RH
Karen Collins

Sunday 5 July, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

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T:01309 675052 E:karen@naturallyuseful.co.uk

W:naturallyuseful.co.uk/

We grow willow, grasses for fibre, plants for dyeing and flowers for printing. We harvest and, by hand, transform these raw materials into something beautiful and useful.

Directions: If using SatNav, only use the address Marcassie Farm (the postcode sends you to the castle). The willow field is on the right of the track just over the bridge.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Quarriers: Willow Field Health & Wellbeing Project 60%

The Geans

Gosford Road, Longniddry EH32 0LF
Nicky & Stewart Williams

Sunday 5 July, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2467

A large, mature, semi-structured garden with views over the Firth of Forth. The garden includes evolving topiary for structure and wild areas for nature. There is a pond and a separate water feature, a couple of cabins and many seating areas. A shady path under the trees, a veg patch, a fruit cage and a large old greenhouse all add interest. The garden is designed to have interest all year and attracts lots of wildlife which is caught on wildlife camera traps. There are lots of gravelled paths but they are quite compacted.

Directions: The Geans is the fourth house on Gosford Road after Longniddry Golf Club and is painted terracotta. There is a train station and buses to Longniddry (124 and X5).

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: HWDT 60%

Southwick House

Southwick DG2 8AH
Mr and Mrs R H L Thomas

Sunday 5 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0c57

The extensive gardens at Southwick House comprise three main areas. The first is a traditional formal walled garden with potager and large glasshouse producing a range of fruit, vegetables and cutting flowers. Adjacent to this is a hedged formal garden with herbaceous, shrub and rose beds centred around a lily pond, with roses being a notable feature. Outwith the formal gardens there is a large water garden with two connected ponds with trees, shrubs and lawns running alongside the Southwick Burn.

Directions: On the A710 near Caulkerbush. Dalbeattie 7 miles, Dumfries 17 miles.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Loch Arthur 60%

Balcarres

Colinsburgh KY9 1HN
The Earl and Countess of Crawford and Balcarres

Sunday 5 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

245d

T:01333 340205 (Estate Office)

Set on the south-facing slopes of Fife with spectacular views over the Firth of Forth, Balcarres Garden is a summer haven welcoming visitors to explore its natural beauty. In July, the Rose Garden will be in full bloom, showcasing a mixture of David Austin shrub roses, hybrid tea and floribunda varieties, offering a stunning display of colour and fragrance. Alongside the roses, the herbaceous borders will be alive with vibrant phlox, geranium, alstroemeria, veronicastrum, aconitum, astrantia, campanula, nepeta, eryngium, macleaya, thalictrum, telekia and lythrum. The herbaceous borders, with their generous and informal planting style, offer a delightful contrast to the structure and formality of the lower terrace. Framed by magnificent 200-year-old yew hedges, the terrace provides a stunning architectural backdrop that enhances the natural beauty of the garden. Visitors will also enjoy the rich foliage along Mary's Walk and Chapel Walk, together with Jim's Grove, its woodland character a further must-see for plant enthusiasts. Balcarres Garden offers a perfect retreat for a summer's day.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00036

Directions: Half mile north of Colinsburgh off A942. Bus to Colinsburgh.

Admission: £7.50, children free

Charities: St Monan's Community Council: St Monan's 1875 Memorial Garden 60%

Kilbeg House

Kilbeg, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ
Philip and Nicola Howarth

Sunday 5 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0679

E:nicola@kilbeghouse.org.uk

W:www.kilbeghouse.org.uk

A growing botanical collection of trees, shrubs and perennials from around the world in 3.5 acres, sloping down towards the sea with views to Knoydart and Ardnamurchan. Rhododendrons (mainly species) and bluebells in May, colourful borders from June through to September. Since the owners acquired the property in 2015 there has been much new planting in and between existing mature trees, and development of new projects is on-going. There is an all weather route along the drive, terrace and part way round the garden, elsewhere grass can be steep and slippery when wet. There is a steep path down to the public sandy beach.

Directions: From Skye Bridge take the A87 for eight miles, then left towards Armadale for 14 miles. After the primary school at the road on the right to Tarskavaig, turn left (towards the sea) to the iron gates. Parking is in the lay-by just before turning and before the gates on the left. There is disabled parking.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%

Bonhard House

Perth PH2 7PQ
Stephen and Charlotte Hay

Saturday/Sunday, 11/12 July, 10am - 5pm (2026)

267

T:07990 574570 E:stephenjohnhay@me.com

Traditional 19th-century garden of five acres approached through an avenue of magnificent oaks. Mature trees, six classified by the National Tree Register as 'remarkable', including a monkey puzzle (1852, one of the first 12 brought to Scotland), sequoias, Douglas fir and a variety of hollies. Reinstated and new herbaceous borders. Rhododendron and azalea beds. Recently-planted spring and summer flowering meadow areas with a variety of fruit and nut trees. Beehive and a productive vegetable garden. A new larch pergola with climbing roses and clematis. Grass paths meander through a pond area with shrubs and mature trees. A pinetum with 25 different varieties. Garden emphasis on wildlife habitat as well as aesthetics. Resident red squirrels. Plentiful and varied birdlife.

Directions: On the A94 about ½ mile beyond Perth and before Scone, turn right signed Murrayshall Country Estate. After about a mile pass an electricity substation on the left, then go round a right bend and Bonhard House drive entrance is straight ahead (on a sharp left bend). From Balbeggie turn left just over a mile short of Scone signposted Bonhard. After about ½ mile take the first right turn. Bonhard House is about 1½ miles down this lane, about a mile beyond Murrayshall Country Estate. The drive entrance is on the left on a sharp right bend.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Freedom from Fistula Foundation 60%

Wormistoune House

Crail KY10 3XH
Lady Wormiston

Sunday 12 July, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

467

T:07561262239 E:enquiries@wormistoune.com

The ongoing restoration and transformation of this ‘pocket’ estate’s 17th-century Scot’s tower house and gardens continues to evolve and delight. Within the walled garden, imaginatively clipped yew hedges enclose ‘rooms’ filled with luxuriantly planted herbaceous borders, a productive potager garden, wildflower meadows, an intricate box parterre, water features and a magical shade garden which is home to four of Scotland’s largest Griselinia littoralis specimens. In recent years planting has extended into the wider woodland policies and highlights include extensive wildflower meadows and waterside plantings surrounding an impressively landscaped pond.

Directions: One mile north of Crail on the A917 Crail to St Andrews road. Crail/St Andrews bus.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Families First - St Andrews 60%

Portmore

Eddleston EH45 8QU
Mr and Mrs David Reid

Saturday 18 July, 11am - 4pm (2026)

045d7

T:07905 776894

W:www.portmoregardens.co.uk

Lovingly created by the current owners over the past 30 years; the gardens surrounding the David Bryce-designed mansion house contain mature trees and offer fine views of the surrounding countryside. Large walled garden with box-edged herbaceous borders is planted in stunning colour harmonies, potager, rose garden, pleached lime walk and ornamental fruit cages. The Victorian glasshouses contain fruit trees, roses, geraniums, pelargoniums and a wide variety of tender plants. There is also an Italianate grotto and water garden with shrubs and Meconopsis. The woodland walks are lined with rhododendrons, azaleas and shrub roses. Starred in Good Gardens Guide and featured in Kenneth Cox’s book Scotland for Gardeners and on Beechgrove.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00318

Directions: Off the A703 one mile north of Eddleston. Bus 62.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: Abundant Borders (SCIO) 60%

Kailzie Gardens

Peebles EH45 9HT
Louise and Richard Vardy

Sunday 19 July, 10am - 4pm (2026)

36ed7k

T:01721 728402

W:kailzieestate.com

Kailzie Gardens sits at the heart of the Tweed Valley just a mile east of Peebles occupying a beautiful position on the River Tweed. At its heart lies the stunning walled garden with plantings of many unusual shrubs, laburnum arches, an enchanting rose garden and spectacular herbaceous borders and one of the best examples of a Mackenzie and Moncur glasshouse still in existence, filled with fuchsias, pelargoniums and exotics. The garden also features prize winning show vegetables. The surrounding woodlands have one of the best laid arboretums in Scotland, with champion trees and specimens (including the oldest larch), providing acres of captivating woodland and burnside walks and spectacular vistas.
Champion Trees: Larch planted 1725

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00229

Directions: A mile east of Peebles on the B7062.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Tweed Togs SCIO 60%

19 Waterslap

Fenwick KA3 6AJ
Cheryl Buchanan

Saturday 25 July, 1pm - 4pm (2026)

6

E:cherylbuchanan@btinternet.com

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.

Directions: M77 from the south take J8 signed Fenwick. Into the village, past the coffee shop and turn right into Waterslap. From the north take J7 signed Fenwick, down Main Road, at the bottom turn left into Waterslap.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland 60%

Briestonhill House

Briestonhill House, by West Calder, West Lothian EH55 8PU
Ken & Linzie Robertson

Sunday 26 July, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

0c579

T:07885 701642 E:meadow-flowers@hotmail.co.uk

A total surprise of a large country garden. Turn through the gates to find a handsome house surrounded by many trees, shrubs, flower beds and large lawns. There is a large pond with lilies and a bridge, two further ponds, and a walled vegetable garden with a polytunnel. The garden has won many awards over the years in the West Lothian Gardening Competition.

Directions: Take the A71 to West Calder. At the traffic lights by the carpet shop, turn right, go downhill (Cleuchbrae); at the bottom of the hill turn right (Mossend). In about one mile, past a sharp bend, the gates are on the right by a fence.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Cats Protection: West Lothian Branch 60%

77 Kirk Brae

Edinburgh EH16 6JN
Michael Brown and Angela Casey

Sunday 26 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2457

E:mvbrown55@gmail.com

A south Edinburgh garden of roughly 1200 square metres surrounded by a stone wall. This family garden features a mix of mature and younger trees, herbaceous beds and borders, a vegetable patch, lawn, a 19th century cast iron vinery, an old monkey puzzle, pond and a patio. Since 2002 the garden has evolved from the traditional and formal to an informal, wildlife-friendly garden with a wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs. The planting aims for year-round colour and variety with fruit, vegetables and different areas for just sitting and enjoying. Still very much a work in progress, the ongoing projects include a small wildflower meadow now entering its fourth year of development.

Directions: 77 Kirk Brae is towards the top of the hill on the left hand side, the number 77 is clearly marked on the main and side gates. Parking is on Kirk Brae or in the quieter Wolrige Road nearby. The 31 bus stops close to the property in each direction at the Kirk Park stop.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: SupportED - The Community Eating Disorder Charity 60%

House of Aigas and Field Centre

by Beauly IV4 7AD
Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye, Greg and Hermione Jackson

Sunday 26 July, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c6e

T:01463 782443 E:info@aigas.co.uk

W:www.aigas.co.uk

The House of Aigas has a small arboretum of named Victorian specimen trees and modern additions. The garden consists of extensive rockeries, herbaceous borders, ponds and shrubs. Aigas Field Centre rangers lead regular guided walks on nature trails through woodland, moorland and around a loch.
Champion Trees: Douglas fir, Atlas cedar and Sequoiadendron giganteum

Directions: 4½ miles from Beauly on the A831 Cannich/Glen Affric road.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Highland Hospice: Aird branch 60%

River Garden, The Restoration of Auchincruive

The Bothy Office, Auchincruive KA6 5AE
Head Gardener

Saturday 1 August, 12:30pm - 3:30pm (2026)

3467

E:enquiries@ifdas.net

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.

Directions: River Garden is located two minutes by car from the main Whitletts roundabout at the junction of the A77/B743. At the roundabout, take the B743 turn signposted Mossblown. At the bend in the road turn right into the Nellie’s Gate entrance at bus stop KA65.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: IFDAS 60%

Drummond Castle Gardens

Muthill, Crieff PH7 4HN
Grimsthorpe & Drummond Castle Trust Ltd

Sunday 2 August, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2857

T:01764 681433

W:www.drummondcastlegardens.co.uk

Activities and events for a great family day out. The gardens of Drummond Castle were originally laid out in 1630 by John Drummond, second Earl of Perth. In 1830 the parterre was changed to an Italian style. One of the most interesting features is the multi-faceted sundial designed by John Mylne, Master Mason to Charles I. The formal garden is said to be one of the finest in Europe and is the largest of its type in Scotland.

Directions: Entrance two miles south of Crieff on Muthill road (A822).

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: BLESMA 60%

Douneside House

Tarland AB34 4UD
The MacRobert Trust

Sunday 2 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c67

W:www.dounesidehouse.co.uk

Douneside is the former home of Lady MacRobert, who developed these magnificent gardens in the early to mid-1900s. Ornamental borders, an Arts and Crafts themed terraced garden and water gardens surround a spectacular infinity lawn overlooking the Deeside hills. The walled garden houses a large ornamental greenhouse and supplies organic fruit, vegetables, herbs and cut flowers to Douneside House which is a multi-award winning hotel. All areas of the garden will be open and there will be a pipe band, teas and plants for sale.

Directions: On the B9119 towards Aberdeen. Tarland one mile.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Perennial 60%

Glenbervie House

Drumlithie, Stonehaven AB39 3YA
Mr and Mrs A Macphie

Sunday 2 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c6

The nucleus of the large garden at Glenbervie is the traditional Victorian walled garden. It slopes south east for 1½ acres, divided essentially into four sections, including vegetables punctuated by annuals, roses and lawn, surrounded by fruit and perennials. At the top of the garden is an extensive heated greenhouse, well worth exploring. A lovely woodland garden can be found in other parts of the garden, also around the house, lawns with herbaceous and shrub borders.

Directions: Drumlithie one mile. Garden is 1½ miles off the A90.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance 60%

Kilbeg House

Kilbeg, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ
Philip and Nicola Howarth

Sunday 2 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0679

E:nicola@kilbeghouse.org.uk

W:www.kilbeghouse.org.uk

A growing botanical collection of trees, shrubs and perennials from around the world in 3.5 acres, sloping down towards the sea with views to Knoydart and Ardnamurchan. Rhododendrons (mainly species) and bluebells in May, colourful borders from June through to September. Since the owners acquired the property in 2015 there has been much new planting in and between existing mature trees, and development of new projects is on-going. There is an all weather route along the drive, terrace and part way round the garden, elsewhere grass can be steep and slippery when wet. There is a steep path down to the public sandy beach.

Directions: From Skye Bridge take the A87 for eight miles, then left towards Armadale for 14 miles. After the primary school at the road on the right to Tarskavaig, turn left (towards the sea) to the iron gates. Parking is in the lay-by just before turning and before the gates on the left. There is disabled parking.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%

The Walled Garden, Shieldhill

Quothquan, Biggar ML12 6NA
Mr and Mrs Gordon

Sunday 2 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

2c6

T:07470 397181 E:nicolagord@gmail.com

This 200-year-old walled garden was completely redesigned and planted in 2014/15 with contemporary features within a classic design. The garden incorporates a modern rill and banks of colour with perennial flowers in a variety of borders. The resident bees enjoy the large area of traditional meadow flowers as well as the rose garden planted with lavenders, salvias and stocks. Outside the wall you will find mature woodland including a giant sequoia and a wildlife pond. If you are interested in fruit and vegetables, take a look at the raised beds and the peach tree and vine in the greenhouse. There are many secluded spots around the garden to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a homemade cake.

Directions: Turn off the B7016 between Biggar and Carnwath towards Quothquan. After about a mile, look for signs and turn right at the lodge.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

Larch House

Clerklands, Lilliesleaf TD6 9JR
David and Julia King

Wednesdays 5, 12, 19, 26 August, 11am - 4pm. Also open by arrangement 1 August - 31 August. Admission £5, children free. Pre-booking is essential due to limited parking. Light refreshments will be available and there may be plants for sale. We welcome small groups. (2026)

0c7

T:01835 870888 E:northcorner14@btinternet.com

Larch House garden and woodland extend over four acres. Building on the design and planting by the previous owners, the garden has been extensively renovated and is constantly evolving. It includes a terraced area of vegetables and cut flowers edged by fruit trees, several mixed borders surrounding a lawn, a large wildlife pond with a bog garden and a smaller ornamental pond. The mixed woodland was planted in 2016, and meandering paths, sometimes steep, lead to extensive views of the Cheviots and surrounding areas.

Directions: Clerklands is a small hamlet approximately two miles from Lilliesleaf. On the A7 from Selkirk, turn left and follow signs to Clerklands. After approximately three miles the house will be clearly signed. On the A7 from Hawick, turn right and follow signs towards Lilliesleaf and the house will be clearly signed. Car parking is on site.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

River Garden, The Restoration of Auchincruive

The Bothy Office, Auchincruive KA6 5AE
Head Gardener

Saturday 8 August, 12:30pm - 3:30pm (2026)

3467

E:enquiries@ifdas.net

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.

Directions: River Garden is located two minutes by car from the main Whitletts roundabout at the junction of the A77/B743. At the roundabout, take the B743 turn signposted Mossblown. At the bend in the road turn right into the Nellie’s Gate entrance at bus stop KA65.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: IFDAS 60%

Dalswinton Mill

Dalswinton DG2 0XY
Colin and Pamela Crosbie

Sunday 9 August, 11am - 5pm (2026)

2c7

T:07944 176433 E:colincrosbiehort@btinternet.com

A newly-created, plantsman’s garden set around an 18th-century watermill with the Pennyland Burn running through it. The garden contains a wide range of perennials, trees and shrubs that favour the local climate and have been planted during the last few years. A variety of statuary can be found throughout the garden which sits in a hollow and can be only accessed by steps and there are slopes throughout the garden. Unfortunately, this makes the garden unsuitable for anyone with mobility requirements.

Directions: Garden lies in Dalswinton, halfway between the A76 and the A701 on the Auldgirth to Kirkton Road. From Auldgirth take the first left after the Dalswinton Village Hall. The Mill is on the corner before the bridge. We are unable to offer disabled parking.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Loch Arthur 60%

Allean House

Strathtummel, Pitlochry PH16 5NR
Mrs June Bennett

Sunday 9 August, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

2479

Set above the shores of Loch Tummel, Allean House combines natural woodland character with informal planting and magnificent views from the top lawns. Winding paths lead through wild woodland with a quirky treehouse, fernery and tranquil ponds with a wee folly. Nearer the house, a herbaceous border provides seasonal colour, while potager-style terraces mix vegetables and flowers for produce and interesting structure. A large greenhouse shelters tender plants and provides propagation areas to supply all the terraces. A croquet lawn offers a peaceful open space in this varied and welcoming lochside garden. Partial access can be enjoyed with the help of our gator buggy for anyone unsteady on their feet. Please wear sturdy footwear.

Directions: Take B8019 across the Garry. Carry on past a very sharp left turn at Glen Fincastle, follow the same road another couple of miles. House entrance is on the left with large black gates. Find using what3words/laces.save.wool

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: CHAS 60%

Longwood

Humbie EH36 5PN
Linda Flockhart and Sandra Gentle

Wednesday 12 August, 10:30am - 4pm (2026)

67

An extensive, long-established country garden at 800 feet. There are ducks and hens, stream and ponds as well as areas of wild garden and borders including roses, vegetables, lawns and woodlands. Stunning views over the Forth.

Directions: From the B6368 (Humbie to Haddington road) about one mile east of Humbie take the direction south to Blegbie Farm (signposted). Follow the road for circa two miles, passing Humbie Mains Farm as you go. You will find Blegbie Farm at a hard right-hand bend. The drive for Longwood will be straight in front of you, right beside Blegbie. Go straight up the drive and park at the bottom of the cottages. Do not turn right or left. Find using what3words/mermaids.steepest.animals

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

Dundonnell House

Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross IV23 2QW
Dundonnell Estates

Thursday 13 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

6e7

T:07789 390028 E:sueandwill@icloud.com

Camellias, magnolias and bulbs in spring, rhododendrons and laburnum walk in this ancient walled garden. Exciting planting gives all year round interest, centred around one of the oldest yew trees in Scotland. A water sculpture, unique Victorian glass house, riverside walk, arboretum - all in the valley below the peaks of An Teallach.
Champion Trees: Yew and Holly

Directions: Turn off the A835 at Braemore on to the A832. After 11 miles take the Badralloch turn for a ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: The Tusk Trust 30% & Parkinsons UK 30%

Cloan

by Auchterarder PH3 1PP
Neil Mitchison

Sunday 16 August, 10am - 5pm (2026)

267

T:07958 155831 E:niall@fastmail.co.uk

Two acres of wild garden, with a wide variety of rhododendrons and azaleas, and an impressive collection of trees, including metasequoia, cryptomeria, Acer cappadocicum, Sequoia sempervirens, Quercus robur ‘Filicifolia’, liriodendron, several Japanese maples, magnificent beech and Scots pine trees, and extensive yew topiary; also an acre of walled garden with embothriums, Acer griseum, several sorbus varieties, parrotia and a large herbaceous border. Fine views of Strathearn from the front of the house.

Directions: From the A823, just south of the A9, follow the small road heading north east, signposted Duchally. Continue for approximately 2½ miles, turn right at the sign Coulshill. Continue for just under ½ mile. Follow the signs for car parking.

Admission: £4.00, children free

Charities: Tiphereth Limited: Camphill 60%

North Newton Farm

Kilmacolm PA13 4TE
Carole Cameron

Sunday 16 August, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2c67

E:carole.cameron100@btinternet.com

In seven years, the new owners have transformed North Newton Farm garden. 'No straight lines' and 'any colour so long as it is pink, purple, blue or white' are the guidelines. Many 'finds' abandoned by the previous owners in and around the barns have been repurposed under the 'let's use what we have' philosophy. To suit the topography, the garden now has cultivated and wilder parts with stunning views. Many climbing plants and herbaceous borders surround the wildlife pond below a rockery. A small wooded area provides a lovely view. A Victorian-style greenhouse and cold frames flank stone-built raised beds in a fruit and vegetable garden. The resident goats, chickens and horses provide ample fertiliser.

Directions: From Kilmacolm take the B786 Lochwinnoch road, continue for about two miles. From Lochwinnoch take the B786 Kilmacolm road for about six miles. Turn up the road signposted to Killochries at this point following the yellow SGS signs. what3words/stiff.salaried.again

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Pancreatic Cancer Action 60%

Kirklands

Saline KY12 9TS
Peter and Gill Hart

Sunday 16 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

c467

T:07787 115477 E:peter@kirklandsgarden.co.uk

W:www.kirklandsgarden.co.uk

Kirklands, built in 1832, has been the Hart family home for 48 years. The walled garden was reinstated from a paddock to include terracing and raised beds. In 2023 we introduced two bee hives. The woodland garden comes into life in February with snowdrops followed by bluebells, hellebores, trilliums, fritillaries, rhododendrons, meconopsis, candelabra primulas and irises. The rockery displays dwarf rhododendrons and azaleas. The herbaceous borders reach their peak in the late summer with bright yellow rudbeckia, verbena and echinacea. Down by the Saline Burn there are 30 species of many-coloured primula and 20 acres of naturally regenerating woodland with a pathway by the stream. To keep the grandchildren occupied, Peter built a tree house, climbing frame and rope swing, though we hope they will take an interest in gardening too!

Directions: Junction 4, M90, then B914. Parking in the centre of the village, then a short walk to the garden. Limited disabled parking at Kirklands.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Saline & Steelend Gardening Club 60%

The Milton of Campsie Community Garden

Antermony Road G66 8DB
Alan Skedeleski

Sunday 23 August, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

47

T:07958 760169

The community garden in Milton of Campsie is the creation of one man, covering roughly an acre of hillside beside the Glazert Water. A small beach area where otters and kingfishers can be spotted, is a great place for children to play at the water's edge or for water-loving dogs. The garden was conceived as a memorial garden and as you walk through the willow tunnel to the various sections you will come across memorandum and dedications. With no shortage of relaxing seating areas, you can sit and enjoy the children's lawn (created for the local nursery) complete with a miniature gypsy caravan with inside fittings, or the ancient ruin with its chimney and barbecue. Children will enjoy running over the two bridges that cross the waterlily pond (they may even spot a newt). The variety and ingenuity make this an unmissable garden.

Directions: From Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch and Lennoxtown follow signs to Milton of Campsie and then follow the yellow SGS signs.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Cancer Research UK 60%

Little Sparta

Stonypath, Dunsyre ML11 8NG
Pantea Cameron

Tuesday 25 August & Tuesday 1 September, 1pm - 4pm (2026)

T:01899 810711 E:contact@littlesparta.org.uk

W:www.littlesparta.org.uk

Little Sparta is Ian Hamilton Finlay’s greatest work of art. Ian and Sue Finlay moved to the farm of Stonypath in 1966 and began to create what would become an internationally acclaimed garden across seven acres of a wild and exposed moorland site. Collaborating with stone carvers, letterers and other artists and poets, the numerous sculptures and artworks created by Finlay explore themes as diverse as the sea and its fishing fleets, our relationship to nature, classical antiquity, the French Revolution and the Second World War. Individual poetic and sculptural elements, in wood, stone and metal, are sited in relation to carefully structured landscaping and planting. Please note that there is a 700m uphill walk from the car park and livestock grazing in the fields. For visitors with limited mobility, it may be possible to book a space near the house; call the garden for details.

Directions: Check www.littlesparta.org.uk/visit/ for directions.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Little Sparta Trust 60%

Laidlawstiel House

Clovenfords, Galashiels TD1 1TJ
Mr and Mrs P Litherland

Wednesday/Thursday, 26/27 August, 1pm - 5pm (2026)

2c

Walled garden containing herbaceous border, fruit and vegetables in raised beds. There are colourful rhododendrons and azaleas as well as splendid views down to the River Tweed.

Directions: On the A72 between Clovenfords and Walkerburn turn up the hill signposted for Thornielee. The house is on the right at the top of the hill.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Trellis 60%

Airlie Castle Gardens

Airlie Castle, Airlie, By Kirriemuir, Angus DD8 5NG
David and Tarka Airlie

Sunday 30 August, 2pm - 6pm (2026)

2c7k9

T:01575 530387 E:office@airlieestates.com

W:www.airlieestates.com

Airlie was built in the 15th century as a fortified castle. It sits on a promontory high above the Rivers Melgum and Isla. The gorge below is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it contains rare lichen and wildflowers. The 18th-century walled garden grows fruit, flowers and vegetables and it is intersected by mature yew and box topiary. Within the castle walls itself, there are two herbaceous borders and a large Kiftsgate rose and climbing wisteria. In large areas of the policies the grass has been left to grow long, and as a consequence of this, many varieties of native wild orchid have reappeared. A woodland walk leads down from the castle and gardens to the River Isla.

Directions: Take B951 from Kirriemuir signposted Glen Isla. Pass Kinnordy Loch then turn left signposted Airlie/Alyth. Keep on for 3½ miles, pass Mains of Airlie farm on left. Entrance to castle is just beyond on the right.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: MBA: Mountain Bothies Association 60%

Kilbeg House

Kilbeg, Sleat, Isle of Skye IV44 8RQ
Philip and Nicola Howarth

Sunday 6 September, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0679

E:nicola@kilbeghouse.org.uk

W:www.kilbeghouse.org.uk

A growing botanical collection of trees, shrubs and perennials from around the world in 3.5 acres, sloping down towards the sea with views to Knoydart and Ardnamurchan. Rhododendrons (mainly species) and bluebells in May, colourful borders from June through to September. Since the owners acquired the property in 2015 there has been much new planting in and between existing mature trees, and development of new projects is on-going. There is an all weather route along the drive, terrace and part way round the garden, elsewhere grass can be steep and slippery when wet. There is a steep path down to the public sandy beach.

Directions: From Skye Bridge take the A87 for eight miles, then left towards Armadale for 14 miles. After the primary school at the road on the right to Tarskavaig, turn left (towards the sea) to the iron gates. Parking is in the lay-by just before turning and before the gates on the left. There is disabled parking.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%

Benmore Botanic Garden

Benmore, Dunoon PA23 8QU
A Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Sunday 27 September, 10am - 5pm (2026)

3c46ead7

T:01369 706261 E:benmore@rbge.org.uk

W:www.rbge.org.uk

Benmore’s magnificent mountainside setting is a joy to behold. Its 120 acres boast a world-famous collection of plants from the Himalayas, China and Japan to North and South America, as well as an impressive avenue of giant redwoods, one of the finest entrances to any botanic garden. Established in 1863, these majestic giants stand over 150 feet high. Seven miles of trails throughout lead to a restored Victorian Fernery and a dramatic viewpoint at 420 feet looking out to surrounding mountains and Holy Loch. There are also traditional Bhutanese and Chilean pavilions and the magnificent Golden Gates. Keep an eye out for red squirrels and other wildlife as you explore the garden.
National Plant Collection: Abies, South American Temperate Conifers, Picea
Champion Trees: Many rare trees and giant conifers

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00056

Directions: Seven miles north of Dunoon or 22 miles south from Glen Kinglass below Rest and Be Thankful pass. On the A815. Bus service is limited.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Stobo EH45 9JU
A Regional Garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Sunday 4 October, 10am - 5pm (2026)

3c46ead

T:01721 760254

W:www.rbge.org.uk/dawyck

Dawyck is a regional garden of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh which had its 350th anniversary in 2020. Stunning collection of rare trees and shrubs. With over 300 years of tree planting, Dawyck is a world-famous arboretum with mature specimens of Chinese conifers, Japanese maples, Brewer’s spruce, the unique Dawyck beech and sequoiadendrons from North America which are over 150 feet tall. Bold herbaceous plantings run along the burn. Range of trails and walks. Fabulous autumn colours.
National Plant Collection: Larix spp. and Tsuga spp
Champion Trees: Numerous

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00134

Directions: Eight miles south-west of Peebles on the B712. Bus 91, Biggar to Peebles service.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Coldoch

Blairdrummond, Stirling FK9 4XD
David & Kim Stewart and Tim Black

Sunday 4 October, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

0c67

T:01786 841217

The garden at Coldoch is sheltered by belts of mature woodland on three sides and looks south over the Carse of Stirling. The parterre courtyard garden and border have replaced the old farm buildings and lead on to a kitchen garden created by using the three old walls of an earlier rose garden. The less formal areas include a stream, a pond, paddocks and woodland. The drives are lined with old oaks and sycamores mixed with new trees from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and some fine, mature cherry trees.

Directions: Signed from the A84. Take the A873 for Aberfoyle, after just under one mile turn left on to Coldoch Road, B8031 and continue for approximately half a mile. Wrought iron gates on the left mark the entrance.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Stirling and District Women's Aid 60%

Angus's Garden, Barguillean

Taynuilt PA35 1HY
The Josephine Marshall Trust

Open daily, 9am - dusk (2026)

7k

T:01866 822333 E:info@barguillean.co.uk

W:www.barguillean.co.uk

Created in 1957 as a memorial garden by Betty Macdonald of Barguillean for her son Angus, this picturesque nine-acre woodland garden is set around the tranquil shores of Loch Angus in historic Glen Lonan. Whilst famous for its extensive collection of hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, this glorious garden cleverly retains the natural atmosphere of the landscape. Visitors can enjoy an informal network of paths, lined with spring flowering shrubs and bulbs, through native woodland and by shoreland whilst surrounded by the magnificent views of Ben Cruachan and the mountains of Glen Etive. This unspoilt natural setting attracts a wide range of wildlife, and the eleven-acre loch is home to swans and ducks. On the north-west side of the garden overlooking the loch stands Betty's bell paying tribute to her 40 years of work creating this magical garden. The garden reaches its full glory between April and the end of June but is a place of special tranquillity and charm at all times of the year. Three marked, circular walks from the car park taking between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours. Not suitable for wheelchairs.

Directions: Off A85 Crianlarich/Oban road at Taynuilt, road marked Glen Lonan, three miles up a single track road, turn right at the sign opposite Barguillean Farm.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: SSAFA Forces Help 60%

West Kilbride Community Gardens

c/o The Barony Centre 50 Main Street West Kilbride KA23 9AR
West Kilbride Gardeners

Open daily, dawn to dusk. The village is always open but the best days to visit are Thursday to Saturday and there are 4 cafes serving refreshments. If you wish to donate, please buy a brochure from the Barony Arts Centre (priced at £5). (2026)

234679

E:WKgreengym@gmail.com

W:https://crafttownscotland.org

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.

Directions: All our gardens are within walking distance of the village centre. There is a regular train service from Glasgow Central to Largs, stopping at West Kilbride. The Stagecoach 585 bus runs regularly between Ayr and Largs, stopping in West Kilbride.

Admission: by donation

Charities: The Ayrshire Hospice 60%

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden

Cairndow PA26 8BG
Ardkinglas Estate

Open daily, dawn - dusk (2026)

6ed7k

T:01499 600261

W:www.ardkinglas.com

In a peaceful setting overlooking Loch Fyne, the garden contains one of the finest collections of rhododendrons and conifers in Britain. This includes the mightiest conifer in Europe - a silver fir - as well as many other Champion Trees. There is a gazebo with a unique scriptorium based around a collection of literary quotes. For younger visitors, the garden features a Fairy Trail, Gruffalo Trail and Snakey Slide.
Champion Trees: The mightiest conifer in Europe and others.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00022

Directions: Entrance through Cairndow village off the A83 Loch Lomond/Inveraray road.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Ardmaddy Castle

by Oban PA34 4QY
Mr and Mrs Archie Struthers

Open daily, 9am - 5pm (2026)

c57k

T:01852 300353 E:minette@ardmaddy.com

W:www.ardmaddy.com

The gardens lie in a truly spectacular setting in the centre of a horseshoe bay, sheltered by mixed mature wooded hills and the castle atop a volcanic mound. The 18th-century walled garden has been much restored and improved over the last 50 years, hence its well-earned reputation as a plantsman's garden for all seasons. In addition to the magnificent rhododendron collection, it is now also home to many rare and unusual shrubs and plants. These all sit alongside productive fruit and vegetable beds, all given formal structure by dwarf box hedges . The walled garden is flanked by shrub lined avenues bordering the burn, leading to woodland walks and a water garden. Don't miss the 60 foot Hydrangea petiolaris on Lady Murray's Walk and the towering stand of gunnera next to the ponds. The latest additions in an always-evolving garden are new medicinal herb beds and restructuring of the kitchen garden.

Directions: Take the A816 south of Oban for eight miles. Turn right onto the B844 to Seil Island/Easdale. Four miles on, turn left to Ardmaddy (signposted) and follow for a further two miles.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Achnacloich

Connel, Oban PA37 1PR
Mr T M Nelson

Open daily (Saturday only), 10am - 4pm (2026)

6dk

T:01631 710223 or Gardener David Field 07929 336217 E:davefield6@hotmail.co.uk & cassandhu@gmail.com

The 20-acre woodland garden overlooking Loch Etive has been planted over the last century with a wide range of trees and shrubs from Asia, China, Japan, North America, Chile and New Zealand. Many have grown to considerable size. The light woodland canopy consists of native oaks and a number of magnificent 150-year-old Scots pines and European larch. Amongst these are open glades, carpeted with bluebells and numerous other bulbs. Two ponds and streams are planted with primulas, iris species, lysichitum, and astilbes. The woodland contains innumerable species of rhododendron and azalea, of which the triflorums and yunnanense are outstanding. Amongst these are species of acer, betula, camellia, cercidiphyllum, cornus, crinodendron, drimys, embothrium, enkianthus, eucryphia, hoheria, magnolia, malus, nothofagus, pieris, sorbus, stewartia, telopea and viburnum. Beside the house is a giant Douglas fir from Douglas' original introduction. One of the first Dawyck beeches stands beside the drive. Fine autumn colour.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00007

Directions: On the A85 two miles east of Connel. The car park is at the bottom of the drive.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Macmillan Cancer Support 60%

The Japanese Garden at Cowden

Upper Hillfoot Road, Dollar, Clackmannanshire FK14 7PL
Cowden SCIO

Open daily (Wednesday to Monday, 10:30 - 5pm during summer) and (Wednesday to Sunday 10:30 - 4pm during winter). The garden will be closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year. Please check the garden's website for details. (2026)

36d

E:sales@cowdengarden.com

W:www.cowdengarden.com

Created in 1908, The Japanese Garden at Cowden is listed as an important example of its type in Western Europe. Nestled beneath the Ochil Hills the seven-acre garden wraps around a large pond. Enjoy the meandering walk by the water, taking in the changing scenes created by sculpted landforms, carefully placed stones, clipped shrubs and original stone lanterns.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00402

Directions: The entrance to the garden is from the Upper Hillfoot Road, about half a mile west from the junction with the A91.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Mellerstain

Mellerstain House and Gardens, Gordon TD3 6LG
Gill Harrop, Administrator

Open daily, 11am - 5pm (2026)

b67

T:01573 410225 E:enquiries@mellerstain.com

W:www.mellerstain.com

100 acres of mature parkland, formal gardens and lakeside walks set off this Robert Adam masterpiece. The formal gardens to the south of the house were designed in 1910 by Sir Reginald Blomfield in an Italianate style sympathetic to the earlier 18th century layout. These beautiful terraces with herbaceous borders and yew trees lead to lower terraces via a cryptoporticus, and then a sweeping expanse of lawn descends to the lake. Among the sturdy oaks and majestic beeches in the north parkland, you’ll find an enchanting tiny thatched cottage discreetly tucked away with its own parterre garden. A map is available of the woodland and lakeside walks, picnic spots are available and the cafe is open during the summer season. Look out for the Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep too!

Directions: The house is signposted on the A6089 Kelso-Gordon road. The approach from the A68 Jedburgh-Edinburgh road is through Earlston on the A6105, then via the B6397 towards Smailholm.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Floors Castle

Kelso TD5 7RN
The Duke of Roxburghe

The Walled Garden, Terrace Cafe and Apple Shed Giftshop & Pantry are open 7 days a week, year round. (2026)

36d7

T:01573 223333

W:www.floorscastle.com

Discover some of the finest Victorian style herbaceous borders, designed to reflect the changing seasons. The spring, summer, and hot borders brim with colour and character. Nearby, the kitchen garden and elegant glasshouses provide fresh produce and seasonal fruit and vegetables. The formal millennium parterre, planted with heritage apple trees, showcases traditional pruning techniques, completing a garden experience rich in beauty, history, and inspiration.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00181

Directions: Floors Castle Walled Garden, Kelso, TD5 7RN

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Aldouran Wetland Garden

Glen Road, Leswalt DG9 0LJ
The Volunteers at Aldouran Wetland Garden

Open daily, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

457

W:aldouran.org

Aldouran Glen, which means 'Glen of the Otter', is a unique blend of colourful community gardens, a natural water area with reed beds and a wild woodland with all-access trails, fairy doors and fantasy artwork including a nine foot Gruffalo. Picnic and toilet facilities. Small groups welcome.

Directions: The garden lies off Glen Road on the outskirts of the village of Leswalt, three miles from Stranraer on the A718. It is well signposted and can also be accessed by bus from Stranraer, being a stop on the Stranraer-Kirkcolm service.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Delvine

Murthly PH1 4LD
Mr David Gemmell

3 January - 21 December, dawn - dusk (2026)

7

T:07748 207647 E:gemmell.david@googlemail.com

The arboretum at Delvine covers more than 10 acres. The arboretum is situated on a flood plain, flanked by oxbow lakes on each side. This is the place to visit for those who seek a remote and peaceful setting. As one proceeds in a westerly direction, one enters an area of great drifts of chimonobambusa and miscanthus grasses with water and wildlife in abundance. The walking is easy, but not suitable for wheelchair users. This garden will appeal to those seeking the unusual.

Directions: On the A984, seven miles east of Dunkeld, four miles south-west of Blairgowrie. Turn through gateway and follow drive to wooden gates with Arboretum sign. Park at house, pay at yellow Honesty Box and walk down.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Army Benevolent Fund 60%

Abriachan Garden Nursery

Loch Ness Side IV3 8LA
Mr and Mrs Davidson

1 February - 30 November, 9am - 7pm (2026)

bc467

T:01463 861232 E:info@lochnessgarden.com

W:www.lochnessgarden.com

This is an outstanding garden with over four acres of exciting plantings with winding paths through native woodlands. Seasonal highlights include snowdrops, hellebores, primulas, meconopsis, hardy geraniums and colour-themed summer beds. Views over Loch Ness.

Directions: On the A82 Inverness/Drumnadrochit road, about nine miles south of Inverness.

Admission: £4.00, children free

Charities: Highland Hospice 60%

Abbotsford

Melrose TD6 9BQ
The Abbotsford Trust

1 March - 31 March 10am - 4pm, 1 April - 31 October 10am - 5pm & 1 November - 31 December 10am - 4pm (2026)

3c457k

T:01896 752043 E:enquiries@scottsabbotsford.co.uk

W:www.scottsabbotsford.com

The garden was designed by Sir Walter Scott with advice from artists, architects and friends. It is a rare surviving example of a Regency garden layout and completely different from the English landscape garden style of Capability Brown. Scott’s garden aims to provide a harmonious transition between the luxury and comfort of the interiors of the house with wonders of nature in the wider estate through a series of secluded, richly detailed and sheltered ‘rooms’. In its day it would have showcased the latest plants discovered from around the globe, both in its borders and ‘stove houses’. Regular tours are held exploring Scott’s vision for the garden and the hidden meanings of its design. Check the Abbotsford website for details.

Directions: Off the A6091 near Melrose. Buses X62 and 72 from Edinburgh and Peebles. Train from Waverley to Tweedbank. Minibus or one-mile walk from train station.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Kinlochlaich Walled Garden

Appin PA38 4BD
Miss F M M Hutchison

3 March - 31 October, 10am - 4pm (2026)

c45k

T:07881 525754 E:fionakinlochlaich@gmail.com

W:www.kinlochlaichgardencentre.co.uk

Octagonal walled garden incorporating a large Nursery Garden Centre with a huge variety of plants growing and for sale. The bluebell walk and woodland garden are in the process of further development. Many rhododendrons, azaleas, trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, including many unusual ones such as embothrium, davidia, stewartia, magnolia, eucryphia and tropaeolum. A quarter of the interior of the walled garden is borders packed with many unusual and interesting plants, espaliered fruit trees, with an ancient yew in the centre, and another quarter is vegetable growing.

Directions: On the A828 in Appin between Oban, 18 miles to the south, and Fort William, 27 miles to the north. The entrance is next to the police station. Infrequent bus Oban to Fort William - request stop.

Admission: by donation

Charities: The Appin Village Hall 30% & Down's Syndrome Scotland: West of Scotland Branch 30%

Braco Castle

Braco FK15 9LA
Mr and Mrs M van Ballegooijen

12 March - 31 October, 10am - 5pm (2026)

5d

T:01786 880437

A 19th-century landscaped garden with a plethora of wonderful and interesting trees, shrubs, bulbs and plants. An old garden for all seasons that has been extensively expanded over the last 35 years. The partly-walled garden is approached on a rhododendron and tree-lined path featuring an ornamental pond. Spectacular spring bulbs, exuberant shrub and herbaceous borders and many ornamental trees are all enhanced by the spectacular views across the park to the Ochils. From snowdrops through to vibrant autumn colour, this garden is a gem. Look out for the embothrium in June, hoheria in August, eucryphia in September and an interesting collection of rhododendrons and azaleas with long flowering season.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00067

Directions: Drive for 1½ miles from the gates at the north end of Braco Village, just west of the bridge on the A822. Parking at the castle is welcome.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: The Woodland Trust Scotland 60%

Glenarn

Glenarn Road, Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LL
Michael and Sue Thornley

21 March - 21 September, dawn - dusk (2026)

c46d7

T:01436 820493 E:masthome@btinternet.com

W:www.glenarn.com

43 years ago, we first saw Glenarn, when the magnolias were in bloom, and started to restore the 12 acre garden. 99 years ago, the Gibson family arrived and created the West Coast garden that we see today. 175 years ago, Andrew MacGeorge, the first owner, laid out the paths and planted the canopy of trees under which we still walk. It is these layers of history and plantings on a favoured site that give Glenarn its special character. It explains why Glenarn is more than a Spring garden, famous for its collection of rare rhododendrons; why it has such a diverse collection of plants and champion trees (notably Plagianthus regius) that give season-long interest and colour. 87 years ago, Glenarn opened under Scotland's Garden Scheme. We continue to welcome visitors, and volunteers.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00193

Directions: On the A814, two miles north of Helensburgh, up Pier Road. Cars to be left at the gate unless passengers have limited mobility.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Rhu & Shandon Community Centre 60%

Inveraray Castle Gardens

Inveraray PA32 8XF
The Duke and Duchess of Argyll

26 March - 30 September 10am - 5pm & 1 October - 26 October 10am - 4pm (2026)

146d

T:01499 302203 E:manager@inveraray-castle.com

W:www.inveraray-castle.com

With Inveraray Castle as an imposing backdrop, the sixteen acre garden has formal, meadow, park and woodland areas and is one of the most important designed landscapes in Scotland. The formal gardens consist of vivid green manicured lawn; the Flag Borders, historically laid out in the shape of the St Andrew’s cross; a spectacular rose garden and herbaceous borders. A number of significant trees, including notable specimens of Magnolia acuminata and Oxydendrum arboreum, provide structure and form in this section of the garden. Colour is abundant from April until well into the autumn. The wildflower meadow is managed with native flora and fauna in mind and links the formal and informal parts of the garden. The carpet of fragrant bluebells is a feast for the senses throughout the spring, following straight on from thousands of narcissi. With views over Loch Fyne and the majesty of the West Highlands, the garden holds numerous rhododendrons, hydrangeas and other plants known to flourish in the Argyll climate.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00223

Directions: Inveraray is 60 miles north of Glasgow and 45 miles from Oban. Regular bus services from Glasgow, Oban and Campbeltown. SatNav PA32 8XF.

Admission: £12.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Blair Castle Gardens

Blair Atholl PH18 5TL
Blair Charitable Trust

1 April - 30 October, 10am - 5pm (2026)

345d7

T:01796 481207 E:bookings@blair-castle.co.uk

W:www.blair-castle.co.uk

Blair Castle stands as the focal point in a designed landscape of some 2,500 acres within a Highland estate. Hercules Garden is a walled enclosure of about nine acres recently restored to its original 18th-century design with landscaped ponds, a Chinese bridge, contemporary plantings, and an orchard of more than 100 fruit trees. The glory of this garden in summer is the herbaceous border, which runs along the 275 yard south-facing wall. A delightful sculpture trail incorporates contemporary and 18th-century sculpture as well as eight new works, letter-carving on stone from the Memorial and Commemorative Arts charity’s 'Art and Memory Collection'. Diana’s Grove is a magnificent stand of tall trees including grand fir, Douglas fir, larch and wellingtonia running along the Banvie Burn, with the 12th-century ruins of St Bride’s Church on the far bank.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00059

Directions: Off A9, follow signs to Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Dunvegan Castle and Gardens

Isle of Skye IV55 8WF
Hugh MacLeod of Macleod

1 April - 15 October, 10am - 5:30pm (2026)

38467

T:01470 521206 E:info@dunvegancastle.com

W:www.dunvegancastle.com

Any visit to the Isle of Skye is incomplete without enjoying the wealth of history and horticultural delights at award-winning 5* Dunvegan Castle and Gardens, now an RHS partner garden. The five acres of formal gardens began life in the 18th century. In stark contrast to the barren moorland and mountains which dominate Skye's landscape, the Castle's Water Garden, Round Garden, Walled Garden and woodland walks provide an oasis for an eclectic mix of flowers, exotic plants, shrubs and specimen trees, framed by shimmering pools fed from waterfalls. After visiting the Water Garden with its ornate bridges and islands replete with colourful plants along the riverbanks, wander through the elegant formal Round Garden. The Walled Garden, formerly the Castle's vegetable garden, now has a diverse range of plants and flowers completing the attractive features, including a water lily pond, garden museum, 17th century lectern sundial, glass house and the 'Dunvegan Pebble', a rotating 2.7 ton Carrara marble sculpture. The informal areas of the garden are kept wild to encourage wildlife, creating a more natural aesthetic framed by the coastal scenery. The present Chief, Hugh MacLeod, and his dedicated team of gardeners, continue to build on this unique legacy for future generations to enjoy.

Directions: One mile from Dunvegan village, 23 miles west of Portree. Follow the signs for Dunvegan Castle.

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Pitmuies Gardens

House of Pitmuies, Guthrie, by Forfar DD8 2SN
Jeanette and Ruaraidh Ogilvie

1 April - 30 September, 10am - 5pm (2026)

6d7

T:01241 828245 E:ogilvie@pitmuies.com

W:www.pitmuies.com

Two renowned, semi-formal walled gardens adjoin an 18th-century house and steading, sheltering long borders of herbaceous perennials, superb old-fashioned delphiniums and roses, together with pavings rich with violas and dianthus. An extensive and diverse collection of plants, interesting kitchen garden, spacious lawns, and river, lochside and woodland walks beneath fine trees. A wide variety of shrubs with good autumn colour and a picturesque turreted doocot and a ‘Gothick’ wash house. Myriad spring bulbs include carpets of crocus following massed snowdrops and daffodils.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00215

Directions: From Forfar take A932 east for 7 miles; gardens signposted on the right. From Brechin take A933 south to Friockheim and turn right onto A932; gardens signposted on the left after 1½ miles.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Glendoick

Glencarse, Perthshire PH2 7NS
Cox Family

1 April - 31 May, 10am - 4pm (2026)

4d

T:01738 860260 E:gardencentre@glendoick.com

W:www.glendoick.com

Celebrating 100 years of Glendoick’s gardens. Euan Cox began clearing the woodland in 1925, and the first plants arrived in 1926. Glendoick garden and garden centre with its award-winning café is the ideal day out in April and May. Glendoick boasts a unique collection of plants from Cox plant-hunting expeditions in China and the Himalaya and hybrids raised in the garden, hundreds of rhododendrons and azaleas, magnolias and other acid-loving plants in the woodland garden and around the house. There are fine waterfall views in the woodland gardens.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00196

Directions: Follow the brown signs to Glendoick Garden Centre off the A90 Perth - Dundee road. The gardens are a ½ mile behind the Garden Centre. After buying tickets at the Garden Centre, please drive up and park at the gardens (free parking).

Admission: details can be found on the garden's website

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Monteviot

Jedburgh TD8 6UQ
The Marchioness of Lothian

1 April - 31 October, 12pm - 5pm (2026)

5d

T:01835 862201

W:www.monteviot.com

A series of nine juxtaposing spaces including the Garden of Persistent Imagination: an eclectic mixture of natural stone structures and living art - a tribute to 20th century Art Nouveau and Surrealism. The older gardens include the terraced Rose Garden which is Victorian, and the River Garden redesigned in the 1960s by Percy Cane, this slopes down through mixed borders towards the river Teviot below.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00288

Directions: Turn off the A68, three miles north of Jedburgh on to the B6400. After one mile turn right.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Glassmount House

by Kirkcaldy KY2 5UT
Peter, James and Irene Thomson

1 April - 30 September, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

7

T:07834 555728 E:mcmoonter@yahoo.co.uk

Densely planted walled garden with surrounding woodland. An A-listed sundial, Mackenzie & Moncur greenhouse and historical doocot are complemented by a number of newer structures. Daffodils are followed by a mass of candelabra and cowslip primula, meconopsis and Cardiocrinum giganteum. Hedges and topiary form backdrops for an abundance of bulbs, clematis, rambling roses and perennials, creating interest through the summer into September. The garden is now extending beyond the walls, with new areas of naturalistic planting blending the boundary between the surrounding fields and the woodland.

Directions: From Kirkcaldy, head west on the B9157. Turn left immediately after the railway bridge on the edge of town. Follow the single track road for one-and-a-half miles and cross the crossroads. Glassmount House is the first turning on your right.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Parkinsons UK 60%

Craigieburn House

by Moffat DG10 9LF
Janet and Peter McGowan

5 April - 31 October, 10:30am - 6pm (2026)

7

T:07557 928648 E:bideshi2024@outlook.com

A beautiful and varied six-acre, plant-lovers' garden in a natural location in scenic Moffat Dale. Meconopsis, trilliums, rhododendrons, magnolias, arisaemas, bamboos, hoherias and many more types of plants flourish in the shelter of mature woodland. A Himalayan glen has been recreated with plants from the region where the Craigie Burn tumbles down a gorge with a series of waterfalls. Downstream is a fern garden with over 70 varieties. Candelabra primulas, rodgersias, cardiocrinum, orchids and other rare plants thrive in the bog garden and woodland glades. Double herbaceous borders come into their own later in the summer and keep the display going throughout the season. Other garden areas include a rose garden, formal pond and autumn garden. A nursery sells hardy plants propagated on site, many of them rare or unusual. The garden has been created over the past 30 years by Janet and Peter, with Dawa Sherpa, building on its old setting, and continues to evolve. Its links to Robert Burns – including his song 'Craigieburn Wood' – provide another layer of history.

Directions: Three miles from the A74(M) (junction 15), two miles east of Moffat on the A708 Selkirk Road. Coming from Moffat, there are traffic lights straight ahead at the end of the bend. You can't miss the lodge and prayer flags.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Ardvorlich

Lochearnhead FK19 8QE
Mr and Mrs Sandy Stewart

18 April - 31 May, 9am - dusk (2026)

7

T:01567 830335

Beautiful hill garden featuring over 170 different species of rhododendrons and many hybrids, grown in a glorious setting of oaks and birches on either side of the Ardvorlich Burn. The paths are quite steep and rough in places and boots are advisable, especially when wet.

Directions: On South Loch Earn Road three miles from Lochearnhead, five miles from St Fillans.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: The Ghurka Welfare Trust 60%

Ascog Hall Garden and Fernery

Ascog, Isle of Bute PA20 9EU
Josceline and Jane Wheatley

1 May - 31 July, 10am - 5pm (2026)

c47

T:01700 503461 (house) 07824 393 009 (Josceline) E:janejoswheatley@gmail.com

The unique feature of this three-acre garden is its Victorian Fernery with its elaborate glazed roof, springs and ponds providing a haven for many exotic fern species, including Britain's oldest, a 1000-year-old King Fern. Surrounding the Fernery are newly-planted garden rooms featuring Australasian, Asian and South American species set within its original landscaping. While in many ways a young garden set in mature surroundings, with renovation works still underway, the well-labelled, exotic plantings carry on the curiosity of its founders in the tremendous diversity of plants.

Directions: Three miles south of Rothesay on the A844. Close to the picturesque Ascog Bay. There is a bus every half hour Rothesay - Kilchattan.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Glenkyllachy

Tomatin IV13 7YA
Mr and Mrs Philip Mackenzie

1 May - 31 October (Monday & Tuesday), 10am - 5pm (2026)

7

E:emmaglenkyllachy@gmail.com

In a magnificent Highland glen, 1200 feet above sea level, Glenkyllachy is a beautiful garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, rhododendrons, trees, and spectacular views down the Findhorn River. There are some rare specimen trees in the recently planted arboretum. Rhododendrons and bulbs flower in May/June, herbaceous plants bloom through July/August with glorious autumn colours in September and October. There is a very productive vegetable garden, polytunnel, fruit cage and greenhouse as well as original sculptures and a Highgrove-inspired wall which provide year round interest. Featured on TV Beechgrove, articles in The English Garden Magazine, Scottish Field, and most recently in Garden News (August 2025). The garden is constantly evolving with new areas being developed and planting schemes changed.

Directions: Turn off the A9 at Tomatin and take the Coignafearn/Garbole single-track road down the north-side of the River Findhorn, there is a cattle grid and gate on the right 500 yards AFTER the humpback bridge and the sign to Farr.

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: Marie Curie 60%

Dunninald Castle

Montrose DD10 9TD
The Stansfeld family

1 May - 31 August (Monday, Tuesday & Sunday), 1pm - 5pm (2026)

6d7

T:01674 672031 E:estateoffice@dunninald.com

W:www.dunninald.com

We welcome visitors to explore 100 acres of woods, wild garden, policies and a walled garden. From January to May, the main interest is the wild garden and policies where snowdrops in January are followed by daffodils and finally bluebells in May. In June, the emphasis turns to the walled garden, rich in interest and colour throughout summer. Situated at the bottom of the beech avenue, the walled garden is planted with rose borders, traditional mixed borders, vegetables, herbs, soft fruits and fruit trees and there is a greenhouse.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00159

Directions: 3 miles south of Montrose, 10 miles north of Arbroath, signposted from the A92.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

Balmeanach House

Balmeanach, nr Struan, Isle of Skye IV56 8FH
Mrs Arlene Macphie

1 June - 12 August & 15 August - 30 September, 2pm - 5pm (2026)

7

T:01470 572320 E:info@skye-holiday.com

W:www.skye-holiday.com

Very much a plantsman's garden, begun in the early 1990s after a third-of-an-acre of croft land was fenced. A shelter belt now permits a plethora of diverse plants in exuberant herbaceous borders, which give nectar and pollen to keep the buzzing and fluttering going until autumn, plus rockeries and raised beds. Native trees rub shoulders with more exotic ornamental varieties, providing a canopy for shade-loving plants and nesting sites for the many birds who make the garden their home. A small pond in a sunken garden; a larger pond divided in two by a path over a culvert and a bog garden, give scope for marginal and moisture-loving plants. Meandering pathways lead through a small bluebell wood, an arbour garden, shrubbery and small birch wood, full of azaleas and rhododendrons. Plenty of seating throughout provides an invitation to sit, relax and enjoy the garden and stunning scenery beyond.

Directions: A87 to Sligachan, turn left and Balmeanach is five miles north of Struan and five miles south of Dunvegan.

Admission: £4.00, children free

Charities: Scottish SPCA 30% & Redwings 30%

Craichlaw

Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart DG8 0DQ
Mr and Mrs Andrew Gladstone

By arrangement between Open by arrangement 1 January - 31 December. Snowdrops and Winter Walks February - mid-March. Admission £5.00, children free. (2026)

b246

T:01671 830208 E:craichlaw@aol.com

Formal garden with herbaceous borders around the house. Set in extensive grounds with lawns, lochs and woodland. A path around the main loch leads to a water garden returning past a recently planted arboretum in the old walled garden. The best times to visit the garden are early February for snowdrops, May to mid-June for the water garden and rhododendrons, and mid-June to August for herbaceous borders.

Directions: Take the B733 for Kirkcowan, off the A75 at the Halfway House eight miles west of Newton Stewart and Craichlaw House is the first turning on the right.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Barholm Castle

Gatehouse of Fleet DG7 2EZ
Drs John and Janet Brennan

By arrangement (2026)

b467

T:01557 840327 E:barholmcastle@gmail.com

Barholm Castle, a 16th-century tower, was restored from a ruin in 2005. The gardens surrounding the tower have been mostly developed from scratch and are now mature. There is a recently-extended walled garden, with a gate designed by the artist blacksmith Adam Booth; a courtyard garden; a wooded ravine with huge hybrid rhododendrons from Benmore; a pond and a large fernery with over 100 varieties of fern, including very large tree ferns; a large Victorian-style greenhouse filled with succulents and tender perennials; and a large open garden with island beds of shrubs and perennials and a pond. Directly around the castle are rockeries and shrub borders. Views over Wigtown Bay are magnificent. The garden is planted for year-round colour, from February, when the castle ravine is a river of snowdrops, to October, when autumn colour is splendid.

Directions: Off the A75 at the Cairn Holy turn off, fork right three times and drive up a steep narrow road for half-a-mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Home-Start Wigtownshire 60%

Laundry Cottage

Culdrain, Gartly, Huntly AB54 4PY
Judith McPhun

By arrangement between 1 January - 31 December, admission £5.00, children free. Snowdrops during February and March. Groups of up to 12 welcome. (2026)

b046

T:01466 720768 E:judithmcphun@icloud.com

An informal, cottage-style garden of about one-and-a-half acres by the River Bogie. Two contrasting steep slopes make up the wilder parts. The more intensively-gardened area around the cottage includes a wide variety of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, an orchard area and fruit and vegetable plots, making a garden of year-round interest.

Directions: Four miles south of Huntly on the A97.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust 60%

The Limes

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XD
David and Carolyn McHale

By arrangement (2026)

6

E:carolyn.mchale@btinternet.com

This one and a quarter acre plantswoman’s garden has a variety of different plant habitats: woodland, dry sunny gravel beds, rock garden, crevice garden and mixed perennial and shrub borders. There is a large productive vegetable garden. The McHales like to grow most of their plants from seed obtained through various international seed exchanges. Expect to see a large number of unusual and exciting plants. The garden is full of colour with an abundance of spring flowers in March, and in late May and early June the meconopsis should be at their best. The gravel garden comes into its own in July and continues through until winter. Hardy cyclamen are a big favourite and a species is in flower in almost every month of the year. The garden has featured on the BBC Beechgrove Garden, in Garden Answers and Scottish Field.

Directions: In Kirkcudbright go straight along St Mary Street towards Dundrennan. The Limes is on the right, about half a mile from the town centre crossroads, on the edge of the town.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Friends Of Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool 60%

Stockarton

Kirkcudbright DG6 4XS
Lt Col and Mrs Richard Cliff

By arrangement (2026)

67

T:01557 330430

This garden was started in 1995 by Carola Cliff, a keen and knowledgeable plantswoman, and contains a collection of unusual shrubs and small trees, which are growing well. Her aim has been to create different informal gardens around a Galloway farm house, leading down to a lochan. Above the lochan there is a sweet cottage, used for holiday retreats, with its own interesting garden. In 1996 a three-acre arboretum was planted as a shelter belt and it now contains some rare oak trees.

Directions: On the B727 Kirkcudbright to Gelston Road. Kirkcudbright three miles, Castle Douglas seven miles.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Loch Arthur 60%

Kevock Garden

16 Kevock Road, Lasswade EH18 1HT
David and Stella Rankin

By arrangement between 1 January - 29 December (2026)

4

E:stella@kevockgarden.co.uk

W:www.kevockgarden.co.uk

This wonderful hillside garden has magnificent views over the North Esk Valley. Its steep slope creates a range of different habitats with a wide diversity of plants, ranging from those that love hot, sunny conditions to those that prefer the cool, damp places near the pond and woodland glades. Mature specimen trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and unusual shrubs are underplanted with many rare woodland plants. Lawns have been relaid, surrounding borders have been planted, and there is a new rock garden. Kevock Garden has featured in many magazine articles and gardening programmes.

Directions: Kevock Road lies to the south of the A678 Loanhead/Lasswade Road. Five minutes from the city bypass Lasswade Junction and on the 31 Lothian Bus route to Polton/Bonnyrigg Road.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Fischy Music 60%

Kilchoan Gardens

Kilmelford PA34 4XD
Kilchoan Estate/ Zsolt Fodor (Head Gardener)

By arrangement (2026)

67

T:07588 404238 E:Zsolt@kilchoanestate.co.uk

An eclectic private garden, open on specific dates and year-round by appointment.

Kilchoan Gardens consist of a mix of ornamental beds with less formal areas for regenerative gardening. The main areas include an old walled garden renovated with a glasshouse for tender species, and traditional vegetable production; a Himalayan garden with many species of Asiatic origin; an arboretum with plants of high conservation value, including trees through the International Conifer Conservation Programme, and new woodland areas designed for flora and fauna. The more formal gardens consist of herbaceous borders, topiary and various artwork dotted around the paths and planting areas.

The chapel will be open. Teas available on SGS specific dates.

Directions: 4.5 miles along the road from the A816 turn-off south of Kilmelford signed Degnish. Turn left after 1.5 miles at the bridge and Melfort Holiday Village. Follow this for 3 miles and look out for signage.

Admission: £7.00, children free

Charities: The Kilchoan Melfort Trust 30% & Breast Cancer Now 30%

Harthill

Reediehill Farm, Auchtermuchty KY14 7HS
Nichola and John Fletcher

By arrangement between 5 January - 31 October (2026)

67

T:01337 828369 E:info@nicholafletcher.com

W:www.nicholafletcher.com

Harthill enjoys a tranquil setting in the hills just above Auchtermuchty with beautiful views and, if you are lucky, sightings of the stunning herd of white deer who also live there. The garden, of approximately one acre, offers a large varied flower garden with vegetable, fruit and nursery areas; two separate wild gardens planted with specimen trees, a lochan and a small woodland. In late May to early June our meconopsis and primula beds, with woodland plants, are at their best. Summer offers herbaceous interest including a pergola dripping with roses and a large mound with grasses, thalictrum and many large plants. Autumn colours are in the trees and shrubs, with grasses and cyclamen through to early winter.

Directions: Find 'Reediehill Deer Farm' on Google maps. Go 50 metres up the concrete drive then turn left at Harthill sign. Continue over the cattle grid up the drive to reach Harthilll house. Directions can be emailed. Find using what3words/meaty.look.storage

Admission: by donation

Charities: TST: The Tim Stead Trust 60%

Pond Cottage Garden

The Pond, Milnathort KY13 0SD
Fay Young and Ray Perman

By arrangement between 1 February - 15 December (2026)

67

T:07767 407396 E:fay@fayyoung.org

W:fayyoung.org/category/pond-cottage/

Wild woodland and wetland plantings adapting to climate change as we learn from resilient plants and wildlife. Flowers, fruits, seeds and nuts support birds, bats, bees, butterflies, moths, red squirrels and tiny unknowns. Woodland paths wind through snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells, foxgloves and ferns. Mature beeches and oaks mark boundaries of a former Victorian estate. Mosses soften log piles, stone shapes and a developing stumpery. Since the mid-1990s we have rebuilt and retrofitted the old farm cottage with external insulation and renewable energy. Now, working on new Himalayan planting beside native Scottish flowers overlooking the streams.

Directions: From Milnathort village. At the mini roundabout in the centre of the village take the north exit (signed for Path of Condie) up Wester Loan, then North Street. At the top of the hill, past the church on your left, you will cross the motorway again. Carry straight on for ½ mile, the gate to Pond Cottage is on the right after a field opening.

Admission: £5.50, children free

Charities: CHAS 60%

Kirkton Manor House

Peebles EH45 9JH
Mrs Rosemary Thorburn

By arrangement between 11 February - 15 July (2026)

7

T:01721 740220 E:rpthorburn@icloud.com

Kirkton Manor House has a delightful, three-acre, informal country garden set in the beautiful Manor Valley. It enjoys spectacular open views and calling curlews from its riverside position. Bluebells flank the impressive entrance leading to a new shrub border. Stone steps continue through to terraced slopes filled with bulbs, roses and hellebores providing height, interest and fragrance. Grass paths meander along the burn where snowdrops, blue and white camassia, meconopsis, and ligularia thrive in this sunny meadow environment. Later, in June, sisyrinchiums, irises, orchids and many flowering shrubs and roses are abundant. The natural woodland includes many interesting trees.

Directions: Turn off the A72 west of Neidpath Castle, signposted to Kirkton Manor. After crossing the River Tweed, enter a garden gate which is a mile downhill, opposite a Beware Horses sign.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Luckie Harg's

Anwoth, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2EF
Drs Carole and Ian Bainbridge

By arrangement between 1 March - 30 September (2026)

467

T:01557 814141 E:luckiehargs@btinternet.com

A developing garden on the outskirts of Gatehouse of Fleet. A rock and spring herbaceous garden of around an acre, with a wide range of alpines, Himalayan and New Zealand plants, woodland plants and shrubs and small trees. There is a rock garden, several modern crevice gardens, troughs, a large alpine house and bulb frame. There are also boulder, scree and stumpery beds, a pond and a woodland area. Special plants include trilliums, roscoeas and cardiocrinum. Small productive vegetable and fruit garden, plus a bluebell bank in May.

Directions: From Gatehouse High Street, turn north onto Station Road, immediately west at the Fleet Bridge by The Ship Inn. After almost one mile turn left signed to Anwoth Old Church. Luckie Harg’s is the first on the right after 400 yards. The nearest bus stop is on Gatehouse High Street, walk about 15 minutes to Luckie Harg’s.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Scottish Rock Garden Club 60%

3 Millhall

Shore Road, Kirkcudbright DG6 4TQ
Mr Alan Shamash

By arrangement between 1 March - 31 October (2026)

7

E:ashamash3@aol.com

Impressive five-acre garden with a large collection of mature shrubs, including over 200 rhododendron species, many camellias, magnolias including campbellii, embothriums, leptospermums, olearias, myrtles, telopeas, perennials, over 200 hydrangeas and many other rare Southern Hemisphere plants. The garden has several interesting paths and is on a hillside running along the rocky shore of the Dee Estuary in Kirkcudbright Bay.

Directions: On the B727 between Kirkcudbright and Borgue on the west shore of the Dee Estuary. Parking at Dhoon Beach public car park, about three miles south of Kirkcudbright. There is a five-minute walk to the house. Please note there will be no vehicular access to 3 Millhall and all visitors should park at Dhoon Beach and walk up to the property.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer's Research UK 60%

Tal-y-Fan

Laurieston Road, Gatehouse of Fleet, Kirkcudbrightshire DG7 2BE
Janet & Sarah Wood

By arrangement between 1 March - 30 September (2026)

T:01557 815287 E:woodhill2uk@yahoo.co.uk

A many faceted garden with a varied mix of interesting plants. The Secret Path leads to Acer Valley and the Won-Kei Parterre, overlooked by the Loch Corbie Monster. A narrow log-lined way leads to West Wood, from where you follow the Burnside Path by the Flame Tree Forest and through the bamboo arch to Dry Wood to find Wood's Henge. Then up through Bluebell Wood to the top of The Rock, where Big Red the giant squirrel resides, with views across the Fleet Valley. Back down and cross the lawns below the pond before heading up the granite path to the greenhouse, polytunnel, renewed compost bins and the car park, with its collection of pots and troughs. Visit the front lawn, with its well-stocked beds and the newly developed area of The Glade on your way out. Light refreshments may be available by arrangement.

Directions: Take the Laurieston Road north from Gatehouse of Fleet. After one mile fork right and then right at postcode sign. Turn left at top of slope. Tal-y-Fan (red roof) is at the very end.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Knock Newhouse

Lochgair PA31 8RZ
Mrs Hew Service

By arrangement between 1 March - 30 September, 11am - 4pm. Please pre-book group visits and teas. (2026)

2467

T:01546 886628 E:corranmorhouse@aol.com

Like all good gardens, it has evolved over time. The garden is centred on a 250-foot lochan, a small waterfall and lily pond. The first trees and rhododendrons were planted in the 1960s, with major additions in the 1990s. A variety of cut leaf and flowering trees were added after the storms of 2011/12. As a result, the garden now has a wide range of specimen trees, camellia, hoheria, eucryphia, stewartia to name a few in addition to the azaleas and rhododendrons. January flowering is followed by spring flowers and bluebells and then into the autumn by spectacular colours. I am delighted to welcome visitors at any time.

Directions: On the A83. The house is not visible from the road. From Lochgilphead, a ½ mile south of Lochgair Hotel and on the left-hand side of the road, and from Inveraray on the right-hand side of the road a ½ mile after the Lochgair Hotel; the drive opening is marked and enters the woods. Bus Route - Inveraray to Lochgilphead

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: The Lochgair Association (SCIO) 30% & Cancer Research UK 30%

Kilbryde Castle

Dunblane FK15 9NF
Sir James and Lady Campbell

By arrangement between 16 March - 30 September (2026)

67

T:01786 824897 E:carolaandjames@googlemail.com

W:www.kilbrydecastle.com

Kilbryde Castle gardens cover some 12 acres and are situated above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. The gardens are split into three parts: informal, woodland and wild. Natural planting (azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias) are found in the woodland garden. There are glorious snowdrops, spring bulbs, and autumn colour provided by clematis and acers. Within the wildflower meadow the meconopsis are happily spreading.

Directions: Three miles from Dunblane and Doune, off the A820 between Dunblane and Doune. On Scotland’s Gardens Scheme open days the garden is signposted from the A820.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Leighton Library Trust 60%

The Carriage House

Blair Estate, Dalry KA24 4ER
Mr and Mrs Luke Borwick

By arrangement between 28 March - 25 October (2026)

57

T:07831 301294 E:lina@blairtrust.co.uk

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.

Directions: A737 from Beith. At the roundabout before Dalry take the first left signposted Stewarton. Then go straight on, signposted Bike Route Irvine. Keep going for approximately two miles and keep the estate wall on the right until you come to South Lodge (white building). Turn right down the drive for Blair Estate - The Carriage House is on the right. Public transport to Dalry. Follow SatNav KA24 4ER and enter Blair Estate through the South Lodge.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: The National Trust for Scotland 60%

Corsock House

Corsock, Castle Douglas DG7 3DJ
The Ingall family

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 May (2026)

67

T:01644 440250 E:corsockhouse@gmail.com

Corsock House garden, renowned for its substantial collection of rhododendrons, includes an amazing variety of designed landscape, from a strictly formal walled garden, through richly planted woodlands full of different vistas, artfully designed water features and surprises to extensive lawns showing off the Bryce baronial mansion. This is an Arcadian garden with pools and temples, described by Ken Cox as ‘perhaps my favourite of Scotland’s many woodland gardens’.

Directions: Off the A75, Dumfries is 14 miles, Castle Douglas is 10 miles, Corsock Village is half-mile on the A712.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Church Of Scotland 60%

South Flisk

Blebo Craigs, Cupar KY15 5UQ
Mr and Mrs George Young

By arrangement between 1 April - 30 June (2026)

46

T:01334 850859 E:southfliskgarden@gmail.com

W:www.standrewspottery.co.uk

The spectacular views to Perthshire and Angus and large flooded quarry full of fish (and occasional otter) planted with impressive marginals, make this garden very special. Flights of old stone steps, cliffs, boulders, exotic ferns and mature trees form a backdrop for carpets of primroses, bluebells, spring bulbs and woodland plants like trilliums, camassia, meconopsis and colourful primulas, with rhododendrons in flower from March to July. In front of the house is a charming, mature walled garden with traditional cottage-garden planting. Next to the house is the St Andrews Pottery where George will demonstrate his pottery skills for those who need a break from the garden! A new water garden with a stream running through was created in 2023.

Directions: Six miles west of St Andrews off B939 between Strathkinness and Pitscottie. There is a small stone bus shelter opposite the road into the village and sign Blebo Craigs. See map on our website - standrewspottery.co.uk. Bus to Blebo Craigs.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

Burnside

Littlemill Road, Drongan KA6 7EN
Sue Simpson and George Watt

By arrangement between 1 April - 30 September (2026)

67

T:01292 592445 E:suesimpson33@btinternet.com

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.

Directions: From the A77 Ayr bypass take the A70 Cumnock for 5¼ miles, at Coalhall, turn onto the B730 Drongan (south) for 2½ miles. Burnside entrance is immediately adjacent to a black/white parapeted bridge. Ordnance survey grid ref: NS455162. Alternatively, enter Burnside Drongan into Google maps.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer's Research UK 60%

Kirkmuir Cottage

Kilwinning Road, Stewarton KA3 3DZ
Mr and Mrs Brian Macpherson

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 August (2026)

7

E:dhmmacp@gmail.com

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.

Directions: From the M77 take the B778 to Stewarton. At the traffic lights, turn left and continue to the mini-roundabout. Turn right towards the B778 Kilwinning. Continue for 100 yards under the railway bridge, take an immediate left at the war memorial and continue along Kilwinning Road until you reach the countryside. Kirkmuir is the first farm road on the right hand side. The cottage and garden is on the left at the end of the farm road. Please follow these directions not SatNav.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Capability Scotland 60%

Bonhard House

Perth PH2 7PQ
Stephen and Charlotte Hay

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2026)

67

T:07990 574570 E:stephenjohnhay@me.com

Traditional 19th-century garden of five acres approached through an avenue of magnificent oaks. Mature trees, six classified by the National Tree Register as 'remarkable', including a monkey puzzle (1852, one of the first 12 brought to Scotland), sequoias, Douglas fir and a variety of hollies. Reinstated and new herbaceous borders. Rhododendron and azalea beds. Recently-planted spring and summer flowering meadow areas with a variety of fruit and nut trees. Beehive and a productive vegetable garden. A new larch pergola with climbing roses and clematis. Grass paths meander through a pond area with shrubs and mature trees. A pinetum with 25 different varieties. Garden emphasis on wildlife habitat as well as aesthetics. Resident red squirrels. Plentiful and varied birdlife.

Directions: On the A94 about ½ mile beyond Perth and before Scone, turn right signed Murrayshall Country Estate. After about a mile pass an electricity substation on the left, then go round a right bend and Bonhard House drive entrance is straight ahead (on a sharp left bend). From Balbeggie turn left just over a mile short of Scone signposted Bonhard. After about ½ mile take the first right turn. Bonhard House is about 1½ miles down this lane, about a mile beyond Murrayshall Country Estate. The drive entrance is on the left on a sharp right bend.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Freedom from Fistula Foundation 60%

House of Aigas and Field Centre

by Beauly IV4 7AD
Sir John and Lady Lister-Kaye, Greg and Hermione Jackson

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2026)

6e

T:01463 782443 E:info@aigas.co.uk

W:www.aigas.co.uk

The House of Aigas has a small arboretum of named Victorian specimen trees and modern additions. The garden consists of extensive rockeries, herbaceous borders, ponds and shrubs. Aigas Field Centre rangers lead regular guided walks on nature trails through woodland, moorland and around a loch.
Champion Trees: Douglas fir, Atlas cedar and Sequoiadendron giganteum

Directions: 4½ miles from Beauly on the A831 Cannich/Glen Affric road.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Highland Hospice: Aird branch 60%

Thirlestane

Kelso TD5 8PD
Catherine Ross and John Wylie

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 May (2026)

67

T:01573 420487 E:catherineaross37@gmail.com

Thirlestane is a large informal garden. There is a walled garden with colour-themed borders and an orchard with many old varieties of fruit trees. In front of the house prairie planting is surrounded by high beech hedges. The young nine-acre wood has trees and shrubs selected for autumn colour and for decorative bark and fruit. These include Persian Ironwood, Golden Rain Tree, Scarlet Oak, Monarch Birch, Himalayan Birch, Tibetan Cherry, Chinese Hawthorn and various maples.

Directions: Thirlestane is near Yetholm, not to be confused with Thirlestane Castle, Lauder. Do not follow SatNav, it will try to take you to Lochside. From Kelso, take the B6352 towards Yetholm for about six miles. Continue past a cottage on the edge of the road. Thirlestane is next on the left, opposite the road to Lochside. From Yetholm, take the road to Kelso for about two miles. After a very sharp corner, Thirlestane is on the right.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Dundonnell House

Little Loch Broom, Wester Ross IV23 2QW
Dundonnell Estates

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2026)

6e7

T:07789 390028 E:sueandwill@icloud.com

Camellias, magnolias and bulbs in spring, rhododendrons and laburnum walk in this ancient walled garden. Exciting planting gives all year round interest, centred around one of the oldest yew trees in Scotland. A water sculpture, unique Victorian glass house, riverside walk, arboretum - all in the valley below the peaks of An Teallach.
Champion Trees: Yew and Holly

Directions: Turn off the A835 at Braemore on to the A832. After 11 miles take the Badralloch turn for a ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: The Tusk Trust 30% & Parkinsons UK 30%

Grandhome

Danestone, Aberdeen AB22 8AR
Mrs WJB Paton

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October. Please, no dogs. We would prefer three working days' notice of your visit when booking. (2026)

26

T:01224 722202 E:admin@grandhome.co.uk

Eighteenth-century walled garden incorporating a rose garden and further grounds with daffodils, tulips, rhododendrons, azaleas, mature trees and shrubs.

Directions: From the north end of North Anderson Drive, continue on the A92 over Persley Bridge, turning left at the Tesco roundabout. After 1¾ miles, turn left through the pillars on a left-hand bend.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Berandhu

Appin, Argyll PA38 4DD
John and Fiona Landale

By arrangement between 1 April - 31 October (2026)

T:01631 730585 M: 07900 377414 E:johnllandale@gmail.com

A sheltered one-and-a-half acre coastal garden in a scenic setting offering fabulous views over Loch Laich to Loch Linnhe, Castle Stalker and the Morvern hills beyond. Craggy limestone abounds on the undulating site, some of which forms natural rockeries. Native trees mix with introduced firs and conifers. A variety of rhododendrons and azaleas provide spring and early summer colour. A mix of limestone overlaid with peat gives an unusual mix of wild flowers. This well-tended garden also has lovely wild areas of bog garden and woodland.

Directions: In Appin turn off the A828 Connel to Ballachulish road at Gunn's Garage signposted for Port Appin. After one mile when the road turns uphill, it's the first entrance on the right, half way up the hill.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & The Appin Village Hall 30%

Auldbyres Farm Garden

Coylton KA6 6HG
Marshall and Sue Veitch

By arrangement between 11 April - 30 August (2026)

67

E:su.pavet@btinternet.com

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.

Directions: In Coylton take the road signposted B742, past Coylton Arms Pub in Low Coylton, Auldbyres is signposted on the left after ½ mile.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre 60%

Amat

Amat Lodge, Ardgay IV24 3BS
Jonny and Sara Shaw

By arrangement between 1 May - 31 July (2026)

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T:07712 266500 E:sara.amat@aol.co.uk

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

Directions: Take the road from Ardgay to Croick, nine miles. Turn left at the red phone box and the garden is 500 yards on the left.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Alzheimer Scotland 30% & Marie Curie 30%

Ardno

Cairndow PA26 8BE
Christopher Egerton-Warburton

By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2026)

7

T:Rob Backhouse Gardener 01499 302304

From the rich, varied landscape, a romantic garden has been created from scratch over the past 25 years. Visitors can stroll in the walled garden near the house, or explore the old oak wood planted with many interesting shrubs. These are growing up fast, adding shape and colour. Across the burn is the gorge and a wonderful waterfall. The woodland garden ends in the meadow, planted with irises and a collection of unusual trees, which continues down to the beach and a magnificent huge rock. My garden is a place to be peaceful in. Come and enjoy, but be prepared as some of the paths are steep with lots of steps and are unfortunately not suitable for wheelchairs.

Directions: Situated at the top end of Loch Fyne between Cairndow and St Catherines, off the A815.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Here We Are: Clachan 60%

The Potting Shed

Broughton Place, Broughton, Biggar ML12 6HJ
Jane and Graham Buchanan-Dunlop

By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2026)

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T:01899 830574 E:buchanandunlop@btinternet.com

A one-acre garden begun from scratch in 2008, on an exposed hillside at 900 feet. It contains herbaceous plants, climbers, shrubs and trees - all selected for wind resistance and ability to cope with the poor, stony soil. There are usually fine views to the Southern Uplands.

Directions: Signposted from the main A701 Edinburgh - Moffat Road, immediately north of Broughton village.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Nomad Beat Ltd: Peebles Community Music School 60%

Brooklands

Crocketford DG2 8QH
Mr and Mrs Archie Herries

By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2026)

67

T:Gardener, Matthew Grieve: 07765 491902

Large old walled garden with a wide selection of plants, including some interesting shrubs and climbers and a kitchen garden. Mature woodland with many established rhododendrons and azaleas, and carpeted with snowdrops in February.

Directions: Turn off the A712 Crocketford to New Galloway Road one mile outside Crocketford at the Gothic gatehouse (on the right travelling north).

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

Old Allangrange

Munlochy IV8 8NZ
J J Gladwin

By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2026)

e

T:01463 811304 E:office@blackislegardendesign.com

The house sits in the middle of the ornamental garden with several different, distinctive areas. Hedges formal and informal, pleached, cloud-pruned, play an important role within the garden to separate the areas. Particularly of note is the mound which children love to climb up and roll down. We also have a substantial market garden which is designed to be beautiful as well as productive. Increasing biodiversity is a crucial part of how we garden, and are pleased to note that through one of our ecological initiatives, putting in a tree-surrounded pond, we have had the largest number of hawfinches ever caught on camera in Scotland (24 in one photo). We have fun ways of increasing life in the garden and on the farm - replacing fences with log hedges and brash bunds fish whinrows, planting, and letting areas go wild and rough. We use no dig, permaculture and agroforestry techniques. Also open concurrently with our garden is the Go Flourish School Garden at North Kessock, which is the charity supported through our openings.
Champion Trees: Yew and sweet chestnut.

Directions: From Inverness head four miles north on the A9, and follow the directions for Black Isle Brewery. Park up at the Brewery and walk down to the garden. Directions will be given in the shop. GoFlourish garden in North Kessock is accessed from Drumsmittal Road.

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: GO FLOURISH [SCIO] 60%

Dal an Eas

Kilmore, Oban PA34 4XU
Mary Lindsay

By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2026)

2c7

T:01631 770246 E:marylindsayargyll@googlemail.com

An informal organic country garden with the aim of increasing the biodiversity of native plants and insects while adding interest and colour with introduced trees, shrubs and naturalised perennials. There is a structured garden round the house and beyond there are extensive flower-filled ‘meadows’ with five different species of native orchid. Grass paths lead to waterfalls, vegetable plot, woodland garden, views and ancient archaeological sites.

Directions: From Oban take the A816 to Kilmore three-and-a-half miles south of Oban. Turn left on the road to Barran and Musdale. Keep left at the junction for Connel. Dal an Eas is approximately one mile on the left before the big hedges.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Donation to SGS Beneficiaries

An Cala

Ellenabeich, Isle of Seil PA34 4RF
Mrs Carolyn Nicholson

By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2026)

46d7

E:ancalagarden@gmail.com

A wonderful example of a 1930s designed garden, An Cala sits snugly in its horseshoe shelter of surrounding cliffs. A spectacular and very pretty garden with streams, waterfall, ponds and many herbaceous plants as well as azaleas, rhododendrons and cherry trees in spring. Archive material of Thomas Mawson’s design was found recently and is available to visitors.

Designed Landscape: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/GDL00013

Directions: Proceed south from Oban on Campbeltown Road for eight miles, turn right at the Easdale sign, a further eight miles on the B844; the garden is between the school and the village. Bus Oban - Easdale.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: CCLG: The Children and Young People's Cancer Association 30% & RNLI: Oban branch 30%

The Secret Garden

Isle of Lismore, Oban, Argyll PA34 5UL
Eva Tombs

By arrangement between 1 May - 1 September (2026)

2c

T:07786 374931 E:eva.tombs@gmail.com

A unique garden at the centre of a biodynamic farm on the Island of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides. The garden created from a field has a strong geometric layout that reflects the ecclesiastical history of the island. It has a vegetable garden, a tree nursery, a physic garden, an orchard and a polytunnel. The garden is a haven for wildflowers, birds, bees and butterflies. Standing stones, meadows, new woodlands, mountains and the sea encompass the whole. There is also a herd of rare breed Shetland cattle, chickens, ducks and friendly cats.

Directions: Please telephone for directions. Approximately two miles from Port Appin ferry.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Kilmoluag Liosmor 60%

Barochreal

Kilninver, Oban, Argyll PA34 4UT
Nigel and Antoinette Mitchell

By arrangement between 1 May - 30 September (2026)

46

T:01852 316151 E:antoinettemitchell1946@gmail.com

W:www.barochreal.co.uk

The garden was started in 2006. Fencing and stone walling define it from the rest of Barochreal land. Every year an area has been added, resulting in the gardens you will see today. There are rhododendron banks, a water feature, waterfalls and burns, a pond, a walled rose garden, active beehives (now housed in a purpose-built bee shelter built in 2021), tiered areas, a greenhouse and wild garden across the burn. Maintained walking tracks in the fields lead to viewpoints. Biodiversity studies revealed that rare butterflies inhabit the small glen by the waterfall. There are forty different species of moths including rare micro moths and over seventy species of wildflowers in the fields, including three types of wild orchid. There is an abundance of wildlife including red squirrels, pine martens and a wide range of birds can be seen. This garden is a haven of tranquillity, as seen in episode 9 of 2022 Beechgrove Garden.

Directions: Fifteen minutes south of Oban. On the main A816 Oban to Lochgilphead road just to the south of the village of Kilninver on the left-hand side of the road. Bus Oban - Lochgilpead stops at Kilninver School, short walk after. Please disregard SatNav and use what3words address instead www.w3w.co/albums.forest.tinned

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Scottish SPCA 60%

Waterside Garden

Moffat DG10 9LF
Ronnie Cann

By arrangement between 1 May - 31 August (2026)

6

T:07714230235 E:rtdcann@gmail.com

Set in beautiful Moffatdale and bounded on one side by the Moffat Water, Waterside Garden is a plantsman's delight, home to woods, riverside walks and three acres of cultivated garden. There are many mature trees including oak, birch, beech and much more. Collections of species and hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas, bamboos, and other flowering shrubs give year-round interest. There are herbaceous beds, giving colour in spring and summer, alpines, mixed plantings, spring bulbs, especially daffodils, and wildflower meadows.

Directions: Three miles north of Moffat on the A708 opposite Craigieburn Forest Car Park. From Selkirk the garden is about 14.5 miles south of St Mary's Loch.

Admission: by donation

Charities: Moffat Water Hall 60%

Glenkyllachy

Tomatin IV13 7YA
Mr and Mrs Philip Mackenzie

By arrangement between 1 May - 31 October (2026)

7

E:emmaglenkyllachy@gmail.com

In a magnificent Highland glen, 1200 feet above sea level, Glenkyllachy is a beautiful garden of shrubs, herbaceous plants, rhododendrons, trees, and spectacular views down the Findhorn River. There are some rare specimen trees in the recently planted arboretum. Rhododendrons and bulbs flower in May/June, herbaceous plants bloom through July/August with glorious autumn colours in September and October. There is a very productive vegetable garden, polytunnel, fruit cage and greenhouse as well as original sculptures and a Highgrove-inspired wall which provide year round interest. Featured on TV Beechgrove, articles in The English Garden Magazine, Scottish Field, and most recently in Garden News (August 2025). The garden is constantly evolving with new areas being developed and planting schemes changed.

Directions: Turn off the A9 at Tomatin and take the Coignafearn/Garbole single-track road down the north-side of the River Findhorn, there is a cattle grid and gate on the right 500 yards AFTER the humpback bridge and the sign to Farr.

Admission: £8.00, children free

Charities: Marie Curie 60%

Arndean

by Dollar FK14 7NH
Johnny and Katie Stewart

By arrangement between 6 May - 7 June (2026)

57

T:07940530499 E:johnny@arndean.co.uk

Opening for more than 40 years, this is a beautiful mature garden extending to 15 acres including the woodland walk. There is a formal herbaceous part, a small vegetable garden and an orchard. In addition, there are flowering shrubs, abundant and striking rhododendrons and azaleas as well as many fine specimen trees. There is a tree house for children.

Directions: Arndean is well signposted off the A977.

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Marie Curie 60%

1 Alvah Terrace

Banff AB45 1BG
Morag Baptie

By arrangement between 16 May - 16 September (2026)

2469

T:07367 287943 E:moragbaptie@hotmail.com

This garden wraps around three sides of an urban bungalow. The front garden, with a mix of rhododendrons, azaleas and acers, leads to a path between a mixed border with seasonal perennials, roses and hydrangeas and raised beds containing vegetables and soft fruits. There is a tiny woodland, a vegetable patch, pond and a fairy garden. The back garden is designed around the washing line, with spring bulbs followed by a white planting of roses, lupins, peonies, anemones and several types of grasses. There is a deck with outdoor seating along with a potting shed, and a summerhouse which sits in the sunniest corner. No space has been wasted in this compact garden.

Directions: Follow the A97 through Banff towards Aberchirder and turn right at the roundabout at entrance to the Fife Lodge Hotel. The 35 Stagecoach bus will drop you at Banff High Street.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Banff & Macduff in Bloom 60%

Pitlochie House

Gateside KY14 7SQ
George and Fay Orr

By arrangement between 31 May - 31 July (2026)

6

T:07730 135953

This established garden has year-round interest. A restoration project with quirky features, characters and surprises! Comprising lots of different areas, the garden is carpeted in spring with snowdrops, daffodils, camassia and then bluebells. Following on there are over 140 varieties of hosta, plus heuchera, hellebores, roses, clematis, and lilies. There are formal herbaceous borders within two walled gardens, hedges, woodland, shaded planting, glass house, fruit trees, rhododendrons and azaleas. And pots of all description in every available corner.

Directions: On the A912 Gateside to Perth. The garden is on the right hand side, 200 metres from the village main street

Admission: £6.00, children free

Charities: Gateside And District Community Association 60%

Aldouran Lodge

Aldouran Lodge, Leswalt DG9 OLJ
Gordon Wemyss

By arrangement between 1 June - 30 September (2026)

9

T:07475 710191 E:gwemyss@mac.com

A sheltered SE facing garden set in a stunning landscape comprising about 2 acres of mature planting - mainly shrubs and trees. Access through the borders is via fairly steep narrow paths. There is a large variety of unusual plants including the Sassafras, Polylepsis Australis (Filo Pastry Tree) and Clerodendron (Peanut Butter Bush). There are also many tender rhododendrons which enjoy the uniquely mild climate of this part of SW Scotland.

Directions: Drive straight through Leswalt Village turning right after the graveyard on your right and follow the driveway to the house - about 100 m.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries

The Walled Garden, Shieldhill

Quothquan, Biggar ML12 6NA
Mr and Mrs Gordon

By arrangement between 1 July - 31 August (2026)

6

T:07470 397181 E:nicolagord@gmail.com

This 200-year-old walled garden was completely redesigned and planted in 2014/15 with contemporary features within a classic design. The garden incorporates a modern rill and banks of colour with perennial flowers in a variety of borders. The resident bees enjoy the large area of traditional meadow flowers as well as the rose garden planted with lavenders, salvias and stocks. Outside the wall you will find mature woodland including a giant sequoia and a wildlife pond. If you are interested in fruit and vegetables, take a look at the raised beds and the peach tree and vine in the greenhouse. There are many secluded spots around the garden to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and a homemade cake.

Directions: Turn off the B7016 between Biggar and Carnwath towards Quothquan. After about a mile, look for signs and turn right at the lodge.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: Médecins Sans Frontières 60%

Larch House

Clerklands, Lilliesleaf TD6 9JR
David and Julia King

By arrangement between 1 August - 31 August. We welcome individuals and small groups by arrangement throughout the month. (2026)

0c7

T:01835 870888 E:northcorner14@btinternet.com

Larch House garden and woodland extend over four acres. Building on the design and planting by the previous owners, the garden has been extensively renovated and is constantly evolving. It includes a terraced area of vegetables and cut flowers edged by fruit trees, several mixed borders surrounding a lawn, a large wildlife pond with a bog garden and a smaller ornamental pond. The mixed woodland was planted in 2016, and meandering paths, sometimes steep, lead to extensive views of the Cheviots and surrounding areas.

Directions: Clerklands is a small hamlet approximately two miles from Lilliesleaf. On the A7 from Selkirk, turn left and follow signs to Clerklands. After approximately three miles the house will be clearly signed. On the A7 from Hawick, turn right and follow signs towards Lilliesleaf and the house will be clearly signed. Car parking is on site.

Admission: £5.00, children free

Charities: All proceeds to SGS Beneficiaries