Scotland’s Gardens marks 85th anniversary with 66 new gardens opening their gates to the public
Snowdrops and star gazing, stunning views of the Highlands, inner city allotment veg patches, scenic Scottish burns and sensory flower borders are some of the horticultural highlights in 66 new gardens opening to the public for Scotland’s Gardens in 2016.
In the charity’s 85th anniversary year, 440 gardens will be throwing open their gates as part of the scheme, stretching from Wigtownshire in the south west to Shetland in the north east.
During 2016, visitors will be able to wander around coastal gardens, village trails, grand estates and hidden urban retreats. 272 charities will benefit from funds raised by the openings.
Highlights of the 2016 Scotland’s Gardens opening programme also include:
Craigengillan Estate and Dark Sky Observatory in Ayrshire opening into the evening for snowdrops and star gazing!
Two new allotment openings – Craigentinny and Telferton Allotments in Edinburgh & West Lothian and Tillicoultry Allotments in Stirling.
Three new villages – Boarhills Village Gardens in Fife, Muckart Village in Perth and Kinross and Kilbarchan Village Gardens in Renfrewshire – join 14 other village openings. There are also three rural group openings and one new coastal opening at Golf Course Road Gardens in Ayrshire.
Dundee & Angus College will share the work and teachings of their horticulture students and the beautiful Crichton Rock Garden and Arboretum is opening in Crichton University Campus in Dumfriesshire.
Auchinstarry Sensory Garden in Glasgow & North Lanarkshire, Forfar Open Garden in Angus & Dundee and The Castlebank Gardens in South Lanarkshire which are all supported by volunteers.
Stunning Scottish Highland views from Craig Dhu in Inverness-shire, Pentland Hills views from Huntly Cot in Midlothian and a traditional glen garden with burns at Braevallich Farm, Argyll.
The Walled Garden, Sheildhill in South Lanarkshire, a contemporary update of a 200-year-old walled garden; Easter Weens (Roxburghshire) has a beautiful pear shaped walled garden and Bridgend of Teith (Stirlingshire) is protected by a 100-year-old yew hedge.
Terrill Dobson, National Organiser for Scotland’s Gardens said: “Scotland has such a varied, beautiful landscape and so there is a garden opening for every taste. Our dedicated volunteers scour the country for undiscovered gardening gems and each year we’re always able to bring visitors something new to explore and admire.”
