It's been a summer of staycations and it's not over yet. With so many foreign destinations off-limits, we've been rediscovering the breathtaking beauty of Scotland, from pristine beaches and sheltered coves to steep mountainsides and rolling countryside.
If you are planning an away-day, weekend break or longer stay in some glorious corner of the country, then it's a great opportunity to visit some of the beautiful gardens that are just waiting to be explored.
To help plan your trip check out discoverscottishgardens.org, which is packed with suggestions for wonderful gardens and to get you started here are just a few of the gardens that await you in some of Scotland's holiday hotspots.
NORTH COAST 500
This long-distance driving route takes in some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery and passes a number of extraordinary gardens along the way.
Attadale, Strathcarron
Careful planting, good design, clever use of sculpture and breathtaking views towards Skye make this an unmissable stop .
Inverewe, Poolewe
The gardens here are filled with unusual plants that shouldn’t by rights flourish this far north. A curving walled garden follows the line of a raised beach and is packed with South African species.
Dunrobin Castle, Golspie
Clipped parterres are planted with a succession of colourful plants and lines of topiary whitebeam and red hawthorn in wooden tubs lead the eye outwards to the Moray Firth.
CASTLE COUNTRY
The north east of Scotland boasts some of the finest castles in the country and beneath their heavily-fortified walls lie gardens that have been cultivated for centuries and which to this day are maintained to the highest standards.
Crathes Castle, Banchory
Ancient yew hedges, venerable trees and early 20th century design combine at Crathes to create a garden filled with interest throughout the summer.
Fyvie Castle, Turriff
Scottish fruits and vegetables are a speciality at Fyvie and within the huge walled garden these flourish in soil that's been cultivated for centuries.
Drum Castle, Drumoak
The Garden of Historic Roses at Drum Castle is a scented haven, with climbers scaling walls and pergolas and shrub and species roses growing above carpets of low-growing perennials.
WEST COAST ISLANDS
You don't need to head to Greece for island-hopping when the Hebrides lie close at hand. Each island has its own, distinctive character and sprinkled amongst them are gardens steeped in charm.
An Cala, Isle of Seil
The Isle of Seil is famous for two things, the bridge over the Atlantic that links it to the mainland and An Cala, the exuberant garden, filled with bog plants and perennials, that draws visitors from around the globe.
Canna House, Isle of Canna
This must be the only garden in existence that is entered through an escallonia tunnel. The garden has bee-friendly lawns, an orchard and colourful borders.
Achamore Gardens, Isle of Gigha
Established in the 1940s and renowned for rhododendrons, the 54 acres are home to many tender plants that flourish in the island's microclimate.
CLYDE COAST
For generations summer wasn't complete without a trip 'Doon the Watter'. This year tourists have once again been heading to Millport and Dunoon as the Clyde has enjoyed a long-overdue revival. Many fine gardens are located along its shores and most are just a ferry-ride away.
Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran
Tender plants are the hallmark of Brodick Castle gardens, which clothe the hillside beneath Goat Fell. Within this sheltered location echiums and other South African species flourish.
Geilston Garden, Cardross
From the potting shed within the walled garden at Geilston, visitors can open a secret window overlooking the Geilston Burn. The garden includes prairie borders, wildflowers and an orchard.
Benmore, Dunoon
Plants from the Orient, Himalayas and South America have made themselves perfectly at home on the steep hillside at Benmore and an avenue of giant redwoods lines the approach into the garden.
SOUTH WEST COASTAL 300
Scotland's latest long-distance route takes visitors close to a number of exceptional gardens some of which benefit from some of the best climate in the country, enabling them to grow a wide range of plants.
Castle Kennedy Gardens, Rephad
Spread across 75 acres, the gardens at Castle Kennedy include an avenue of monkey puzzle trees, early examples of earthworks and a walled garden filled with flowers.
Glenwhan Gardens, Dunraigit
Streams, a bog garden and two man-made lochans form the centrepiece of this exceptional garden, which offers fine views over the Solway Firth.
Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan
Logan is described as Scotland's most exotic garden and with its tropical cabbage palms South African Watsonias and Chatham Island forget-me-nots, it's a slice of the southern hemisphere in Scotland
THE EAST NEUK
From traditional market towns to charming coastal villages, Fife has long been a favourite holiday destination. It's also home to gardens filled with creative features.
Cambo House, Kingsbarns
This is one of the country’s most dynamic gardens, constantly updating itself and combining interesting planting with top quality horticulture.
Kellie Castle, Pittenweem
The arts and crafts layout combined with the profusion of flowers and edible organic edibles that grow in this medieval walled garden make Kellie one of the most decorative gardens in Scotland.
Willowhill, Newport on Tay
Hot colours, flowing borders, sweeping paths and large areas of grassland make this a spectacular summer garden and a place to find new design ideas.
EAST LOTHIAN AND THE BORDERS
From spectacular beaches and rich farmland to the steep valleys of the Southern Uplands, the south east is a diverse landscape with many great gardens to visit.
Amisfield Walled Garden, Haddington
This huge 18th century walled garden is now a community garden, lovingly tended by a large band of volunteers. In summer the vegetable garden, flower borders and wildflowers are at their best.
Floors Castle, Kelso
From the Victorian kitchen garden to the Millennium Garden with its elegant parterre, the gardens at Floors never stand still. A Tapestry Garden is the most recent addition.
Dawyck Botanic Garden, Stobo
High altitude plants from around the world grow in this garden but it’s the trees that make Dawyck special, including some of the oldest and tallest trees in the country.
For opening times, admission charges, directions and Covid-19 restrictions check discover scottishgardens.org before visiting.
GARDEN VISITING BY RAIL
Want to make a day of it and leave the car at home? Many gardens, including some in surprising places, are accessible by rail.
Attadale is on the line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh and the station is directly opposite the gardens. Dunrobin Castle has its own station on the Inverness to Wick line and Geilston Garden is a just a 20 minute stroll from Cardross Station, near Helensburgh.
Take a train from Glasgow Central Station to Ardrossan and then the ferry to Arran and Brodick Castle is a 30 minute walk away.
And head south by train from Glasgow to Stranraer and you can hope on a bus in one direction to Castle Kennedy and Dunragit, the location of Glenwhan, while another bus route from Stranraer to Port Logan passes the gate of Logan Botanic Garden.
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