SCOTLAND’S Gardens Scheme is an organisation which raises money for charities by facilitating the opening of gardens of horticultural interest usually closed to the public.
Though many participating gardens have openings on other dates, from May 11, the scheme will join its sister in England and Wales in hosting Gardens and Health Week, a time to focus on the physical and mental benefits of gardening and visiting gardens.
Entry charges for others are most often just a few pounds, with 60% of funds raised going to charities nominated by each garden owner with the net remainder being donated to beneficiary charities of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.
You can find the full list of participating gardens at www.scotlandsgardens.org
Dr Neil’s Garden (pictured)
Duddingston Village, Edinburgh
Enjoy the peace of this secluded, volunteer-run landscaped garden on the lower slopes of Arthur’s Seat with conifers, heathers, alpines, a physic garden, herbaceous borders and ponds.
Named after late founders Andrew and Nancy Neil, medical doctors with life-long interests in horticulture, Dr Neil’s Garden offers splendid views across Duddingston Loch. The garden is hosting an open day today, with £3 entry covering entry to Thomson’s Tower, an octagonal building designed in 1825 by William Henry Playfair for the Duddingston Curling Society to store its stones.
Plants will be on sale, with gardener Claudia Pottier will be on hand in the nursery to advise.Teas are available from 2pm to 5pm in the Garden Room.
Kames Bay
Kilmelford, Argyll and Bute
More than 100 varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons are currently in bloom in this vibrant garden, which features hidden benches from which to take in the magnificent views over Loch Melfort and the Isles of Shuna, Luing and Scarba to the west. Having evolved from scrubland into a part-wild, part-cultivated garden over 35 years, there’s plenty of space in its 13 acres for woodland wanderings and more energetic hillside walks. The garden is open today, May 5, from 2pm to 6pm, with admission £4.
Inchmill Cottage Garden
Glenprosen near Kirriemuir, Angus
Developed to be a garden for all seasons, this sloping and terraced garden at over 800 feet in the Braes of Angus features displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, primulas, meconopsis and clematis as well as herbaceous plants, a rockery and fernery. Forthcoming openings include May 9 and May 23 (2pm to 5pm, £3).
Visitors are advised not to use SatNav but to take the B955 from Kirriemuir to Dykehead before following the Prosen sign for about five miles. Inchmill is the white cottage beside the phone box.
Gartnaval Secret Garden
Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow
Featuring edibles, ornamentals, sensory and medicinal plants, this space was originally the private garden of the original hospital’s superintendent. Restored around six years ago, it offers a peaceful space for patients, staff and visitors. Forthcoming openings include May 12 and July 14 from noon to 5pm.
Ardkinglas Woodland Garden
Cairndow, Argyll and Bute
Situated on the shores of Loch Fyne in Argyll, Ardkinglas Estate covers about 4800 hectares and features one of the finest collections of rhododendrons and conifers in Britain.
With entry at £5 for adults, £2 for children, the Woodland Garden is open all year round and now features the only Gruffalo trail in Scotland.
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