Leith Hall Gardens and Estate

Kennethmont, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 4NQ

November is a surprisingly busy time of year for the gardeners at the National Trust for Scotland’s Leith Hall Gardens & Estate in Aberdeenshire. It is the highest altitude garden that the Trust owns and there are many preparations taking place to protect plants and structures before the long winter starts in earnest. There is a seasonal rhythm to the work which creates a strong bond between gardener and garden.

Although there has been a garden at this historic house since 1750, the last Laird of Leith Hall, Charles Leith-Hay, and his wife Henrietta were responsible for much of the present lay-out of the garden in Edwardian times. The essence of their arts and crafts design of the west garden is conserved to this day with modern planting that recreates the spirit of the original.

The western end of the garden is dominated by the masculine form of the Edwardian rock garden, originally created by Charles Leith-Hay. Rebuilt to the original design in 2013, the last year has seen the start of its replanting to recreate the spectacular 1920s rock garden. The stunning blue of the Gentiana is still a sight to behold, while in the spring the rock walls will be a riot of colour with Aubrieta, Lithodora and Erysimum.

The planting in the fernery ravine is currently being improved and now boasts evergreen species of hardy ferns such as Polystichum munitum and two species of Blechnum which give a primordial atmosphere throughout the year.

At the top of the garden stands a magnificent moongate, harking back to an era of great interest in Chinese gardens and buildings. This architecturally-significant structure, which was designed by Charles Leith-Hay in 1900, was one in a chain of moongates built on estates across the UK and of which very few survived.

Website: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/leith-hall

Telephone: 01464 831148

Opening times: Garden open year-round 11am-4pm. The Hall is open from 1st April 2020.

Admission costs: £3.50 garden entry

Garden of the Week is in association with Discover Scottish Gardens. For more information, advice and day-out ideas, visit discoverscottishgardens.org