Top gardens in country highlighted on new map.

ENVIRONMENT: Tourism group aims to show where best green attractions are right across country

Blooming gardens around Tayside and Fife are being put firmly on a map created to drive green-fingered tourism.

Tourism group Discover Scottish Gardens has launched a printed map of Scotland to encourage people to visit gardens and attractions throughout the country.

In total 37 in Courier Country are among more than 130 listed, from public and private gardens to woodlands, plant nurseries and accommodation with green spaces to explore.

Those featured in Fife’s 16 include Cambo Gardens, Falkland Palace, Aberdour Castle, Kellie Castle, Hill of Tarvit Mansion and Wemyss Castle.

The Dundee University Botanic Garden, Pitmuies gardens, Ashbrook nursery, Brechin Castle and Dunninald Castle gardens are some of the 11 entries from the Dundee and Angus areas.

Meanwhile, Branklyn garden, Blair Castle, Drummond Castle gardens, Scone Palace and Cluny House gardens are among 10 representing Perthshire.

According to a Scottish visitor attraction monitor in 2017, visits to Scottish gardens increased by 10.9% from 2016 to 2017.

Catherine Erskine, chairwoman of Discover Scottish Gardens, said: “Our brand new map of Scotland will help locals and tourists discover beautiful and varied gardens.

“We want people to be inspired by Scotland’s breathtaking scenery and learn more about our diverse climate and plant collections that thrive here.

“The new map will equip visitors with a list of some of the best gardens in the region, helping them make the most of their visit, or for locals, discover something new right on their doorstep.

“They can even create their own garden route within Scotland.

“With the amazing weather we’ve been experiencing recently, now is the perfect time to pick up a map and go exploring.”

The maps can be picked up from the Overgate and Wellgate centres, Camperdown Park and Dundee Botanic Garden, St Andrews Botanic Garden, Falkland Palace, Deep Sea World in North Queensferry, Eden Mill Brewery and various shopping centres, bus stations, hotels, gifts shops, tourist attractions and information sites.

To find a local garden visit discoverscottishgardens.org

Dundee and Angus1 - Ashbrook Nursery2 - Barry Mill3 - Brechin Castle4 - Dunninald Castle Gardens5 - Edzell Castle and Gardens6 - Gallery Garden7 - Glamis Castle8 - House of Dun and Montrose Basin Nature Reserve9 - Langley Park Gardens10 - Pitmuies Gardens11 - Dundee University Botanical GardensPerthshire12 - Blair Castle and Gardens13 - Bolfracks Garden Trust14 - Bradystone Garden15 - Branklyn Garden16 - Cluny House Gardens17 - Drummond Gardens18 - Elcho Castle19 - Explorer’s Garden20 - Riverside Heather Collection 21 - Scone PalaceFife22 - Aberdour Castle and Gardens23 - Backhouse Rossie Estate24 - Balcarres House25 - Cambo Gardens26 - Earlshall Castle27 - Falkland Palace and Garden28 - Greenhead of Arnot29 - Kellie Castle and Garden30 - Kirklands House31 - Perthshire Heathers32 - Hill of Tarvit Mansion House and Garden 33 - Royal Burgh of Culross34 - Teasses Gardens35 - The Plant Market36 - Wemyss Castle37 - Willowhill Garden