Garden of the week

ANGUS’S GARDEN, BARGUILLEAN FARM, GLEN LONAN, TAYNUILT, ARGYLLSHIRE

Angus’s Garden at Barguillean was created by Betty and Neil Macdonald as a place of peace and reconciliation following the killing of their son

Angus on the streets of Nicosia in

1956. Angus, aged 28, was in Cyprus working as a journalist during the war of independence there.

The garden was developed around the 15-acre Loch Angus with a fine backdrop of views of Ben Cruachan and the mountains around Glen

Etive. Betty created a naturalised garden which is dominated by hybrid rhododendrons and azaleas. The garden reaches full bloom in the period between April and the end of June but is a place of unique tranquillity at all times of the year.

The longest of the garden’s paths run down from the highest point in the garden through a generously planted ridge of rhododendrons and azaleas overlooking a spectacular view of the loch and Glen Etive beyond.

As you walk along the banks of the loch you may be accompanied by a pair of swans and their cygnets, or some of the many ducks in the area. Along the way you’ll also find a splendid memorial bell, gifted to Betty by her son Sam to celebrate her 90th birthday and 40 years devoted to the garden.

The bell is inscribed: “Deirdre’s

Bell, for Betty Macdonald who created Angus’s garden out of love in 1958”, though the family refers to it as the Peace Bell. It is dedicated in honour of Deirdre of the Sorrows, recorded in some early Celtic manuscripts as having lived in Glen Etive. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Memorial Sheiling on site which tells the full story of Deirdre, and to ring the bell for Betty and Deirdre. Website: www.barguillean.co.uk

Telephone: 01866 822333

Opening times: 9am-dusk throughout the year

Admission costs: £3

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