Highland oasis

Moving to the Highlands fulfilled a dream for Jan and Alf Holliday, but after 16 wonderful years, it’s time to move on, writes Susan Welsh

If I didn’t think their house would be snapped up quickly, I’d try to persuade Jan and Alf Holliday to stay on and enter the P&J Garden of the Year, competition.

For this green-fingered pair have put in a tremendous amount of work to the garden which surrounds their home, Corrie House, on the outskirts of Dingwall.

Looking around at the lush vegetation, beautifully landscaped gardens, wide array of mature specimen trees, colourful flower beds and shrubs which afford peace and privacy it’s almost impossible to believe that, not so long ago, this area was barren and once the site of a quarry.

While Alf was out picking the strawberries which are just coming through, Jan chatted about the house and gardens. “In terms of a garden there was nothing here when we moved in, just four big trees, and that was it.

“Now there are hundreds, maybe thousands of plants here – I hate to think how much money we have spent on it over the years.”

What this pair don’t regret for a second, is the amount of time and TLC lavished on their dear green space.

“We have loved being in the garden. The year starts with daffodils, bluebells and snowdrops, then the rhododendrons follow and the azaleas come out. There’s also lots of flowering bushes in the garden.

“It was difficult to find the right type of plants to grow here and it’s been a case of trial and error.

“One thing that has worked are hardy geraniums and we have lots of different types which are not only colourful but good ground cover and keep the weeds down,” said Jan.

Corrie House is a magnificent, flexible family home which sits in an elevated position within a fantastic rural setting around one and-a-half miles north-east of Dingwall. Built in 2001, the distinctive architect-designed, split level property blends naturally into the hillside and provides great flexibility with bright and airy living space and wonderful panoramic views.

“The land originally belonged to Woodland Farm and this parcel of land was