All change

We are sure the proposal to give the walled garden at Brodick Castle a major makeover will spark some debate, but gardens can’t stay still, they have to evolve.

It is one of the most loved places in all the castle gardens and grounds, and it is good that a major change in landscaping of the sundial is going through the planning process so that people can have their say.

Changes to the walled garden have been in the pipeline for sometime.

Several years ago the National Trust for Scotland commissioned renowned international gardener Andy Sturgeon to come up with a makeover, but the costs of his proposals were just too prohibitive.

Now the castle gardeners have come up with a more cost effective in-house plan – but some of the changes will still be fairly dramatic.

Gone are the bedding plants – changing the colours of the garden throughout the season – to be replaced by a corridor of mixed foliage.

The crumbling walls of the garden – first built in 1710 – are also being repaired and along with other works should see the garden resplendent again in time for the Easter reopening of the castle next year.