A taste of the Himalayas in the heart of Argyll

Inveraray

Argyll PA32 8YA

WHY SHOULD WE VISIT?

Crarae sits on the northern shores of Loch Fyne, 10 miles south west of the town of Inveraray. The steep sided slopes of Crarae Glen are dissected by a swift-flowing burn that tumbles off the hillside on its way to the loch, giving this garden a heightened sense of drama.

The dense planting of Himalayan species that have flourished here for the last century also add to the impression of a mountainside location and the slope allows visitors to immerse themselves in the vegetation, while the 50 acres of planting provides lots of quiet corners to explore.

STORY OF THE GARDEN

When it comes to establishing a Himalayan garden in Scotland, it helps to have a plant hunter in the family and fortunately Grace Campbell, who along with her son, Sir George Campbell, established Crarae from 1912 onwards, could count on Reginald Farrer as her nephew.

The plants that Farrer brought back from his expeditions to some of the world’s highest mountains formed the basis of Crarae and many of these have grown to a huge size in the mild and damp climate of Argyll where the average rainfall is almost 200cm a year. In 2002 the Campbell family donated Crarae to the National Trust for Scotland, which has since been thinning out the most congested areas and creating more space for visitors on the steep paths.

DON’T MISS

Crarae Burn lies at the heart of the garden and the some of the bridges that span it also provide viewing points over Loch Fyne. Above the foaming waters of the burn, which roars following heavy rainfall, rhododendrons and azaleas grow in abundance, along with magnolias and other flowering species including drimys, disanthus, pieris and osmanthus, which thrive in the humid atmosphere of the gorge. In spring woodland species carpet the ground, making this lush garden highly colourful.

ANYTHING ELSE TO LOOK OUT FOR

Crarae is home to a National Collection of southern beech trees (Nothofagus), which are native to the Southern Hemisphere and there are many rare conifers too, some of which were originally planted as commercial forestry.

The many species rhododendrons are an important feature and the wilder parts of the upper garden make a contrast to the smooth lawns that surround Crarae Lodge, which was built in 1898 and which sits close to the loch.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

In spring Crarae explodes into colour as scented azaleas, rhododendrons and other shrubs and trees put on a dazzling display. Underfoot there are primulas of all different kinds and magnolia open their elegant goblet-shaped flowers. Crarae dazzles again in autumn when its foliage flushes red and gold.

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AREA?

Inveraray Jail is the finest 19th century county courthouse and jail in Scotland, but for many years it sat empty until, in 1989 it was restored and opened to the public.

Since then it has proved to be one of the most popular attractions in the country, and its vivid depictions of prison life and Victorian justice have found fans amongst visitors of all ages.

It sits at the heart of Inveraray, one of Argyll’s most picturesque towns, which was built in the late 18th century when the fifth Duke of Argyll had his estate-worker’s homes demolished and rebuilt further from Inveraray Castle.

DIRECTIONS

Crarae Gardens are situated off the A83 on the northern shores of Loch Fyne.

DETAILS

The gardens are open daily from 9.30am 4pm.

Tickets: £8/£6 T: 01546 886614