The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Experience Scotland in bloom at glorious gardens you’ll love
Don’t miss the opportunity to relax and reconnect at some of the North-East’s most majestic natural wonders this summer
IN THE North-East, there are so many
spectacular gardens where history and nature sit side by side, creating some of our most wellloved places. The National Trust for Scotland
cares for some of Scotland’s most loved places and there are so many examples just a short drive from Aberdeen.
One of Scotland’s oldest tower houses is just 10 miles west of the city, complete with a garden that will take you on a journey through time The history of Drum Castle is intertwined with Robert the Bruce, who gifted The Royal Forest and Tower of Drum.
Drum is home to the Garden of Historic Roses. From formal knot gardens, box parterres and topiary from the 17th and 18th centuries, to more informal, flower-rich planting schemes represent the 19th and 20th centuries – all perfumed with the heady scent of the roses.
Head north for around 30 minutes to experience on of Scotland’s most beautifully crafted gardens – a true hidden gem. Leith Hall is host to the Trust’s highest altitude garden, which provide spectacular views across Aberdeenshire.
This Edwardian delight was the pride and joy of Charles and Henrietta Leith-Hay, who
embraced the crafts style. Wander along its serpentine herbaceous and Nepeta borders, explore the historic kitchen garden and don’t miss the moon gate dating from 1910. Now’s a perfect time to visit, with the herbaceous borders a truly spectacular sight.
The North-East’s gardens have history of their own. The Great Garden at Pitmedden, 14 miles north of Aberdeen dates, back to 1675.
The garden blazes with colour, showcasing intricately designed parterres with 30,000 bedding plants as well as a fruit orchard with more than 200 trees. This year the garden has a brand new 21st-century twist on a traditional garden, designed by celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw.
Heading west from Aberdeen, Crathes Castle is half an hour away, framed by a backdrop of rolling hills. The splendid walled garden was largely designed by Sir James Burnett and his wife Sybil in the early 20th century.
Gorgeous in every season, it’s divided into eight individual sections, with water features, themed borders, roses and many unusual plants. It’s a riot of colour during summer, with
the herbaceous borders in full bloom.