Visit Cowal's Gardens

Benmore Botanic Garden, Lock Eck

In a magnificent mountainside setting on the Cowal Peninsula lies Benmore, an enchanting Garden steeped in history and surrounded by dramatic scenery. Benmore’s 120 acres boast over 300 species of rhododendron; Bhutanese and Chilean plantings and a spectacular avenue of Giant Redwoods.
Directions: Benmore Botanic Garden is on the A815 seven 7 miles north of Dunoon.
Open daily 1 March to 31 October from 10am till 5pm Mar & Oct and 6pm Apr to Sep.
www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/benmore

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden, Cairndow

Ardkinglas Woodland Garden covers 25 acres of hillside lying in a naturally sheltered pocket near the mouth of the River Kinglas, surrounded by wild Highland scenery. The gardens are famous for the mature Champion trees (including the mightiest conifer in Europe) and an exceptional collection of rhododendron. A woodland lochan, ancient mill, scriptorium and a very visible and thriving population of Red Squirrels add to the attractions of the walks.
The beauty and sense of history in the garden will appeal to all visitors and the outstanding plant collection will delight those with more specialist knowledge. Beyond the upper end of the garden lies a route to a further network of wilder woodland walks.
Entrance through Cairndow village off A83 Loch Lomond/Inveraray road.
Directions: Entrance through Cairndow village off A83 Loch Lomond/Inveraray road.
Open all the year round from dawn till dusk.
www.ardkinglas.com

Dunans Castle Woodland Garden, Glendaruel

A woodland garden with origins in a 17th century estate, accessed by a unique A-listed Thomas Telford Bridge, has a fine collection of rhododendrons, rare native wildflowers, wild fungi and mighty ancient trees. The ravine walk offers stunning views of the River Ruel tributary and the ruined Dunans Castle. Stout shoes a must.
Directions: Dunans is on the A886, 12 miles beyond Strachur if you’re travelling south, or 8 miles on from the clachan of Glendaruel if travelling north.
Open April to October.
www.dunans.org

Fairwinds, Hunter's Quay, Dunoon

This mature medium size garden is situated in George Street, a minute's drive up the hill from Western Ferries. Originally created from a simple plot in the late fifties, the present owner has inherited a charming garden which can be seen at its best from late May to early July. Daffodils, rhododendrons and azaleas. Later the walls of the house are covered by clematis and passion flowers, fighting for space with jasmine and honeysuckle. Trees range from a young but beautiful copper beech to a range of conifers, acers, a large silver birch and embothrium. Over the last 34 years the aim has been to create colour and interest for all seasons and to this end sorbus, bottlebrush, a palm tree and a magnificent pampas grass have been added among many other plants of interest. The long winding drive provides wheelchair access so that all the garden can be viewed.
Directions: Hunter's Quay on A815. Approaching Dunoon on loch side road, turn right up Cammesreinach Brae just before the Royal Marine Hotel opposite Western Ferries terminal. The Brae becomes George Street, Fairwinds is on left.
Open Spring to Autumn: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Strachur House Flower and Woodland Gardens, Strachur

Directly behind Strachur House, the flower garden is sheltered by magnificent beeches, limes, ancient yews and Japanese maples. There are herbaceous borders, a burnside rhododendron and azalea walk and a rockery. Old fashioned and species roses, lilies, tulips, spring bulbs and Himalayan poppies make a varied display in this informal haven of beauty and tranquility. The garden gives onto Strachur Park, laid out by General Campbell in 1782, which offers spectacular walks through natural woodland with 200-year-old trees, rare shrubs and a lochan rich in native wildlife.
Directions: Turn off A815 at Strachur House Farm entrance; park in farm square.
Open: Saturday 28 May and Sunday 29 May 2011: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Seafield, Hunter's Quay, Dunoon

Stunning seaside garden on a hillside with clever plantings, divided into separate smaller gardens including gravel garden, damp pond garden, heather garden, shady garden, herbaceous beds, shrubs, ferns and grasses.
Directions: Hunter's Quay on A815 a few hundred yards south (Dunoon Side) of the Western Ferries terminal. Parking on promenade.
Open: Saturday 18 June and Sunday 19 June 2011: 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Colintraive Community Garden, Colintraive

Colintraive Community Garden was established in 2003 and featured on BBC’s Beechgrove Garden. Beautiful plants, paths and pond. Picnic tables beside hall.
Directions: Beside Colintraive Village Hall.
Open all year.

Milton Wood, Colintraive

This collector's garden is located on the left hand side of the road going through the village after the Colintraive Heritage Centre. 40 acre woodland garden of immense interest. Started 10 years ago this mixed ancient oak, birch and willow wood is underplanted with rhododendron (some now 10ft tall), magnolia, azaleas and other shrubs and perennial plants (mainly primulas and trilliums) many of which have been grown from seed collected by the owners who have travelled extensively. All planting has been carried out in as natural a way as possible to encourage biodiversity and wildlife. Substantial tracks, which can be slippery, lead throughout over bridges and clearings starting near sea level and climbing to about 350ft. Stout shoes or boots are essential.
Directions: A815 and A866 (Dunoon 20 miles via B836, Strachur 22 miles).
Open: Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May 2011: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Colintraive Gardens

Three delightful and varied spring gardens in this very beautiful corner of Argyll - all within easy reach of each other on the old B866 shore road looking out over Loch Riddon and the Kyles of Bute.
Altavoil (Mrs Caroline Sinclair)
Caol Ruadh (Mr and Mrs C Scotland)
Dunyvaig (Mrs Moyra Donald)
Directions: A815 and A866 (Dunoon 20 miles via B836, Strachur 22 miles).
Open: Saturday 14 May and Sunday 15 May 2011: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Gardens around Cowal

Crarae Garden, near Inveraray

A spectacular 50 acre garden in a dramatic setting. Crarae has a wonderful collection of woody plants centered on the Crarae Burn, which is spanned by several bridges and tumbles through a rocky gorge in a series of cascades. A wide variety of shrubs and trees chosen for spring flowering and autumn colour grow in the shelter of towering conifers. The lush naturalistic planting and rushing water gives the garden the feel of a valley in the Himalayas. Sturdy shoes advised.
Directions: On A83, 10 miles south of Inveraray.
Open all year 9.30am–sunset. Visitor Centre - 1 Apr to 31 Oct, Thur-Mon 10am–5pm.
www.nts.org.uk/Property/19/

Inveraray Castle Gardens, Inveraray

The climate in Argyll, with its yearly average rainfall of 230cms (90 inches), is ideally suited to Rhododendrons and Azaleas, which flower in the gardens from April until June. Conifers also grow well in the poor acidic soil of a high rainfall area, as can be seen by the fine specimens such as Cedrus Deodars, Sequoiadendron Wellingtonia, Cryptomeria Japonica and Taxus Baccata.
The borders on each side of the main drive, beyond the lawns, are known as the 'Flag-Borders' - the paths having been laid out in the shape of Scotland's National flag, the St. Andrew's Cross. These borders, outstanding in the spring with beautiful Prunus 'Ukon' and Prunus subhirtella, are underplanted with an interesting mixture of Rhododendrons, Eucrypyias, various shrubs and herbaceous plants, giving interest all year round.
Directions: Just outside Inveraray
Open 1st April - 31st October 10am - 17.45pm
www.inveraray-castle.com

Ascog Hall, Isle of Bute

This appealing 3 acre garden is continuing to develop and mature with an abundance of choice plants and shrubs which delight the eye from spring to autumn. It includes a small formal rose garden with a profusion of fragrant old shrub roses. Through a rustic ivy-clad stone arch which in bygone years led to the tennis court, there is now a large gravel garden with sun-loving plants and grasses. Undoubtedly, however, the most outstanding feature is our acclaimed Victorian fernery. This rare and beautiful structure houses subtropical and temperate fern species, including an ancient Todea barbara - the only survivor from the original collection and said to be around 1,000 years old.
Directions: 3 miles south of Rothesay on A844
Open Easter - October ex Mon & Tue 10am to 5pm
www.ascoghallfernery.co.uk

Glecknabae, Isle of Bute

A south facing hillside garden in the least known part of the island of Bute with magnificent views to the mountains of Arran. A collection of formal courtyard gardens, all different, shrubs and trees. New pond gardens and rockery and herbaceous border. This unusual garden is welcoming and inspirational.
Directions: A844 to Ettrick Bay, signposted off the coast road between Rhubodach and Rothesay; continue to end of "made up" road - approximately 5 miles.
Open 15 August 2010: 1-4:30pm - Music in the garden day: Bring your own picnic and enjoy music by The Tim Saul Modern Jazz Trio. Activities for children. Teas and home baking. Under cover if wet.

Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute

Mount Stuart's gardens were designed upon an exquisite natural canvas provided by the island’s lush habitat and picturesque shoreline.
The long process of shaping, nurturing and enhancing of the landscape surrounding Mount Stuart began in around 1717, when the 2nd Earl of Bute started to lay out the substantial grounds. Today, they are amongst Europe’s finest, incorporating three hundred acres of vibrant gardens, wilderness and woodland.
Work on the gardens continued with vigour under the direction of the 3rd Earl, a distinguished botanist and founder of Kew Gardens. The 19th Century saw the development of the Wee Garden and in 1896, the celebrated English landscape gardener Thomas Mawson designed a remarkable walk replicating the Via Dolorosa – the route Christ took with the Cross to Calvary. Mawson, an expert on water features, designed the superb Rock Garden that lies to the west of the house.
Directions: 5 miles south of Rothesay
Open March - October, 10am-6pm
www.mountstuart.com

Further information on Scotland’s Garden Scheme can be found on www.gardensofscotland.org