As the warmer weather sets in, more time is spent out enjoying the sun, the most magnificent places to see the impact of the glorious sun are of course gardens. As the flowers and trees continue to bloom the land is only getting more beautiful, and there an abundance of majestic gardens to visit all around Scotland, some found in the grounds of your very own holiday home or grand garden grounds waiting for your arrival, whichever it is we’ve got the best places to see them. 

A personal haven at the Japanese Garden

The perfect location to visit for your garden getaway is, without a doubt, the Japanese Gardens at Cowden. Not only will guests delight in strolling the gardens’ radiant landscapes, but they can stay at our very own The Christie Lodge among the extraordinary scenery and wide variety of flora. The Christie Lodge houses 4 guests and sits in an elevated position overlooking the water features, plants, rocks and pathways of the Japanese Garden, a truly special and unique place to call home for a little while. With vibrant south-facing windows overlooking the lake, even before you step outside, you’ll never get bored of the views from The Christie Lodge.

The Japanese Gardens were created in 1908, after Ella Christie’s travels in Japan. She was inspired by her trip and entrusted Taki Handa to design the gardens. As noted by Ella Christie, the garden is ‘the place of pleasure and delight’.

The entire garden is magnificent, though some highlights include the Japanese dwarf pine trees (Matsu-no-i), prunus trees, maples, azaleas, and one of Japan’s half-double pink cherry trees. There are many flowering shrubs, azaleas, rhododendrons, double thorn, lilac, syringa and iris, while there are one or two very fine maples. A list of much of the natural life can be found at The Japanese Garden’s List.

Take a peaceful woodland walk, after wandering the grounds, visit the shop, or book in for afternoon tea in the tearoom. The site is 16 miles west of Stirling and under an hour away by car or train from the capital city, Edinburgh. The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh contains 70 acres of stunning biodiversity, horticulture and panoramic vistas of the city skyline, though we’re confident staying at The Christie Lodge at the Japanese Garden will be enough to keep you excited for your stay.

A botanical gem on loch shores

During your stay on the shores of Loch Gairloch at Portnahaile in Wester Ross, visit Inverewe National Trust for Scotland heritage garden, where rare species thrive due to the effects of the Gulf Stream. This botanical gem on the northwest coast of Scotland was created over 160 years ago and is renowned for its enormous California redwoods, spectacular rhododendrons, exotic plants, and Jetstream-powered microclimate. Portnahaile accommodates 4 guests for garden adventures.

50 miles down the road are the award-winning Attadale Gardens. 20 acres of water gardens, another brilliant Japanese Garden all alongside the magnificence of Loch Carron. Take a self-guided audio tour, arrange a guided tour or plan your family day out with walks in the woodland, red squirrel spotting and be introduced to the Highland Cows and end your busy day with a treat in the café.

Glorious Gardens and Glamis Castle

The Garden Apartment at Reswallie House, sleeping 4, is an idyllic place to take your loved ones for a peaceful rest in nature near Forfar in Angus. Hinted at by the name, the Garden Apartment’s charm extends beyond the confines of the house and delights in its beautiful, flower-filled, walled garden. Sit in the outdoor seating with a fresh cuppa, gazing and relaxing in the peaceful garden or embrace the warmer nights and cook up a storm on the barbecue.

Another brilliant garden, 8 miles from the Garden Apartment, is the brilliant Glamis Castle and Gardens. The Kitchen Garden provides fruit and veg for the Castle Kitchen. Wander through the East Woodland, which hold many impressive towering trees like conifers, which are native to North America. Here you’ll also find the enchanting Macbeth Loop with seven sculptures of some of Macbeth’s most fascinating characters, which is covered in Douglas firs. On the east side of the castle, the Italian Garden boasts ‘a thrilling kaleidoscope of colour’. Return to the Garden Apartment decorated with pine panelling, parquet floor and finished the day nestled next to the huge log fire surrounding by enchanting scenery.

Tranquil Gardens in the Borders, by the Tweed

Hope Park West is a charming property that houses 2/6 guests, nestled among secluded, tree-lined gardens just a short walk from the rushing River Tweed. Remain at Hope Park West for tranquil garden sounds made by the array of wildlife that are encouraged to the property by the owners, such as: hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, tawny owls, and keep an eye out for the bat, bee and bug hotels. The home is towered over by nearby 150-year-old trees, including a Scots pine. If that’s not enough, nearby in the historic town of Kelso is the wonderful greenery at the Floors Castle Gardens, boasting one of the finest Victorian Kitchen Gardens in the walled garden, with the produce used in the estate’s cafés. A formal Millennium Garden with French-style parterre and in 2016, a Tapestry Garden was designed, the perfect place to rest in when exploring the grounds.

Harmony Garden is a peaceful haven across from Melrose Abbey and is overlooked by the towering Eildon Hills. The azalea and rhododendron are perfect to visit at this time of year and especially exciting in June as it hosts the Borders Book Festival. The National Trust for Scotland, Priorwood Garden, is a brilliant walled garden also in Melrose. Floors Castle, Harmony Garden and Priorwood Garden are all free to visit (excluding inside Floors Castle) and extremely dog-friendly.

There are plenty of extraordinary gardens to visit in Scotland, find your own on the Scotland’s Gardens list and stay in a charming cottage in magnificent surroundings. Explore hundreds of years of hard work at castle gardens, contemporary creations like the Japanese Garden, or choose a cottage with an exquisite garden to spend your days enveloped by peace.