Scotland's 'best seaside gardens' named as nine coastal beauty spots singled out
Scotland's "best seaside gardens" have been crowned. Beauty spots in Dumfries and Galloway, South Ayrshire, and the Scottish Highlands are among those that were singled out.
Visiting a garden is a classic summertime activity, with Scotland having no shortage of pretty estates. With summer halfway over, there is no time like the present to get out and walk around a vibrant garden.
On Tuesday, July 15, Discover Scottish Gardens published a list of the top coastal gardens around the country. A total of nine seaside gardens are featured on the roundup.
One of the gardens named among the best coastal spots in the country by Discover Scottish Gardens is Arbigland House and Gardens in Dumfries and Galloway. The 18th century mansion is situated within 24 acres of woodland gardens, which extend down to a beach along the Solway Firth.
The formal gardens at Arbigland House are separated into different areas such as a Sunken Garden, a Japanese Garden, and a Sundial Garden. The former features roses and a Pavilion constructed by Italian Prisoners of War, while the Sundial Garden includes a sundial from 1815 that commemorates the battle of Waterloo.
Discover Scottish Gardens stated: "From the 18th century mansion house, a long walk, lined by beech trees, stretches from Arbigland House to the beaches of the Solway Firth.
The 24 acres of gardens here, which include an Italianate sunken garden, steep terraces and streamside gardens shaded by Giant gunnera, are undergoing restoration but there's no denying the salty credentials of this historic spot on the Dumfries & Galloway coastline.
"The Vikings washed up here and the estate itself was the birthplace of John Paul Jones, father of the American navy."
Elsewhere, the experts also selected Culzean Castle in South Ayrshire as one of Scotland's best seaside gardens. The castle sits in a 260-hectare estate featuring beaches, woods, trails, and more.
Highlights of the estate include its colourful formal gardens and glasshouses. Culzean Castle itself sits atop a dramatic cliff, below which there is a picturesque sandy coastline home to various caves.
The experts wrote: "From the battlements of Culzean there are spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde towards the jagged peaks of Arran. Beneath the castle lie rock pools and caves just begging to be explored, while the Fountain Court on the leeward side is filled with tender plants that relish the coastal conditions.
"There are hundreds of acres of woodland paths to be enjoyed, along with a double walled garden full of decorative and edible plants."
Another seaside garden featured on Discover Scottish Gardens' list is Ardencraig Gardens on the Isle of Bute. The garden, which is located near the island's principal town of Rothesay and is managed by Argyll and Bute Council, is home to a variety of exotic plants in its glasshouses.
Other gardens singled out by the experts include Ardmaddy Estate in Argyll and Inverewe Garden in Scottish Highlands. Ardmaddy Estate is situated near the popular coastal resort of of Oban and features a restored and improved 18th century walled garden, while Inverewe Garden is located in Wester Ross and is known for its rare plants that can only grow thanks to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream.
Meanwhile, Discover Scottish Gardens also praised Castle of Mey and Dunrobin Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Rounding out the list are House of Dun in Angus and Cambo Gardens in Fife.
The full list of the best seaside gardens around Scotland can be found below. For more information about each one, visit the Discover Scottish Gardens website.
The best seaside gardens around Scotland
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Moment 'air scooter' bids to fly across English Channel
Franky Zapata, 46, attempted to cross the English Channel in his AirScooter as part of a bid to impress investors in the US and market it to a whole new audience across the Atlantic This is the moment an "air scooter" crashed into the water during a failed bid to cross the English Channel. A French start-up tried to make history on Friday by crossing the Channel using vertical take-off and landing craft. Franky Zapata, 46, hopped in his AirScooter in Sangatte, near Calais, in a bid to complete the 21-mile journey across the Channel toward Kent. He zoomed across the water but decided to turn back after 17 minutes. Just nine minutes later, the craft slowly nosedived into the sea as observers watched on from a nearby boat. The AirScooter team said an "electric parachute" had slowed the descent and prevented a freefall. Team members are now looking to recover the air scooter. Before the flight, Zapata said he was not "100 per cent sure" the craft would reach Dover, in Kent. He added: "We've been rehearsing the flight for months and months. "It's relatively good but it's still new. Sometimes everything goes well and sometimes not so well." Zapata had hoped a Channel crossing would be a massive opportunity to market the craft to American investors. The US currently has fewer regulations on ultralight aircraft compared to counterparts in Europe, including France and the UK. But the crash now indicates Zapata will need to examine the product to iron out any possible flaws with its design. The Times reported Zapata wants wealthy out-of-town homeowners "who want to fly to the neighbours' for a barbecue on a Sunday." He latter conceded, "they won't be able to use them over towns." The craft weighs about 115kg (253lbs) and was said to be able to fly about two hours and reach a speed of 62mph. The aircraft is estimated to cost about £149,000 and Zapata has announced he intends to open a flight centre in Las Vegas in 2028, that will give people the opportunity to try it out. Zapata crossed the Channel on a hoverboard n 2019, which cemented his reputation. He went on to be asked to fly over the Champ Elysées avenue in Paris for the Bastille Day parade about a year later.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Donald Trump security operation underway as cops and military comb grounds at Turnberry
Police snipers have also been seen on the roof of the Trump Turnberry hotel while officers have been patrolling the waters near the resort. A large number of police and military personnel have been spotted searching the grounds at the Turnberry golf resort where Donald Trump is staying. The US President drew crowds to Prestwick Airport as Air Force One touched down on Friday evening ahead of a four-day visit that will also take him to the club his family owns in Aberdeenshire. Trump - a well-known golf enthusiast - appears to be free to play the vaunted Turnberry course on Saturday with a meeting scheduled with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer understood to be making the trip north on Monday. A high-profile security operation is in full swing, with police and others searching the area. Police snipers have also been seen on the roof of the Trump Turnberry hotel while officers have been patrolling the waters near the resort. Road closures are also in place, with limited access for locals and members of the media. Amid the search, a few golfers were also spotted at the course, enjoying an early-morning game, as the President prepares to play at the course. A number of protests have also been planned on Saturday after the Stop Trump Coalition announced demonstrations in Edinburgh - near the American consulate in the Scottish capital - and another in Aberdeen city centre. Meanwhile, a small group of protestors gathered outside the Turnberry golf resort on Friday night as the US President arrived in Scotland. Around five or six demonstrators lined the roadside near the entrance to the luxury resort, holding placards and shouting as Trump's convoy - including his armoured car known as The Beast - passed by. As he landed in Ayrshire on Friday evening, the president took questions from journalists, telling Europe to "get your act together" on immigration, which he said was "killing" the continent. He also praised Keir Starmer, who he described as a "good man", who is "slightly more liberal than I am". Saturday will be the first real test of Police Scotland during the visit as it looks to control the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, as well as any which spring up near to the president's course. The force has asked for support from others around the UK to bolster officer numbers, with both organisations representing senior officers and the rank-and-file claiming there is likely to be an impact on policing across the country for the duration of the visit. First Minister John Swinney - who is also set to meet with the president during his time in Scotland - has urged Scots to protest "peacefully and within the law".
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Donald Trump says he 'loves standing on the soil of Scotland'
Ian Murray told the PA news agency what the US President's first words were after disembarking from Air Force One in Prestwick. The UK Government minister was the first person to greet the president in Scotland as he begins his four day visit to the country. Speaking after meeting the American leader, Murray told PA: 'The president came off the flight, and I said, 'Mr president, welcome to Scotland – the home country of your dear mother', and he said, 'It's great to be here, I always love standing on the soil of Scotland'. READ MORE: LIVE: Updates as protesters rally against Donald Trump in Scotland 'I said, 'I hope you're looking forward to a bit of downtime with some golf this weekend', and he said, 'Yes'. And I said, 'Well, we've whipped up a bit of a wind for you to make it a bit more competitive', and he went, 'I'm looking forward to it'.' Murray said Trump was given a 'warm reception' as he got off his presidential plane. Hundreds gathered on the Mound overlooking Prestwick Airport for the president's arrival. A Trump flag was flown while a few spectators wore 'Make America Great Again' hats, although many of those attending were locals and aviation enthusiasts, including some who had travelled from England. Murray said: 'Spotters hills, as it's called, where all the plane spotters come to Prestwick, was absolutely full. 'You could see that from the tarmac and as Air Force One came in, people were snapping away on their photographs. 'To see all that happening is quite a spectacle in itself. 'It's really good to have that kind of focus on Scotland.' Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his trip to discuss the UK-US trade deal as Britain hopes to be spared from the president's tariff regime. The Scottish Secretary said: 'Really, the purpose of this weekend, the purpose of greeting the president off the plane, the purpose of the Prime Minister's relationship with the president is to build that close relationship, to make sure that that old alliance is nurtured, and to do that for the benefit of the national interest, which is about jobs and growth here in the UK, and particularly Scotland.' Trump will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney during his trip as he opens a new golf course in Aberdeenshire. (Image: PA) Before flying to Prestwick, Trump said in Washington that he was 'looking forward' to meeting Swinney, describing him as a 'good man' – the same phrase he used for the Prime Minister after landing in Scotland. Asked about the president's relationship with the UK, Murray said: 'The Prime Minister has taken a very pragmatic approach to the relationship with the president of the United States, because it's in our national interest to do so, whether it be on defence, security, trade, cultural, historic ties. 'It's a historic alliance, and that alliance has to be nurtured and continue through to the future, because it's quite clear that our relationship with United States is good for jobs and growth here in Scotland and across the UK. 'The Prime Minister knows that, and knows that working very closely with the US is in our national interest.' Asked about protests, which are expected across the country, Murray said people had a right to demonstrate, adding: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom to protest is a key cornerstone of both countries, America and the UK, and the right to be able to protest if they so wish to so.'
