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The Herald Scotland
27-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
This garden is one of the most poignant in Scotland: How to visit it
Angus's Garden was begun in the 1950s by Betty Macdonald as a memorial to her son who had been killed while working as a news reporter in Cyprus. She had a vision to create a place of beauty that would provide peace and healing to those that visited and today the garden that she created continues to fulfil that promise, inspiring visitors with a sense of deep tranquillity. The garden is open all year round, but it is at its very best in early summer when rhododendrons, azaleas and other flowering shrubs are in full bloom. This is not a place of neat borders and clipped hedges, instead the garden covers nine acres of woodland and designed landscape, set around a small loch which, at this time of year, is home to cygnets and ducklings. Angus's Garden (Image: Supplied) The wildness of those surroundings can at times be witnessed when golden eagles and white-tailed sea eagles glide overhead and the woodlands are home to deer, red squirrels and other native species. A network of trails gives visitors an opportunity to explore the hidden corners of the garden while a self-catering cottage offers a chance for a longer, more immersive stay. This cottage, like all the buildings on the 4,000 acre estate in which the garden sits, is powered by wind and hydro energy. The estate has been under the stewardship of the same family for four generations, but the history of occupation in this part of Argyll stretches back much further and the fort or 'Dun' behind the farmhouse is one of a number that are scattered across the landscape. It is home to swans (Image: Supplied) At one end of the loch, hanging from a wooden support, is a large bell that was cast to mark Betty's 40 years of working in the garden, placing trees and shrubs where they would have most impact, and creating open areas from where the spectacular surroundings could be seen at their best. Meanwhile, the single-track 'Road of the Kings' through Glen Lonan, is the route that was used to transport ancient kings on their final journey to burial on Iona. Meanwhile, the village of Appin, which lies just under 20 miles north of Barguillean Farm, is home to Kinlochlaich Gardens, a nursery and garden centre set within an octagonal walled garden that is filled with unusual shrubs, including Enkianthus, Crinodendron, Embothrium, and Eucryphia. There are also many different fruit trees, including peaches, nectarines and apricots, as well as productive grapevines, as well as vegetable beds and perennial borders which are filled with an abundance of flowers and foliage. Details: Angus's Garden is open daily, 9am – dusk. Entry: £5/free (under 16s) Tel: 01866 822 333 Directions: Taynuilt sits on the A84, 14 miles from Oban. From the centre of the village follow the sign for Glen Lonan. In association with Discover Scottish Gardens
The Herald Scotland
17-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish garden is a treasure-trove of plants from exotic locations
At the moment the garden's huge collection of rhododendrons and azaleas are putting on a show-stopping display, filling the garden with scent and colour. Some of the specimens are the size of trees and not only are they smothered in flowers, but their huge paddle-shaped leaves are backed with indumentum, a rust-coloured velvety substance that adds to the display. Alongside these grow plants from East Asia and South America including Chatham Island Forget-Me-Nots which are super-sized versions of the cottage garden favourite. Today Arduaine, with its leafy canopy, sheltered glades and open, sunny lawns is so much part of the landscape that it is hard to believe that it hasn't always been here but in fact nothing would grow on this rocky promontory if it hadn't been for the vision of tea planter, James Campbell, who, at the start of the 20th century, decided that this was where he was going to establish a garden. Arduaine (Image: Ken Whitcombe) There were challenges at the time when the Douglas firs that were planted as a shelter belt were eaten by rabbits and those challenges continued recently, when the National Trust for Scotland, who now care for Arduaine, had to fell hundreds of trees in a bid to halt the outbreak of the fungal disease, Phytophthora. Today, however, Arduaine continues to flourish and now is a good time to visit, when the Candelabra primulas are starting to open their colourful whorls of flowers and growth in the herbaceous borders is starting to get underway. The garden is criss-crossed by good paths, making it very accessible and some of the paths lead through the shelter belt to the coastline from where there are spectacular views towards the low-lying Slate islands which, during the 19th century supplied the roofs for Glasgow and much of central Scotland. There's also the chance to spot the seals and porpoises that live in these waters. Read more The garden itself is teeming with wildlife and one of the best places to catch a glimpse of it is around the ponds, which are lined with damp-loving plants. There are good views over the garden and over the surrounding coastline from the Loch Melfort Hotel, which sits at the gates to Arduaine. From the large outdoor dining deck the garden's tree canopy is clearly visible and so too is the Sound of Jura, which makes a stunning backdrop to some of the best sunsets in Scotland. Directions Arduaine is 20 miles south of Oban and 19 miles north of Loch Gilphead on the A816 Details The garden is open daily, 10am - 5pm Tickets: £10/£7.50/£5/£1 (Young Scot) In association with Discover Scottish Gardens
