Latest news with #GardensScheme
The Herald Scotland
05-08-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Discover Scotland's secret garden in a small Fife village
They took over the ownership of Kirklands, a handsome stone house that dated back to 1832 and which had once been surrounded by well-tended green spaces. However time had taken its toll and by the time the Harts arrived the garden was in serious decline, with ponies grazing in the walled garden, many dead or dying elm trees and empty spaces where original rhododendrons had been lost. Reclaiming the space was, at first, more like archaeology than gardening and it was several years before a set of steps that would have once provided access to a now-demolished church were discovered beneath more than a century's worth of fallen leaves. In the area where the garden slopes away from the house towards the Saline Burn, nettles and hogweed were strimmed to the ground, old stumps were removed and newspaper and mulch was used to suppress weeds before the ground was replanted with sorbus and birch. There's plenty of colour (Image: Discover Gardens) Today two bridges provide access to 20 acres of oak, ash, birch and holly on the far side of the burn. This is naturally-regenerating woodland and apart from occasional clearing to allow paths to remain open, it remains much the same today as it was 10,000 years ago. The season at Kirklands starts with snowdrops, before wild garlic and bluebells take over the show. There is an abundance of fritillaries and trilliums, while hundreds of candelabra primulas, all grown from seed, flower in late spring in boggy areas. Dozens of rhododendrons have replaced those that were lost The south-facing walled garden has been terraced to make vegetable production easier on this sloping site. Heritage apples grow here and edibles thrive in raised beds, while elsewhere in the garden a polytunnel has been added in order to extend the growing season. Close to the house there are formal borders edged with box hedging and filled with summer flowers. From the garden there are views towards Saline Hill and the Ochils to the south while, on clear days, Ben Lomond is visible in the distance. The garden is open on weekends through the summer months, but for more than 30 years the Harts have also been opening the garden to the public in aid of Scotland's Gardens Scheme and this year's open day, on Sunday, August 17, will help to support both Saline and Steelend gardening club and the local flower show, which takes place at the start of September. Culross Palace (Image: Newsquest) Fife is home to many interesting gardens and ten miles south from Saline, on the northern shore of the River Forth, is Culross Palace, a restored medieval merchant's house and behind its ochre-coloured walls is a recreation of the 17th century garden that once flourished here. The plants are all those that would have been familiar at that time, including herbs with culinary and medicinal properties and heritage fruit trees. Old-fashioned flowers, willow hurdle dividers, paths made from crushed shells and the geometric lay-out of the beds all add the authentic feel of the garden, which in summer is filled with the scent of old roses. Details Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 2pm - 4.30pm until 30 September Tickets: £5/children free Contact Peter@ 07787 115477
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway garden to open for charity under Scotland's Gardens Scheme
People can enjoy wandering around the gardens of Kings Grange House near Castle Douglas while listening to jazz music. Kings Grange House near Castle Douglas will be open under Scotland's Gardens Scheme this weekend to raise funds for the RNLI and Marie Curie. Jazz musician Dave McCullough, together with friends, will be performing a varied programme of music to enhance the enjoyment of the garden and homemade cream teas will be available. In previous years it has been a delight to listen to the music whilst exploring the garden and having a cuppa. Kings Grange has an extensive garden surrounded by mature trees and shrubberies, with views to the south west over the surrounding countryside. Originally Victorian, the garden has been restored by the present owners with a colourful variety of herbaceous mixed borders, beds and rockeries mainly to the front of the house. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The gardens are open from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday and admission is £5, children free. The garden is also open by arrangement until August 31. To get to Kings Grange House (DG7 3EU) take the B794 north off the A75, two miles east of Castle Douglas, and the house is approximately one mile on the left.
The Herald Scotland
10-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
The garden roof with more than 70 different kinds of trees
New Lanark is famous for the pioneering ideas of its owner, Robert Owen, who promoted education and welfare for his workers, and who planted the surrounding area with trees and shrubs to encourage an appreciation of nature. Owen would no doubt then have approved of the creation of a green space at the very heart of his industrial complex. The garden on the roof contains more than 70 different kinds of trees, shrubs and flowers, including hornbeam, yew, allium and honeysuckle, all of which have been chosen for their toughness and ability to withstand the exposed position. There are sculptures of animals and a central water feature, while from the walls there are views over the surrounding countryside and the steep-sided valley of the River Clyde. The layout of the garden, with its curves and swirls, represent the workings of the machinery that once produced cotton in the mills below, while today the clatter of industry has been replaced by the hum of bees that move from flower to flower, in the company of a wide variety of butterflies and other insects. Birds are also regular visitors and earlier this year a pair of ducks raised a brood of ducklings on the rooftop. New Lanark Roof Garden hares (Image: Discover Gardens) The garden is looked after by a team of dedicated volunteers and work is currently underway to refresh the original planting scheme, adding even more flowers and foliage to this elevated position. The garden is open year-round, but on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 it will be open in aid of Scotland's Gardens Scheme, the charity that supports a long list of good causes through garden openings including, in the case of New Lanark Roof Garden, COVEY, a local befriending service for young people and families. Scotland's Gardens Scheme has been organising garden openings for more than 90 years and included in its famous 'Yellow Book' which lists all gardens open throughout the year, are rambling country plots, smart suburban gardens, allotments and wildflower meadows. Upcoming openings include, on Sunday, August 17, Grow Cook Inspire, author and podcaster Helen Cross's family and wildlife-friendly garden in Netherlee and Horatio's Garden at the National Spinal Unit in Glasgow on Sunday August 31. New Lanark Roof Garden (Image: Discover Gardens) The charity is always keen to recruit more gardeners to open their gates, particularly small urban courtyards, tenement back courts and other city-centre green spaces, as these have proved to be particularly popular with garden visitors. More details of gardening openings and how to participate are available at Details: New Lanark Roof Garden will open for Scotland's Gardens Scheme on Saturday, 9 and Sunday, 10 August from 12 noon until 4pm. Tickets: £5/children free Car parking £3 A shuttle bus is available to transport visitors from the car park to the village and there is a cafe on site. In association with Discover Scottish Gardens
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Dalbeattie Community Association to open to visitors as part of Scotland's Gardens Scheme
The site, which can be visited on Sunday, provides 81 plots for local residents to produce their own fruit, flowers and vegetables. Dalbeattie Community Allotments Association will be open to visitors on Sunday as part of Scotland's Gardens Scheme. Since a local landowner leased the site to the association in 2010, it has gone from strength to strength and now provides 81 plots for local residents to produce their own fruit, flowers and vegetables. Inflation and pressures on household budgets ensures that there is always interest in growing your own veg but the emotional and social benefits are equally pertinent. The DCAA plays a huge part in the life of many in Dalbeattie and is a friendly and welcoming place to visit. Visitors will be able to stroll round the site, chat to the members and relax with a cup of tea in the community area. Information regarding the story of the development of the site will also be on display. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The gardens are open from 2pm to 5pm and admission is £5.00 (children free), with money going to Dalbeattie Community Initiative and Scotland's Gardens Scheme charities. Refreshments will be available. The allotment site can be found on the Dalbeattie bypass (A710) next to Craignair Health Centre.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stunning Kirkcudbright garden to open to visitors for Scotland's Gardens Scheme
Sunday is a chance for people to see The Limes and raise money for charity at the same time. The Limes in Kirkcudbright will be open to visitors on Sunday as part of the Scotland's Gardens Scheme. It is a renowned one-and-a-quarter acre plantsman's garden with a variety of different plant habitats. The owners have meticulously planned the planting to give year round interest and early summer is a particularly colourful season when, as regular visitors will know, you can expect to see a large number of unusual and exciting plants in flower at this time of year. The gravel garden is just beginning to come into its own and the kitchen garden is beginning to show its promise of abundance. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The Limes will be open from 2pm to 5pm this Sunday and is also open by arrangement. It can be found on the A711 as you go out of Kirkcudbright towards Dundrennan. Entry is £5 for adults and free for children. Proceeds will go to Friends of Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool and Scottish Garden Scheme charities.
