Garden Visits 2025
Crieff May 2025​
At the end of May we visited two gardens near Crieff and braved a shocking weather forecast to be pleasantly surprised. The morning was rather grey and dampish but we had a lovely village hall for tea, coffee and scones and a huge and very successful plant sale. Thank you to the organisers and all those who brought plants and also those who bought plants.
Ochilview, Fowlis Wester (by kind permission of Audrey and Jim McColl)
This is a charming garden, not huge but packed with goodies, shown to us by a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic owner. Audrey has created this garden from a totally blank slate into a lovely space with the eye constantly being caught by something new.
​
Colquhalzie (pronounced Co-whiley), Kinkell Bridge (by kind permission of Arabella and Charles Connell
This garden is mainly mixed park and woodland, sweeping down to the River Earn with a walled garden mostly given over to fruit. There are several lovely specimen trees and pieces of sculpture and we spotted lots of half hidden gems when wandering through older shrub plantings. We were welcomed to the gun room for tea before we left which was a much more comfortable space than the name suggests! A lovely end to a lovely day.
Moffat July 2025
We visited three lovely gardens over the course of two days -Craigieburn, Gledenholm and Waterside.
Craigieburn House, Moffat
This 6 acre garden rambles up a glen with a burn and waterfall contributing to the ambience alongside a Himalayan glen. Described as a plant-lovers garden, there is a double herbaceous border, rose garden and woodland area.
Gledenholm House, Ae village
Mature trees planted in the original 1870’s garden provide a graceful setting for herbaceous borders and shrubberies developed over the last 35 years. Many of the plants had been grown from cuttings and a “propagation lesson “ from the owner contributed to the enjoyment of this visit.
Waterside Garden, Moffat
Developed over 20 years on a neglected and overgrown site, this delightful 3 acre garden offered a varity of spaces, mature woods, a riverside walk, herbaceous borders, shrubs and bamboos.
​
Fife August 2025
Willowhill, Newport on Tay - Sally and Eric, the Garden’s owners who have designed and developed it since 2000, greeted and refreshed us with fine scones and coffee and then guided us round their Garden. Words cannot do justice to the beautifully laid out riot of colour, shapes and textures that fills the various named gardens and borders that, along with a pond, a polytunnel, grassland and trees, lie against the backdrop of rolling countryside. All of it intersected by immaculate grass walkways which are a pleasure to walk on.
The Tower, Wormit - One acre landscaped garden with panoramic views over the River Tay. Purchased in 1976 and overgrown- granite grotto only discovered in 2012. Set on a hill,series of meandering paths around pools and stream. Vegetable garden at the rear features raised beds made from granite sets.
Renfrewshire September 2025
The Wraes is a hilltop garden with amazing views over the Renfrewshire countryside and the owners, Jo and Tim Mack, have tried to blend the garden into the surroundings with an emphasis on wildlife friendly design. The transformation, in 13 years, from a bare field to the garden was much commented on especially the growth of the shelter belt hedges. We were still glad it wasn't a windy day when we visited.
The Croft is gardened by one of our members, Oliver Miller, and is on a challenging, steep hillside in Langbank. There is a burn and the dense planting gives a natural feel to the garden and disguises the boundary. Collections of bamboos, rhododendrons and hydrangeas plus unusual trees left us all full of admiration and delight in a wonderful garden.
​
Clackmannanshire October 2025
Hollytree Lodge, Pool of Muckhart
​
The Japanese Garden, Cowden
​