Discover the best Scottish Gardens
Spending time in the great outdoors is one of the best ways to take advantage of the warm spring and summer months, and Scotland boasts some of the most beautiful wilderness in all of the UK. It’s not just the rolling hills and wild terrain of the Highlands that deserves attention, though. Scotland’s most beautiful gardens are well worth a visit, and offer a chance to see the best of both local and exotic plant species beautifully arranged and ready to be enjoyed.
Whether you’re off on an afternoon jaunt or want to tour the country garden by garden, Scotland has plenty to offer, and with the help of a little sunshine you can appreciate the area’s most beautiful gardens.
Finding a garden in Scotland
The Internet is a great place to look for inspiration as you get ready for your next adventure. Longer opening hours and favourable weather in the spring and summer months ensure gardens look their absolute best, but also attract a large volume of visitors who also want to explore the wonders of nature, so be mindful of visiting during peak times if you want to avoid the crowds.
Start your search on the National Trust website – this charity oversees a huge network of beautiful gardens and parks all over the UK. From the website you can browse its Scottish destinations and learn about any special events that might be taking place when you’re planning your visit.
Scotland’s official tourism website, Visit Scotland, is another great place to seek out the best public gardens worth visiting – you can find gardens in both rural and urban areas, along with a series of guides to help you discover gardens by area and interest.
Glasgow and Edinburgh have a wealth of beautiful gardens and parks to explore if you’re in the area on a city break. The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are located in the West End beside the River Kelvin, and spread out over 50 acres, you can enjoy the impressive glasshouses and relaxing woodland walks. Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is no less impressive, with 70 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds and plenty of beautiful plant species to capture the imagination.
Private Scottish Gardens
Scotland has a network of more than 600 private gardens that open their gates each year to visitors. The scheme, run by charity Scotland’s Gardens, is a great way to take a look at some beautiful gardens you might otherwise never have the opportunity to see.
From the website you can search for gardens by opening date, district or postcode – some gardens are open by arrangement, while others are open at specific dates and times, so be sure to check carefully before setting off. The charity also publishes an annual guidebook with all the listings and information about the gardens, which may be useful if you intend to visit several gardens throughout the spring and summer.
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