Scotland's Gardens Scheme is a registered Scottish charity (No. SCO49866) which was founded in 1931 to support the Queen's Nursing Institute, Scotland. Now several hundred gardens open to the public each year. The owners donate entry fees and revenue from teas and plant sales to support the beneficiary charities.
The owner of a garden which is open under the scheme may donate up to 60% of the day's takings to registered charities of their own choice. In 2023 many different charities, some small local charities and some large well known organisations, will benefit in this way. 40% of the funds raised, net of expenses, will be given to the three core beneficiaries of the scheme :-
For up-to-date information on openings visit the Scotland's Gardens website at www.scotlandsgardens.org.
Dunblane Gardens, Dunblane, Perthshire, FK15 0NU.
There will be three gardens open inj Dunblane.
Ault Wharrie, Ardnablane, Dunblane, FK15 0NU.
From the Fourways roundabout in Dunblane take the Glen Road then the second left into Leewood Road. Continue and follow the yellow signs to Ardnablane. Take the first right beside a lodge and follow the directions given about parking. Overflow parking will be on Leewood Road. On foot the garden is about 20 minutes walk from Dunblane Station.
Ault Wharrie was formerly the Masonic Home in Dunblane. The extensive grounds have been redesigned and replantred over the last five years. These have benefitted from the shelter provided by mature trees and there are many flowering shrubs including rhododendron, camellia and magnolia. A parterre, a rockery and a large pond are complemented by colourful herbaceous borders with a good mixture of plants, including dahlias, interspered with annuals.
Kippenrait, Sheriffmuir, Dunblane, FK15 0LP.
Turn up the Glen Road from Fourways Roundabout in Dunblane. After three quarters of a mile turn left into the road signposted Sheriffmuir. After about a quarter of a mile turn right onto the drive.
The Kippenrait garden has been created over the last twelve years from a field. The garden has incredible views over the Carse of Stirling, east to Dumyat and to the mountains in the west. It is an attractive space of two and a half acres featuring spring bulbs and spring flowering shrubs.
Tea will be available.
St Blanes House, High Street, Dunblane, FK15 0ER.
St Blanes House is almost directly opposite Dunblane libary.
This is a well established, two acre garden with a wide variety of trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and other shrubs and herbaceous perennials. There is a short walk through a wooded area.
A plant sale will take place here including rhododendrons from William Campbell's collection.
Admission £6.00, children free. Tickets will be available at any of the gardens giving admission to all three. Donations to Strathcarron Hospice and SGS beneficiaries.
Bridge of Allan Gardens, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4DX.
Gardens will be signposted from village.
There will a selection of large and smaller gardens on show with various species of rhododendrons and azaleas, trees, shrubs, other plants and flowers. Some of the gardens have water features and others have "rooms" each with a different theme. Some gardens show a Japanese influence, others have a variety of sculptures. One has quotations and poems engraved on stone, on a garden hut and a bench, all with beautiful meaning. "Second to the right and straight on till morning" - Peter Pan gives Wendy the directions to Neverland.
Tickets and maps will be available only at the Episcopal Church, Keir Street, Bridge of Allan.
There will be a plant sale at the Church Garden and teas will be served in the Church Hall.
Admission £6.00, children free. Donations to St. Saviour's Episcopal Church, Bridge of Allan, Artlink Central Ltd and SGS beneficiaries.
Ross Priory, Gartocharn G83 8NL.
Off A811 1½ miles from Gartocharn. Bus from Balloch to Gartocharn.
1812 Gothic addition by James Gillespie Graham to a house of 1693 (the house itself will not be open). The adjoining garden has wonderful views over Loch Lomond. A good selection of Rhododendrons and azaleas which are the principle plants in the garden, with a varied selection shrubs and trees. Spectacular spring bulbs, border planting of herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. An extensive walled garden with glasshouses, a pergola and ornamental planting. Family burial ground. There are nature and garden trails. Children's play area and putting green by the house.
Partial wheelchair access. Home made teas and plant stall in walled garden, dogs allowed on lead except in walled garden.
Admission £5 children free. Donations to Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, and SGS beneficiaries.
Shrubhill, Dunblane, FK15 9PA
Two miles from Keir roundabaout (A9) on the B824 on the left just after the David Stirling Memorial, or one mile from A820 on the right. Follow the signs and parking advice. (Parking is in a field.)
There are two acres of mixed informal planting of some unusual rhododendrons, azaleas, other shrubs and specimen trees. Beautiful all round views especially over the Carse of Stirling and towards Ben Ledie and Ben Lomond.
Hebaceous borders, Meconopsis, late spring bulbs and a water feature with a wide variety of primulas.
Small walled garden, predomoninantly for fruit, and a greenhouse with a well-established vine.
There will be a plant sale.
Admission £5.00, children free. Donations to The Teapot Trust and SGS beneficiaries.
Kilbryde Castle, Dunblane FK15 9NF. Off A820 Doune to Dunblane road, 3 miles from Doune and Dunblane. On Garden Scheme days, it is signposted from the A820.
Kilbryde Castle gardens cover around 12 acres above the Ardoch Burn and below the castle. They are split into three sections - informal, woodland and wild. Spring bulbs (including huge drifts of snowdrops in the wild garden during February and March) and autumn colour provided by clematis and acers. Natural planting of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and magnolias in the woodland garden. There was some new planting in 2017 for additional late summer/autumn colour.
On 4th June there will be a Plant Fair following the sucessful event in 2022. Refreshments will be available on 4th June.
Partial disabled access. Dogs allowed on lead.
Admission £5, children free. Donations to Leighton Library Trust and SGS charities.
Thorntree, Arnprior FK8 3EY.
From A811, take Fintry Road from Arnprior, garden is second on the right.
Thorntree looks forward to welcoming visitors on 18th June or by arrangement on other dates. Carol will happily walk around the garden with you or you can wander on your own.
Those who have visited in the past will see that the garden continues to evolve. The cottoneasters by the saltire beds have been cut back so that the four flower beds are no longer hidden behind a hedge. Also the view past the summerhouse can be seen and the Annabelle hydrangea has popped up now that there are fewer branched above it.
This is an inspiring garden to visit at any time of the year. From the garden you can see panoramic views from Ben Lomomd to Doune, watching the Forth meander down the bottom of the valley.
Plant are for sale throughout the year as part of the trainee experienc under the WRAGS scheme, full disabled access, no dogs except guide dogs.
Admission £5.00, children free. Donatins to Forth Driving Group RDA and SGS beneficiaries.
Killearn Village Gardens, G63 9NL.
Directions to Killearn Village Hall which is in the centre of the village.
From Milngavie take A81 north. Just after Glengoyne Distillery take A875 turning to Killearn.
From Stirling take A811 towards Glasgow ( Signposted to Erskine Bridge ). After Buchlyvie take next left turn, A875, to Balfron. Drive through Balfron to Killearn.
The X10 bus from runs from Stirling to Glasgow every 2 hours on Sundays. It departs from Stirling on the hour, starting at 9:00am, arriving in Killearn approximately 1 hour later.
Killearn, at the foot of the Campsie Fells with fine views to Loch Lomond, is described as one of the prettiest villages in Stirlingshire. A number of gardens both large and small will be open. Some feature a fine collection of acers and water features, relaxed sitting areas and beautiful mixed borders. Some have been re-developed utilising raised beds or transformed through lockdown. One of the gardens has won prizes for its summer spendour.
There will be a plant sale in the Village Hall car park.
Tickets and maps will be available at the Village Hall only. Home made teas in the Village Hall from 11:00 to 16:00.
Admission £6.00, children free. Donations to Strathcarron Hospice, Killearn Community Futures Company: colourful Killearn, and SGS charities.
60 Greenhead, Alva, Clackmannanshire, FK12 5HH
Signed from the A91.
Please park with consideration for the other houses in the area.
A hidden garden in Alva, behind the Primary School. The garden is divided into "Rooms" with themes, two are mediterranean and Oriental. There is extensive planting and clever use of pots throughout with recycled materials much in evidence, eswpecially in the "cosy" corner with a fireplace. There is a wide variety of shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables and fruit. There is also a pond and small wildlife area. THere is a new "folly" created during the lockdown of 2020. The garden is an inspiration for those trying to garden in a small space.
We would ask that all children are to be accompanied.
Admission £5, children free. Donations to Stirling Baptist Church, CAP and SGS beneficiaries.
Gargunnock House Garden, Gargunnock, FK8 3AZ.
5 Miles west of Stirling on A811, follow the Scotland's Gardens signs. Car parking at entrance by the lodge.
Large mature garden with walled garden, well established house garden, woodland walks with species and hybrid rhododendrons, massed planting of azaleas and wonderful specimen trees. Snowdrops in February to March, over 40 varieties of daffodils in April, and glorious Azaleas and Rhododendrons in May. In autumn, stunning colours from the wonderful trees along the drive to the house. The 3 acre walled garden contains perennial borders, cut flower beds, greenhouses, fruit orchard and newly planted arboretum of specimen trees. The walled garden is now used by the charity Green Routes to give gardening education to adults with learning difficulties.
Plant stalls at rear of Gargunnock House.
Groups would be welcome by arrangement.
Admission £5.00, children free. Honesty box at the car park. Contributions to Gargunnock Community Trust ltd., Rhododendron Species Conservation Group, Green Routes and SGS charities.
Glenarn, Glenarn Road, Rhu, Helensburgh G84 8LL.
On A814, two miles north of Helensburgh, up Pier Road. Cars to be left at gate unless passengers are infirm.
Glenarn survives as a complete example of a 10 acre garden that spans from 1850 to the present day. Sheltered woodland garden overlooking the Gareloch. There are winding paths through miniature glens under a canopy of oak and lime and sunlit open spaces. Glenarn is famous for its collection of rare and tender rhododendrons but there are many other horticultural delights including fine magnolias and other interesting trees and shrubs. In season there are profusions of snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, erythroniums and primulas with roses and climbing hydrangeas through the trees in high summer. Towards the end of the season the starry white flowers of hoherias and eucyphias give late season interest. There is a vegetable garden with beehives and a rock garden, full of surprise and season long colour. There is a Silent Space at the top of the garden with views over the Gareloch.
Admission £5.00, children free. Donation to RHu and Shandon Community Centre and SGS charities.
Milseybank, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4NB
Situated on the A9, 1 mile from junction 11, M9 and 1/4 mile from Bridge of Allan. Milseybank is at the top of the lane at Lecropt Nursery 250 yards from Bridge of Allan railway station.
An interesting sloping garden with outstanding views, terraced for ease of access. Woodland with bluebells, rhododendrons, magnolias, camellias and many other unusual plants including a big variety of mecanopsis, and water features. A true plantsman's garden to inspire you with several quiet corners to sit, admire and reflect. A garden to inspire you and give you ideas to take home.
National Plant Collection: Mecanopsis.
Disabled access. Dogs allowed on lead.
Admission £5.00, accompanied children free. Donations to Strathcarron Hospice and SGS charities.
Arndean by Dollar, FK14 7NH.
Arndean is well signposted off the A977.
A beautiful mature garden, which has been opening for 40 years, extending to 15 acres including a woodland walk. There is a formal herbaceous part, a small vegetable garden and an orchard. In addition there are flowering shrubs, abundant and striking rhododendrons and azaleas, and many fine specimen trees. There is a tree house for children.
Groups welcome, full disabled access, dogs allowed on lead.
Admission £5.00, accompanied children free. Donations to Marie Curie Cancer Care and SGS beneficiaries.
Gardener's Cottage Walled Garden, Ballochruin Road, Killearn, G63 9QB.
The garden owners welsome visitors at short notice ( the day before aplanned visit ). Small numbers and individuals are welcome.
From A811 from Stirling take turning to Balfron A875 and go right through the village towards Killearn. Just through Boquhan take turning on right signposted Balfron Station. Entrance to drive second on left.
From A81 from Milngavie, drive through Killearn and after about 1/2 mile (on steep twisting road) take left turn to Balfron Station then turn into the gravel road just after Carbeth Home Farm and follow yellow SGS signs.
If using sat-nav do not use our postcode as this takes you to wrong place! Follow your sat-nav to G63 0LF, which is Carbeth Home Farm. We are the next entrance (gravel road) below the farm.
The walled garden, acquired by the present owners in 2013, has been planted with extensive herbaceous borders with box hedging, roses and many unusual plants. There is a white garden, a long shrub border with primulas and gentians. The restored Victorian Fernery has peach and pear trees and a collection of Salvias. June is a good time to visit when the roses are in bloom and the borders, with lupins, peonies and other perennials are in flower. In late summer the borders have argyanthemums, dahlias, rudbeckias, Michaelmas daisies and blue aconitums. The Celtic Cross Garden was planted in May 2021 with a range of new plants including echinaceas, cardoons, lobelias, anthemis and lavender for mid to late summer colour. The garden is surrounded by mature conifers of the Designed Landscape of Carbeth and there a fine views of the Campsie Fells.
Partial disabled access. Groups welcome.
Admission £5.00 children free. Donation to British Horse Society Scotland, and SGS charities.