The most beautiful parks and gardens Scotland

Created in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie, this garden is a festival of colors on 20 hectares which will delight the amateurs of the kind. It is in itself a feat, because it was born on desert land, where nothing (or so little) was supposed to grow. It is a garden both surprising by its location and of an almost unequalled richness... Passion obliges! One can admire rhododendrons from the Himalayas, eucalyptus from Tasmania and a vast collection of plants from New Zealand, Chile and South Africa. These rare varieties from all over the world thrive in a microclimate provided by the Gulf Stream. In addition, you can see Scotland's iconic wildlife: red squirrels, deer, otters, seals and golden eagles. With a bit of luck, the sea eagle will also be there! This subtropical garden is not to be missed.

Inverawe House: 5 minutes walk from the Visitor Centre, this house is a museum space that will plunge you into the middle of the ^20th century, with objects to touch and experiments to conduct. Very interactive, it has won awards for its original and playful approach.

Sawyer Gallery: The site hosts artists in residence, it is also a place of contemporary art and therefore exhibitions, with new items every year, and also meetings with the creators.

To eat: Inverawe Garden also has a restaurant and a café(Bothy café). Everything is fresh and local, imported "from field to fork": a good excuse to stay a little longer in this corner of paradise!

This botanical garden is a perfect outing in good weather and rainy weather, as you can enjoy a tropical climate in the greenhouses. Lovers of plants or neophytes, everyone will find, in the rarity, multiplicity and beauty of the specimens presented material to be amazed. It is still one of the most beautiful collections in the world! Guided tours are available and explanatory panels provide a wealth of fascinating information, both on amazing natural phenomena and on conservation work.

Glasshouses are a visit in the tour. Their access is not free, unlike the rest of the park, but they are worth discovering. There are 10 of them, each corresponding to a climatic zone and specific species. 10 rooms, 10 climates (hot!), 10 floristic universes! We discover with happiness, a splendid garden of water lilies, an incredible collection of orchids, carnivorous plants, succulent plants... The design of the premises is also interesting, since the greenhouses were built between 1834, in a pre-Victorian style, and 1967, with a more classical and wise simplicity.

Exhibitions are also presented in free access, in the building that hosts you. You will be able to discover photo exhibitions, artists' exhibitions and interactive playgrounds working to raise awareness of the environment. Finally, the Garden offers regular thematic activities throughout the year.

Not every capital city in the world can boast of having a volcano right in the city centre. Edinburgh has two. While Castle Rock is less impressive and has been covered by the castle, Arthur's Seat is a 251-metre giant that gives a real highland flavour to anyone who climbs it. The origin of its name is a mystery and many like to think that it is linked to the legendary Celtic king, although this remains unlikely. At its feet, the vast plateau that ends in 46-metre cliffs facing Queen's Drive is called Salisbury Crags. Together they form Holyrood Park, a 260-hectare park created in 1541 by James V on the grounds of a former royal hunting reserve. The most direct route to conquer Arthur's Seat is on its eastern slope, but the most popular trail is probably the Radical Road trail from the west, a few steps from Holyrood Palace. Built on the initiative of the writer Walter Scott, this small construction site was intended to give work to idle weavers and to make walkers appreciate the natural and heritage heritage heritage of the site. Along the way, one can see St. Margaret's Loch, an artificial lake where geese and ducks paddle, and the ruins of St. Antony's Chapel. Once up there, the view is spectacular. At one glance, one embraces Old Town, New Town, the Firth of Forth and the Lothian. Allow about 2 hours for the hike, good shoes and enough to cover yourself.

To visit Dunollie is to visit 3 sites. First, Dunollie Castle: its ruins, with a last renovation completed in 2019, offer a superb panoramic view on the Oban bay. Then the house-museum: a house from 1745 where each room has been renovated and fitted out to display old objects (^19th century) testifying to the daily life of its occupants. From the kitchen to the children's rooms, we discover everything about the life of a family in the 1800s. The museum also tells the story of the MacDougall clan and, through their epic story, traces the history of Scotland. Then, the park: its course invites to better understand the various invasions which marked the history of Scotland. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the civilization and mythology of the Vikings.

Regularly during the school vacations, the site offers practical and manual workshops of 1 hour for children (£5), which can be an excellent idea to familiarize them with English. There is also the possibility to follow a guided tour at no extra cost or to organize specific visits: adapted to children, focusing on the discovery of the gardens, taking a closer look at the old textiles..

You can have lunch, a picnic or a snack on the spot, thanks to The Kettle café and its menu, made of home-made products, very tasty and at mini prices.

This estate offers many attractions, especially if you love nature and have a soft spot for landscape art. It has been the learning site of the Heritage Gardening School since 1960, which allows it to present topiary art in all its forms and inspirations, from the most classical to the most modern, including a rose garden, a rock garden and a walled garden. The site is also a wonderful nature reserve: you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Galloway hills and the Dee valley, and you can observe ospreys, peregrine falcons, wading birds, geese... The star of the place is quite different: it is the bats! Indeed, they are at home here, in a protected area. Eight species of bats live here and can be observed during guided walks.

Manor House : The baronial mansion is also a highlight of the visit. Threave House has been partially restored as a museum, bringing back to life the decor of what was a Victorian hunting lodge. Guided tours are available for more information.

Walking tour: If you want to extend your stay in this beautiful estate, be aware that several walking tours, from 1h30 to 2h, are available on site or downloadable on the Internet. Snacks: Threave's Terrace Café, renovated in winter 2018, is a destination in its own right, with homemade cakes and dishes and no new, ultra-designed interior crafted with recycled materials. Or stop in the center of the garden at Stables café.

A member of the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, this garden is home to rare and magnificent species, just like its southern neighbours: Logan and Dawyck gardens. On its 121 hectares of protected land, you can admire some 300 species of rhododendrons, gigantic giant redwoods and some trees that are more than 150 years old. Bhutan, Chile and Tasmania have real small enclaves of their flora here, and there is also a coffee shop on site.

The Water of Leith Walkway is over 13 km long, between Balerno in the west and Leith Harbour in the east. This Garden of Eden is a real luxury for such a big city. Ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the streets, it crosses the lush green Dean Gardens along the river. You will see some of the statues from 6 Times, a project by the artist Antony Gormley, who designed the Angel of the North in Newcastle. Between Miller Row and Saunders Street is St Bernard's Well, a small neo-classical temple dedicated to the health goddess Hygieia.

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens are a popular meeting place for local residents and a popular meeting place in the West End. On the banks of the Kelvin River, many people come here for pleasant walks, jogging, or even a picnic. There are plants from all over the world, including orchids and begonias, but especially the Kibble Palace. These huge 1873 Victorian greenhouses are among the largest in the kingdom and cover 2,137 m². A brochure will allow you to optimize your visit.

The plant collection in this garden attracts specialists from all over the world, especially for rhododendrons, alpine plants, herbaceous borders and peat gardens. A two-hectare hillside garden, it was created in 1920 by enthusiasts. There is no season to visit these acres, considered to be the most beautiful private gardens in the country. Spring, summer and autumn each have their own intoxicating blooms and fragrances. Don't leave without stopping at the charming tea room, for its menu and breathtaking views.

Duthie Park and David Welch Winter Gardens are located in the same place, the latter being part of the former, at least as far as the tour is concerned. If you miss the green in this beautiful city of Aberdeen, you're in the right place. For families, there is even a treasure hunt!

Duthie Park: This beautiful park is located near the city center and is 44 hectares in size. It is very popular with locals and visitors alike, both for its perfectly restored Victorian features and for its beautiful lawns and boating pond. The park was donated to the city by Miss Elizabeth Duthie in 1880 and opened as a park in 1883. It is recognized as one of the best designed parks in Scotland. Landscape lovers and topiary enthusiasts, don't miss this visit! The Japanese garden, a floral wall and even a talking cactus are particularly noteworthy..

David Welch Winter Gardens: In the heart of the pleasant and bucolic Duthie Park is one of the largest covered gardens in Europe and the third most visited in Scotland. Many exotic plants from all over the world and colorful flowers can be seen and observed here. Thematic areas group species according to their origin and nature.

Notice to families: Children will enjoy the large play area, which was even voted best play area in Scotland in 2013.

The little extra: you can get married there!

On 81 hectares of wooded nature, this park offers very pleasant walks on the edge and overhanging Loch Lomond and around the castle of Balloch (non-visitable). Three trails - 1.5 km, 2 km and 3 km - are laid out and detailed in the brochure, available on site in season and at the tourist office all year round. The Chinese garden, the French garden and the enclosed garden are all pleasant discoveries, and you can also come into contact with a charming flora and fauna.

On 26 hectares nestled between the hills of the Borders, the Dawyck Botanic Garden is a direct dependency of the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, of which it is a relocated branch. The continental climate of the site allows the cultivation of snowdrops, hyacinths, rhododendrons, azaleas, Himalayan blue poppies and many other species. He also holds one of the finest collections of ancient trees in Scotland. Several paths are marked out to make the most of the gardens and each visit is different according to the season.

Romantic 75-hectare gardens, the Castle Kennedy Gardens are well known for family outings in the area and for lovers of landscape art. They were created in the 1730s by the Earl of Stair and the result is very pleasant: azaleas, rhododendrons and walled gardens are present, surrounded by two lochs and two castles. Five walks have been laid out to help you discover the hidden treasures of this garden (brochures available on the website or at the entrance). Also to be seen: the magnificent round pond, the canal...

The St Andrews Botanic Garden is considered to be the living treasure of this small city with an immense heritage. More than 8,000 varieties of plants and flowers of all kinds live there. Some are native to Scotland, but the majority come from the rest of the world. Each season offers a different approach. Explanatory panels, ideas for walks through the flowers and a visit to the botanical greenhouses enhance the visit. Between April and September, you can discover the Butterfly House (extra charge for admission) or the Tropical Butterfly Experience.

Crarae Garden is considered to be the finest example of a Himalayan style garden in Britain. Here you won't see the yeti, but exceptional tree varieties, as well as brilliant azaleas and rhododendrons. The garden takes shape between gorges, valleys, waterfalls and cliffs, for a peaceful and dreamlike stroll, in an astonishingly colourful and exotic elsewhere. The fauna is also rich and, with a bit of luck, you will see red squirrels, deer, woodpeckers, buzzards or peregrine falcons.

On the long peninsula of the Rhine of Galloway is also this botanical garden, a branch of the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh. It was born thanks to the Golf Stream that blows on the southern tip of Scotland. Its exoticism is unique in the country and it hosts many species from the southern hemisphere. It has a real tropical paradise feel that will surprise many, just a few steps from the cliffs shaken by the Irish Sea. The colorful walled garden and palm trees provide a complete change of scenery.

Kailzie Gardens is the perfect place for a day of naturalist discovery in the Tweed Valley. Wander the gardens and discover the essences that bloom there throughout the seasons: snowdrops, daffodils, hyacinths, but also a colourful explosion of rhododendrons and roses. Admire the wild garden, the greenhouse, the larch planted in 1725 (the oldest in Scotland). Walk on the trails of the landscaped and forested park. Admire the park's ospreys, here under protection and surveillance. Finally, a coffee or snack is a must in the charming park café!

The existence of a garden in Ardchattan goes back more than 700 years... It was installed by the monks of Valliscaulian when they settled on the site. However, the garden we admire today is more recent and dates back a little over a century: 110 years! We find its monastic origins and inspiration, but it has been restructured with a rose garden, a wildflower garden, ornamental trees? The ruins of the chapel are accessible from the garden.

This secret garden, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile, is also known as Dunbar's close. We would also like to call it a "pocket garden"! Surrounded on one side by the walls of Canongate kirk, it is composed in the spirit of a 17th century garden, it offers the happy impression of having discovered a hidden jewel. Its limited surface area makes it a cocoon carved with topiaries, boxwood lace, flower beds and trees. Some benches invite you to relax, far from the noise of the adjacent street which, then, seems very distant....

This exotic garden, located about twenty minutes from Oban, offers a colourful escape into a world of spectacular, teeming flowers and trees. Rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and lilies are kings here. Perfect for a bucolic stroll, the place takes you from the dense composition of the landscaped garden to the wooded areas and then to the breathtaking panorama of the coast and the islands. Several itineraries are possible, for walks suitable for all, and explanations are scattered throughout the park, to help you discover the secrets of the place.