BENMORE BOTANIC GARDEN

A member of Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden, this garden is home to rare and beautiful species, as are its southern neighbours, the Logan and Dawyck gardens. On its 121 protected hectares, some 300 species of rhododendrons (in bloom in spring and early summer), gigantic sequoias and some trees over 150 years old can be admired. Bhutan, Chile and Tasmania have here real little enclaves of their flora, in addition to a spectacular view of the valley, loch and mountains. There's also a coffee shop on the premises.