Gardens and Parks

BRANKLYN GARDEN

This is said to be the finest two acres of garden in the country.

Seasonal highlights include the collection of primulas, alpines and rhododendrons in May and June, the magnolias and purple Japanese maple in summer, and in the autumn the garden comes to life with the fiery red acers. The garden is predominantly a collection of plants from China, Tibet, Bhutan and the Himalayas. There is a tearoom on site.

Transport: 20 minutes' walk from the centre of Perth or see Stagecoach service 16 (within Perth PlusBus ticket zone). Alight at stop 'Barnhill, Branklyn Gardens'.

KINNOULL HILL WOODLAND PARK

This woodland hillside park is close to the city centre on the east side of the river. The view from the top is spectacular looking along the River Tay. It actually consists of five hills - Corsiehill, Deuchny Hill, Barn Hill, Binn Hill and Kinnoull Hill.

There are miles of grassy paths and nature trails through fine mixed woodland of Scots pine, larch, oak, birch and Norway spruce. Lookout for the spectacular cliffs on the south of the hill and Kinnoull Tower, a 19th century folly said to be inspired by the castles of the German Rhineland.

Transport: 30 minutes' walk from the centre of Perth or see Stagecoach service 11 the Kinnoull Hill circular which passes close to the entrance (within Perth PlusBus ticket zone). Alight at stop 'Kinnoull, Hatton Way' and make you way up Corsie Hill Road.

BEATRIX POTTER GARDEN

Next door to Birnam Arts and with free entry, this enchanting garden contains sculptures inspired by Potter's stories. Meet Mr Tod, Mrs Tiggy Winkle, Mr Jeremy Fisher (hard to find!) and Peter Rabbit and friends.

Transport: 5 minutes' walk from Dunkeld and Birnam train station.

See our Guide to Birnam for more places to visit, accommodation and places to eat.

EXPLORERS GARDEN, PITLOCHRY FESTIVAL THEATRE

Next to the theatre, this garden tells the stories of some of the people who travelled the globe to find new plants and trees for cultivation, commerce and conservation. 

The garden is separated into glades, representing the areas of the world from where the plants originated. One minute you can be strolling through a North American glade, the next you're trekking through Nepal. 

Various sculptures, artworks, specially commissioned buildings and stunning views appear around every corner.

Transport: 15 minutes' walk from Pitlochry train station.

See our Guide to Pitlochry for more places to visit, accommodation and restaurants.

BLAIR CASTLE AND GARDENS

This is the best visitor attraction we have visited and the best value for money.

Blair Castle is the seat of the Dukes of Atholl and home to Europe's only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. This is a picturesque white castle which was started in 1269 and progressively developed since then, set in beautiful grounds with mountains in the background.

Inside the castle a self-guided tour will take you on a visit to over 30 different rooms.

The gardens include a fantastic 9 acre walled garden, woodland walks with some of Britain's tallest trees, a sculpture trail, red deer park, field of Highland Coos, and a ruined Kirk which is the resting place of Jacobite leader Bonnie Dundee. There is also a woodland adventure playground for children. 

You can visit the castle and grounds, or grounds only. Even if you visit the grounds only, there is so much to see. Those with grounds only tickets also have access to the restaurant, shop and toilets.

On our most recent visit with a grounds only ticket we spent 3 hours here and could easily have stayed longer; visiting the castle and grounds you could spend the whole day here. 

Transport: 15 minutes' walk from Blair Atholl train station. If you visit the castle late in the day, the main driveway gates will be closed when you leave. However, it is still possible to get out that way through them as a pedestrian, don't follow the cars leaving the long way!

See our Guide to the picturesque village of Blair Atholl for other places to visit, as well as accommodation and places to eat.

Prepare for lots of photos, we had a difficult time cutting it down to just these...

SCENIC BUS JOURNEY IN THE CAIRNGORM NATIONAL PARK: THE AVIEMORE ADVENTURER

The Aviemore Adventurer service departs regularly from Aviemore station and makes its way through the Glenmore Forest Park and past Loch Morlich before climbing the Cairngorm Mountain - a 20 minute journey in total. 

There are lots of places of interest along the way, so ask about an unlimited travel ticket as you will probably want the flexibility to get on and off the bus to visit the various attractions. 

For the more energetic there is a footpath all the way from Aviemore to the top of Cairngorm Mountain.

Rothiemurchus Estate Forest

The bus winds its way through the Rothiemurchus Estate Forest. This is one of the few places in Scotland where the original Caledonian Pine Forest still exists. The area is abundant in local wildlife including the native red squirrel, deer and ospreys.

Most visitors start at the Rothiemurchus Centre which is the main office for the estate and also has a cafe. It is the first stop for the bus or you can walk from the station in about 30 minutes as a footpath is provided.

There are many activities available at the estate including archery, canoeing, paddle boarding, walking, safaris and wildlife watching.

The bus then makes its way to Loch Morlich and travels alongside the loch for its full length. This area is filled with footpaths so alight anywhere in the area for walking. It is also a popular location for picnics.

Glenmore Forest Park

At the end of the loch is the Glenmore Forest Park. It is a continuation of the Caledonian pine forest of Rothiemurchus.

The Glenmore Visitor Centre provides information on the walking and cycling opportunities around the park and has a cafe and toilets. There are numerous walks from a half hour to all day around the area with a choice of both low and high-level walks.

INVERNESS BOTANIC GARDENS

The gardens are modest sized but popular, and a favourite spot of ours. They include a tropical house (good for warming up on a cold day) and cactus house.

There is also a good cafe on site and entry is free (donations welcome).

Transport: 35 minutes' walk from Inverness train station.

Attadale Station is a tiny request halt, but well worth getting off if you are a plant lover. This is the location of Attadale Gardens which are next to the station and cover 20 acres. 

These gardens are best visited in summer or in the spring when the magnificent rhododendron bushes are in full flower. There is also a sunken garden and a Japanese garden.

LILIA'S GARDEN RUDHA MOR

This family owned garden is located at the north end of the village. You can get in touch to arrange a tour if you wish. The garden is open year round and entry is by donation.

Transport: 25 minutes' walk from Plockton train station.

This is a useful stop for the Balmacara Estate & Lochalsh Woodland Garden (National Trust for Scotland) including walking the coastal path to Port an Eorna.

The Estate is large and also covers the area of Plockton and Kyle so you may wish to use the train to travel within the Estate as well as to it.

The Estate includes the woodland garden and miles of stunning coastal scenery with views across to the Cullin hills on Skye. It is open year round.

GLENARN GARDEN

This private 10 acre garden which is open to the public under Scotland's Gardens Scheme. It includes collections of rhododendrons and magnolias, a rock garden, a vegetable garden, and views over the Gareloch.

Transport: Rhu Marina is around 2 miles' walk from the centre of Helensburgh or a 6 minute bus journey from opposite Helensburgh Central Railway Station (not Helensburgh Upper!). See Gairlochhead Coaches/Wilson's of Rhu service 316 and alight at Rhu Marina. The garden is 15 minutes' walk from Rhu Marina.

See our Guide to Helensburgh for more places to visit, accommodation and restaurants.

BIBLICAL GARDEN

Outside the Cathedral look out for the Biblical Garden. This quiet spot has examples of every plant mentioned in the Bible.

Transport: 20 minutes' walk from Elgin train station.

NEARBY GLEN GRANT DISTILLERY AND GARDENS, ROTHES

Currently undergoing renovations, so limited tours are available and the gardens are closed. 

Founded in 1840, this distillery produces single malt whisky using water from the Caperdonich Spring. Various tours and tastings are available.

The distillery sits in the Victorian 'Garden of Splendours' established in 1886 by James ‘The Major’ Grant and containing flowers and plants gathered from his travels around the world. It covers 22 acres of orchards, meadows, and gorges.

Transport: Alight at Elgin train station. 25 minutes' bus journey from Elgin to Rothes - see Stagecoach service 36. Alight at bus stop 'Rothes, at Glen Grant Distillery'.

Aberdeen has many parks and gardens of interest. The historic Hazelhead Park has formal gardens and woodland walks and was gifted to the city in 1319 by King Robert the Bruce. 

The park is 15 minutes' bus journey from the city centre - see Stagecoach services 5 and 6, and First Bus service 11. Alight at stop 'Hazlehead, at Hazledene Road', followed by 15 minutes' walk.

Seaton Park is on the banks of the River Don and contains the formal gardens of the Cathedral Walk - The Cathedral Church of St Machar is next to the park. The park is 20 minutes' bus journey from the city centre - see First Bus service 20 and alight at stop 'The Old Town House'.

Duthie Park on the banks of the River Dee contains a Victorian band stand, fountains, and boating ponds. It is also home to the David Welch Winter Gardens which are one of the largest indoor gardens in Europe. 

The park is 5 minutes' bus journey from the city centre - see Stagecoach services 8, X7 and X8, and First Bus service 8, and alight at stop 'Ferryhill, at Duthie Park'.

Union Terrace Gardens are in the heart of the city and have recently been refurbished. They contain historic arches and Victorian toilets, three pavilions and plenty of places to sit while admiring the city's architecture.

Cruickshank Botanic Garden is part of the University of Aberdeen campus. It is 11 acres of gardens including a rose garden and an arboretum. It is 20 minutes' bus journey from the city centre - see First Bus service 20 and alight at stop 'The Old Town House'.

See our Guide to Aberdeen for more places to visit, accommodation and restaurants.

DUNVEGAN CASTLE AND GARDENS

Dunvegan Castle and Gardens is probably one of the most famous locations on Skye. For over 800 years it has been the home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod and as such is the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland.

Its position overlooking the sea Loch Dunvegan and surrounded by landscaped woodlands and gardens is stunning. In fact the gardens are as much an attraction as the Castle itself and you may enjoy the walled garden, water features, round garden and woodland areas.

Sitting in what is essentially barren moorland of northern Skye; these gardens laid out in the 18th century are like finding a hidden oasis in the desert. Due to the warmth of the Gulf Stream visitors are often amazed at the types of plants which thrive in these gardens.

The Castle itself is a fascinating complex of six buildings, five of which are open to the public. Boat trips to visit the seals are also offered as a supplement to visitors to either the Castle or Gardens.

Transport: There is a regular bus service (no Sunday service) from Portree to the castle - see Stagecoach service 56.

JOHN LENNON MEMORIAL GARDEN

John Lennon spent childhood holidays in Sangomore in Durness. The Village Hall has created a small memorial garden.

Transport: 20 minutes' walk from the centre of Durness.

Page last updated 5 December 2025