Page 28 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

26  INTRODUCING SC O TLAND A POR TR AIT OF SC O TLAND  27

Scottish Gardens The Gulf Stream

Scotland has a great number of diverse and The west coast of Scotland is the
beautiful gardens. Some are renowned for their surprising location for a number
layout, such as Pitmedden, or for particular plants. of gardens where tropical and
Rhododendrons flourish in Scotland’s acidic, peaty subtropical plants bloom.
soil, and the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is Although on the same latitude as
famous for its spectacular, colourful display. Some Siberia, this area of Scotland lies in
the path of a warm water current
gardens have a striking backdrop of lakes or from the Atlantic. Inverewe is the
mountains, while others form the grounds of a Inverewe Garden (see p160) is renowned most famous of the Gulf Stream
for its lush, exotic, subtropical flora. Ferns,
stately home. Gulf Stream gardens like Inverewe lilies, giant forget-me-nots and rare palms gardens, with plants from South
offer visitors a rare chance to view exotic, subtropical are just some of the 2,500 species that Drummond Castle Gardens America, South Africa and the
flora at a northern latitude. thrive in the mild climate. are laid out as a large South Pacific. Other gardens
The gardens shown here are boxwood parterre in include Achamore on the Isle of
the shape of a St
some of Scotland’s finest. Andrew’s Cross. Gigha and Logan Botanic Garden Tree ferns warmed by the Gulf Stream, Logan
Yellow and red roses near Stranraer. Botanic Garden
and antirrhinums provide the
Crarae Gardens (see p134) are colour, and a sundial forms
sited on a slope overlook ing InvereweInverewe the centrepiece. Pitmedden Garden was
Loch Fyne, surrounded by GardenGarden created in 1675 and later
mature woodland. There are restored to its full glory as a
many walks, all designed to ElginElgin formal garden by the National
cross a picturesque burn at InvernessInverness Trust for Scotland. Split into two
the centre. The gardens are Kyle ofKyle of levels, it has four parterres, two
riotous with spectacular LochalshLochalsh Pitmedden GardenPitmedden Garden gazebos, box hedges and a
rhodo dendrons in spring and splendid fountain at its centre.
ablaze with golden and russet AberdeenAberdeen
leaves during the autumn. Crathes GardensCrathes Gardens
MallaigMallaig
FortFort
The Botanic Gardens, Glasgow WilliamWilliam
(see p109), have a wonderful
collec tion of orchids, begonias
and cacti. Kibble Palace, a Angus’ GardenAngus’ Garden Crathes Gardens’ topiary and scented
domed, iron conservatory PerthPerth borders are centred around the beautiful
designed by engineer John ArduaineArduaine Drummond CastleDrummond Castle tower-house, Crathes Castle (see p149). There
GardenGarden
Kibble, houses tropical tree ferns Crarae GardensCrarae Gardens GardensGardens are eight different themed gardens, such as
from around the world. GlasgowGlasgow the Golden Garden designed in the style of
BotanicBotanic
Younger BotanicYounger Botanic GardensGardens Edinburgh RoyalEdinburgh Royal Gertrude Jekyll.
GardenGarden Botanic GardenBotanic Garden
GlasgowGlasgow EdinburghEdinburgh Dawyck Botanic Garden is
AchamoreAchamore
GardensGardens Kailzie GardensKailzie Gardens another branch of Edinburgh’s
AyrAyr DawyckDawyck Priorwood GardensPriorwood Gardens Royal Botanic Garden, and
BotanicBotanic specializes in rare trees, such as
GardenGarden the Dawyck beech, flowering
Logan Botanic Garden (see p97) is an shrubs and blankets of narcissi.
outpost of the Royal Botanic Garden in
Edinburgh. The garden is divided into DumfriesDumfries 0 kilometres 50
two main areas – a walled garden with 0 miles 50
cabbage palms, and a woodland area. StranraerStranraer
The Gulf Stream enables subtropical Logan BotanicLogan Botanic
plants to grow here. GardenGarden
The Rhododendron
These examples illustrate three of the
900 rhododendron varieties. The first is The Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh (see
tropical, grown under glass in Scotland; p74), is internationally renowned as a base for
the second is evergreen; the third is an scientific research. With almost 17,000 species,
azalea, which used to be considered a the garden has a marvellous range of plants.
separate species. Rhododendrons also fall Exotic plants are found in the many glasshouses,
into scaly -leaved and non-scaly groups. Macgregoriae Augustini Medway and the grounds are enhanced by beautifully
maintained lawns.

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