Scotland´s Gardens Scheme

Gardens marked as SGS are all members of Scotland´s Gardens Scheme. SGS was created as a registered charity in 1931. It organises the opening of around 475 gardens, mostly private, ranging from formal castle gardens to groups of small village gardens. 60% of entry fees to gardens in this scheme benefit SGS´s chosen charities, principally: The Queen´s Nursing Institute, Gardens Fund of the National Trust for Scotland and Maggie´s Cancer Caring Centres. The Gardeners´ Royal Benevolent Society and The Royal Fund for Gardeners´ Children also receive support. 40% of entry fees go to a charitable cause chosen by the garden owner.
More details can be found in the book "Gardens of Scotland 2010", and on the website www.gardensofscotland.org

Special Days Open in August

The garden at Mount Tabor House, Perth is open on Sunday 1 August, 10am to 5pm. It is a mature terraced town garden originally laid out in the late 19th century. Plant sales, mostly disabled access, dogs on leads welcome, craft stall, soup and rolls from 12-2pm, teas from 2-5pm. Admission: £3.50 (40% to Kate McKerracher Trust). Location: Mount Tabor Road, PH2 7DE. From Dundee Rd at Isle of Skye Hotel, turn right into Manse Rd, over mini-roundabout and into Mount Tabor Road.

There is an Orchid Festival at Scone Palace, near Perth, (see also chart) on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 August, with donations to SGS beneficiaries. Opening times for the Orchid Festival are 9.30am-5pm. Other attractions at Scone Palace: pinetum, maze, children´s adventure playground, woodland walks, original Douglas fir. Limited disabled access, dogs on leads welcome, cream teas, wine, light refreshments.

On Sunday 8 August 40% of admission at Drummond Castle Gardens, Crieff (see also chart) goes to the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen´s Association. The formal garden is said to be one of the finest in Europe and is the largest of its type in Scotland. Plant sales, restricted disabled access, dogs on leads welcome, raffle, stalls, entertainments, pipe band, refreshments. Opening hours that day: 1pm-5pm.

The Gardeners of Falkland open a wonderful selection of small, secret and private gardens to the public in this interesting historic village on Saturday 14 August (11am-5pm) and Sunday 15 August (1pm-5pm). Plant sales, partial disabled access, refreshments in village tearooms, organic café and pubs. Admission: £4.50 (20% to Alzheimer´s Society, 20% to British Heart Foundation). Route: on A912 and B936.

The Scotlandwell Community Allotments at Young´s Moss, The Causeway, Scotlandwell are open under SGS on Sunday 15 August, 10am-4pm. Admission £3.50 (40% to Rachel House). Plant sales, disabled access, dogs on leads welcome, carriage driving, refreshments.

The garden at Kirklands, Saline is open on Sunday 22 August from 2pm to 5.30pm. Herbaceous borders, woodland garden, newly developed terraced walled garden. Admission: £4, children free. 40% to Prospect Burma. Plant sales, partial disabled access, dogs on leads welcome, cream teas, vegetable growing advice. Route: Jct 4, M90, then B914. Parking in centre of village.