Washed by the tides, open to the winds and with views that reach to the far horizon, Scotland’s island gardens are very special places. From the inner waters of the Firth of Clyde to the rocky cliffs of Orkney and through the mountainous landscapes and low-lying grasslands of the Hebrides, the waters off the coast are studded with gardens, each with its own, unique character. Some are small and intimate, others wildly expansive, spreading out from the walls of ancient keeps in thickets of shrubbery and noble trees that provide shelter from the gales.
In many of them, native wild flowers grow alongside exotic introductions that only flourish here because of the North Atlantic Drift, which picks up warm waters from the Gulf of Mexico and carries them to these shores. We’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best of Scotland’s island gardens, some practical spaces, others wildly romantic, and all of them worth a visit during the long days of summer. So why not chart a course and start exploring these horticultural gems? A view down the Kyles of Bute (Image: free) Ardencraig Isle of Bute PA20 9EZ Ardencraig Gardens in Rothesay are home to one of Scotland’s best displays of annual bedding plants.
Each year the local authority’s gardeners fill the walled garden with a glorious selection of brightly-coloured flowers, including many different kinds of fuchsias. This masterpiece of Victorian nostalgia is well-executed and very cheerful, even on a dull day. Open daily 9am - 5pm Adm.