Cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, this lush, tropical oasis is perched on a peninsula on the shores of Loch Ewe, amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross. It is a magnificent world-famous 54-acre heritage garden where rare species thrive as the effects of the Gulf Stream meet the Highlands.
It is surrounded by over 2,000 acres of estate land managed for conservation, including the popular Pinewood Trail easily reached from the garden entrance. The Garden was created out of bare rock and a few scrub willows in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie, it is full of colourful and exotic plants from around the world. It now includes a wealth of exotic plants from Australian tree ferns to Chinese rhododendrons to South African bulbs. Plantings include a grove of Wollemi pines and other 'fossil' trees thought to be extinct.
Around the garden pathways visitors can admire artworks that reflects the characteristics of the garden and surrounding environment. A particular favourite is the Peace Garden willow figures
Visitors love trying to spot Scotland’s Big 5 in wildlife: red squirrel, red deer, otter, seal, and golden eagle. You may even see a big 6th – the sea eagle!
Please go to our website www.nts.org.uk for latest update on opening details. Please follow Scottish government advice and carefully observe social distancing.

Visitors have chance to see

1. RHODODENDRONS -over 400 varieties in our splendid National Collection, with colourful and vibrant flowers to be found somewhere in the Garden every day of the year.

2. WALLED GARDEN - set with the backdrop views of Loch Ewe and the mountains beyond, our Walled Garden is filled with fruit, veg and flowers during the summer. Its striking large, curved, sandstone wall, stands proud above our beautiful formal Walled Garden.

3. WOLLEMI PINES - we have the world's most northerly grove of ‘fossil’ trees, Wollemi pines, thought to have died out two million years ago, the species was discovered in Australia in the 1990s.

4. PEACE GARDEN – see the magnificent willow figures depicting the commemoration of the end of WW1 in this part of the garden originally developed by Osgood Mackenzie.

5. SCOTLANDS BIG 5 Look out for our red squirrels, otters, red deer, golden eagles, and harbour seals in their natural habitat.

How to find us

On A832 by Poolewe, 6m NE of Gairloch; see website for further details.

Location

Awards

BBC Countryfile Magazine Garden of the Year 2017, Taste Our Best VisitScotland Award, Green Tourism Gold Award, Visit Scotland 4 Star Grading.

Highlights

• The 'Big Trees' - California redwoods tower into the sky
• Rare Wollemi pines,once thought extinct, growing in Bambooselem
• Tasmanian eucalypts and rhododendrons from China, Nepal and India
• The Peace Garden commemorating the end of WW1 - a wonderful display of willow figures
• Ponds heavy with greenery and thick with water lilies

Guided tours

Visit www.nts.org.uk for further information.
If you are a travel operator please contact our central Travel Trade department with all enquiries, bookings, and any other requirements like catering or bespoke tours - [email protected] or telephone: +44 (0) 131 458 0204.
For general groups (clubs, friends, and parties) contact the properties direct for information, private tours and other special arrangements.

Group visits

For group tour ideas see our new website for exclusive trade offers, rates and ticket options, unique experiences and suggested itineraries www.nts.org.uk/traveltrade

Promotional Themes

• Autumn Colour
• Edible Gardens and Vegetables in Season
• Herbaceous Borders & Plantings
• Meconopsis
• Red Squirrels
• Rhododendron Displays
• Rose Gardens
• Sculptures/Garden art
• Tree Collection/Champion Trees
• Walled Garden
• Water Gardens
• Woodland Gardens
• Woodland Wildlife