Carolside

Carolside is an 18th-century mansion set in parkland, a former deer park, in the romantic setting of a beautiful valley in the Scottish Borders.

Carolside Is considered to be one of Scotland’s finest private gardens and is best known for its Collection of historic roses and National Collection of Gallica Roses.

The Garden has evolved into a series of rooms in the last 30 years, each with a unique atmosphere and planted in different colours but each filled with roses amongst the soft, delicate and subtle planting of herbaceous plants .
Visit the Herb garden with yellow and white roses amongst the fresh yellow and greens of the herbs , the Secret garden planted in silver and pale pinks or the Hidden garden through the green Gothic door only planted in white roses and violets with roses tumbling from the apple trees or the contrast of the Winter garden, which in the summer relies on the texture and colour of leaves and uses burgundy and white to delicately bring it to life for the summer .
Take a tranquil walk through the Rose gates into the beautiful parkland and the river beyond and enjoy the view from the 18th century bridge

Little Sparta

Set in the Pentland Hills, near Edinburgh, Little Sparta is Ian Hamilton Finlay's greatest work of art. Finlay moved to the farm of Stonypath in 1966 and, in partnership with his wife Sue Finlay, began to create what would become an internationally acclaimed garden across seven acres of a wild and exposed moorland site.

Collaborating with stone carvers, letterers and at times other artists and poets, the numerous sculptures and artworks created by Finlay, which are all integral to the garden, explore themes as diverse as the sea and its fishing fleets, our relationship to nature, classical antiquity, the French Revolution and the Second World War. Individual poetic and sculptural elements, in wood, stone and metal, are sited in relation to carefully structured landscaping and planting. In this way, the garden in its entirety is the artwork.

Dryburgh Abbey

Due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we undertake high level masonry inspections, there is currently no visitor access to the abbey. The abbey nave, including Sir Walter Scott’s Tomb, will be open from June 24th.

Wander among the graceful ruins of this beautiful Borders abbey set beside the River Tweed and truly enjoy the diverse gardens which really do offer something for everyone including the Dryburgh Yew, reputedly one of Scotland's most ancient trees

The year begins in February with the Snowdrop festival which offers visitors a great opportunity to see the snowdrops sitting in contrast to the winter aconites with their beautiful yellow colouring.

Early spring sees the Daffodils in bloom and when you take a look from the River Tweed towards the abbey there is a wonderful view of yellows and greens. This coming year will see the return of our wild grass meadow where we hope that nature will take its course and self-seed.
One of the most picturesque times of year to visit is in the autumn when the leaves are changing colour on the trees. A fantastic sight!

Monteviot

Monteviot's Gardens provide an extraordinary foreground to the wonderful background which is the curving and winding River Teviot and the hills beyond. They consist of a number of distinct gardens each leading to the next designed to display interesting and special plants, great colour, and innovative designs and ideas. Generally there is a great variety of daffodils in the spring, striking displays of fritillaries, a large collection of interesting and specialist shrubs and trees, and a constant imaginative use of water features to complement the river below. They rank among the most interesting gardens in the Scottish Borders.

Priorwood Garden & Dried Flower Shop – NTS

Many of our gardens are alive with fresh blooms, but there's only one dedicated to the art of dried flower arranging, and that's Priorwood. Pick up tips in the workshop, choose your own arrangements to take home, or simply enjoy the colours, scents and history. Especially beautiful in spring, come enjoy the blossoms and pause for a picnic within sight of the ruins of Melrose Abbey.

Abbotsford

Abbotsford's three walled gardens were designed by Sir Walter Scott in the 1820's to surround his 'Conundrum Castle' and remain virtually intact today.

The South Court was an exercise in new ideas exploring the transition from inside to outside, with a gallery of stone, an arcade with 144 botanical motifs and a fountain (planted to represent flowing wine). The kitchen garden has been in continuous cultivation, with a colourful herbaceous borders, trained fruit and heritage vegetables and a beautiful Gothic conservatory based on a medieval pavillion. The East Court is a quiet, sunken garden flanked by the lofty castle-like east facade, with its charming clairvoyee and flag-tower-cum-fruit and seed store. The North Terrace offers views to the River Tweed and is a start point for woodland and riverside walks around the 120 acres of designed Picturesque landscape.

We are delighted to be welcoming guests back to Abbotsford's Hope Scott Wing. Enjoy a well-deserved break in our luxury 5-star accommodation. See website for more information.

Philiphaugh Garden

Philiphaugh Garden, situated 2 miles West of Selkirk, in 1899 was the second biggest walled garden in Scotland. Now fully restored the garden produces flowers, fruit, bedding plants, vegetables for sale to the public. The Waterwheel cafe and Salmon Viewing Centre are situated close by and well worth a visit.
Philiphaugh Gardens is pleased to welcome Selkirk Gin Distillers, who have just opened a craft distillery in the Old Joinery building on the Philiphaugh Estate. Products from the garden will be incorporated to make the gin. The first batch of Reiver's Gin has already been produced. Why not visit the distillery after leaving the gardens.

Harmony Garden – NTS

Surrounded by walls and screened by trees, the garden at Harmony is perfectly in tune with nature. With magnificent views across to Melrose Abbey and the Eildon Hills, this is a truly idyllic setting. Step out of normal life and into somewhere more colourful, relaxing and balanced. Manicured lawns, scented borders and fruit and vegetable beds spread out from a beautifully proportioned Georgian manor house – available as holiday accommodation.

Floors Castle Gardens and Grounds

The gardens at Floors are a delight to explore with fine herbaceous borders, fruit trees and meandering paths. The Walled Garden is a showpiece of seasonal colour and interest. Rooted in our fascinating history, the glasshouses date back to the 1850s and continue to grow plants and fruit for the Castle. Come and see our new developments in the gardens, including a substantial oak-framed fruit cage and new Tapestry garden.
Inspired by the French-style parterre, this lovely garden, enclosed by the walled garden and beautiful Rhododendrons, features the intertwining initials of the present Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe. Wander up to the top terrace, planted with old varieties of apple trees, where you will find an enchanting summer house, the Queen's House. Built in 1867 for Queen Victoria to take afternoon tea, this beautiful building, as well as the garden, is available for private hire.

Portmore Gardens

Set at 800 feet in the wonderful Peebleshire countryside, the old Victorian gardens at Portmore have been recreated by the current owners Mr and Mrs David Reid over the past 30 years.

The 1.5 acre Walled Garden, which is at its height between mid July to August, has splendid double herbaceous borders, a potager, rose garden, pleached lime walk, ornamental fruit cages and much more. There are large Edwardian glasshouses which contain an Italianate Grotto with ferns and exotic plants. Outside the Walled Garden is the Water Garden with specimen trees and shrubs leading to a Woodland Walk and views of the Borders landscape. Below the house lies a formal garden of yew hedges with a water feature and box parterre.

Featured in Kenneth Cox's Scotland for Gardeners, starred in the Good Gardens Guide and various magazines including The English Garden May 2013.

Dawyck Botanic Garden

Dawyck Botanic Garden is home to one of Scotland's finest tree collections including some of Britain's oldest and tallest trees. The 65-acre Garden offers woodland and burnside walks and is renowned for its seasonal displays of snowdrops, bluebells, rhododendrons, azaleas, Himalayan poppies and autumn colour. Visitors can enjoy themed trails and follow the adventures of plant explorers such as David Douglas, after whom the Douglas fir is named - ideal for all the family.

Paxton House

The 80 acres of gardens and grounds at Paxton House are considered an outstanding work of art, originally designed by Robert Robinson around 1756. As well as being architecturally outstanding, there exist some well-preserved 18th & 19th century estate structures in the grounds, as well as more modern features. The Edwardian-style herbaceous border, extensive woodland and Tweed river-walk are highly praised by visitors to the grounds, and are well maintained by a dedicated team of gardeners. The well garden, another beautiful feature, demonstrates a beautiful display of Candelabra Primulas in Spring. In other areas of the estate, there is a fantastic volume of daffodils during April, and some stunning rhododendrons which begin flowering in May. We also have a lavender border, which is in full bloom in August, along with many other floral displays throughout the year.

Spend a few nights in our elegant Georgian buildings. South Lodge and the Garden Apartment, both sleep 2. Or book into our Caravan Park in the historic Walled Garden. See website for more details.